WorldStrides

WorldStrides Reviews

Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I highly recommend!!

I had an incredible time on my study abroad in Seoul! I went to Hanyang University and I loved everything about my experience. Seoul is also very safe, and as a woman, I never felt unsafe walking around by myself, especially at night. The excursions that were included in my program were very nice and fun as well! The academic schedule and courseload were different than I'm used to but the professors are very helpful and are always willing to answer any questions! There is a lot to do and eat too.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing I ate was both live octopus tentacles and chicken feet. I am a very picky eater but I wanted to try something new because this type of food isn't very common where I live.
Pros
  • Safe
  • Great transportation system
  • Tons of stuff to do and eat
What other participants should know
  • slightly expensive
  • somewhat of a language barrier (if you don't know any Korean)
  • sort of hard to make friends with other Korean students (esp if you can't speak Korean)
casey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A transformative experience

My experience in Argentina was something that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. I learned an incredible amount, gained self-confidence/reliance, and widened my perspective. The program was very good at offering a wide variety of experiences, and the value for the payment was extremely high. My program coordinator Gabriela Gamper was crucial in making the time as good as it was. I have her to thank for the quality of my experience. I firmly believe that if Everyone went abroad for an extended period, the world would be a better place.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would reduce the amount of objectives I had, and focus on experiencing as much as possible.
Pros
  • new experiences
  • new people
  • change of perspective
What other participants should know
  • unpredicatability
  • missing family/ friends
  • capital
Sophia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester In Seoul

My experience in Seoul was absolutely fantastic, and the experience was made even more enjoyable by working with TEAN. They take care of all communication with your home and host schools, transfer your transcripts and even help you apply for your visa. They also pick you up from the airport and plan excursions. Seoul is a beautiful city with lots to do and amazing food. Korea university offers amazing classes and you experience such a fun sense of pride going to such a fantastic school. I would definitely recommend Seoul for studying abroad.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
if i could do everything all over again i would choose to study for an entire year instead of just one semester. I was worried that i would arrive and might not want to stay for a year so i only applied for one semester, however i think if you have the opportunity to stay for a year you should. there is so much to do in Seoul and you could stay there for years and never get bored.
Pros
  • use of english on public transport
  • great food
  • solo traveler friendly
What other participants should know
  • weather
Christopher
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Time of My Life

The city of Paris was amazing and ISA was the best ! They made sure we had the support and knowledge needed to thrive. They engaged us in so many rich and meaning activities, and we had a couple weekend trips to Normandie and the Loire Valley. It was great to see other parts of France outside the busy rush of Paris. The culture in Paris is amazing from the gastronomy to the art and to the beautiful architecture. I love that Paris is such a walkable city with so many different shops and pâtisseries and bistros. There’s so much to explore.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Escargots
Pros
  • Walkable city
  • The food
  • The culture
What other participants should know
  • Paying for restrooms
  • Poor air quality
Hien
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Why should you spend 1 month to study abroad in China

I chose to study abroad in China with TEAN at Fudan University, known as the 3rd most prestigious school in China and the 1st in Shanghai. It's a dream school for many Chinese, so when I learned about this program, I had to apply!

The coursework was manageable; I took one business class and one Chinese language course over the summer. The program also offer numerous excursions. I'm glad I signed up for the Hangpu River cruise, visit Baidu corporation, Suzhou trip, ceramic class, dim sum class, and city tour – never feell bored; there's so much to do here.

Contrary to the misconception that China is just a third-world country, I was continually amazed by their modern technology integrated into daily life. QR codes are used for everything – checkouts, rentals, food orders, subway, public bike. The app called Alipay which you use to pay for everything. If you have your phone, you'll navigate just fine.

And let's talk about the food – I gained about 5 lbs because it's that good! I always got free delivery (Meituan app) and a diverse range of food options from Western to local, my campus canteen offered over 100 choices.

