The RARE Experience
Remote and Rural Enterprise (RARE)
Application Form
Eligibility
The RARE Experience is open to local and international students. Students are eligible if they are
enrolled in a full- or part-time coursework or research program at The University of Sydney prior to the
project placement.
Selection Criteria
The selection of students will be based on the following criteria:
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Academic performance (Annual Average and Weighted Average Grades will be taken into
consideration)
Relevant work experience and extracurricular activities
Cultural/community awareness and appreciation
Reasons for wanting to take part
Entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm
Application Process
To apply for a placement with the RARE Experience, students must submit the following to the RARE
Coordinator, Melanie Feeney by the submission deadline: Sun 20th March 2016
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Completed Application Form
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Academic Transcript

Resume (including references)
Selected students will be invited for an interview before final decisions are made.
Submissions and supporting documents should be emailed to melanie.feeney@sydney.edu.au
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Section 1: Personal Information
First Name:
. Surname:
.
Date of Birth: _________________________ (DD/MM /YYYY )
Sex:
.
Student Number:
.
Phone number:
.
Uni Email (for RARE BlackBoard access): __________________________________________
Personal Email: (for correspondence): ____________________________________________
Do you have a valid drivers license (able to drive in Australia)?: Yes / No
Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin? (optional) Yes / No
Section 2: Academic Information
Student Level (circle one): undergraduate / postgraduate
Student Type (circle one): international / local
Current Degree: ____________________________________________________________________
Majors: _____________________________________________________________________
Unit of Study in which you are applying to RARE (e.g. IBUS6016): ______________________
Weighted Average Mark: ______________________________________________________
Expected completion/graduation date: ___________________________________________
Past Tertiary Qualifications: __________________________________________________________
Educational Institution: ________________________________________________________
Weighted Average Mark: ______________________________________________________
Section 3: Attachments
Please ensure you submit the following with this Application Form:

Academic Transcript from the University of Sydney

Resume (including references)
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Section 4: Short Answer
Please provide a short answer to the following questions. It can be in paragraph form, dot points, a
table, graph or any other format you choose, but please keep it brief (max 300 words each).
List your three preferred RARE projects (if applicable), in order of preference.
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2
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Why are you interested in participating in the RARE Program?
What are your relevant background experiences and skills, relating to cultural awareness, social
enterprise, and entrepreneurial thinking? (travel, volunteering, interests, extracurricular activities,
work experience, courses, units of study etc…)
What would you like to achieve/learn from the RARE experience? What are your expectations?
Cultural awareness, social enterprise and entrepreneurial thinking are key to the RARE Program:
What are your relevant background, experiences and skills? What skills do you possess that will be
most applicable to the RARE Program? (travel, volunteering, interests, extracurricular activities,
work experience, courses, units of study etc…)
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What would you like to achieve/learn from the RARE Program? What are your expectations of the
placement?
Describe what community engagement means to you, and the approach you would take to
achieve it.
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Section 5: Research / Project Preparation and Requirements
The project output and requirements will vary depending on the placement, however all RARE
students must be willing and enthusiastic to undertake the following:
Stage
Requirement
Prior to the placement
Participate in cultural awareness preparation (if visiting an
indigenous community), which will include a reading pack
covering indigenous history and culture, podcasts, and films.
Attend a briefing session with the RARE coordinator and past
RARE students to discuss your expectations, plan the research
objectives, run through the travel logistics, and ask any questions.
You will also be required to complete some forms regarding
conditions of participation, and insurance.
Conduct background research on the community and the
enterprise.
Liaise with the identified contacts in the community to arrange
meetings, activities, visits and generally prepare for your visit.
While in the remote and rural
community
Plan your research approach and questions, and be clear on your
objectives. Identify key areas that need addressing once on your
placement and the possible sources of this information.
Consult and interact with the local people, and participate in their
daily activities when invited.
Be culturally sensitive, patient and prepared to learn through
attentive listening and watching.
Reflect on your experiences, both as a group and individually,
through group discussions, and journal keeping.
At the conclusion of the
placement
Engage in your action-research project, and be prepared to talk to
as many people as possible both formally and informally, and be
creative in your methods and thinking.
Once back in Sydney, brief the next RARE Experience cohort and
be an ambassador for the program.
Provide feedback to the program organisers via a debriefing
session and feedback questionnaire regarding:
 The running of the RARE Experience and the organisation
of the trip,
 Your research findings and insights, and
 How the experience contributed to your professional
development and learning.
Finalise and complete the agreed project output to a high
standard, and be willing to answer any questions the remote and
rural entrepreneurs might pose.
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Section 6: Questions
If you have any questions regarding the RARE Experience please contact the RARE Coordinator:
Melanie Feeney‫ ׀‬Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program
Please email this application along with Academic Transcript and Resume to the email below:
E: melanie.feeney@sydney.edu.au
T: 02 9036 9169
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