SIT Australia: Byron Bay Sustainability & Environmental Action : Reviews (Byron Bay)

Overall, I really liked the program. There were a a few things that could be changed to better it. The program is based in Byron Bay, which has beautiful beaches. The only problem with the location is that it is a tourist destination. This made it harder to meet and interact with locals. The academic work should have been a bit more evenly spaced throughout the semester. Sometimes we would have empty weeks, while others were too full. The difficulty level was appropriate though. I loved the trips we took with the program. It provided experiences I never could have had otherwise. I also loved the ISP portion. I was very nervous about it, but I had a wonderful time conducting research.

The course was more challenging than I expected. Follow guidelines always. The location is the best in the world!! I interacted with locals as much as I can. I really appreciated my home stay family very much. You should make sure to be as honest as you can on your letter to your home stay family so they can match you up well.

My course was an excellent look into sustainability practices at all levels (individual, community, political), as well as different forms of Environmental Action across Australia and the world.
The location of Byron Bay was a perfect town for the home base, and the many other locations visited were phenomenal (Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, Northern Rivers region of NSW). Byron is a relaxed, but fun surfing town where you can enjoy both the days spent on schoolwork and the days relaxing in-between.
You can have as much interaction with the locals as you want, most find it best to meet up with locals at the "hotspots" such as the beach, local pubs/restaurants, and the residence of the program. Locals here provide a unique perspective on life and the environment, it is wise to hear what they have to say.
I did not participate in an internship, or volunteer work, but there is an option to do so. As for the excursions, they are wonderful opportunities to explore Australia and many of the varied environments of the country. This program goes from Sydney (the largest city in Australia), to places like Binna Burra (a rainforest retreat), to remote locations in Tasmania (Cradle Mountain), and everywhere in-between.

The classes were very relevant to environmental studies. We learned first hand how to be proactive and gained the knowledge that we needed for the future. Byron Bay is a truly amazing place, but the best part was traveling all over Australia. We met some amazing locals who were activists themselves. Finally at the end of the program I did an internship with an amazing company and learned all about the Australian food system.

Courses: I loved all the material we learned in this program. Very hands on work, which I learn best by. Course work is manageable but there is a lot of reading. If you're passionate about sustainability, though, it won't feel like a chore.
Location: Byron is awesome. You'll live 2 blocks from the beach.
Interactions with locals: You have a lot of opportunities to meet locals during your time there. If you don't meet anyone from Australia by the end of the program, that is most likely your fault because you decided to stick with all the kids in the program. Don't be afraid to get involved in the community. There's lots of options!
Excursions, internships & volunteering: I did a 5 week internship for my isp course on an organic farm. It was amazing. If you're looking to immerse yourself in the culture, I'd highly suggest you stay in the Byron region and find an internship with a local business or organization.

My overall academic experience was a good one. I got a lot of answers that I was searching for in regards to sustainability and found a new passion for horticulture and permaculture. The program has radical thoughts that will challenge you to perceive reality in different ways. Be open to relearning world perceptions and the course work will take you far. The workshops, especially Eshana's, were great experiences that I will forever cherish!

Australian culture, especially in Byron, is very laid back and down to earth, literally. Lots of hippie influence.. free spirits, surfers and gardeners. Their perceptions on lifestyle are really neat. Just be open and not afraid to put yourself out there. Get involved at local farmers markets, environmental events, and overall get outside of your apartment go enjoy the beautiful beaches and rainforests steps away from you!

Courses were very educational and have practical uses in real life. The multiple locations are fantastic to experience and all help with the learning process. There is plenty of opportunity to meet and interact with locals. Excursions are incredible and educational, help build an entirely new perspective on subjects. ISP or internships are great experiences/opportunities to find your interests and further your career.

Apartment, hostels, cabins, and camping were all interlace to the experience. Local transport in Australia is incredible and easy.

changed my career interests, inspired my donors thesis and research aspirations, changed my lifestyle