Program Reviews

I had an amazing experience studying abroad with TEAN during Spring 2023. With all of the fun activities TEAN prepared for us like touring Nami Island, going to Busan, and a Han river cruise, I definitely don't regret picking TEAN for my study abroad experience. It was also reassuring knowing that we could contact TEAN staff in Korea basically at any time and the onsite staff is very kind! South Korea is a great destination for study abroad as it's easy to travel around the country with its convenient public transportation and school life there is very dynamic! I would definitely recommend studying abroad in South Korea with TEAN.

Going to Seoul with TEAN made a huge difference with my experience abroad! They help with visa processing, preparing transcripts, setting up our residence appointments, and more. A big plus was that TEAN conducted the housing process, which my non-TEAN peers said was very challenging and competitive. We had so many fun excursions planned out throughout the semester that it made forming friendships very easy, all while knocking things off our bucket lists. Attending university in the Spring, especially Korea University, means so many university events with music festivals being the highlight. The semester builds up to these events through iconic school spirit events such as Korea vs. Yonsei cheer competitions, I would say I feel more school pride for KU than my home university thanks to these events. Seoul has an endless amount of possible activities, from karaoke to making your own jewelry to accessible travel outside the city, one could never get bored here. On average I spent less than $10 for a good quality meal, and transportation was usually $1 per train/bus ride. Getting to Korea can be expensive, but the cost of living definitely makes up for it.

Seoul was such an incredible city to experience during the Spring 2023 semester. I had great quality of life in terms of safety, affordability, and amusement! There are endless things to do in Seoul like explore the food scene, take in the city's green spaces, do some great shopping, or going to karaoke. The TEAN staff was very helpful in making me feel prepared prior to my program in terms of helping me get my visa, teaching me about the cultural expectations of Korea, and even just guidance on what to pack. I also felt reassured in that there were TEAN staff members on-site during my stay abroad.

I loved Thailand so much, I have studied abroad multiple times, and this was my favorite place. I loved the country's beauty; the food and prices were cheap, and the culture was so beautiful. Only 15 of us were in my program, so we got to know each other very well. We also got to make friends with the further study abroad students and the Thai students, who were super friendly and wanted to hang out and make friends with you.

Our resident director, Mamiaw, was terrific. She made it feel like she wasn't only our resident director but also our friend; she would go out with us and meet up with us if we were in the city. She took time out of her say to hang out with us, and it made such a big difference because I felt more comfortable talking and asking for help.

I studied abroad during the summer, and I loved it. It was shorter, and I didn't get to meet as many students at KU, but I got to meet many other people from the USA who were there to study. The dorms are very close to the MRT; you can take it anywhere. You literally can go anywhere. I loved how we could explore so much of the city and how easy it was. The food is fantastic, and you can get a variety of the same food, whether it is tteokbokki, bibimbop, jjajangmyeon, and more.

I went as the first group after COVID, so it was a little stricter, and we weren't allowed to do as much stuff. But it was so much fun just to be there and experience how beautiful the city is.

Studying abroad with TEAN was just as life changing as they talk about during orientation. Obviously moving across the world with no one you know can be intimidating, however not once did I feel alone. They do an amazing job at introducing you to the new culture and world while also providing an environment to build friendships and a new sense of adventure. When talking about my experience abroad the best word to describe it was surreal. There was so much to see and do, yet that only enhanced my confidence in travel and independence.

