TEAN by WorldStrides

Program Reviews

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Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

New Zealand, New Me

I spent much time deciding where I wanted to study abroad, but once I decided on New Zealand I continued to spend many more hours trying to determine which city would be the best fit for me. I ultimately felt Auckland would be the place to explore and it sure was! I would not describe myself as a city person, but that is why I chose this diverse hotspot because I had been aching for something out of my comfort zone. Auckland served as a lively social scene with many activities and events happening weekly, which are only minutes away from the Auckland University of Technology where I took my classes. The Education Abroad Network, my program of choice, had Auckland-based staff who kept me informed about all that the country has to offer from Auckland to Queenstown in the South Island. I think the most beautiful part of going abroad is the new people you will be able to meet upon your journey whether they are Americans, New Zealanders, or international students! Building relationships in Auckland was the best. I explored the country on the weekends and in my mid-semester break with these new friends! You can too! So my advice to you is if you are already making the effort to study abroad, don't be afraid to meet new people and Auckland is a great place to start!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I think one of the most valuable factors about studying abroad is knowing you have the opportunity to be more independent. Most students are nervous and uncertain about what potential an abroad experience will hold and I can live to say that if you want to push yourself out of your comfort zone, going to a new country will unleash an adventurous spirit within you. New Zealand is a gorgeous country with a huge culture of adventurers and Auckland is a lively city to be centered in! I think I was afraid that if I studied in Auckland, I would only be around a city, but there are ways to travel to different parts of the country. Make friends and travel with them, because there will always be folks looking to adventure too! Also, The Education Abroad Network keeps you informed of events in your area of study and they plan outings for students to be a part of! Don't be afraid to ask questions because the TEAN staff will be right by your side whether you want to know more about your home city, the country, or any other concerns!
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Rugile
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Semester in Shanghai was Stressful but Superb

My study abroad experience in Shanghai was stressful, but in a good way. I picked this program for three reasons: 1) Shanghai is, no doubt, an exciting city; 2) Fudan University has a stellar reputation and it offered classes related to my major; 3) TEAN allows you to do an internship, which related to my career goals. At times, I felt a bit overwhelmed because I was taking five classes, learning Mandarin, interning, and squeezing out time to explore and travel around China. However, it was absolutely worthwhile. I was able to gain a new perspective on various subjects thanks to my peers and professors at Fudan University and experience what it's like to study, work, and live in Shanghai. I fell in love with this city and I don't think I could have picked a better program to go there with.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would invest more time in improving my Mandarin so that I could get to know more Chinese university students.
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Marina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bloody Ripper!

I loved living in Brisbane because the school was close to the St Lucia apartments, the city was incredibly fun to walk around and explore, and the weather was absolutely perfect every single day. One of my favorite parts about my abroad experience was being able to hop on a train and travel to Byron Bay, Gold Coast, or Noosa Heads because of their close proximity to the city. The housing and the apartments were clean and we never had any issues with safety while we were living there. I loved the feeling of being completely safe and knowing that if there were any issues, anyone was friendly and willing to help. I would definitely choose to go abroad to Brisbane again and I can't wait to experience the Australian culture again! It was one of the best few months of my life.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Some advice to future travelers in Brisbane is to definitely take advantage of all of the fun events and activities that the city counsel throws because that is the best way to be immersed in the culture. Also, always use the translink busses and trains because they are super convenient and easy to navigate!
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Devan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Chiang Mai has my heart!

This program was helpful from the day that I was interested to the day that I returned. I am so glad that I chose to study abroad in Chiang Mai with TEAN especially for their availability, value, immersion to the culture, and overall experience! Chiang Mai was filled with many unique restaurants and activities that TEAN helped get my fellow peers and I well acquainted with. The program did a great job of introducing you to this foreign country and making you feel safe before you even board the plane to Thailand. The program is a good balance between academic rigor and enjoying being abroad. The TEAN staff was always available to answer questions or help with any issues. Safety was a huge concern for me prior to leaving, when in reality, I really should not have! I never felt unsafe. Thai locals are ready to help and are quite friendly. There is no doubt in my mind that I want to return to Chiang Mai and live there long term.

What would you improve about this program?
I can honestly say that this program was all around amazing. They exceeded my expectations in every way and I can't think of a time that I felt like I wasn't getting my value from them as a program.
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Jenna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best of the best<3

My study abroad experience couldn't have gone any better. Going throguh TEAN was the best choice i made without a doubt. w With TEAN we got so many extra things which made th4e eperience that much better. Living in the Gold Coast was also the best decsion for me, right near the beach. There is somuchto do there and so many little beach towns nearby, including Byron bay, surfer paridse and Berligh Head. Bond University was such an amazing university and a beyond beutiful campus, everyone there was really helpul. Tean helped me to meet someof my beat friends and see and eperience things i've never could've of imagned. I also got to travel outside of aussie to NZ. TEAN was the best choice to help me go aboar and I tell that to eveyone whos thinking about going. I'd love the whole experine so much I'm most definitaly going back to Aussie after I gradute.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I went abaord alone all the way to aussie not knowing anyone. It was the scariest thing i've ever done, not knowing anyone or knowing that much about aussie and having nobody there. But i had tean and they helped me to make some of my best friends that'll have for life. Brought me out of my shell and helped me to meet so many amazing new people.
Graduation
Mariah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

