TEAN by WorldStrides

These were some of the best weeks of my life! I arrived nervous about going to a new country without knowing anyone else on the trip, and I left wishing that we'd had more time there! I loved every moment, but my favorite parts were hiking in the Blue Mountains, surfing in Byron Bay, and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. We learned about conservation in the classroom and on hikes, and we were both able to have intimate experiences with nature and experience city life. Our teachers were so knowledgeable and made class really interesting! It was only three weeks, but we saw and experienced so much in that time. Still, I wished we could have stayed longer! This is the perfect trip for adventurers and nature lovers alike!

I had never studied abroad before going to Australia and I am so glad I chose to take this trip with TEAN! It was a blast learning all about Aboriginal culture, seeing all of the indigenous flora and fauna, being with nature, and making life-long friends along the way. TEAN staff and professors were always so supportive and this adventure really helped me grow, academically and personally. Although international travel can sometimes be stressful, TEAN made it simple and enjoyable. I will never forget all of the fun I had on this trip, especially snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef! It is one thing to learn about concepts in the classroom, but it is completely different to see it for yourself and this experience lets you do just that. I also loved how we were able to travel and experience so much of the country in such a short time. Choose TEAN if you ever want to study abroad in Australia; you won't regret it!

My experience abroad left me speechless. Studying abroad in Australia was the best decision I ever made. Going to a very small college and then traveling across the world to Australia was a very scary thought at first, but it ended up being the best step I ever took. My experience abroad was very unique, I wasn't sure what to expect at first. One of the reasons I chose Australia was because I didn't want there to be a language barrier while studying abroad as this was a big factor for me. My time abroad left me with so many memories and friends for a lifetime. Studying abroad really pushes you to get out of your comfort zone, which is something I wanted to do as well as explore the other side of the world. Another reason i choose Australia to study abroad was because of the beautiful weather, beaches, and amazing views. I couldn't see myself studying abroad though if it weren't for how easy and simple TEAN made the process from the application to arriving on campus. Everyone I engaged with at TEAN was very nice and always had an answer for any of my questions. I was recommended to TEAN by a friend as I wasn't sure which program to go with at first and I am sure glad they told me about TEAN because they are by far the best study abroad program out there. From the moment you arrive on campus at Bond you have an advantage to other study abroad students because TEAN has there own orientation in other city before classes start that allows you to get acquainted with the culture and more importantly the other students in your program.

While I enjoyed all of the traveling, friends, and cultural experiences, I also really enjoyed my coursework. I took classes that count toward my major (equine studies), and I loved how research driven every assignment was. TEAN was a huge help in matching me to a university where I could take the classes I need, and I loved them. Of course, I also loved the hiking and the surfing!
We spent a few weekends in town with our local friends, but we spent most traveling for hikes, surfing, or to see other cities/towns. Experiencing so much nature, all so much better preserved, further reinforced my love for the great outdoors.
Both the classes and the traveling have changed me in a way that stuck: I'm now pursuing graduate school to contribute to the research I loved learning, and I'm committing to more camping, hiking, and surfing outings back at home.

Australia is a beautiful country, and honestly feels like my second home. In 131 days I built a life in Sydney, and made memories I will never forget. Choosing to go abroad was by far the best decision I have made in my life thus far. Going out of my comfort zone lead to my mental growth and allowed me to learn about new parts of myself. It was scary going thousands of miles away from home with no security, but with the help of the Education Aboard Network, TEAN, traveling was made easy. I knew that if I ever needed help that it was only a call away. I am grateful for their programs, that brought me to my closest friends, numerous calls, that gave me the support I needed; and experience I longed to have. The University of Sydney was the perfect college for me, as I learned so much from the faculty there, and I hope one day I can go back to Sydney.