St. Cloud State University Expands Global Reach with New Partnerships in Australia

(KNSI) — An educational and cultural exchange took place this week in Australia as St. Cloud State University announced an expansion of its curriculum sharing and study abroad relationships with two colleges Down Under.

SCSU and the Southern Cross University of Sydney will participate in a student exchange program to better educate each other about the history and culture of the two countries. The schools plan to enroll more indigenous students at SCSU and First Nations students in Australia in study-abroad programs and collaborate on curriculum. SCSU also met with Victoria University in Melbourne to develop student and staff exchanges and join research and degree programs.

In a press release, SCSU President Robbyn Wacker said the school is “focusing our efforts to extend our reach with educational opportunities that make a positive impact on the lives of our students and communities. “Initiatives like these foster a broader understanding of the human experience with the support of faculty, staff and students, who are part of SCSU’s welcoming learning environment.”

This is the first time in state history a delegation has gone to Australia for a trade mission. One of the goals is to grow educational, research and innovation ties with the country’s 43 universities and 1.4 million college students.

According to the release, every year, more than 12,000 American and Australian students study in the other country. Study-abroad relationships facilitate student movement between campuses, providing unique learning opportunities for students and multicultural exchange for colleges. International curriculum collaboration also allows for richer, more globalized learning for students.

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