Frequently Asked Questions
Answered by Mark Baker for 2010 Monash Overseas Study Units
Why should I do this course?The course themes are designed to be experienced in the landscape, encountering people, sites and situations that can never be created in a lecture room at home. The three overseas courses are also about making a difference – to you and the world.
Who can do this course?
Any Monash student who is eligible to enrol in a 12 credit point unit at Levels 3 or Level 4. The units that make up the course are coded as History units (HSY) or INT (International Studies). If you are doing a major or minor in another discipline from another School within Arts (for example Politics Studies), it is possible that the unit may be counted towards your major or minor studies. To arrange permission to have the overseas study unit credited towards you major or minor studies, you will need to request written permission from an academic staff member within the discipline area you are receiving your major or minor studies from and lodge the letter of approval at the Faculty of Arts, Coursework Office.
Will I be interviewed?
No, but the course instructor reserves the right to request an interview and refuse your enrolment if you are deemed unsuitable for the course.
How much does the course cost?
In addition to paying your normal HECS/CSP fees for the unit, you will need to pay for travel and land-costs. The land cost for an overseas program covers transport, meals (breakfast and dinner only), and entry fees to museums. It can vary but will usually be between $4000 and $5,000. This fee must be paid directly to the handling travel-agent. Travel costs will be for an economy class ticket which will be between $2000 and $2500. Tickets are less if they are purchased with the handling travel-agent as a travel/land-cost package. However, you may wish to create your own itinerary for alternative dates, in which case you can pay directly to the handling travel-agent or book your own ticket.
Will Monash help me pay?
The Monash Abroad office contributes to student overseas and exchange programs depending on the number of units and amount of time spent abroad. Generally, Monash will contribute $500 to your program.
What if that’s not enough?
The government also has an Overseas Study loan scheme which allows you to put a little over $5000 on HECS for an overseas unit; there are however, several eligibility criteria. You must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree; you must have already completed 48 points of credit; and you must have at least 24 points of credit to complete upon your return. If you are doing a double degree, the remaining points can be attributed to that course.
Note: the OS scheme supports Honours students but not postgraduate students. Payment will be received before the final payment is due with the travel-agent.
Who is the handling travel-agent?
We use ETM Travel, and the contact person there is Steven Green, email steveng@etmgroup.com.au
He will happily answer all of your questions.
Can I do two overseas units
Yes. But you should speak to an Arts Faculty adviser to ensure that you are meeting all criteria for financial support and any impact this might have on other semester length exchange programs.
Can I do this overseas unit and also go for a semester to Prato?
Yes. In fact, Prato students are encouraged to participate in the Final Journey unit in June which begins in Berlin.
What are the assessment tasks for this course?
These are 12 credit point units so contact hours are composed of the entire course experience which includes lectures, site visits and travel. The assessment is divided into five parts, designed to enrich your experience and give you flexibility to travel at the end of the course. 10% is for a site talk you will be allocated where you will act as the guide for the group, based on a 1000 word paper you will write before you leave. Another 10% is for a document analysis test, which you will have to complete online before you leave, based on the Course Reader. A further 10% is a Pass/Fail mark for a reflective diary which you will submit at the end of the trip. 50% is for a 5,000 word research essay, which can be submitted up to 3 months after the course ends. And 20% is for a 2000 word exam essay which will ask you to reflect on the course based on the course readings, due one month after the end of the course.
Will I have to do any preparations before the course?
There will be a briefing session one month before we leave at which the Course Reader and assessment tasks will be handed out. If you are overseas already and can’t make it, everything will be posted online on the course website. The document analysis test will need to be completed before boarding the plane; this is to ensure that you have done reading before you come so that you can experience the trip without unnecessary pressures; you will also have to prepare your site talk before you come.
When will I get my results?
