I had an amazing time in Dublin, Ireland and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great program academically as well as a location where the social scene is phenomenal. Trinity has so much to offer academically- all of the classes I took abroad transferred easily into my home university and counted toward my degree and program. Trinity also had a lot of clubs and organizations available for study abroad students. I took part in several of them and got to travel all around Ireland with their help. Not only is Trinity great, but so is the city of Dublin. The people are the most friendly people I've ever met and are ALWAYS up for a good time. If you like to be social, then Dublin is perfect for you. A day doesn't go by that I don't wish I was back in Dublin. I hope some of you choose to do this program because it most certainly made an amazing impact on my life and gave me an experience I will be taking about for a lifetime.
This program through AustraLearn was nothing short of amazing. The internship/leadership development team at Maquarie University made the transition in to working abroad fun and exciting. The AustraLearn staff were there to answer questions any time of day or night and provided a safe feeling transition to living so far from home. From awesome friends, local gifts bought, international connections made, new found confidence, and memories to last a lifetime you will come home with way more than what you left home with. This experience leaves you a richer person in more ways than you can imagine.
Sydney is one of the worlds most beautiful cities to live in, and the attitude of the locals really reflects this. Spend enough time there yourself and you'll quickly adopt their "no worries" attitude.
The adventure of living and working abroad seems to naturally bring out confidence and skill that until the start of this program, may have remained unknown to each individual partaking on this journey... what a great way to explore new places around the globe and within ourselves! The AustraLearn team are awesome! GO AUSSIE!
I found this to be a great way to grow in many aspects of my life. It is a great way to interact with people from another country and gain valuable experience that can be applied directly into the work field.I was able to work with a variety of businessman as well as a variety of students. One of the highlights was working with the Uni Snow Games. This was an awesome event to be a part of.
I studied abroad with AustraLearn for a year at the University of Waikato in 2004-2005. The university was full of friendy students and staff and the local to international student ratio gave me an outstanding chance to live and learn with local students.
I was the only U.S. student in my housing (1 American, 23 Kiwi's) so I was able to make friends quickly.
Hamilton is a great city for a semester abroad. It's location is ideal for travel, 1.5 hours south of Auckland, 1 hour from Rotorua, 45 minutes east or west to the beach... The proximity of Hamilton to all of these amazing locations made me want to travel every weekend.
AustraLearn was great when it came to setting up my program, their on-site orientation was a lot of fun and gave me a chance to meet other students before I set foot on campus. My AustraLearn advisor was friendly and always available to help me with my million questions.
I would reccommend this university and AustraLearn to anyone thinking about going to New Zealand!
I studied at the University of Newcastle during their fall semester. I lived in Edwards Hall, I highly recommend living on college. This is where I met some of the most amazing people and learned most of the culture. You are living with citizens and you become a part of the community. They throw many parties, and events that should be attended regularly. The people are generous, and are always looking to do something out of the usual. If I could go back and do it all over I would do it in a heartbeat. The classes were similar to the lectures I take at my home university but the professors are more laid back. Overall fantastic experience and I plan on going back as soon as I can!
The Education Abroad Network is an outstanding program provider for studying abroad. Along with all their trip inclusions including a pre-semester trip to Fiji and orientation package in Auckland, NZ, TEAN's staff were absolutely incredible when it came to answering questions and taking care of its students. One of the best examples that I can provide occurred on February 22, the day of the Christchurch Earthquake. Almost immediately every TEAN student studying in Christchurch was contacted and accounted for to ensure our safety at the time. On top of this, they set us up with a secure location in O'Kain's Bay to escape the devastion present within Christchurch. Lastly, but certainly not least, they provided incredible assistance transferring us to Wellington and getting us all setup once again. TEAN worked so hard to make sure that we felt safe, secure, and in control during that very hectic time.
As for Wellington and Victoria University, I couldn't have asked for a better place. The city offers the best of both worlds in terms of city life and sheer natural beauty. Victoria University offers a great learning environment with excellent classes and course structure. Better than that though is the downtime available for extra travel opportunities. Wellington is situated right on the bottom of the North Island so we could travel with ease across both the North and South Island.
Overall, studying abroad was the best decision I ever made and I was blessed with a program as dedicated and great as The Education Abroad Network. I strongly recommend both TEAN and the idea of studying abroad. Its a life-enriching experience that I and you surely will never forget!
