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Miri, Malaysia
Borneo Peoples and Cultures
3–6 credits in various subjects
Dec. 20, 2007 – Jan. 12, 2008
Registration deadline: Nov. 1, 2007
Application [PDF]
The VCU Office of International Education and one of its 15 International Partnership Universities, Curtin University in Perth, Australia, which has an off-shore campus in Miri, are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for students to experience Malaysia’s indigenous Borneo peoples and cultures. Students will be enrolled in 3 or 6 credits in various subjects on campus at VCU during the winterintersession. Students will participate in a series of lectures via videoconferencing beginning in November and then will travel to Miri, Malaysia for the on-site portion of the program.
Course: 3-6 credits
“Peoples and Cultures of the Borneo”
Honors credit possible for honors students with prior approval
The Office of Education Abroad will enroll students in the course upon receipt of the application.
Course description: This course will engage VCU students in a cultural experience in the indigenous region of Miri, Malaysia. Students will develop an intimate understanding of the Borneo culture, history, and politics through workshops and excursions. Students will prepare for the program with a series of lectures given via videoconferencing with Curtin Sarawak lecturers. These lectures will be offered during November and December preceding the program and all participants are required to attend. On December 20, the students will travel to Miri for the on-site workshops and excursions. The workshops will include information about the people and history, the geography, the linguistic groups, arts and crafts of Borneo, along with the wildlife and fauna of the region. The in-class sessions will be complemented by several overnight and day-long field excursions. Students will be evaluated on workshop performance, journal, oral presentation and a final paper. The paper is due in January during a post-program meeting.
Activities and excursions: The program includes several unique and exciting excursions for the participants. Students will take an express boat ride to the Baram area where they will have the opportunity for a homestay for three days. Students will take an overnight trip to Bekenu, Sibuti or Niah and explore the Malay villages and the Niah cave. Students will visit the Iban Longhouse to learn how Christmas is celebrated Sarawak style. During the new years celebration students will explore jungle tracking and tour the Lambir National Park. The students will also go to Kuching and visit the Sarawak museum, Textile museum, Sara Craft Santubon/Jaong and the Sawarak cultural village. Before returning to the U.S., students will visit local handicrafts and explore Kpg Bakam and Pantai Bugai Bakam.
Accommodations and meals: Students will be housed on the Curtin University-Miri campus and at excursion sites. Students are responsible for their meals.
Program cost
Students are responsible for paying:
- Airfare from Richmond to Miri, Malaysia
- VCU tuition and fees
- Meals (estimated at $300)
- Passport application fee and visa fees
- Application fee ($50)
- Deposit ($150)
- Personal expenses during the program
Please budget for these expenses.
Tuition: Winter intersession tuition is charged separately and additionally at standard VCU rates. Estimated costs, based on current tuition per credit, are as follows: undergraduate in-state, $250 (per 3 credit class: $750); undergraduate out-of-state, $773 (per 3 credit class: $2,319).
Airfare: Students are responsible for the cost of their airfare. Student must budget for this cost, which is the most expensive part of the program. Students will be advised of which flight to reserve and early purchase is recommended because of the holiday travel season.
Payment of fees: The nonrefundable registration fee of $50 is due upon registration. A nonrefundable deposit of $150 is due by November 1. Students who register after November 1 must pay the deposit and registration fee together upon registration. The balance of the tuition costs will be billed separately through VCU Student Accounting with your winter term charges.
Eligibility: All VCU students in good academic standing are eligible for this program.
Registration deadline: Nov. 1, 2007. Applications will be accepted until the deadline or until participant space is full.
Financial aid: Eligible VCU students may apply for need-based financial aid to participate in this program. Please note, however, that financial aid for the winter intersession will be disbursed according to the regular spring semester schedule, in January. Students must budget to cover their expenses during the program. Contact VCU Financial Aid, Ginter House, Room 110B; phone 828-6669; or e-mail faidmail@vcu.edu.
Passports: If you have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport, apply early because the processing time is up to eight weeks. For more information on how to apply for a passport, visit http://travel.state.gov.
About the VCU-Curtin Partnership: Curtin University is a leading institution based in Perth, Australia. The Curtin-Miri campus is the off-shore branch of the university located in Malaysia. The Borneo Studies program is one of several education abroad opportunities available to VCU students, faculty, and staff through the 15 VCU International Partnership Universities program.
Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs
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