Summer & Fall 2005 and/or Spring & Summer 2006

Through a special exchange arrangement, qualified Queens students may study at the University of the Sunshine Coast, located in Queensland on Australia's central eastern coast, just an hour north of Brisbane.

The University of the Sunshine Coast is a relatively small, modern, government university with an excellent academic staff and curriculum, friendly campus environment, excellent student accommodations and support services, and an ideal location.  Founded with 500 students in 1996, in just nine years it has grown to more than 3500 students and 400 staff.  Its proportion of academic staff with higher degrees is highest of all the universities in Queensland and in the top 20% of all Australian universities.  Its graduates consistently give USC the highest rating possible for its "educational experience."

The campus is in an ideal location: it has a pleasant, subtropical climate; easy access to the surrounding towns and beaches; and an interesting adjoining neighbor in the Mooloolah River National Park, which provides sanctuary for the native flora and fauna, including wild kangaroos.

Please note that the academic calendar at USC is different than ours: the first semester of the academic year runs from mid-February to late June, and the second semester from mid-July to December.  Queens students may start either term and attend one or two terms.

Program Details

• This program is open to qualified rising juniors and seniors, in all majors, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.250.
   
• Participants are selected by Queens faculty and administration on the basis of scholarship (GPA), a written application (including a statement of objectives), and recommendations attesting to academic qualifications, character, and maturity.
   
• Students continue to receive most scholarships and other financial aid, and may participate for almost the same cost as that for the regular term at Queens — as if they are studying on campus in Charlotte.
   
• The university continues to classify the participating students as regular Queens students during the term(s) abroad.
   
• The academic credits earned in this program count toward Queens University graduation requirements.
   
• Interested students who list this program as their first choice on the Belk Program application form should also select one of the other international programs as a second choice.
   
• Further information, applications, and materials on these programs are available in the Belk Program Office or check the USC website.