TEAN by WorldStrides

Program Reviews

Default avatar
Andrew
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Semester of My Life

A phenomenal program and place to go if you want to improve your social confidence, be less of a picky eater, try new styles and clothes, explore nightlife, and learn meaningful life lessons.

So much of making the most of your time lies in preparation. Pack properly. Don't bring a lot, you'll want to buy a lot there. Don't bring overly colorful clothes (You'll stand out a lot!). Account for mid/post-semester travel when booking flights. Flights to Japan, Taiwan, and more are very cheap compared to from the states.
Be involved in KUBA! Go to the cheering orientations, the dinners, and more. They're more expensive than a meal on your own, but they are amazing opportunities to make friends with both Koreans and exchange students from around the world. I regret not going to my group's MT (bonding event) despite its steep price.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I wouldn't have limited myself by staying within a friend group at the start. Making the most of social opportunities like KUBA and befriending as many of your fellow TEAN students as possible is the way to go. You'd be shocked how much drama can occur despite only being a 4 month semester, so be cool and be friends with everyone, it took time but by the end of the semester I was the happiest I've ever been.
Pros
  • Public Transportation
  • English friendly
  • School Spirit & Festivals
Cons
  • On the expensive side
  • Stressful course registration
  • Dorm is at the top of a steep hill (not recommended if you have mobility issues)
Default avatar
Jaime
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

LOVED TEAN!!!

I strongly suggest to use TEAN when going abroad! I went to Sydney, Australia Spring of 2024 with 3 friends and the support of the TEAN staff made all of us feel so safe in such a far away place. Our pre-trip with TEAN to Cairns was absolutely amazing and they planned amazing activities for all of us!! When the Westfield stabbing happened all of the members of the TEAN staff reached out to the students to make sure we were comfortable and okay. I was also able to meet so many more friends by doing TEAN.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Vegemite!!! It's definitely not a fan favorite.
Pros
  • Support from staff members
  • Pre-trip to Cairns
Default avatar
Gavin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying at Uni Melb

My experience in Melbourne this past semester was the absolute BEST! I was able to study at the University of Melbourne's Victorian College of The Arts in their Music Theatre course in which I made the most life-changing connections and had the most fun while exploring the incredible city of Melbourne. I would recommend Melbourne to anyone studying in Australia as there is a perfect mix of city in with the surrounding nature. Melbourne is often rated as the most livable city in the world and it really lived up to it!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate Crocodile, Emu, and Kangaroo!
Pros
  • Livable city
  • Tons of support through TEAN
  • Incredible academics
Cons
  • No choice in housing - one option
Default avatar
Yulisa
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Outside of school

There are so many activities that can be done outside of school. You could go to pop-up shops or go to a cafe. The place is very convenient for traveling and walking everywhere. There are places you can eat and try new foods. It is fine to go by yourself to places. There are so many places where you can take photos and be able to create memories it also has so many accessories that can make your photo fun. The professors are really nice and very helpful making the class fun and easy to study. The communication with locals was great because I was able to learn Korean and some of them knew English.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I saw is that most restaurants open very late, like 11 am, which is surprising for me because many places open earlier.
Pros
  • New culture
  • Great classes
  • Very easy to walk around
Cons
  • Homesick
  • Not making as much friends
  • Laundry
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Zoie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer in Sydney

Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine. When I found a program in my dream vacation spot I knew I had to apply. Spending 6 weeks in Sydney was a dream come true and I could not recommend it enough. Meeting new friends, visiting new places, and gaining lifelong experiences is something I will cherish forever. While in Sydney, I visited some amazing places and saw some amazing things. Saying I have witnessed a symphony in the world-famous opera is something I will talk about forever. TEAN made my experience easy and fun. 10/10 Recommend!!

