Central Michigan University

Perth, Australia

Perth, the capital of Western Australia, has been likened to Seattle with a climate like that of San Diego. It is a clean, pollution-free city of 1.3 million people, with parks, rivers, beaches, and other recreational facilities encouraging outdoor activities. The seasons reflect the southern hemisphere, and, therefore, summer ends in March and winter begins in June. Student teachers will arrive in Perth in April during the Australian fall season and leave just as winter begins. A typical winter day is usually no colder that 50 degrees F – ideal!

Program Mission:

1. International experiences are a means to further the development and growth of a student’s personal philosophy. Students can develop both an understanding of another culture and increase their ability to make comparative decisions and judgments.
2. These experiences are preparation for intelligent participation in the student’s own society and the furthering of an international understanding.
3. Experience in Western Australia can also be a stimulus to a student’s growth in academic competence. This experience builds on eight weeks of student teaching in Michigan to provide continuity and support for the preparation of teachers for multicultural classrooms.

Costs and Financial Aid:

1. In addition to regular tuition and personal spending money, the estimated costs of the Student Teaching Abroad Program include expenses for room, field trips, health insurance, administrative fee, airfare, meals, and passports. Costs in 2006 ranged from $4,000 to $5,000.
2. Financial aid provided by CMU may be applied toward the cost of this program. It is also possible to apply for aid based on the program's additional cost. Students are encouraged to apply for the various available scholarships both through TEPD and CMU. Click here for TEPD scholarship information and click here for OIE scholarships for study abroad.

Accommodations: Room and board will be provided by an Australian family in the Perth area. This expense is included in the overall program cost.

Expectations of Students:

• Student teachers will see different school organizations and methods of subject matter teaching.
• Student teachers learn to get along with people in unfamiliar situations. Such opportunities help to develop tolerance and self-confidence.
• Student teachers will live in a home environment for an extended period of time and, this, experience learning in a different culture in greater depth than with a short-term travel/study course.
• An international experience helps student teachers prepare for changes in American culture and society that may likely take place during their lifetime.
• A worldview is a desirable and much neglected goal of the American educational system. This experience can broaden the student teacher’s worldview.
• Student teachers are more marketable with an international experience. The international experience provides an added dimension to a student’s teaching background which can be of interest to prospective employers.

Applications: Three applications are required.

1. A TEPD Student Teaching Application.
2. An International Student Teaching Application.
3. An Office of International Education application.

For further information, please feel free to contact Ann Neal at 989-774-4411 or e-mail neal1al@cmich.edu.