Block 5: Australia-EN286: Writing Melbourne
Students will work as a collaborative editorial team to produce a series of written works that collectively map Melbourne's cultural geography. Assignments will include profiles of local artists and athletes, critical reviews of performances and restaurants, and reported essays on the city's engagement with its Aboriginal heritage. Through daily writing workshops, field reporting assignments, and conversations with local cultural producers and critics, students will develop sophisticated tools for cultural analysis while building a portfolio of work that captures Melbourne's distinctive character. The final product will be a curated digital guide that offers future visitors a nuanced portrait of this complex and creative city.
Course Full Name: Topics in Creative Writing: Writing Melbourne
Course Number: EN286
Faculty Leader(s): Prof. Steven Hayward
Prerequisites: None
Major Requirements Met: Elective course within English or Creative Writing majors.
College Requirements Met: CP: Creative Process
Course Location: Melbourne, Australia
Heightened Physical & Psychological Requirements for All Study Away: Study Away or Abroad can be a very different experience than an on-campus course, requiring both physical and mental adjustments which may not be typical for your on-campus experience. This includes requirements for physical activity such as more extensive physical movement (walking, touring, extended sedentary time during travel, etc.), requirements to manage luggage, often on uneven terrain such as cobblestone streets or buildings without elevators, or locations with limited medical facilities, potential extremes of weather and temperature. Housing options are also significantly different from an on-campus experience. Some programs will use family homestays while others will require students live in pairs, triples, and quads. Travel is also inherently a stressful alteration to your normal routines, with greater flexibility, adaptability and resilience required, whether it is dealing with distinct cultures, language differences, feelings of “otherness” or lack of belonging, or simply greater ambiguity and unfamiliarity with surroundings. We recommend that all students consider these realities of study away and abroad as they consider programs. Below we will list any known expectations which the faculty have identified for their specific course.
Course Fee: $4,900
Included/Not Included in Fee: Fee includes all on-site lodging, transportation, group meals, excursions & group activities, and international health & travel insurance. Not included in the fee is airfare to/from Melbourne or individual meals. All students who have a full meal plan at Colorado College will receive a one-block refund of their meal fund with those funds available for on-site meal costs.
Application Process: Apply on Summit, within the Global Education option. The main application window for this program is January 29-March 15, 2026. Students who apply during the window will be reviewed for eligibility for an aid award to cover up to 90% of the program fee and anticipated airfare costs. Students who apply and/or are accepted into the program after March 16 may also qualify for aid, but aid is limited and may not be available to students accepted into this program after the March 15 deadline.
Withdrawal Deadline: Students accepted to this program may withdraw by October 1, 2026 with no financial commitment to the program. Late withdrawals will be billed either 25% or 75% of the program fee, depending on the date of withdrawal. See our Billing & Finance page for details.