Default avatar
Audrey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

South Korea

Choosing to study abroad, especially in South Korea, was one of the best things I have ever done!! It was so much fun, I was able to learn so much about the culture, and I met so many amazing people while abroad. It is such a fun and awesome way to step out of your comfort zone, and it helps you grow so much as a person. It can seem really daunting to travel to a new place by yourself, but it is such an amazing experience! I will always encourage and recommend studying abroad, and I absolutely loved my experience in doing so!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I think I would go out and do more if I had the chance! There is still so much I want to see and experience!
Pros
  • Food
  • Cool city life
  • Beautiful nature
Cons
  • Slightly intimidating at first
Default avatar
Anagrace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bond University

I was consumed by anxiety as I prepared to embark on my Australian adventure. Yet, the experience transcended all expectations, emerging as the most extraordinary period of my life. I forged an enduring friendship with an individual who I am still close with. The privilege of exploring Australia's rich history through dedicated coursework was an invaluable opportunity. Each sunrise, I reveled in the spectacle of sunrise as I ran along the coast. Residing on campus facilitated unforgettable encounters with a diverse array of locals. My time in Australia is an irreplaceable treasure, and I implore everyone to seize the chance to study abroad there.

What was your funniest moment?
The funniest moments included the Australian slang. I kept a notes app filled with slang because it was so funny and unique!
Pros
  • adventures
  • new friends
  • international experience
Cons
  • no language immersion if English is your first language
Default avatar
Megan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Australian Internship

I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The first week in Australia really set the tone for the entire trip. The orientation week was located in Cairns, Australia and we got to know the other interns in our home city and other cities as well. We also learned about aboriginal culture and the pride Australians take in it, and we were given an insight on Australian culture and how to decipher the slang used. I stayed in Brisbane, Australia and as a Zoology major I was placed at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. I had a very open learning environment and had hands-on experience with animals I didn't even know existed before going to Australia. I had an insane moment when I saw a baby koala come out of the mothers pouch when I was cleaning the enclosure. The layout of my internship allowed me the time to explore and travel to other cities and even see the North Island of New Zealand. However, before I started traveling I really got to find my way around Brisbane with my Residential Directors help and recommendations. Trivia Tuesdays at Stockies Exchange Hotel never failed us.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I would advise getting to know your host city before venturing off. Once you get to know your favorite spots and how to get around without google maps it starts to feel like a version of home. I think this is important because when you do return from flights or train trips you get that feeling of home and routine when you return to your host city.
Pros
  • Gaining experience within academic field of interest
  • Was able to experience a new country with a guiding hand
  • Was offered activities within my host city like surfing
Cons
  • My field of interest is laborious so I would've switched up the hours worked instead of consecutive days
  • Commute going into the city after work with the traffic took longer than anticipated
  • It was difficult leaving at sunrise and returning when it was dark (It was winter so hard to switch that up ;) )
Default avatar
Maria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

부산이 젛다!!!

South Korea has been one of the many countries I plan on working at some point in my career. When the opportunity to go there arose in front of me, I HAD TO TAKE IT! I wanted to immerse myself in the country to see what it would be like to live there. Busan, South Korea exceeded my expectations. Although four weeks may not seem as long, I am even more determined to go back. It felt like home. I have met so many wonderful people and saw so many beautiful sights. It was truly an unforgettable experience. Until next time, Busan!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make the most out of your experience, truly try. Be brave to step out of your comfort zone, to go on solo adventures by yourself, to revel in what you were able to accomplish. Opportunities like these may not come around too often. Stay grounded in yourself and enjoy everything that is placed in front of you. The journey of your experience is influenced by your effort.
Pros
  • Helpful and attentive PNU Staff
  • Well organized schedules
  • Beautiful campus surrounded by many restaurants
Cons
  • K-Beauty Class was replaced by Kimchi Making Class
Default avatar
Jake
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

4 Months in Sydney

Studying abroad in Australia was one of the best decisions I've ever made. In the 4 months I spent abroad I met more people than I can count, traveled around Australia and Indonesia and New Zealand, and grew as a person. There are so many unique and cool experiences for people to discover in Australia, including the different animals and unique foods. I really loved seeing koalas, kangaroos, and platypuses in the wild. One of the most important parts of studying abroad is to take advantage of every opportunity you have, and that really helped make my abroad experience something that I'll never forget.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone looking to study abroad, it would be to say yes to every opportunity you have while you're over there. There is so much to do around you and it's important to take advantage of everything that you can to make the most of your experience. For example, I decided to sign up for skydiving during our orientation in Cairns, and I still think of it as one of the best decisions I made during my time abroad.
Pros
  • Meeting new people from all over the world
  • Traveling to places I never thought I'd get to
  • Becoming more independent and growing as a person.
Cons
  • Getting sick in Bali
  • The super long flight from the US to Australia
  • I wasn't expecting the temperature to get as chilly as it got towards the end