WorldStrides Reviews

Studying abroad through TEAN was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The TEAN Orientation was an experience in itself and was perfect for getting us familiar with Sydney. I lived in Bondi Junction and could look out my kitchen window and see the Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge. It doesn't get much better than that! The TEAN staff was always available if we needed anything or had any questions. TEAN also organizes pre-semester and mid-semester trips which were both amazing! I went on the Cairns pre-semester trip and the Thailand mid-semester trip. Studying abroad is an experience you can't turn down and I would do it again through TEAN in a heart beat.

My typical week in Melbourne was only three days of class a week and four-day weekends. I took all general electives for my major so my semester was very relaxed and much easier compared to my previous semesters at my home university. Classes at RMIT are typically one lecture and one tutorial, both are much longer in duration than classes in the US, but you don't have three lectures a week. I took a biology class which had a lab every week and I felt that was comparable to lab classes at US universities. Work outside of class was also very reduced compared to school in the US. There was no weekly homework assignments; the only required work I had to do outside of class was to prepare two lab reports and one research paper. If you want to do well in your classes though, you do need to spend some time doing assigned reading because most classes have a weekly quiz, midterms and a final exam.

Most weeks I needed to go grocery shopping which was very convenient considering the location of my apartment in the city. My apartment was within the CBD and so I was close (within short walking distance) to everything I needed during the semester. I also went out to eat at least once a week; Melbourne has a huge variety of restaurants so there is something for everyone an almost any budget.

Melbourne's nightlife has an almost overwhelming amount of options when you first get there. There are a huge number of bars and clubs in the city and public transportation is very easy to use if you want to get out to the suburbs. One of my favorite parts of Melbourne's bar scene was that there are several bars that are on building rooftops which give you a great view of the city. The city is very safe and never once did I feel like I was in a "sketchy" place.

Melbourne also has a lot of options for day trips both within the city and outside it. There are a few national parks and the Great Ocean road which I believe anyone who studies in Melbourne needs to visit. There are also several parks in the city if you just want to go out and relax outdoors, which you can almost any day you like because the weather is usually great. I also went to St. Kilda Beach a few times. It's a nice beach, usually not too crowded, and at night you can go there and see penguins that nest in the harbor which is really cool.

My semester in Melbourne was an all around great experience and I believe that going through the semester with The Education Abroad Network only enhanced that experience. Apart from the help I got from them for my pre-semester preparation, they also offered lots of excellent opportunities to get out an experience life as the locals do. If it wasn't for the cultural events they offer, I'm not sure I would have broken out of my daily routine to experience some of them. They are also very helpful for any problems that arise during the semester. I had a problem with the financial department at RMIT and all I had to do was notify my TEAN resident director and the problem was fixed that day.

In short, I highly recommend this program to anyone because I went in reluctant about study abroad and I've come away from it a huge supporter and wish I had time to go again.

Without a doubt, I would highly recommend this program to absolutely anyone! TEAN is a wonderful support system that I reached out to at any point during my study abroad experience. They were always there for me and that's what really made me feel at ease. No matter what I wanted to do they were always right behind me cheering me along! I don't have any regrets & if I could do it all over again I'd do the same thing :) Go for it!!!!!!

After nearly 5 months abroad, I can officially say I am in love with New Zealand, and I only have The Education Abroad Network to thank for that. I spent everyday with friends that I made in my living area, and who continue to be my best friends back here in the states. I loved my classes, and the beautiful walk I had to get there. TEAN was there for me every step of the way - from planning my trip to planning activities for me in Auckland. I wouldn't change anything about my semester, and would do it again in a heartbeat.

The TEAN orientation was nothing short of incredible! It was my first 5 days in Australia, and there was no better way to get adjusted and meet new people. Everyday we did something that I knew was a once in a lifetime experience. From climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge, to taking a dinner boat cruise past the Opera House, it was all so surreal. Seeing all the famous beaches in Sydney and spending nights exploring Sydney’s bustling streets and bars were only part of why I loved orientation so much. I met friends that I kept in touch with my entire time in Australia. When I think about my favorite moments of studying abroad, a lot of them happened during TEAN’s orientation. What an amazing way to start off my adventure! Once we arrived in the Gold Coast, there was so much to do on a day to day basis. On most days, my roommates and I would walk to the beach and meet some local friends we had made. There was tons of shopping and hiking opportunities all around us, and a very lively nightlife on the weekends. The commute to school was easy and so worth living on the beach. The only difficulties I encountered studying abroad with TEAN, were saying goodbye to the friends I had made, and leaving the new home I built for myself over a semester.

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN) is the best study abroad program there is. It was a completely life changing experience. I got to travel to places I could never imagine going to and meet people from all over the world and our own country. I wouldn't have picked another program; the staff was so helpful, nice, and totally fun!
I studied in New Zealand and I was able to travel around New Zealand as well as attend trips to Fiji and Thailand which TEAN had organized. TEAN makes everything so easy, they plan everything out and you just show up and have an amazing time! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you're crazy if you don't take the opportunity! I did more growing up in the last 5 months of my life than I have my whole time in college. Over the five months I spent in New Zealand I fell in love with the country and the people! Because of my time spent in New Zealand, it will always be a second home to me and hold a special place in my heart. I did things I never imagined I'd get the opportunity to. I made friends that I will keep for the rest of my life.
It's not your typical studying experience when you go abroad and TEAN knows how to make it worth every penny and make it the best experience possible! I was really nervous and scared before I left for my time abroad but that feeling left when I arrived and met the other TEAN program students as well as the staff. We did fun activities and got to "hangout" all day so that there wasn't even time to feel nervous or homesick. TEAN helped immerse us into the new culture and country really well. I wasn't home sick at all during my five months abroad.
I don't regret spending a single dime on this program nor my time abroad. I strongly recommend it to everyone!

The Education Abroad Network did an amazing job! I had such a fun trip and made memories that will last me a lifetime. They were always a phone call away and made sure that we made the most of our trip. The cultural excursions as well as the orientation in Sydney allowed me to get so much out of my time abroad! I would HIGHLY recommend going abroad with TEAN :)
Devon

This program was amazing. They provided beautiful housing and help make the transition to living in a new country really easy and stress free. They have program directors in the country with you for easy access if you have any questions or concerns they are always glad to help. My study abroad experience was the best time of my life and I would not give it up for anything.

The customer support and all registration was incredibly easy. Everything was streamlined, communication was excellent for any questions. Various means to accomplish any of the tasks asked.

I would encourage anyone looking into studying abroad in New Zealand to go and to go through The Education Abroad Network! My experience with TEAN and in New Zealand were nothing but positive. New Zealand was the perfect place for me to study abroad because it offered so many opportunities. My advice would be to grasp every opportunity that comes your way, even if it seems scary! I never thought I would white water raft down a waterfall, hike 50 miles or bungee jump, but I did all of those things and so much more. TEAN is a great program because they truly care about each individual student. I had so many questions before I went abroad and TEAN made sure every single one was answered. The staff know what they are doing and are fun to be around. They made me feel extremely comfortable in such a new situation as traveling to another country. The program makes sure you are getting the most out of your experience abroad, I know I left New Zealand with no regrets...except maybe having to leave :)