Important Information -Universitas 21 Summer School at The University of Queensland

What do I need to consider when travelling to Australia?

Visa Applications:

Visa requirements are managed by the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship. For further information about visa applications, please click here.

Medical and Travel Insurance:
As international visitors, you are recommended to take out appropriate travel insurance and medical cover. Overseas visitors will be required to pay in full all medical expenses incurred while in Australia.

Currency:
Australian currency is calculated in dollars and cents. See currency converter.

Telephone Code:
The country code for Australia is 61. The city code for Brisbane is 7. Dialling Brisbane from overseas - +61 7 then the local number.

Voltage:
220 - 240 volts AC. Most international-standard hotels will have 110 volt outlets in bathrooms for personal grooming aids. Socket converter plugs are often available from housekeeping for loan or are cheaply purchased at most duty free outlets. (Australian electrical outlets are 3 pin with the upper 2 pins at a 45 degree angle)

Personal Health and Saftety on and off Campus:

Upon arrival at the University of Queensland, you are responsible for your personal safety on and off campus. Please click here to find some personal safety tips and emergency contacts.

What should I bring to the Summer School?

Most of the things you will need during the Summer School program such as stationery, study materials or bedding will be provided by the University of Queensland. However there are some important things to consider when packing your suitcases. These things are listed below:

Clothing, footwear and other gear

It will be winter in Australia in July. Although day-time temperatures are mild, it will be cold in the mornings and evenings. There are outdoor excursions and it may rain, so we recommend you bring warm and waterproof clothing and suitable footwear. Formal dress will not be required, although you should bring suitable smart attire for the Official Welcome and the UN Assembly with Senior Executives of the University and Climate Change experts. In summary, it is important that you bring:

Appropriate clothing and gear (see above):

At least one piece of warm clothing
A rainproof coat or jacket
A day pack or light back pack for the field trips (as you will not be able to bring a suitcase and will need an overnight bag for the 2-day field trip)
Sunscreen & sunglasses (it can still be very warm and sunny during the days in Winter)
Covered, comfortable footwear, i.e. closed shoes and sneakers
(there will be some walking required both on campus and during the field trips)
Leisure gear (you might want to bring swim suits, beach towel and flip-flops/sandals)
Insect repellent

Remember, Australian baggage allowances are mostly just 20 kilograms, and one piece of carry-on luggage. They do enforce this upon leaving Australia, so it’s best not to bring too much with you, unless you’re willing to leave it behind on the way out! Furthermore, you are not allowed to bring (fresh) food to Australia, so if you are carrying any food, you must indicate so at the airport.

Important documents:

Please make sure that you bring all required documents for the Summer School, such as:

Passport and visa
Attendance letter/letter of invitation to show at border control
Student ID card (if possible, International Student ID Card – ISIC)
Electronic file for the “4 slides – 4 minutes” presentation on Monday July 13 saved to USB stick
(please also email this in advance to summer.school@edu.uq.au)

Don’t forget:

Finally there are some other things you should remember to bring:

Currency (AUS $), credit/debit cards (there are four banks on campus with ATMs attached)
Prescription medication/spare glasses or contact lenses
Power converter
Mobile phone & charger
Alarm clock
Camera
Calculator (you will need a basic calculator for some of the sessions)
Personal laptop (optional)
Dictionary or phrase book (if required)

Please click here to download an overview of "what to bring".

FAQs

When should we arrive in Brisbane?

Participants will need to arrive in Brisbane ready for the start of the Summer School on Monday 13 July and be here until the end of the Summer School, Friday 24 July.

Are accommodation costs covered within the registration fees?

Yes. Accommodation at the Women’s College on Sunday 12 July and on the Friday 24 July is included within the registration fees so you are more than welcome to arrive on Sunday 12 July and depart on Saturday 25 July. Of course you are welcome to arrive earlier if you wish but you would need to cover the costs of the accommodation. For more information, please contact us or visit the website of the Women's College.

When will the invoices be sent out and what forms of payment are acceptable?

Invoices will be sent out when all registration forms have been returned. Unfortunately, our systems will not facilitate the invoicing of individual participants, so one invoice per University will be sent. Payment by BACS or International Money Order will be accepted. All details will be provided on the invoices.

What is the weather like in July?

It will be winter in Australia at the time of the Summer School. Although day-time temperatures are rather mild and sunny, it will be cold in the mornings and evenings. As of today, there is a high probability of rain on July 12-13 and a low to medium probability of rain until July 25.

Please click on one of the following links for further information about the weather in Brisbane:

http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/qld/

http://www.weather.com.au/qld/brisbane