Borneo Conservation and Environmental Immersion

Ever wondered how some communities make decisions about conservation? Want to learn how social and cultural drivers can affect approaches to environmental sustainability in a different country and culture? Sound exciting? Then check out our video to get a feel for the program.

Join us on an immersive tour to Malaysian Borneo, a global biodiversity hotspot and an area facing extensive environmental challenges. This unit is specifically designed for environmentally orientated students to compare and contrast approaches to conservation and environmental sustainability between Australia and a comparative Asian location. We will focus extensively on developing a view of these topics from the perspective of the locals and then evaluate how conservation and sustainability in developing economies could be enhanced by incorporating an understanding of the aspirations, knowledge, and skills of local communities.

Develop a deeper understanding of the environmental issues facing Borneo from the perspective of the local people. During your time in Borneo you will visit National Parks, experience some of its amazing wildlife and jungles, immerse in a vibrant and rich culture and live in remote indigenous communities as you explore their connection to the jungle and how they utilise natural resources. Through extensive conversations with the people we meet you will develop enhanced intercultural communication skills an asset which is in high demand by environmental employers. Join us and start developing your inter-cultural skills in a way that’s relevant to your future career.

Note: you will be enrolled in SLE353 for this Global Experience.

Required Skills: You need an adventurous spirit and a can-do attitude! On this program, you will be living and travelling in close quarters with the group so you must be able to enjoy the company of others.
Exercise Level: You must have a good level of fitness to participate in this program. Borneo is a very hilly environment and we will be walking into a number of national parks and indigenous communities. Also, Borneo can be hot and humid, so fitness can help you deal with these conditions.?
Relevant for: This program introduces you to very different people and ways of life so you must be excited by and respectful of other cultures to get the most of this wonderful, life-changing experience.?
COVID-19: Entry to Malaysia requires travellers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, they also at this point require the wearing of masks in planes and transport as well as at in door venues. You must therefore be vaccinated for COVID-19 and willing to follow all local COVID-19 health protocols.

Compulsory content hours:

Information session: 27th March 2023

Introductory briefing: TBC

Catch up session: TBC

1 week of intensive pre-departure classes: 13, 14 & 16th November 2023 (TBC)

In-country component: Approximately 17 November 2023 to 6 December 2023 (TBC)

Application close: 17 April 2023

Open to applicants in the following courses at Deakin:

• S393 - Bachelor of Environmental Science (Wildlife and Conservation Biology)
• S337 - Bachelor of Marine Science
• S398 - Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability)
• S399 - Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology)
• S369 - Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science
• S321 - Bachelor of Biological Science
• S320 - Bachelor of Science

Students will enrol in SLE353 - Asian Conservation and Environment Sustainability: International Study Tour

Selection will be based on applicants fulfilling the following criteria:

• completed at least 12 credit points when the tour departs in T3 2023
• a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65
• elective space in your course to take this unit as a T3 enrolment
• completed units in your course which give you background on issues associated with conservation and environmental sustainability
• be fully vaccinated for COVID-19

Cost: $5500 AUD.

$1000 deposit due before:  22 May 2023
Final payment due date: 31 August 2023
 
Program fee includes: 

• International flights to Malaysia and internal transport in Malaysia
• Accommodation for the length of the program
• All program activities
• Most meals
• All transport

• Tuition fees
• Passport and visa fees
• Some meals
• Vaccinations

 

• A minimum number of students is required for the program to run and places are limited to 18 students.
• Travel insurance is provided by Deakin for the length of the program, students travelling more than 10 days beyond the program dates will need to pay for additional coverage.
• The OS Help loan can take up to 4 weeks to process so payments deadlines must be met regardless of the status of your loan.
• All students outside of Science, Engineering and Built Environment must seek permission from their home Faculty to enrol.
• Students are reminded to apply for Deakin Travel Insurance as soon as they have been accepted into the program to cover any unexpected withdrawals or costs that are incurred as refunds may not be available.

If you cancel your position on this Study Tour, cancellation fees will apply. A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation of the cancellation. Where written notification of the cancellation is received, the cancellation charges are as follows:

• More than 89 days prior to departure: Deposit is non-refundable
• Between 90 and 56 days prior to departure: Deposit and interim payment is non-refundable
• Between 55 and 0 days prior to departure: Deposit, interim payment, and final payment is non-refundable
• After departure: Deposit, interim and final payment is non-refundable

Your travel insurance may cover cancellation fees. Please contact your Deakin study tour coordinator for further details about insurance claims based on program cancellations.