Why did you decide to study abroad with TEAN?
Caitlyn: TEAN is a phenomenal program for study abroad. The orientation had every single tourist activity you could think of and it was jam packed with back to back events from sun up to sun down. They had optional pre-semester activities, spring break trips and even weekend trips to a different city. The staff who work at TEAN are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. They really want to help you as much as they can to be prepared for your time abroad. TEAN isn’t the cheapest program for study abroad students, but the staff is great at helping people out financially, whether it’s offering ideas for scholarships or ways to raise money for the trip.
Tell us about an experience you had that you could not have had at home
Caitlyn: I am absolutely afraid of heights. Climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge was one of the most terrifying things I have ever done in my entire life. We went in groups of six and we got hooked up to the railings on the bridge. We had to wear these fancy wet suits because it was raining. I took about fifty steps and I froze in fear and wouldn’t move. My friends encouraged me to keep going and when we finally made it to the top, it was breathtaking. You were able to see the entire city. It felt so freeing. At the top we were able to take a picture with the Sydney Opera House in the background. Going down was easier than going back up, but I will never forget how amazing it felt to be at the top of the bridge and face a fear.
Describe your favorite must-have food that you tried abroad.
Caitlyn: Australia had these cookies called Tim-Tams that were frosting on the outside and cookie in the middle, similar to Oreos, but with more frosting. They aren’t just normal cookies. They come in chocolate and vanilla or mixed flavors. They were really cheap and just about everywhere! All of the Australians loved them. They were great for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack! They were best in the freezer. I could never just eat one. They were chocolaty-goodness and I could never have enough. Whenever someone had Tim-Tams, they would always keep it a secret because they knew that if the word got out, everyone would eat them!
Tell us about any interesting cultural tidbits you noticed about your country.
Caitlyn: Everyone in Australia dressed like they were going to be in a fashion show every single day. They kept up with the latest fashion trends. The girls wore dresses and high heels and the guys wore nice shorts and a shirt. All the girls wore makeup and had their hair all fixed up. Coming from a school where people wear t-shirts, shorts and tennis shoes every day, this was a huge step up and I wasn’t expecting it. Needless to say that by the time I got home, I had the best fashion sense out of all of my friends!