Australia Internship Pre-Departure Info

TEAN Orientation

Alice will be leading your orientation in Cairns. The orientation will consist of information about Australian business etiquette and culture as well as a number of fun activities. This is the tentative schedule.

Day One

Arrive in Cairns and move into your accommodation for the week. We’ll kick off with a welcome session to help prepare you for your time in Australia. We will cover Aussie culture, expectations, work culture, business etiquette, program logistics and personal goal setting. We’ll end the day with a celebratory group dinner.

Day Two

Today is a wild full-day reef experience. You will get the opportunity to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef along with the option of testing out your scuba skills with an introductory dive. Together we’ll experience an area of this natural wonder that remains largely unaffected by coral bleaching while learning more about the environmental issues at hand and how we can protect the reef for the future from a marine biologist working in the region.

Day Three

This a free day with the option to book any additional activities. You can take advantage of Cairns’ adventure sports or you might just want to relax and spend time at the pool, which is okay too! You’ll also have the opportunity to meet one on one with Alice to discuss your specific internship site.

Day Four

Start the day at the immersive Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure park to meet Australia’s iconic fauna including koalas, crocodiles and kangaroos. After getting to know the animals, we’ll make our way to Mossman Gorge, located in the southern part of Daintree National Park, the world’s oldest continuously surviving rainforest. Trekking through the forest with an expert Aboriginal guide, you’ll learn about the ancient legends of the local Kuku Yalanji people while discovering significant cultural sites. We’ll end the week as a group with a farewell dinner in the evening!

Day Five

It’s time to say goodbye, but this is just the beginning of your Australian experience! Head to the airport first thing in the morning for your flight to your host city and then travel to your host accommodations.

Orientation Accommodation

In Cairns, you will stay at the Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns. The accommodation is hotel style twin share rooms. TEAN Orientation staff will also be staying on-site at this accommodation.

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
209-217 Abbott St
Cairns City QLD 4870

Phone: 011 61 7 4044 9000 (from USA) or 07 4044 9000 (within Australia)

Packing for Orientation

When packing your bags we suggest you pack what you need for Cairns in your carry-on or at the top of your packed suitcase so it is easily accessible and you can avoid having to completely unpack for just a few days.

Here are some suggested items you will need for orientation:

• Beach towel
• Swim suit
• Hat, sunscreen and insect repellant
• Travel size toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc.)
• Shorts and t-shirts
• A couple nicer outfits for evenings out and the farewell dinner
• Long sleeve t-shirt or fleece in case of a cooler evening
• Comfortable walking shoes

TEAN Contact Information

Below are suggested notes on how to communicate with TEAN staff members during your program. These notes are also applicable to parents and guardians. We will provide you with an additional TEAN contact card at Orientation that contains phone numbers for our staff members, U.S. consulates in Australia, emergency numbers in Australia and dialing instructions to/from Australia.

Important Contact Notes for Emergencies

• Never use email in emergency/urgent situations, please call and text.
• Flight changes and/or delays are considered “urgent” if our staff is scheduled to meet you at the airport.
• For particularly time sensitive emergencies within Australia, please call 1300 TEAN911. We are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week as we have staff in both hemispheres. Parents outside of Australia, needing to contact a TEAN staff member after hours should call +1.574.239.6545.

Important Contact Notes for Routine Problems During the Program

• Once you are in Australia, your local Resident Director will be your first contact when issues arise
• Email is fine to use, but if you need an answer within 24-48 hours you should place a phone call
• If your routine question/problem is not addressed within 72 hours, your email was most likely not received and a phone call may also be needed. If communication problems exist please email Alice at alice.cooksey@teanabroad.org for assistance.

Contacts for Parents / Guardians

During Orientation
Urgent messages should be left with either our Urgent After Hours Contact number +1.574.239.6545 or Alice Cooksey on +61.490.300.682 (dialed from the U.S.)

Post Orientation Contacts
Main U.S. Office: +1.312.239.3710
U.S. Urgent After Hours Contact: +1.574.239.6545

Sydney Accommodation

In Sydney, you will stay at BreakFree apartments for the entirety of your program. BreakFree on George is located on George Street, right in the heart of the city and an easy walk to major attractions such as Sydney Harbour, Darling Harbour, Chinatown, and all the shopping of the CBD (Central Business District). All apartments will be 2 shared bedroom, 4-person apartments.

Address: BreakFree on George
653 George St, Sydney NSW, 2000
Phone Number: +61.7.5665.4408 (international)

Perth Accommodation

In Perth, you will stay at Mount Bay Waters Apartment Hotel for the entirety of your program. This central apartment-hotel is the perfect base from which to explore Perth. It is only a ten-minute walk from the city centre and central business district, and a five-minute stroll to the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre as well as the Elizabeth Quay Bus Station. The Elizabeth Quay district, Perth’s entertainment destination, is only 10 minutes away. You are also only a 15-minute walk from Barrack Street Jetty where you can catch the ferry to Rottnest Island. Apartments are shared.

Address: 112 Mounts Bay Rd, Perth WA 6000
Phone Number: 08.9213.5333 Toll-free: 1.800.241.343

Cairns Accommodation

In Cairns, you will move to your program accommodation at the end of orientation. You’ll be living in the Cairns Sharehouse, The Martyn. At the Sharehouse, you’ll have your own private bedroom and balcony, while the bathroom, kitchen, and other common areas will be shared with other students in the Sharehouse. The Sharehouse also features free wifi and a resort style pool.

Address: 80 Martyn St, Cairns QLD 4870
Phone Number: 07 4041 1875

Melbourne Accommodation

In Melbourne, you’ll be staying at the Mantra St. Kilda Road. The Mantra features resort-style apartments, with shared bedrooms and common apartment areas shared by other TEAN interns. Your accommodation is conveniently located near Melbourne’s main attractions.

Address: 568 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004
Phone Number: (03) 9525 0400

Adelaide Accommodation

In Adelaide, you’ll be staying at BreakFree Adelaide. BreakFree features resort-style apartments, with shared bedrooms and common apartment areas shared by other TEAN interns. Your accommodation is located in Adelaide’s vibrant West End and is a short walk from the CBD.

Address: 255 Hindley St, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone Number: (08) 8217 2500

Brisbane Accommodation

In Brisbane, you’ll be staying at Urbanest, Australia’s premier student accommodation. Urbanest features single bedrooms with a shared kitchen and communal space in the apartment with other students. You’ll be in the riverside suburb of South Bank, which includes parklands, beaches, art galleries, West End’s vibrant nightlife and the CBD’s Queen Street Mall just over the river.

Address: 60 Tribune St, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Phone Number: +61 2 8091 9959