|
Ecotourism Program and Ecotours Inforum Education has teamed up with Natura Ecotours to deliver one of the most unique programs in Australia. Students can now combine their English language studies with a 5-day intensive program that gives an introduction to the Ecotourism industry. Following their English language program at Inforum, students participate in a range of lectures and field study work with Natura, exploring some of the most beautiful areas of South East Queensland, including World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park. Students also have the chance of joining ecotours to explore the fauna and flora of Queensland’s World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, which has some of the most stunning beaches and temperate rainforests in the country. | Itinerary | Day 1 (Monday)
Workshop and lectures
at the Natura Office
| This introductory lecture is designed to provide the participants with an understanding of the main aims of ecotourism and its educational benefits using a variety of valuable materials. Lectures - Principles of Ecotourism
- Ecotourism plays an important role in our society
- Ecotourism in Australia, Japan and Worldwide
- The role of ecotour guides & managers
- Creating business opportunities through ecotourism
Practical Workshop - Booking procedures
- Products and promotion
- Marketing
- Logistics
- Accounting
- Hospitality
- Other office work
| Day 2 (Tuesday)
Field Work
Experience Ecotour (1)
Springbrook National Park – World Heritage listed
| Participants will visit Springbrook National Park from morning till evening. The main focuses are ‘interpretation skill’ and ‘Australia’s natural environment’. Picnic lunch included. Destination – Springbrook National Park - Destination – Springbrook National Park
- Purlingbrook Falls
- Canyon Lookout
- Springbrook Educational Centre
- Best of All lookout
- Glow worms (optional)
Topics - Fauna and flora of Australia
- Interpretation skills
- Hospitality (Quality assurance)
- Aboriginal people and their history
- Aboriginal Bush foods (Bush tucker)
- Rainforest and its ecology
- Eucalyptus forest ecology
- Geology, geography, forestry and biology of the region
| Day 3 (Wednesday)
Field Work
Experience Ecotour (2)
– Mangrove Walk and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
| Mangrove forests play very important roles in the natural environment. In the morning, we visit one of the largest and most diverse mangrove forests in the region. The instructor will show participants how to explain the difficult topics in attractive and easy-to-understand language. How can we send valuable messages to children? In the afternoon session, we visit a popular wildlife sanctuary (non-profit organization). The participants will encounter a variety of unique Australian wildlife and study one of the better examples of how an ecotourism business is successfully managed. Destinations - Walking through Tallebudgera Creek Conservation Park
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (including restricted area)
| Day 4 (Thursday)
Field Work
Experience Ecotour (2)
Water Watch Program
| One of the most important issues for us in the 21st century is ‘Water Conservation’. The Gold Coast City Council has entrusted its ‘Water Watch Program’ to Natura Ecotours. This program is designed to promote environmental education for local school students. The participants can experience one of the best-developed environmental education programs in Australia. Topics - Water as a natural resource
- Water for ecology and the environment
- Scientific approaches to water conservation
- Water crisis in Australia and around the World
- Water conservation
- Water recycling
| Day 5 (Friday)
Forum session
Review & discussion
Graduation & BBQ
| On the last day, a review and discussion session will be conducted. It is important to understand how this experience will be developed after the course. Then each participant will share with the group what they have learned from the ecotourism course followed by a graduation ceremony (Certificate presentation) and a BBQ. *Participants with outstanding results can join the Fraser Island tour free of charge. | English and Animal Care Training This exciting volunteer program allows international students to improve their English communication ability at Inforum Education and then become a part of the team of 60 dedicated staff at AWL in order to learn important animal management skills. The program is conducted in collaboration with the Animal Welfare League (AWL), which is the largest facility for housing lost, unwanted or injured animals on the Gold Coast. Every year, AWL is home to over 12,000 animals with up to 100 animals staying here at any time. Sample plans - 2 week plan: 1 week of English + 1 week care training
- 4 week plan: 2 weeks of English + 2 weeks care training
- 8 week plan: 6 weeks of English + 2 weeks care training
Sample daily schedule at AWL - 9.00 – 10.00 Hydro-shampoo
- 10.00 - 11.00 Grooming
- 11.00 - 11.20 Morning tea
- 11.20 – 12.00 Dog walk training
- 12.00 – 13.00 Obedience training
Price includes orientation, personal training plan and animal training; facility fee is payable to AWL.
Students receive a certificate of participation at the end of the program.
Please note that participants may be required to have a vaccination to be accepted into this program.
For more information, please contact Inforum Education.
|
