SUSTAINABILITY

GLOBAL PREP

STUDENT HANDBOOK2020

#AFSAustralia

TABLE OFCONTENTS

WELCOME

Day 3: City TourDay 4: Griffith UniversityDay 5: Wildlife Day TripDay 6: SparklabDay 7: Quandamooka Festival

Day 8: Bush WalkDay 9: Mid-Stay ActivitiesDay 10: Food Connect Share

Day 11: Tree Planting

Day 12: The CubeDay 13: Aboriginal Education Centre

PROGRAM ITINERARY

Day 14: Effect+ Workshop

WHAT TO PACK

Day 2: Arrival Orientation

Day 15: End of Stay Workshop

Day 1: Arrival in Brisbane

Day 16: Departure

WELCOME Welcome to your AFS experience, where the adventures you have and the things you learn will change the way you see yourself and the world around you.  AFS Global Prep programs offer short-term, theme-based, group experiences that address issues of importance to young people while facilitating their growth as global citizens. The AFS Global Prep: Sustainability in Australia is a 14-day once-in-a-lifetime experience where you will explore the impact of climate change on the human population, native wildlife, and the environment, as well as conversation-related initiatives, education, and projects taking place in Brisbane, Queensland, on Australia's east coast.

Australia Australia is a highly-developed country in Oceania - it is the oldest, flattest, anddriest inhabited planet on earth! It is the world's smallest continent, but it's the6th-largest county in terms of total area. Given its massive size, Australia has avery diverse range of landscapes, including vast deserts, dense rain forests, crystalbeaches and rolling mountain ranges. Australia is also an incredibly old continent,and as a result the majority of its flowering plants, mammals, and fish are uniqueto the country! Australia's human population is also steadily growing, and theimpacts of industrialization and development throughout the country are strongtopics of conversation, along with climate change. There is much to learn about the effect of these changes on such a biodiverse place!

PROGRAMITINERARY

Start the journey by exploring Brisbane -Australia's third largestcity! Brisbane is the known as the "river city" and makes full use of itsnatural environment. It is the perfect location for students tolearn about urban sustainability first-hand! Students will get to quickly explore the whole city throughpartaking in a "Sustainable Amazing Race" game, hosted andsupervised by AFS volunteers. Students will conclude their dayby attending an interactive seminar on SDGs and Sustainabilityconcepts.

The first day of the program starts with travel to Australia.Students from around the world will land in the BrisbaneInternational Airport where they will be met by AFS staff andvolunteers. Following arrival, students will travel approximately 40 minuteswith AFS staff by bus to the first night's accommodation in thecity centre. The accommodation for the duration of the program will be amix of youth hostel and eco-friendly accommodation in the area

Day 1: Arrival in Brisbane

Day 3: City Tour

Day 2: Arrival Orientation In the morning, students will start their Arrival Orientation  - thisis an opportunity for them to get to know their fellow GlobalPreppers, discuss expectations, ask questions about the programitinerary, and get acquainted with AFS intercultural competenciesand skills. There will be plenty of opportunities to apply this newintercultural knowledge throughout the program!  Everyone will be able to get familiar with their surroundings in thecity. It’s a great start to building awareness of their environment!

PROGRAMITINERARY

Get up-close and witness first-hand the direct impact of climatechange on native wildlife populations at Lone Pine KoalaSanctuary. From Australia's recent bush fires a total of 1.25million native animals are estimated to have perished.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary opened in 1927 as a safe refuge forsick, injured, and orphaned koalas. Today, the Centre remains aplace where its visitors can see and interact with native animalsbut also aims to teach its visitors to help protect their own nativewildlife and habitats.

AFS students will enjoy exploring the sanctuary, speaking withkeepers and sanctuary staff about the wildlife and the impacts ofclimate change, and will get an opportunity to interact with theanimals.

For more information visit: https://koala.net/

Students will go on a self-guided tour of the EcoCentre atGriffith University to learn about innovative approaches tosustainable living. Some design features students will get toexplore include rammed earth walls, natural ventilation, solarenergy generation and water conservation.

In small groups students will then work collectively to applytheir new knowledge to construct a house using thesesustainable design features. This practical learning model willhelp students identify some of the various challenges insustainable construction, such as budget constraints andaesthetic considerations.

For more information visit: https://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-sciences/ecocentre

Day 4: Griffith University

Day 5: Wildlife Day Trip

PROGRAMITINERARY

Experience the continuing culture of the Nughi, Nunukul andGoenpul clans of Quandamooka, first-hand on NorthStradbroke Island. 

Learn more about Country; the sands, seas, sacred lakes,creeks, catchments and creatures found across the Redlands /Moreton Bay islands from the Quandamooka Peoplesperspective. Become socially engaged in Caring for Country,and enjoy the thrill of experiencing wildlife in their naturalenvironment. 

Activities may include cultural performances anddemonstrations, tours around the island with an Aboriginalperspective of the surrounding flora and fauna, art exhibitionsand workshops.

For more information visit:http://quandamookafestival.com.au/

At the Queensland Musuem, students will have theopportunity to engage in interactive exhibitions such asSparkLab and Maker Space, where they can work onconstructing a specific product using the materials andguidelines provided by the museum.

Students will also receive feedback on their product, includingadvice on what adjustments and potential improvementscould be made. This is great experience in basic project work,which is a relevant element of any sustainability initiative.

Science Bar, another exhibition, gives students the chance towatch live science experiments, make predictions, and analyseoutcomes.

