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.
What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I traveled to Australia during my midsemester break with a friend. Trying to fly back into New Zealand, we almost weren't allowed to board because my friend didn't have return (from NZ) booked. We proved we had visas and they let us run on the plan right before closing up!