Summer in Sydney
Unique Experiences
Take a well-earned break
at the magnificent, world-renowned Bondi Beach.
Explore Aboriginal art
during a visit to the Royal National Park
Enjoy a concert
at the stunning Sydney Opera House.
400
parks and nature areas
80%
species of plants and trees found nowhere else in the world
5 M+
people living in Sydney
Your Destination
Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, and one of its largest cities, Sydney, is the country's business hub and launching point for exchanging goods, services, and ideas with Asian neighbors. Sydney is also one of the southern hemisphere's leading centers for startups, trade, finance, tech, and media production! With a population of around five million, Sydney is a bustling cosmopolitan city consistently ranked as one of the best cities to live in globally because of its social inclusion, diversity, tolerance, and healthy lifestyle.
An incredibly diverse city, Sydney is home to people from all over the world, with nearly half of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 36% born overseas. The Aboriginals are the world's oldest civilization, and this heritage has helped shape modern Australia. This one-of-a-kind mix of people and cultures led to a shared spirit and attitude that has shaped the Australian way of life. Aussies are known for their laid-back, "no-worries" attitude, being open-hearted and open-minded, and believing that everyone should have equal rights and opportunities, known locally as having a "fair go."
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Sydney.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
Various activities may include:
- Visit the Royal National Park and catch sight of kookaburras, lyrebirds, and echidnas.
- Hike the spectacular Blue Mountains with experienced and informed guides ready to share the environmental and cultural history of the stunning landscape.
- Visit the Coolangatta Estate to learn about the site of the first European settlement on the New South Wales coast and its beginnings as a former convict village.
Projects, Volunteer Opportunities, or Internships
CIEE Sydney seeks to foster an urban community of learners that is respectful of its surroundings and proactively engages with individuals, community groups, and institutions. Orientation will include an introduction to the community resources and opportunities to give back. Time permitting, you might:
- Lend your hand in volunteer programs at parks and schools, and work with youths in after-school programs.
- Work with local environmental groups to help maintain public parks and learn about cultural nuances in the process.
Program Blogs
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Housing & Meals
Housing
Students will live in homestays or shared apartments/residence halls nestled in a serene and green residential suburb. Located close to CIEE, downtown, and the stunning beaches, our housing ensures students are always well-connected to the best of Sydney. Set in welcoming neighborhoods, students will enjoy a peaceful and secure living environment. Everything they need is within walking distance from their home, including various restaurants, supermarkets, a pharmacy, and easily accessible public transport options.
Standard Housing
- Homestays: Homestays provide students with the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in Sydney's diverse culture. Sydney is a multicultural city, and students will stay with families from various nationalities, including Australians. These homes are located within a 45-minute to 1-hour public transport commute from CIEE. The homestay experience includes breakfast and dinner from Monday to Friday. Students will have the freedom to come and go as they please while spending quality time with their host families, gaining firsthand insight into everyday life in Sydney.
- Shared apartments/Residence Halls: Double rooms in shared apartments and residence halls, strategically located within a 45-minute public transport to CIEE, Downtown and beaches. Our prime location ensures easy access to the best attractions the city has to offer. The apartments/residence halls feature twin rooms, fully equipped kitchens, shared living rooms and bathrooms, with coin-operated shared laundry facilities available on-site. A dedicated cleaning team visits once a week to clean common areas. However, we encourage students to take responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of their own rooms and the shared spaces in between cleaning visits. Sheets and blankets are provided, but students must bring their own towels.
Select Housing: A limited number of single rooms in shared apartments or residence halls within a 45-minute commute to the CIEE center. The housing features shared kitchens, living rooms and bathrooms, with coin-operated shared laundry facilities available on-site.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive.
Meals
Shared Apartments/Residence Halls: You will have shared kitchen facilities to prepare meals or purchase food and drinks at local grocers. Sydney has a vibrant food scene with fresh local fruits, vegetables, and meats readily available. You’ll easily find Australian food is influenced from all corners of the globe.
Homestays: Breakfast and dinner are provided from Monday to Friday.
Academics
Students take two credit-bearing courses per summer block. This program provides opportunities to enroll in courses from a variety of academic tracks. Students will learn the intercultural skills needed to succeed in an increasingly globalized and interconnected world. In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering.
Arizona State University: Enhance your international academic coursework with optional online courses that best align with your degree requirements and interests. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar, so you can study abroad with CIEE while continuing to meet all your academic goals.
Course Information
Summer Block I 2025
Summer Block II 2025
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
- CIEE STEM Scholarship
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Block I 2025 6 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $7,250 | |
| Program Summer Blocks I, II 2025 12 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $14,500 | |
| Program Summer Block II 2025 6 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $7,250 |
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $4,450**
Housing = $2,300***
Insurance = $200
Total Fees = $7,250Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $563†
International Airfare = $1,500††
Local Transportation = $220
Books & Supplies = $10
Personal expenses = $175†††
Total Costs = $2,468Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $9,400**
Housing = $4,600***
Insurance = $200
Total Fees = $14,500Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,126†
International Airfare = $1,500††
Local Transportation = $440
Books & Supplies = $20
Personal expenses = $350†††
Total Costs = $3,436Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $4,450**
Housing = $2,300***
Insurance = $200
Total Fees = $7,250Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $563†
International Airfare = $1,500††
Local Transportation = $220
Books & Supplies = $10
Personal expenses = $175†††
Total Costs = $2,468Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Thais Oso
Regional Director of Operations South Pacific Rim
Thais is currently serving as the Center Director in Sydney and the Interim Center Director of Auckland and Melbourne
Dr. Lesley Turnbull
Academic Director
Dr. Turnbull holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Cornell University and has overseen a diverse array of academic programs in CIEE’s Pacific Rim region.
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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