I absolutely LOVED my TEAN experience studying abroad at Bond University in Gold Coast, Australia!!! The trip started out with an amazing TEAN orientation the week prior to the start of classes where I got to SCUBA dive on the Great Barrier Reef, skydive, and hold a koala bear at a wildlife sanctuary! Bond University’s campus is in the perfect location to take advantage of all that the Gold Coast has to offer! A number of famous Australian beaches, a huge shopping center, and tons of cultural restaurants were just a bus ride away! Whether or not you decide to plan any extra trips to other parts of Australia or other countries, you will find that there is so much to do near the Gold Coast alone! The natural landscape is so stunning and lush that you will want to be a part of it - there is ample opportunity to take surfing lessons, go on long hikes, visit breathtaking waterfalls, or just grab a book to read on the beach! An excursion to Sydney is a must! While there, I visited the world famous Sydney Opera House and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Just a short bus ride over to the beach, I spent a day over at Bondi Beach, where the Bondi Icebergs Pool is located. Allegedly the most photographed pool in the world, the Bondi Iceberg Pool, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean, is an unbelievable sight. With the ocean waves splashing over into the pool, my swim in this pool was a highlight of my trip that I wish everyone could experience. All of these experiences could not have been possible without TEAN. My TEAN leaders were so welcoming and personable and were available throughout the semester if we needed help or just wanted to chat. I found the TEAN weekly Coffee Chats, optional field trips, and the variety of other activities to be impressive. While adapting to a new culture and environment, it was comforting to know that they were just a text or call away and were available to address any of my questions or needs. I made so many friends from all over the world and learned so much both inside and outside the classroom. TEAN knew exactly how to set my classmates and me up for success in Australia - I could not recommend an experience more!

Studying abroad in a city like Seoul has offered me so many new perspectives. South Korea was an amazing destination to study abroad; with so many places to explore, eat, shop, and see, I believe Korea has something for everyone. I am glad I chose this program to study abroad because they have provided me with numerous resources to make this trip as smooth as possible. The ISA/TEAN staff was extremely helpful throughout the process, and their activities, lunches, and orientations made the first few weeks in Korea feel less overwhelming. This allowed us to meet and make friends with other international students. The on-site team was wonderful, and they had all the resources necessary to assist the international students. The staff planned fun excursions for the TEAN students and were very easy to talk to!
One of the excursions included a weekend getaway to a city called Busan, where we had access to a private bus to take the TEAN students around the city and explore various popular travel locations. Seoul is a technologically advanced city where everything seems to make sense. Everything in Seoul is more efficient, aesthetically pleasing, and beautiful than anything I've seen in the United States. Seoul is buzzing with people and activities, with opportunities for amazing and fun nightlife, cafe hopping, city shopping, and even some sightseeing. The nightlife is a must-have experience for students studying in Seoul. Busan, a coastal city about 3 hours outside of Seoul, is a coastal town with incredible views and landscape, beautiful beaches and fish markets to try, and everything from Buddhist temples to small colorful villages to walk through. While Jeju is a small island off the coast of Korea, it is only an hour away by plane and has a completely different vibe than the city. It feels like a tropical vacation, complete with beautiful beaches, palm trees, fresh food and fruits, and amazing views. It has opened my eyes to the reality of the culture and way of life in Korea. I am happy to have experienced such a unique and advanced city, where I felt safe and independent despite the language barrier.

My time abroad with TEAN at Griffith University in the Gold Coast, Australia was most likely the most fun and pivotal experience in my life thus far. This program allowed me to travel to and live in Australia, a country filled with culture, beautiful scenery, famous landmarks, and plenty of nature. TEAN allowed me to fulfill my lifelong passion of traveling the world while still working toward my education as well. TEAN’s support during the planning, moving, and living stages of my time abroad was also a great resource that contributed to the quality of my time down under. They had great staff always willing to help solve a problem and give recommendations for traveling. They also held great events including our program to help us meet our fellow travellers and get immersed in the Australian continent and culture. This program showed me how important it is to take steps out of your comfort zones and to follow your dreams and goals, even if working toward them may seem daunting at first. Overall, I fulfilled my passion for traveling, learning about new cultures, meeting new people, and continuing my education while abroad with TEAN. I will never forget the experiences I had and the memories I made during this trip.

It was the best 4 months that I've ever lived. I highly encourage everyone to do a semester abroad! One of my favorite activities was going to a 24h spa at 3am and just relaxing there. I traveled a TON and had so many wobderful experiences! I got to see Jeju Island, visit many museums (a huge majority which was free), eat deliciois and cheap foods, and visit cute cafes. Seoul felt extremely safe. I traveled alone and never felt uncomfortable (also helps that people are respectful.) Once again come to Seoul because there is a lot to do (Im definitely going back) and it will be an amazing experience!