Regents' Semester in Australia - University of Tasmania

The University of Tasmania, established in 1890, is the fourth oldest university in Australia. It has two major campuses, one in Hobart (8,000 students) and one in Launceston (4,000 students). Tassie hosts approximately 1,000 international students from over 40 countries.

Tasmania, Australia's island state, offers a stunningly beautiful natural environment and a friendly ambience. The two major cities are Hobart and Launceston. About 40 percent of Tasmanians, nearly 200,000 people live around the capital of Hobart in the south. Launceston, in the north, has a population of nearly 100,000.

Tasmania is a treasure trove of natural wonders. The jagged mountain peaks and glacial lakes are products of past ice ages. The forests have 60-million-year-old roots in the ancient supercontinent, Gondwana. One-fifth of the state is dedicated as a World Heritage Area, a vast reserve of temperate rainforest linking 16 national parks where visitors can see first-hand Tasmania's natural wonders. Tasmania is home to the world's tallest flowering plant (swamp gum) and the world's oldest tree (huon pine), not to mention the Tasmanian devil (and a host of other curious creatures). From miles of unspoiled beaches to magnificent mountains, Tassie is a special place, and the wilderness is easily accessible to University of Tasmania students.

As far south as Iowa is north, Tasmania enjoys four distinct seasons. Tempered by the surroundng sea, the temperatures are rarely extreme—35-47 F in the winter, 60-73 F in the summer. The climate is generally dry and fine, "about the equivalent of Northern California but without the fog".

Academic offerings

The Iowa Regents' Semester in Tasmania is offered both in the spring and fall semesters. The University of Tasmania's academic year begins in February and ends in November. Tasmania's first term is from February-June and the second from July-November. Dates vary each year.

The program begins with a week-long orientation program that prepares students for the academic and cultural experience ahead. Students then enroll in regular courses offered by the University. Courses are available to program participants from in 40 disciplines. Aboriginal Studies, Australian Studies, Business, Communications, Creative Arts, Education, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Health Studies, and Natural Sciences are just a few:

Program costs

The program fee includes tuition, fees, and mandatory health insurance. Costs do not include room and board (see TUU (Tasmania Union) off-campus housing and U Tas accommodation options), airfare, passport, student visa, and personal expenses. See a budget for studying in Tasmania.

Students eligible for financial aid should contact their financial aid office and/or study abroad advisor to make the necessary financial aid arrangements. In most cases, students can apply their financial aid toward the cost of participating in this program. Learn more about financial aid.

Program application and selection

Applicants must be full-time students at Iowa State University, of sophomore standing or above at the start of the program, and have a minimum 2.8 GPA.

Two applications are required:

Deadlines:

Spring semester: October 15
Fall Semester: March 15

See the timeline (.doc).

You will also need to complete a housing application, which is available at each university's main office or contact a university coordinator. The housing application is due November 1 and April 1. Please submit your applications to your campus cordinator.

For more information

If you would like more information about the program, or if would like a campus brochure or course catalog, please contact the program coordinator:

Maureen Deisinger
Study Abroad Center
3224 Memorial Union
Ames, IA 50011-1133
(515) 294-6792
mdeising@iastate.edu

Study Abroad Center
3224 Memorial Union
Ames, IA 50011-1133
(515) 294-6792
studyabroad@iastate.edu