University of Queensland, Brisbane

Moving to a foreign country was scary! I am from a small town in New Hampshire and I had never traveled overseas. I was pleasantly surprised to find Brisbane to be a very safe, clean, family-friendly location. The city was easy to navigate and offers so much to do including museums, restaurants, night life, and nature. TEAN helped me learn about all these options that I had. The transition to living on my own in a new country was smooth thanks to them. I always had my resident advisor to contact if anything were to happen, which definitely eases your mind. The University of Queensland has a beautiful campus as well with sandstone buildings and purple flower trees. There were many events held on campus and when I wasn't taking the bus into the city, I could spend time at the gym, walking around campus, or doing homework in the library. I was able to do a lot of traveling as well - to the Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, the Whitsundays, Cairns, Byron Bay, and Noosa - but in the end, I was very pleased with my choice to make Brisbane my home for a semester.

What would you improve about this program?
While TEAN advisors are very knowledgeable about the cities that students move to, I found that my advisor did not know as much about the university that I was attending. I had a lot of questions about signing up for classes and academic advising when I first arrived, so make sure that you read the university's website and emails very carefully and set up a meeting with an academic advisor or member of the university staff early on so that you understand what you're required to do before you begin class.
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Amy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying abroad with TEAN was the best decision I've ever made!

I loved studying abroad with TEAN! I was super nervous to go all the way to New Zealand for a semester last fall, but TEAN made my experience really enjoyable. The first week/orientation was primarily meeting other students in the same program and learning a bit about the culture in New Zealand. The fact that I was able to know a bunch of students before actually going to class was so helpful because I was able to recognize people on such a large campus. Additionally, TEAN was very organized and really cared about their students. Every month, we had the opportunity to meet with our Resident Advisors for food or for an event and just talk with them about life and things we were doing which I truly enjoyed. Words cannot describe everything that TEAN did for me!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make friends with travelers! If you want to buy a car while abroad, split it with friends and also split gas with friends. Gas in New Zealand is much more expensive than in the US. I only had class three days a week, so I was able to take long weekends to travel around the South Island. There are a lot of hidden gems around the area, so talk to the resident advisors and locals about places to go to!
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Cassidy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

University clubs are the way to go!

The Education Abroad Network provided great support and made it easy to get adjusted to a new city, new housing and everything else that comes with studying abroad! My favorite part about my study abroad experience was the university clubs and student organizations that I joined. The Newcastle University Mountaineering Club offered great, cheap, beginner trips that were easy to sign up for! They were super welcoming and usually had new international students joining every semester! It was a great way to get outside and see more of the Australian countryside that I otherwise wouldn't have had the chance to see. I also joined the University of Newcastle Exchange Student Network where I met students from around the world and attended local events like a boat tour, beach days, winery tour and hiking trips!

What would you improve about this program?
Everything about my program was great! I had one small issue with housing: the house I lived in switched ownership and there were some inconvenient changes but TEAN was quick to resolve issues and has since switched to renting a different house!
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Bowen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Internship Down Under: Perth, Australia

My internship this past fall has been, and always will be one of the most memorable times in my life. I was able to work at a sports trainer / first aid in Perth. Australia. I worked with kids of all different ages and that played all different sports such as Australian football, soccer, basketball, netball, etc. This internship provided me with different techniques that I will continue to use during my life and career path from now on. The atmosphere was perfect, the people were extremely friendly and I felt like this place was my second home. Overall, I will highly recommend this program and this country to anyone who is considering either. I also want to thank TEAN and everyone else who helped me experience the best three months of my life.

What would you improve about this program?
I would change nothing about this program. Overall, everything was good and ideal to help me experience the wonders of Australia.
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Margaux
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I want to move to Chiang Mai!

Studying abroad in Thailand was the best experience of my life to date. I anticipated that I was going to have an amazing time but never could have imagined all of the beautiful places, people, and things that I would encounter. From visiting the most ethical Elephant Nature Park, to spending at night at Buddhist temple, to visiting the Golden Triangle (where opium used to be traded for gold) - I had such a wide array of experiences and there was so much opportunity for cultural immersion. The city has an amazing atmosphere that encourages you to explore and engage with local Thai culture. Our class discussions turned into excursions where we could better contextualize what we had just learned about. Having class at a local silk factory or Buddhist temple is a once in a life time experience and TEAN helped facilitate all of these unique opportunities.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I think the most surprising thing I did was participate in a monk chat at the Buddhist temple we stayed overnight at for our Buddhism in Thailand class. We had the opportunity to speak with two monks about their practice and life lessons. We also meditated with them and participated in alms round early in the morning. I have never had such an intimate conversation with someone so devoted to Buddhism and their practice. It was really eye opening partake in Thai Buddhist traditions, to go on alms round, and see locals provide offerings in exchange for blessings from the monks.