100% recommend this experience – just do it, and you'll love it!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take as much as your free time to go explore Shanghai and nearby cities. Transportation is incredibly accessible, bullet train takes 30+ mins to Suzhou, Hangzhou, etc. In the city you can either subway or bike, public bike are everywhere where, simply scan the qr code and drop the bike at designate spot.
China is one the safest country I’ve been travel to so i dont worry if you go solo!
Don’t afraid to ask for help, locals are always willing to help during my travel
Ashlyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great program!

My semester abroad with TEAN was life changing. Upon arriving, I was welcomed by TEAN staff and spent a week with other students at orientation in Queenstown, helping me to make friends and adjust to life abroad. TEAN supported me before, during, and on my way home, which made the whole process super easy and a lot less scary. A semester abroad was way out of my comfort zone, but New Zealand quickly became my second home with stunning landscapes, happy people, and a unique culture. I highly recommend this program for adventure seekers!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Explore! New Zealand has so much to offer and it's really easy to navigate. Whether it's taking a weekend trip on the InterCity bus or staying close to Dunedin, the views are breathtaking.
Pros
  • Full support from on-site staff
  • No language barrier - mainly English speaking
  • Opportunities to learn about and explore Maori culture
What other participants should know
  • Very long flight (if from USA)
  • Big time difference
Bella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Amazing Opportunity

Studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea, was such an amazing opportunity for me. It was so meaningful to be fully immersed in a different culture and live my new everyday life there. In Seoul there were so many fun and exciting things to do. I felt that I could never get board being there.
With the support from TEAN I felt prepared and confident during my time abroad. If I could I would go back in a heartbeat! Studying abroad in South Korea has made a realize my true passion for international work and travel.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I would probably say raw meat. Although intimidating at first it actually was pretty good! I had it in a popular dish known as bibimbap.
Pros
  • Friendships
  • Experience
  • Public Transportation
What other participants should know
  • Went by too fast
Bella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Amazing Opportunity

Studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea, was such an amazing opportunity for me. It was so meaningful to be fully immersed in a different culture and live my new everyday life there. In Seoul there were so many fun and exciting things to do. I felt that I could never get board being there.
With the support from TEAN I felt prepared and confident during my time abroad. If I could I would go back in a heartbeat! Studying abroad in South Korea has made a realize my true passion for international work and travel.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I would probably say raw meat. Although intimidating at first it actually was pretty good! I had it with a popular Korean dish known as bibimbap.
Pros
  • Friendships
  • Experience
  • Culture
What other participants should know
  • Went by too fast
Ana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer In Seoul

I had such a great time during my time in Korea! It was my first time going to a foreign country by myself but I had such a pleasant experience and it was definitely something I will remember for the rest of my life. The classes and campus were very nice and the professors were very kind. I was able to cross off a lot of things I wanted to see off my list like temples and popular areas in Seoul. I also got to take dance classes at a famous dance studio and tried so much amazing food. I would really recommend the experience to anyone and would love to go back and do it again.

What was your funniest moment?
Getting lost on public transportation.
Pros
  • Language immersion
  • Friendships
  • Food
What other participants should know
  • Dorm location
  • Weather
  • Language barriers
Sara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Finding yourself in New Zealand

This goes out to anyone considering New Zealand;
Go for it! Trust me, this will be one of the most incredible experiences of your life. From the beautiful nature to the unforgettable people, New Zealand does not disappoint. Wellington is a beautiful small city filled with quirky points while still being nestled between seas and mountains. It is the perfect launching point for any adventures you are going to have, and trust me when I say there will be many. Please don't miss any opportunity to go.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I met this amazing group of girls, and within weeks of getting to know them, we went traveling all over New Zealand. You'll find people willing to travel no matter where you are.
Pros
  • Adventure
  • Nature (the bird songs)
  • Accessibility to Travel (Pacific Islands included)
What other participants should know
  • No insolation in housing (gets pretty cold in winter)
  • Difficult Time Zone change from home