When we signed up to do a Bachelors of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), the entire course was advertised around the promise of immersive fieldwork on K'gari. The trips weren't just a unique selling point; they were a pivotal component of our education, designed to bridge theoretical knowledge and real-world application. Midway through our program, we've been stripped of this essential experience.

Transitioning to USC was a significant decision for many in our Outdoor Environmental Studies (OES) cohort. We chose this institution specifically for its unique emphasis on K'gari fieldwork. It's profoundly unjust to alter the program's structure once we're already committed—and financially invested—in this educational journey.

Our commitment is reflected in extra payments added to our Higher Education Contributions Scheme (HECS) debt, specifically earmarked for the outdoor education degree. Overall this degree is more expensive than any other education degree. The government's contribution to this endeavor more than doubles our fees, all for the promise of studying in K'gari. This is not just about money. It's about the integrity of an educational promise and the profound learning opportunities K'gari offers—opportunities that are irreplaceable elsewhere.

K'gari, with its unique terrain, equipment, campsites, and rich biodiversity, presents novice-level students with the ideal environment to hone their skills and advance towards expertise. No other institution offers such a hands-on approach to outdoor environmental studies like USC once did with trips to K'gari.

We're calling on the decision-makers at USC to reinstate K'gari field trips in the OES curriculum. Let's return to the holistic educational experience we were promised, enhancing our skills in the one-of-a-kind natural laboratory that is K'gari.

Sign this petition to urge USC to fulfill its commitments and support our educational pursuits by reinstating these trips.