Day 6: SparkLab at Queensland Museum

Day 7: Quandamooka Festival

PROGRAMITINERARY

In the middle of their stay, students will have a break day topartake in various outdoor activities, such as abseiling andkayaking. One of our amazing volunteers will lead theadventure!

Students will also spend the afternoon learning to play cricketwith an Aussie instructor and coach. Cricket is a bat-and-ballsport that originated in England during medieval times - it wasthen played as a backyard game in Australia before becomingan international competitive sport.

Today is a day dedicated to bonding as a team in thegorgeous outdoors!

Students will spend their morning at Mary Cairncross ScenicReserve - a subtropical rainforest. There, students canparticipate in a range of activities such as guided walk with aranger, Breakfast with the Birds and learn about the localwildlife through going on an Eco Hunt.

On the rainforest Eco Hunt, students will use an app(Questagame) to take photos of the flora and fauna they spyon their walks. This data will help contribute to the Centre'sunderstanding and knowledge of the many species that makeMary Cairncross home.

In the afternoon, students will have lunch at the Eumandimarkets and visit Noosa National Park where they will go on abushwalk and swim at the beach.

Day 8: Bush Walk

Day 9: Mid-Stay Break - Abseil, Kayak,and Cricket

PROGRAMITINERARY

This organization is currently actively engaged in bushfire reliefwork. Our students would be involved in one of the coremissions of Conservation Volunteers Australia (called "GreenLinks") which focuses on revegetation and rehabilitation ofdifferent habitats/ecosystems. AFS students would take part in a one-day tree plantingvolunteer project with CVA (though not necessarily in bushfireaffected areas). CVA has a special focus on educating young people to careabout and understand their environment, and have programson climate adaption challenges and biodiversity wetland care. For more information visit:https://conservationvolunteers.com.au/what-we-do/

Visit the Food Connect Shed, Australia's first local food hubdesigned to provide a stable market for farmers and housedifferent ethical food entrepreneurs. The Shed was set up in 2009 by the a non-profit organisationFood Connect Foundation to promote, educate and advocatefor fair food systems internationally and locally -divorced fromthe volatile market. Students will take a tour of the facility and learn about theorganisation's operations, involvement with local andregenerative farmers, use of renewable energy and impact onthe local community. For more information visit: https://foodconnect.com.au/

Day 10: Sustainable Food Practices

Day 11: Tree Planting (conservation activity)

PROGRAMITINERARY

Spend the day at Ngutana-Lui Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander Cultural Studies Centre, enhancing cultural knowledge,understanding and respect for Indigenous people and theirpractices. The philosophy of the centre is based on a holistic view ofcreation, recognizing that humanity is part of the environmentand not separate to it. AFS participants would join a local school group on the day andenjoy learning about aboriginal and sustainability topics in arelaxed and friendly environment -an uniquely Indigenouslearning style. For more information visit:http://www.ngcc.qld.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx

The Cube is one of the world's largest digital interactivelearning and display spaces dedicated to providing aninspiring, explorative and participatory experience of QUT'sScience and Engineering research.The Cube facilitatesopportunities for the public to discover, visualise andcontribute to research projects. Environments will bereplicated at a real-world scale, allowing the public, as 'citizenscientists', to experience real project scenarios and explorebig questions of the 21st century. Students have the opportunity to gain knowledge about avariety of environments through the Cube’s interactivelearning interface, as well as explore the interconnectednessof STEM and sustainability

Day 12: The Cube

Day 13: Aboriginal Education Centre

PROGRAMITINERARY

As students wrap up their incredible two weeks in Australia, thisend-of-stay workshop gives everyone the opportunity to reflecton what they’ve learned, experienced, and felt - all of which arean important part of the program! We will also take the time tolook ahead - for example how students can continue theirsustainability learning journey and intercultural skill developmentafter their return and beyond. An experience like this lasts a lifetime!

In this workshop students will work closely with students froma local school. The contents and activities are designed toempower young community leaders with skills needed toaffect positive change. The AFS group and the local studentswill reflect on the issues facing the world and how to worktogether to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. It’s a great opportunity for everyone to explore their roles asglobal citizens and changemakers!

Day 14: Effect+ Workshop

Day 15: End of Stay Workshop

Day 16: Departure

On the last day of the program everyone will get the chance tosays their goodbyes (or until-next times!) and travel back to theirhome country. The AFS staff and volunteers will accompany students to theairport, assure check-in goes smoothly, and wish them well ontheir journey home.

WHAT TO PACK

ONLY one backpack: Bring only what you cancarry yourself. Clothing, loose and light, easy to dryShort pants or cargo pants Light fabric long pants (for hiking/walkingoutdoors) and a pair of jeans Light T-shirts or tank tops for everyday use Light fabric long sleeve shirts (for hikingoutdoors) Underwear and light socks Swim suits and a pair of sandals One light sweater and one hooded jacket forcolder weather.A pair of hiking boots (better if you havealready used them for a few days). A pair of comfortable tennis shoes (sneakers) Hat or cap (very necessary) Sunglasses (and regular glasses too, even ifyou use contact lenses).  One medium sized towel easy to dry Prescription medication (if any) Sunscreen 40 (or +) Insect repellent One small flashlight Label all your clothes or put a special mark onthem with your name.

Here's what to pack for your AFSadventure!

AFS AUSTRALIA4/418A Elizabeth St, Surry Hills (NSW) 2010

(02) 9215 0077