- Explore the rich and diverse culture and history of Sydney, and Australia, and analyze current political, economic and social challenges the country is facing
- Advance your intercultural communication skills and develop deeper understanding of opportunities and challenges that globalization brings to the academic and professional environments
- Acquire real-world professional skills through internship, which is a great way to enhance your classroom experience and your resume
Intercultural Learning Objectives:
- Develop cultural self-awareness and knowledge of cultural worldview frameworks (Knowledge);
- Develop an understanding of cultural differences in verbal and nonverbal communication styles and learn to successfully adapt in various presented cultural contexts (Skills);
- Develop the ability to engage and learn from perspectives and experiences different from one’s own (Skills);
- Learn to exercise curiosity and openness in interactions with other cultures (Attitudes);
- Develop transferrable and personal leadership skills (Skills, Attitudes).
Learning objectives are based on the AAC&U VALUE rubrics for Global Learning and Intercultural Knowledge and Competence
- Shared bedrooms (2 or 3 students/bedroom)
- Bedding
- Shared bathroom
- Shared kitchen
- Internet access
- Coin operated laundry
The courses offered in Sydney allow you to study the subjects you need within an Australian context. Each course on Pitt in Sydney is worth 3 credits, and you have the opportunity to take 6 credits during the semester. Doing an internship? Remember that it counts as one class.
If you are seeking to count these courses towards a major, minor or certificate requirement, please meet with your respective advisor to discuss the program and what the courses will fulfill for you.
This is a part-time internship (20 hours per week). In addition, you will attend weekly discussion-led sessions that include educational support and mentoring in a classroom environment, develop personal and professional skills, and learn to contextualize your internship experience socially and culturally. You will receive 3 credits for this course.
This course examines contemporary Australian cinema and its attempt to describe a uniquely Australian identity. The course thus has two interrelated points of inquiry. First, we will attempt to appreciate the context of Australian cinema – from modes of production to distribution. Second, the course will investigate the notion of an Australian identity as it is expressed in some of the most significant films in the Australian tradition. We will look at Australian genre cinema, the 70s Renaissance and recent transformations in the Australian film industry. The course will focus specifically on the theme of national identity and the growing debates around what constitutes a national cinema. Indeed, a question to be explored is the extent to which Australian films have reflected or determined Australian values. Comparisons with appropriate U.S. values and films are encouraged.

This course is offered only during the spring and summer terms.
This course explores the multi-faceted dimensions of human interaction with diverse environments in Australia , New Zealand and the Pacific to illuminate the origins of environmental concerns and current debates in these regions from pre-European contact to now. From the peopling of the Pacific to the challenge of climate change, this course is broad in its scope while concentrating selected issues such as the impact of mining, clean energy futures, our vulnerability to natural disasters and increasing urbanization. In so doing, the intersection of culture and nature is explored. The course is embedded in the environmental humanities , but uses the approaches of environmental history, as well as insights from the disciplines of science, politics, sociology and cultural studies.

This course is designed to encourage students to engage in a critical analysis of the development of modern cities, in particular Sydney. It will trace Sydney's development from a "colonial outpost" into the "thriving metropolis" it is today. The course will examine how the forces of colonization, migration, modernization and globalization have affected the city and its inhabitants. Students will gain insights into the changing dynamics and identities of its inhabitants, and will also look at the forces which have shaped Sydney's relationship with the rest of the world. The course is organized thematically, with each theme examining different aspects of the city. It begins with an introduction to the city, then a discussion of Sydney as a colonial city, moving into an analysis of its identities, impact of migration and finally its commerce, cityscape and urban future. The course ultimately intends to help students contextualize their travels and encounters in the city, and will help them develop informed interpretations of Sydney while they are here.

This is a part-time internship (20 hours per week). In addition, you will attend weekly discussion-led sessions that include educational support and mentoring in a classroom environment, develop personal and professional skills, and learn to contextualize your internship experience socially and culturally. You will receive 3 credits for this course.
Pitt runs this program in partnership with CAPA: The Global Education Network. For more than 45 years CAPA has worked with institutions of higher education to build programs that meet students’ goals for learning abroad. The CAPA Sydney Center is hosted at TAFE NSW Sydney Institute, in a beautiful centrally located heritage building.
Pitt Study Abroad also sends a faculty member from the Pittsburgh campus to teach and serve as a go-to for students.
Kelsey Sobecki

Hello! I’m Kelsey, Program Manager for Arts & Sciences students. I am a native Pittsburgher and studied abroad in Rome, Italy as an undergraduate at Duquesne University, and received my Master’s degree at University College Dublin in Ireland. I have been in the field of International Education for 10 years, which includes time spent living and working on-site with study abroad students in both Rome and Dublin. I am so excited to support Pitt students in their study abroad journey! Please feel free to reach out to me at kls299@pitt.edu or make an appointment to start planning your global experience!
Items Billed by Pitt |
||
---|---|---|
In-State | Out-of-State | |
Tuition | $4,938 | $5,138 |
Program Fee | $4,361 | $4,361 |
Study Abroad Fee | $300 | $300 |
Total Billed by Pitt$ | $9,599 | $9,799 |
Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs |
||
---|---|---|
Airfare | ~$2,000 | |
Visa | ~$150 | |
Personal Expenses | $1,500 - $3,000 |
Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad. Visit our Budgeting page for more information.
As a part of your Pitt in Sydney program fee, the following are included in the program:
- Tuition for 6 credits
- Housing
- Orientation in Sydney
- Cultural Events and Activities
- An Unlimited Transit Pass
- Excursions to Blue Mountains and Australia Walkabout Park
- Health Insurance
- Membership to the ACU Student Union