At first, traveling to the other side of the world seemed crazy to me. Getting on a plane for 14 hours to Australia and immersing myself into a culture for four months was something that I was not comfortable with. With the Help of The Education Abroad Network, it made my transition from America to Australia not only a smooth one, but an extremely enjoyable one as well. Right from the beginning The Education Abroad Network kept me organized from what I should expect and pre departure materials that were necessary for my success with my transition. If I ever had any questions before or along the way, The Education Abroad Network staff was always a phone call or a prompt email response away.
Once I got to the airport and was ready to take off I was immediately accompanied by other students who were in my program and would soon become my best friends on the trip. Sitting with other students from all over the country and talking over our worries and excitements definitely made me feel comfortable as I understood that everyone was in the same boat. Once we got to Australia, Staff Members of The Education Abroad Network were extremely knowledgeable and enormously helpful once we stepped of that plane in Sydney, Australia. Staying in five star hotels and having a one week orientation in Sydney where we went rappelling, tours of the Sydney Harbor and other things which made bonding with other students would prove to be the beginning of our journey that changed our lives forever.
Traveling to the Gold Coast was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Again, with the help of The Education Abroad Network in putting us in these stunning five star hotels and living right on the beach, I thought I was in paradise. From there I was more than eager to get my semester underway and see the wonders of the Gold Coast, Australia. It is safe to say that without the help of The Education Abroad Network my experiences would not have been the same. I am so happy that I chose the Education Abroad Network to help me with this very important transition that would prove to be the best experience of my life.
I am a strong advocate for studying abroad because it truly changed my perception of other cultures. Studying abroad is an excellent way to connect with other cultures and experience different perspectives. My study abroad experience was as exciting as it was enlightening. The knowledge I gleaned from living in Australia for nearly 5 months is invaluable. My educational experience really occurred when I left the classroom and immersed myself into the culture. TEAN was organized and did an outstanding job in discovering great deals, providing unique opportunities, and arranging thrilling activities. The week I spent in Cairns and Byron Bay cannot be replicated. I met many life-long friends and shared many unforgettable moments. I strongly recommend participating in all of the activities during orientation week and traveling on a pre-semester excursion.
One thing that separates TEAN from pursuing an exchange program is the bonding that occurs during orientation and pre-semester excursions. I can honestly say without TEAN, I would not have made many, if any, friends while abroad. I recommend taking classes that are interesting and intellectually stimulating. I am majoring in political science and philosophy, but I took classes in anthropology, history, and politics. The politics class was very interesting; as the only American in my tutorial, I was able to offer a unique perspective to others.
I lived in Bondi Junction in the Meriton. The location was excellent, and the living accommodations were superb. Ultimately, I found the TEAN staff to be very knowledgeable and helpful. I highly recommend this program!
I was terrified before studying abroad. Even though I moved from the Midwest to the East Coast to go to college moving to the whole other side of the world is completely different. TEAN was so great the whole time though and answered all the questions I had so quickly that it helped to calm my nerves.
From the second I met up with other TEAN kids in the LAX airport I had completely forgotten all of my paranoia. Everyone in the program was amazing and the pre-semester trip to Fiji was definitely a great way to ease into the study abroad experience.
Once I got settled in Auckland things only got better. I loved my residence (Parnell Student Village) and everything about New Zealand. Before going to Auckland nature and I were not the closest friends but there's something about New Zealand that changes you. I got into camping, hiking and even went skydiving!
Auckland itself is not the coolest city but the location definitely makes up for it. Where else can you see the sunrise on the east coast and then watch it set on the west in the same day? Plus, it's really easy to see all of the North Island from its location. Not to mention that Waiheke Island is only a short ferry ride away where you can lounge on the beach and wine taste all day.
University of Auckland was about as different from the seminar style of my college as it could get. The classes were big but all my lecturers were smart and definitely entertaining. While I definitely learned a little I wasn't challenged. I also was taking 100 and 200 level courses and my grades were pass/fail though so if you're looking for great academics just take 300 or grad courses.
I fully recommend studying abroad through TEAN. They are very hands-on and provide their students with more benefits/excursions than any other program I've heard of. And my time in NZ was definitely the best six months of my life!
It was a great experience and I met a lot of new and great people. We saw a lot of great history and then social and political change in just the few weeks we were over there.