For Winter Semester units (June/July) your results will be completed before the end of second semester; for Summer Semester units (November/December) you will get your results half way through first semester. If you need these results more quickly in order to graduate from a degree, talk to Mark Baker about submitting your work earlier for assessment.
Will there be free time on the trip?
Yes, but the group experience will be intense and intensive and take up most of your time. You will be expected to attend all parts of the course and will fail if you do not participate.
Who will look after us?
You. But we will have a course instructor (Mark Baker) and course co-ordinator (Sue Hampel) for each course, as well as a local driver and guide most of the time.
Is travel safe?
We follow Monash guidelines in accordance with Department of Foreign Affairs travel warnings.
How do I secure a place in the course?
You will need to follow several steps, starting with checking for your eligibility to participate and receive supporting funding as required. You can speak to a Monash Arts Faculty advisor. You then have to fill out a Monash overseas study form which you will find on the website, which will be signed for approval by the Course instructor who will then enrol you in the course (you can’t enrol yourself). Acceptance is first pay first served; in other words, you will need to pay a deposit to the handing travel-agent to be prioritised on the list.
How many students will be coming?
One busload of up to 40. And at least one guitar.
Can I do this course if I’m not a Monash student?
Yes, but you will need to meet all Monash criteria and enrol in the course as a single subject unit. Your home institution will also have to give approval and agree in writing to the course instructor to accredit this unit to your degree.
Can I do the unit if I am a part-time student?
As long as you are enrolled in a degree and you are eligible for a Level 3 or 4 unit, then you can enrol. You cannot participate on this if you are doing this as a stand-alone unit.
What about if I’m a postgraduate student?
The units are coded level 4 which can be attributed to a Masters coursework and research degree. You won’t be entitled for the government overseas study loan, but the ACJC has several $1500 travel scholarships for students enrolled in its graduate programs.
Are there any options for me after the course other than holiday travel?
Monash has several internship programs that you can do or we are happy to assist you in finding an internship with an organisation aligned to the course content. If you are a postgraduate student, you can inquire about enrolling in a placement unit which can be accredited to your degree. The ACJC funds several placement units in its programs.
Can I get a return on my deposit if I decide not to go?
No. A non-refundable deposit of $350 per person is required by Tuesday 30 March 2010 (Final Journey) and by a date to be determined for (Israelis and Palestinians Between War and Peace). Balance of the tour price must be received by 30th April 2010 (Final Journey).
What if the trip is cancelled?
Participants that cancel or withdraw due to adhering to the specific level 5 DFAT advice ("Australians should defer all non essential travel to the country") will result in loss/postponement of deposits. The deposits may however, be used towards the tour if deferred to a later date. If not postponed, ETM Travel will endeavour to recover any deposits already paid to airlines and overseas operators in order to partially refund participants.
Where do I get the application forms?
All the forms are attached to this webpage. You should print them out and ensure that you have filled out everything in accordance with the instructions.
Who should I contact?
There are a number of people who can help with different parts of the process.
General and course enquiries
Sue Hampel, Course Co-ordinator
Email: slham3@student.monash.edu.au
Course Leader
Mark Baker, Director, ACJC
Email: Mark.Baker@arts.monash.edu.au
Enquiries about Monash Abroad
Wendy Tran
Phone: 9902 0210
Email: Wendy.Tran@adm.monash.edu.au
Enquiries about Eligibility for International Travel
Cassie Goffin
Phone: 9902-0296
Email: Cassie.Goffin@arts.monash.edu.au
Enquiries about formal enrolment procedures travel
Liisa Williams, Course Advisor, School of Historical Studies
Phone: 9905-2199
Email: Liisa.Williams@arts.monash.edu.au
Enquiries about travel
Steven Green, ETM Travel
Phone: 9521-5355
Email: steveng@etmtravel.com.au
Lodge Monash application
Gillian Brameld, Executive Assistant to Mark Baker
Phone: 9903-5002
Email: Gillian.Brameld@arts.monash.edu.au