Welcome to Canberra, your "Meeting Place" for the Global Summer Program

Located on the ancient lands of the Indigenous Ngunnawal people, Canberra's name is thought to mean "meeting place", derived from the Aboriginal word "Kamberra". Canberra is now home to some 320,000 people. 

Chosen as the site of Australia's national capital in 1908, Canberra is one of the world's few planned cities. Chicago architect, Walter Burley Griffin, was the winner of a worldwide competition to design the new capital. His design incoporated the natural beauty of Australia and the democracy and modern ideals for a national capital.  A large artificial lake bearing Burley Griffin's name is a central feature of Canberra and the original focus on the natural elements continues, with the many parks an nature reserves giving Canberra the title of the "Bush Capital".  The ANU campus is ideally situated, with the city centre and Lake Burley Griffin just a short walk away.

As the political apex of Australia, Canberra is home to the Federal Parliament and is the major city of the self-governing Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It is also the cultural heart of Australia, with the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, the High Court of Australia, the National Museum of Australia, the National Library of Australia, Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre and ANU all short distance from the city centre.  Canberra is the setting for the ceremonial, political and community events that reflect our nation's history, spirit and aspirations.

As Australia's national university, ANU is well placed in Australia's modern capital city.  ANU is integrally connected to the civic and commercial life of Canberra and Australia, and is strengthened through its valuable relationships with government, other national institutions and the diplomatic community in Canberra.

For more information about Canberra:

Visit Canberra - Australian Capital Tourism Website

Virtual Canberra - Visit some of the sites of Canberra before you arrive.