A new, fully-funded student experience in Asia offered by the University of Tasmania is removing barriers to overseas study, with half of its participants offered financial scholarships to ensure they don’t miss out.
The University Global Opportunity – or UniGO – was introduced this year, funding travel to Indonesia, Malaysia or Vietnam for domestic undergraduate students across more than 20 Degree courses.
The cost of the trip is fully covered by a partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s New Colombo Plan, with only the normal HECS fee applied to students.
With accessibility a key pillar of the program, students with financial needs have also been offered scholarship funds of $500-$1500 to ensure they can cover costs such as passports and rent while they are away. Necessary vaccinations for all participants have also been covered.
“Nearly all undergraduates can access UniGO but for some students it’s not as simple as dropping everything and going away,” College of Arts, Law and Education Executive Dean Professor Kate Darian-Smith said.
“Students today have many responsibilities and we wanted to ensure those with financial needs were assisted to take part.
“UniGO is all about equity and giving every student, regardless of their circumstances, a chance to experience international study. Some of these students may never have thought they could afford an overseas trip as part of their study.”
Students from disciplines across the University will spend nearly three weeks connecting with some of our most important regional neighbours.
They’ll work with local groups exploring how their study area can support sustainability projects in their destination country.
“I’m really excited to be part of UniGO, to travel to another country and learn about their culture and their sustainability projects,” Bachelor of Arts student and UniGO participant Abbey Maddock said.
“To exchange knowledge and apply it in my own life will be extremely valuable.”
Led by the College of Arts, Law and Education, UniGO will form the core of a new elective to be offered across all colleges during Summer Semester.
Sustainability will be embedded in the design and delivery of UniGO and the program will be carbon neutral.
The 180 students taking part got their first taste of UniGO as they met for an orientation session.
More information about UniGO is available here.
Photo: UniGO particpants Chloe McCann (Business/Law), Mitch Hardie (Science) and Abbey Maddock (Arts).