Customised Community Development Group Programs

Our customised programs in Community Development provide students with the opportunity to engage meaningfully with communities in diverse global contexts while gaining academic credit. Developed in collaboration with university faculty, these programs are thoughtfully designed to align with course objectives and learning outcomes across community development, health, education, and related disciplines.

Whether students are supporting community and education initiatives in Nepal, contributing to sustainability projects in Fiji, or participating in community outreach programs in Cambodia, these experiential programs provide access to international perspectives, industry visits, and real-world inspiration that elevate classroom learning and support meaningful outcomes.

Every customised program is an opportunity to create meaningful, real-world learning. Whether you’re looking to enhance global perspectives, strengthen academic outcomes, or design a tailored experience for your students, we’re here to support you. Explore what’s possible through collaboration and let’s bring your vision to life.

Featured Program Showcase

PERU: Community Development & Environmental Change 

In this immersive program, students experienced hands-on community development projects that combined social innovation, environmental stewardship and cultural engagement. Working alongside local organisations and community leaders, participants explored real-world challenges in areas such as health, education, economic empowerment and sustainability. Through site visits, collaborative projects and reflective seminars, students gained practical insight into how communities address complex social and environmental issues.

ZAMBIA: Community Development & Environmental Change

This program offered students first-hand exposure to community development initiatives in Zambia, combining practical projects with social, environmental and cultural learning. Working closely with local organisations, community leaders and grassroots networks, participants explored real‑world challenges in areas such as public health, education access, economic empowerment and sustainable environmental practices. Through site visits, collaborative projects and reflective seminars, students gained practical insight into how communities navigate complex social and environmental issues while fostering resilience and long‑term wellbeing.

 

PHILIPPINES: Community Development

In this immersive program, students engaged in hands‑on community development work that combined social innovation, cultural engagement and practical problem‑solving in the Philippines. Working alongside local organisations, community leaders and grassroots networks, participants explored real‑world challenges in areas such as education, youth empowerment, public health and sustainable livelihoods. Through site visits, community projects and reflective seminars, students gained practical insight into how communities navigate complex social and economic issues while advancing wellbeing and resilience.

CAMBODIA: Community Development

This dynamic program gave students the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to education and community development initiatives while deepening their understanding of Cambodian society and culture. Working hand‑in‑hand with local schools, organisations and community leaders, participants explored key issues including literacy support, youth engagement, classroom teaching strategies and broader community wellbeing. Through classroom experience, collaborative projects and reflective seminars, students gained practical insight into how education intersects with community development in diverse contexts.

 

NEPAL: Rural Community Development

This immersive field experience saw students engage directly with rural Nepalese communities to explore sustainable development and community resilience in context. Working alongside local organisations, village leaders and community members, participants examined real‑world development challenges such as access to essential services, agricultural sustainability, infrastructure, education and health outcomes. Through community visits, participatory projects and reflective seminars, students gained practical insight into how rural communities identify needs and co‑design solutions for long‑term wellbeing.

FIJI: Community Development

In this impactful program, students collaborated with community organisations, local leaders and grassroots initiatives to explore development challenges and sustainable solutions across Fiji’s diverse island contexts. Participants engaged with real‑world issues including community wellbeing, education support, resource management, health promotion and economic empowerment, gaining first-hand experience of how development practice unfolds in Pacific communities. Through community visits, collaborative projects and reflective seminars, students developed practical insight into locally‑driven approaches to social and environmental challenges.

Next Steps

Get Started

Ready to discuss your program idea but not sure where to start? We’d love to hear from you! Complete this quick, 2-minute enquiry form and we will be in touch shortly after to answer your questions and discuss your proposed program.

Complete the Proposal Questionnaire

Once you are ready to build your program, fill out our questionnaire for an On-Site Group Program. For each question, provide as much information as possible and let us know if there is any area(s) we can provide you with more guidance or assistance.

Meet your Program Coordinator

After we receive your questionnaire, your dedicated CISaustralia Program Coordinator will be in contact to discuss and better understand your program. We will then provide you with a comprehensive program proposal within 1-3 weeks.

Testimonials

At Flinders University we actively encourage our students and academics to engage with CISaustralia and their programs. We have been highly impressed with not only the value and academic integrity that these programs offer our students, but the seamless way in which CISaustralia collaborate with and support our students, academics and professional staff.

- Larissa Pearce, Flinders University, Manager, Learn Without Borders

The University of Wollongong has been working with CISaustralia since late 2014. CISaustralia organises the logistics of the study tour, including flights, accommodation and bus transfers… Participants of the study tour report overwhelmingly positive feedback about their experience. The CIS staff members, who accompany the group throughout the tour are always professional, considerate and contribute greatly to the smooth running of the study tour. Overall, the professionalism of the CISaustralia team make them a pleasure to work with, and they deliver a well organised study tour for our students.

- Sean Lu, University of Wollongong, Faculty of Business

This will be the fourth year I have worked together with CISaustralia in organising a student study tour to Italy as part of an education degree. Over this time, I have found CIS fabulous to work with. Every detail of the tour is well planned and organised in response to the needs of the University course. Students have found the experience to be life changing – both professionally and personally, with so many different learning experiences encountered at every turn. I have no hesitation in recommending CISaustralia to anyone considering engaging in study tours. I certainly would not try to do this without them, and I am looking forward to continuing the partnership in the years to come.

- Dr Nicole Leggett, University of Newcastle, School of Education

CISaustralia did an excellent job in organising a 2 week study tour for QUT law and justice students to Cambodia in July 2017. Jane and the team were highly professional, efficient and very responsive to our requests. The focus of the study tour was child protection and human rights so Jane researched a range of relevant organisations and NGOs for the students to visit, as well as organising guest lectures and cultural activities. She also managed all the time-consuming travel and accommodation logistics! The in-country assistance provided by Samantha was exceptional. She had good local knowledge and was an invaluable mentor to our students and support for the academic supervisor. We were very satisfied with our CISaustralia experience and will definitely work with them again in the future.

- Catherine Campbell, Queensland University of Technology, Law and Justine

Coordinating an academic Study Tour program can be a wonderful and rewarding experience. It can also be stressful and time consuming. Having the support of CIS throughout all phases of the planning, the Study Tour itself, and then in reviewing the program takes a lot of pressure off the overall workload. I have found CIS to be professional and positive, responsive to feedback, flexible, and personable. CIS is a cost-effective solution to organising an overseas Study Tour and the team works hard to ensure all arrangements are as requested. The OPC creates a welcoming environment for all students, an important aspect to consider as many students are travelling overseas and/or outside their family for the first time. CIS has the local knowledge on best companies to contact for transport, accommodation, and other logistics; I am comfortable travelling with the plans provided by CIS and feel assured that nothing is being left to chance. When things don’t turn out the way they have been planned, as can be the case when traveling internationally, CIS can think quickly to sort out alternative options and put them in place with a minimum of fuss. CIS is a quality company that are a delight to work with. I am currently planning my fifth Study Tour with CIS, and due to our great working relationship, the annual Study Tour is sure to continue into the future.

- Dr Heather Sharp, University of Newcastle, School of Education

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