Studying abroad in New Zealand was hands down one of the best decisions of my life!
I learned so much about the world and myself while I was abroad and it has even helped me discover my future interest in travel nursing and international nursing missions. My favorite memories studying abroad were exploring the South Island with my new friends! For example, I went sea kayaking with fur seals in Abel Tasman National Park and hiked up snow-covered Mt. Olliver to watch the sun rise over the clouds!
TEAN was so helpful in walking me through everything I needed to get done before leaving to go abroad and Meaza and Anikka were both super helpful with their prompt responses to any questions I had. The weekend trips they planned helped me to explore parts of New Zealand I otherwise would not have seen on my own and encouraged me to try new local foods and experience more of everything NZ has to offer.
You won't regret your time abroad with TEAN!!
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Get to the west coast as much as you can! It's definitely the most beautiful part of NZ!
Pros
TEAN makes it easy to make friends upon arrival
TEAN makes it an easy transition arriving in a new country and culture
TEAN allows you opportunities to have exciting and authentic local experiences
Cons
It took a long time for them to send out flight information so prices went up
I had the absolute best time on my study abroad trip this past summer! The ISA representatives were so attentive and always made sure we were adapting well to the culture of Greece! The school was fantastic and the students and teachers were very friendly and accommodating! I made friends on this trip from schools all over the country and we continue to talk on a daily basis, and I was also exposed to culture that you simply cannot find anywhere else! Overall, this program is one of the most memorable experiences i have ever had and i would recommend it time and time again!!
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Do as much as you possibly can! You are only there for a short amount of time so try and see all of the sights while you can!
Pros
Experienced new culture
Fantastic food
Made lifelong friends both in Greece and other people that studied abroad with me
Cons
The walk to school is very long but it’s beautiful
I loved going abroad to Barcelona so much! Upon arrival, ISA made sure we were set up with everything we could possibly need. They made sure we knew what to do in any situation we might find ourselves in and gave us resources I would not have otherwise known about. The ISA team was extremely helpful in communicating with the university I was enrolled in and making sure I had access to classes that UCLA would award me credit for. They were quick to respond to my emails and always available to answer any questions I had throughout my time. I would definitely recommend ISA to any student looking to go abroad and I would not change a thing about my experience!
The best 5 months of my life that I have ever experience. My whole study abroad experience has been great. I learned so much from my time abroad and it has really changed the way I perceive my life and my perspective of life. I met a lot new people from different culture and made a bunch of new friends. My program director, Gabriela Gamper, made it possible for me to learn and experience the Argentine culture to the fullest. She was really awesome. The whole experience was a lot to take in at first but it becomes a lot easier to handle later. I highly recommend that everyone should take the opportunity to go or study abroad.
I've studied abroad 4 different times, but Madrid with ISA was probably my most favorite experience. I got to practice my spanish in and out of class, experience the night life of Madrid, and connect with other abroad students and create some of my strongest friendships. My apartment stay allowed me to grow so close with the other girls I was living with and my next door neighbors. We had a built in family that laughed, cried, and traveled all around Europe together. I'd do it all over again if I could .
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Anyone wanting to do this program should save up money before coming!! I did that and it was the best decision ever. Take advantage of the time you have abroad! Try everything - food, dance classes, last minute flights. This program allows you to have the flexibility to travel and learn and that's a gift you can't let go to waste :)
Pros
No school on Fridays @ Universidad Nebrija
Intensive Spanish Course option to help with transitioning and learning the language
Awesome study abroad community
Cons
Class Attendance will count for or against your grade
This trip was the best experience of my entire life so far! The memories that I have gained from going to Australia are unmatched. If you are debating on if you should go, just go!! I grew so much in my confidence, made amazing friends from all over the world, learned from the best of those in my aspired career, and took part in Australian culture. I also had the opportunity to attend fun sporting events, travel to other areas of Australia, and work alongside well-known athletes! Australians are some of the nicest bunch of people; they made the experience a lot more fun!
