Summer Semester:May 26th to July 21st, 2010

This program offers students the opportunity to study and produce travel writing in both the creative and professional forms of the genre. Structured around a twelve-day guided research trip, students travel to small-town Australia from the ocean to the outback—seeing through the lens of its people, culture, society, history, landscape, geography, politics, tourism, and literature.

While on the road, students build a research portfolio of articles, essays and creative pieces. Through the study of selected texts (including magazine and newspaper articles), and the drafting of written pieces, students will learn how to refine their writing style in order to integrate local voices, aspects of place, and other detailed research in an engaging narrative.

Nightly workshops will encourage group exploration of ideas, texts and written exercises. Australian playswrights, screen dramatists, established travel writers and travel editors will be included as guests lecturers. Upon return to Sydney, class sessions and assignments will draw on students’ research gathered while on the road. Publications opportunities within the local, national, and overseas press, for student work of the highest merit may be available. This program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn eight Boston University credits.

Download a program one-sheet (PDF).