For Cora Lindholm, a junior majoring in photography and journalism through New College choosing where to study abroad was simple.

“Australia has been on my bucket list ever since I was 8 years old watching Steve Irwin on Discovery Channel,” Lindholm said. “The adventure, landscape and culture lured me in immediately. Australia seemed like a more easily adaptable place but still rich with culture and new experiences. Also, I just love the beach and surfing.”

Lindholm is spending her spring semester at the University of Newcastle in Newcastle, Australia. She is studying through an affiliate program called CISabroad, which has a partnership with The University of Alabama. Heath Thompson, a study abroad coordinator at the University, said affiliate programs are one resource students can use to study abroad.

“An affiliate program is basically a study abroad program, or any kind of abroad program, that runs through an affiliate,” Thompson said. “And an affiliate is, we like to say, a third-party program provider. There are many different organizations and companies, but we have picked the top 14, and we have set up partnerships with those organizations.”

(See also “Fulbright scholars enjoy year abroad“)

Thompson said CISabroad is one of the most popular affiliates used at the University. Study abroad coordinators like Thompson handle the University affairs, such as course selection, scholarships and financial aid. CISabroad, however, handles program details, including group activities, visa information, housing and enrollment.

Jordan Randall, a university relations representative for CISabroad, visits the University almost weekly to meet with students about program details. She mainly deals with schools in Alabama and Mississippi but said she also travels around the Southeast.

“My interactions with students are typically CISabroad’s initial contact with them because I am essentially a student recruiter for study abroad,” Randall said.

Randall said the Newcastle program is CISabroad’s most affordable study abroad program in Australia. With six beaches within 5 miles of the campus, the city embodies a distinct surfing culture. Students are only a 2 1/2 hour train ride from bustling Sydney, where Lindholm’s spring semester began with orientation. Activities included visiting a wildlife sanctuary, where students had the chance to hold koalas, and a day trip to Byron Bay, Australia’s most eastern point.

Thompson said one notable aspect of an affiliate study abroad program is the wider variety of courses available within one semester, which may be an advantage for some students.

“The course offerings for affiliates may be more attractive to students if they are interested in taking lots of different courses,” Thompson said. “With the faculty-led, as an example, those are usually very specific. You know, you’re going to UA in Spain to take language and culture classes. But what if you want to go to Spain, and you want to take language classes, sure, but you also want to take a film class? That’s difficult to do with a faculty-led program.”

(See also “Study abroad experiences teach life lessons“)

Another major difference between an affiliate and faculty-led study abroad program is the amount of independence students have. As far as support level, Thompson said affiliate programs provide a compromise.

“Affiliates are usually unique in the sense that it’s kind of in the middle,” Thompson said. “You have the support, but you also have the independence that you may want – independence to explore the country, to be immersed in the country and the culture. You may or may not be with other UA students. So you have the support if you need it, but you are definitely encouraged to branch out and to put yourself out there and to really throw yourself into the culture.”

Lindholm, who is one of two UA students in Newcastle, said studying abroad with an affiliate program has given her a chance to immerse herself completely in Australian culture.

“Affiliate works out nicely because you assimilate with the culture more, rather than relying on your familiar classmates and teachers from Alabama,” Lindholm said. “An affiliate program is great because you have more room to explore and find your own adventures while studying in a classroom setting.”

Lindholm shared one story about living in an unfamiliar country. One of her first nights in Australia, her roommate asked Lindholm if she had seen a “drop bear.”

“I shook my head, and they explained, ‘Make sure you don’t go camping under trees, they will fall and rip you apart. Let me show you a picture.’ When you Google drop bears you see a Koala with vicious fangs,” Lindholm said. “They were so convincing and played along with it for a week.”

(See also “The cost of not studying abroad“)