What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I have done so many surprising things on this trip that I never thought I would be able to do in my life. One of the most fun things was being able to attend the World Cup. The energy from the fans was incredible! Another surprising thing was just navigating the city with my friends. There was always something fun going on in the heart of the city and there was never a dull moment.
Pros
Australians are some of the nicest people ever
Sporting events are so much fun and everyone if full of team spirit
The work enviroment in Australia is a-lot more relaxed and fun
Cons
The whether was definitely very gloomy most of the time
Getting around can be a bit difficult with the trains
Living in the heart of the city can be loud at times
Studying abroad in Málaga, Spain was an unforgettable experience filled with endless memories! I knew I always wanted to take advantage of a study abroad opportunity during my time in college but I found it difficult to find the right program for me. Once I was introduced to ISA and the programs they offered I was hooked! They offered an endless amount of support before, during, and after my time abroad. The program allowed me to immerse myself in the culture, people, and endless activities that the city, and country, had to offer. From walking the endless beaches, meeting students from various corners of Europe, and building lifelong memories and relationships with fellow students in my program, the experience was one to remember! Every day brought new discoveries and adventures, shaping an experience that I will cherish for a lifetime. Although I was only there for a month, Málaga truly opened my eyes to the opportunities that exist outside of the US and helped me in determining my future career path.
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
In the US, many Americans think of a tortilla as a thin flatbread made of either corn or flour; however, in Spain, that is not the case. While trying to find an affordable and easy place to get lunch after class our program director recommended we go to a lunch spot owned by a local couple. When we first went, I was surprised at how many options were similar to an American lunch spot but one thing stood out to me, the tortilla. A tortilla in Spain takes on an quiche-like shape and consistency. At first, I was scared to try it because it seemed very foreign to me, but once I took the first bite, it became one of my go-to meals.
I never thought I would have the opportunity to study abroad, but ISA made the experience accessible and were very supportive of my needs throughout the entire process. I knew I wanted to experience the "City of Lights" at least once, and visiting taught me so much about French culture and language. I was not only in awe of the Eiffel Tower, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much art and beauty there is throughout the city, even when you're not looking for it. There was never a dull moment. I really appreciate the ISA Paris on-site staff for helping me adjust to Parisian lifestyle, and giving me the opportunity to see Paris through the eyes of locals. It was an unforgettable experience, and I hope to visit again soon!
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
To future travelers, I would suggest to try to make a list of the top three places you want to visit and try to spend the day there. The longer I stayed in an arrondissement in Paris, the more I was able to take everything in and explore places I might have missed otherwise. There's so much to see.
I had the time of my life. I feel like the two months I spent in Australia were a movie. So much happened, and I learned a lot about myself and my future profession. I made friends with people that I never would have even known had I not gone. At my gym, I learned new skills like how to coach children and how to properly execute and teach different lifts. I also got to discover some cultural differences in coaching styles in Australia vs the USA. I made friends with and met some professional athletes and even sat front row of my new favorite sports AFL and Rugby. I definitely recommend it.
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go as many places as you can! Australia has a lot of really cool cities that are just a short plane ride away. I got to see Quokkas in Perth, Tasmanian Devils in Tasmania, the Sydney Opera House, and New Zealand while on my program.
Pros
The locals were amazing and very nice.
My group of interns were so full of personality, it made everyday an adventure.
The work experience
Cons
Depending on if you get a random in your dorm apartment things could get a bit wierd
The food was just okay. I ended up eating a lot of Chinese food
I have had the pleasure of studying and interning abroad in Perth, at the University of Western Australia with TEAN and ISA. I have had the most fantastic time exploring Australia and meeting new people. TEAN and ISA has made coming over here so easy with all of the help they provided me by helping me find my internship, student accommodation, and support 24/7 while abroad. I have met some of the most amazing people not only through my student accommodation and University but also other students that are here through TEAN and ISA. I have made lifelong friendships with those students and will cherish that forever. Some of the amazing opportunities and excursions that I have been able to do through TEAN and ISA was going to Cairns in Queensland and seeing the Great Barrier Reef, I have been able to go surfing, and also watch a professional AFL game. This is just a few of the many extra excursions and activities TEAN provides for their students abroad.