Semester on the Gold Coast
Bond University

Why Life in Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities, known for its beautiful beaches, sporting events, and outdoor activities. With 32 miles of beaches and 300 sunny days each year, locals and tourists alike agree that the Gold Coast has some of the best surfing in the world. And, the city is located near some of Australia’s most valued treasures, including the Great Barrier Reef, inland mountains, and tropical rain forests!

While living on the Gold Coast, students will have endless opportunities to explore their surroundings. Just fifteen minutes away from Bond University, you’ll find a buzzing city filled with award-winning restaurants, cafes, festivals, shopping, and nightlife. Enjoy the beach during the day, explore farmers markets and festivals in the afternoon, and dine on international cuisine at night.

Want to escape the city life and encounter some wildlife? Plan a visit to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can pet kangaroos and take a photo with a koala! Also, with quick access to the local airport, you can easily travel to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and other major cities in Australia.

If you’re a sports fan, don’t miss the opportunity to see The Commonwealth Games in 2018, one of the largest elite multi-sport events in the world. It’s the equivalent to staging fifteen world championships simultaneously! The Commonwealth Games will be the biggest international sporting event in Australia for a decade and the largest ever hosted by the Gold Coast.

Whether you’re looking for a quiet day by the shore, a fun-filled surfing lesson, or time in the city, the Gold Coast has it all.

Live The Local Life

• Local beaches

  Say “hi” to the local surf lifesavers. Just remember to stay inside the flags when you take a dip.

• Mount Tamborine

  The green behind the gold. Go for walks and enjoy lookouts plus great cafes and art galleries.

• Whale Watching

  June to November spend some time with the gentle giants of the sea.

• Currumbin Rockpools

  Very popular when it heats up on the coast, this is a perfect place to take a dip and cool down away from the crowded beaches.

• Miami Marketta

  A local hotspot for awesome street food and live local music.

• Currumbin creek

  Try stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking or take on the waves (great for beginners) at Currumbin Alley.

• Farmers Markets

  Australians love their fresh produce! Check out the local markets on every weekend across the coast where you can enjoy a kombucha or organic tea while you stock up on your fresh fruit and veg for the week.

Location

New for Spring 2024! (and beyond)

Experience laid back off-campus living at our beachside apartments in vibrant Broadbeach! Starting with the Spring 2024 semester, students studying at Bond University have the opportunity to reside in off-campus beachside accommodations.

The beachside apartments are conveniently situated near the Oasis Shopping Centre, granting easy access to a variety of amenities, including a supermarket, department stores, post office, pharmacy, cafes, and restaurants. The gorgeous beach is just a short stroll away, offering the perfect place to relax after classes. You’ll grab a quick 20-minute bus ride directly to the Bond Campus and a 4-minute walk to the Light Rail, making it easily accessible to explore the popular Surfers Paradise. A bus pass is included in your program fee.

These fully-furnished 2-bedroom/2-bathroom apartments have been thoughtfully designed with comfort in mind. Each apartment features two twin shared bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. The apartments also feature a fully equipped kitchen, a separate lounge area, and a balcony to enjoy the seaside breeze. The apartment complex also offers a 25 meter heated lap pool, rejuvenating sauna, steam room, spa, and a hotel gym.

Please be aware that while we exclusively accommodate students in this housing, it is not solely dedicated to student housing. As such, the bedrooms might not have a designated study desk. However, most students find comfortable study spaces at the kitchen table, nearby cafes, or the well-equipped Bond University Library on campus.

Meals

Each apartment has a fully-equipped kitchen, so you’re all set to prepare your own meals.

Inclusions and Amenities

• 24-hour security
• Air conditioning
• BathroomEnsuiteShared
• Bed linens
• CommutePublic Transportation
• Double Room
• Fitness Center
• Kitchen Equipment
• LaundryOn-site
• Microwave
• Pool
• Television
• Towels
• Wi-Fi

Location

Bond University residence halls offer an immersive campus experience. You’ll have a double ensuite room on campus with a bed, desk, chair, lights, phone, and bookshelves, with bed linens and blankets provided. (You will need to bring/purchase your own towels and hangers.)

BONUS: Enjoy free laundry facilities in the dorms!

Meals

Full and partial meal plans are available for an additional fee.

Inclusions and Amenities

• BathroomEnsuite
• Bed linens
• CommuteWalking
• Desk
• Double Room
• LaundryOn-site
• Meal PlanPartial

Inclusions

Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:

• 3 day orientation in Cairns
• Flight from Cairns to Gold Coast
• Full-time tuition and fees
• Housing
• Medical and accident insurance
• Overseas Health Insurance (mandatory for any student studying in Australia)
• Cultural activities and excursions
• Monthly professional development opportunities
• CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
• Academic advising
• Financial aid counseling
• Assistance with travel arrangements
• Pre-departure orientation
• Airport pickup
• 24/7 On-site support
• Bond University transcript
• The Local Life cultural program

Welcome & Orientation

Your program will kick off with the action-packed and engaging Great Barrier Reef orientation in Cairns. This 3 day/3-night orientation will provide you with an amazing introduction to Australia’s culture, wildlife, and natural environments. Get ready to be on your feet (and in the water) much of the time, visiting places like the rainforest, indigenous communities, and the Great Barrier Reef. Also do things we know you came a long way to do, like holding koalas, snorkeling, and feeding kangaroos.

Your Site Director will also sit down to provide insight and discussion into program and behavioral expectations, with topics such as culture, slang, food, and where to go and what to do when you settle into your new home in the Gold Coast. After the orientation you fly to the Gold Coast, your new home for the next few months.

Once you’re settled in the Gold Coast, you’ll also get an orientation at Bond University to help you get adjusted to your new surrounds and learn your way around.

Farewell & Re-Entry Program

Though you’re not an astronaut returning from space, re-entering your home culture after being abroad can be shocking to the system. Your site director will walk you through some of the things to expect and help you reflect on your time abroad so that you can remember the highlights. Also, enjoy a group meal as part of your farewell to Australia.