PROGRAM OVERVIEW
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The Introduction to Tropical Biodiversity Expedition Study Tour is crafted in partnership with Taxon Expeditions, an educational organisation that will guide your hands-on introduction to biodiversity in the rainforests of Malaysian Borneo.
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LEARN FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EXPERTS
We work alongside local biodiversity and education experts to deliver incredible field experiences that simply can't be replicated in a classroom. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE FIELD Explore the rivers and rainforest of Borneo while you get a real-world education in tropical biodiversity and potentially even discover a new species or two! WORK COLLABORATIVELY IN SMALL, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS Partner with a team of other Australian students, Malaysian students, and local biodiversity experts to collectively author a scientific research paper! No academic background in biology is required! |
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FAST FACTS
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Program Length
14 days Summer 2019/20 Dates TBC |
Cost
AU$3,250 Payable as $250 deposit + $3,000 balance Information on funding, scholarships and OS-HELP loans. |
Application Deadline (Summer 2019/20):
TBC * This program will not run in winter 2019, however you can still complete an application form for summer 2019/20, and our team will be in touch once these program dates are confirmed. |
We use rolling applications and reviews and applications will close when programs are full, so early submissions are encouraged.
Note that universities have internal deadlines for funding programs like OS-HELP, so apply early.
Note that universities have internal deadlines for funding programs like OS-HELP, so apply early.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
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YOUR IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
Could look something like this...
Could look something like this...
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EXAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrival and Program Kick-Off
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia and kick off the next two weeks of adventure by becoming acquainted with your Australian and Malaysian peers over a delicious welcome dinner hosted by Taxon Expeditions, Unbound's key local program partner for the duration of the trip!
Day 2 – Orientation and Exploring Kota Kinabalu
After a traditional Malaysian Breakfast, we'll jump right into program orientation and then spend an afternoon exploring the city, with a few absolute must-see destinations including the Sabah Museum and an introduction to tradition and the local way of life with a cultural village tour that will give you insights about your surroundings that are sure to get you started on the right foot!
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia and kick off the next two weeks of adventure by becoming acquainted with your Australian and Malaysian peers over a delicious welcome dinner hosted by Taxon Expeditions, Unbound's key local program partner for the duration of the trip!
Day 2 – Orientation and Exploring Kota Kinabalu
After a traditional Malaysian Breakfast, we'll jump right into program orientation and then spend an afternoon exploring the city, with a few absolute must-see destinations including the Sabah Museum and an introduction to tradition and the local way of life with a cultural village tour that will give you insights about your surroundings that are sure to get you started on the right foot!
Day 3 – Travel to Danau Girang Field Centre, Sabah
It's time to commence your journey into the field with a scenic bus journey and a boat ride through the heart of the rainforest against a backdrop of a breathtaking tropical ecosystem. Be sure to keep an eye out for a new species of critter, you never know where you mind find one!
It's time to commence your journey into the field with a scenic bus journey and a boat ride through the heart of the rainforest against a backdrop of a breathtaking tropical ecosystem. Be sure to keep an eye out for a new species of critter, you never know where you mind find one!
Day 4 – Field Program Begins
Dive into an immersive exploration of your surroundings with nature expeditions, field workshops, and night lectures led by the leading experts in biodiversity. Riverboat travel will become your new normal, and each day will be an introduction to a new aspect of the thriving ecosystem of life all around you!
Day 5 - Field Program Continues
Dive into an immersive exploration of your surroundings with nature expeditions, field workshops, and night lectures led by the leading experts in biodiversity. Riverboat travel will become your new normal, and each day will be an introduction to a new aspect of the thriving ecosystem of life all around you!
Day 5 - Field Program Continues
Day 6 – Field Program Continues
Day 7 - Field Program Continues
Perhaps by this time, you'll have already identified a new species or two and will be trying to figure out what to name it! Remember, you can't name a species you've discovered after yourself, so get creative!
Day 8 – Field Program Continues
Perhaps by this time, you'll have already identified a new species or two and will be trying to figure out what to name it! Remember, you can't name a species you've discovered after yourself, so get creative!
Day 8 – Field Program Continues
Day 9 – Field Program Continues
Day 10 – Field Program Continues
Day 10 – Field Program Continues
Day 11 – Field Program Wrap-Up
Have you unlocked your inner Darwin, yet? You're almost out of time!
Day 12 – Projects in Action
It's time to say goodbye to your home amongst the trees and head back to the hustle and bustle of Kota Kinabalu, where river boats and palm oil plantations will quickly become a distant memory!
Have you unlocked your inner Darwin, yet? You're almost out of time!
Day 12 – Projects in Action
It's time to say goodbye to your home amongst the trees and head back to the hustle and bustle of Kota Kinabalu, where river boats and palm oil plantations will quickly become a distant memory!
Day 13 – Graduation
Well, hopefully all of the hard work you put in at the field centre will have paid off and you'll have discovered a brand new species to tell the world about! But that's not all... it's time to complete your initiation into the scientific community! Oh yes, you and your peers will be leaving Malaysia as the collective published co-authors of least one scientific paper in biodiversity. Not bad!
Day 14 – New Adventures Await
Today is our farewell day. After a final breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to the group, particularly the Malaysian friends you'll be sure to visit again soon! Board your flight today, or continue onward travel for those with a bit more time.
! NOTE: Program is subject to change depending on local community availability, national events and weather conditions. Depending on the group size, the program may split to visit different communities to ensure small teams and a personal experience.
Well, hopefully all of the hard work you put in at the field centre will have paid off and you'll have discovered a brand new species to tell the world about! But that's not all... it's time to complete your initiation into the scientific community! Oh yes, you and your peers will be leaving Malaysia as the collective published co-authors of least one scientific paper in biodiversity. Not bad!
Day 14 – New Adventures Await
Today is our farewell day. After a final breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to the group, particularly the Malaysian friends you'll be sure to visit again soon! Board your flight today, or continue onward travel for those with a bit more time.
! NOTE: Program is subject to change depending on local community availability, national events and weather conditions. Depending on the group size, the program may split to visit different communities to ensure small teams and a personal experience.
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"Working with local community partners that are passionate about sharing their lived experiences alongside students excited to learn and engage is an amazing experience. I wish I had the opportunity to do a program like this when I was at university."
Facilitator, Unbound |
University-specific information for this study tour:
PARTNERS
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KEY LOCAL PARTNER
Taxon Expeditions Founded in 2017 and based in Leiden, The Netherlands, Taxon Expeditions is an organization which focuses on education and biodiversity discovery. We organize expeditions to remote areas for people interested in nature and science and help them make scientific discoveries. International experts are engaged to guide them through all the steps of real scientific research. Together, they discover, name, and publish completely new species of wild animals. |
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