EPICS II in the Land Down Under

Are you tired of seeing the same buildings and eating the same foods? Do you want a break from hunting down parking spots and smelling the Coors factory? Do you want the chance to travel around the world and experience new cultures? Are you an undergraduate student and still need EPICS II credit? Then start getting your passport ready and take EPICS II at the University of Wollongong in Australia! The University of Wollongong is just a short train ride (80-km/49.7-miles) south of Sydney.

“The university is within walking distance of beaches. Australia has some of the most gorgeous beaches you’ve ever seen; every beach you go to is fantastic,” said Professor Carrie Sonneborn, one of the professors who is heading the program and an alumna of the University of Wollongong. The University of Wollongong is also ranked in the top two percent of research universities in the world. [QS World University Rankings 2011]

This course will take place in Summer 2013 from July 1 – 21 and will be three weeks long. When asked if it will then technically be the winter, Professor Sonneborn said “Yes it will be winter in Australia, but don’t worry – the winters in Australia are beautiful. It is a lot like San Diego in winter or our fall here (Golden, CO)

Professor Bob Knecht is also leading this EPICS II course at the University of Wollongong. He commented that “There is a new Sustainable Buildings Research Center on campus that uses net-zero energy. One project is to develop a protocol for energy audits of one or more local buildings,” said Professor Knecht.

Students will also be taught by University of Wollongong professors and live on campus for the duration of the course. The university offers many of the same services to students as are offered at Mines (i.e. recreation center, bookstore), but the University of Wollongong offers a few more things than Mines. According to the University of Wollongong website, the campus offers pubs, cafes, restaurants, concerts, plays, art exhibits, a bank, general store, and even a hairdresser.
Aside from campus amenities, the professors plan to take students on outings every weekend including Sydney, Minnamurra Rainforest and the Blue Mountains.

To make the trip more affordable, why not just stay for the July-December semester? The Office of International Programs will help you get courses pre-approved for transfer back to CSM in fulfillment of your degree requirements and can help you obtain a student visa. Courses must be approved prior to leaving, and students must earn a “C” or better in order to transfer the credit back. Contact Kay Godel-Gengenbach (kgengen@mines.edu) at the Office of International Programs located at 1706 Illinois—across the street from USGS.

If you would like more information about taking EPICS II at the University of Wollongong and the option to stay for a full semester as an exchange student come to one of two INFORMATION SESSION that will be held on Monday, Nov 12th and Nov 19th, both at 12noon in the EPICS Annex.

Contact Professor Sonneborn (csonnebo@mines.edu) or Professor Knecht (rknecht@mines.edu )