I had such a great experience on this trip. Everywhere I went was historic and beautiful. The campus was amazing and the teachers were so nice. We got to go on field trips to the locals museums even though I was only there for a three-week course. I also got to join a school trip for my first time SCUBA diving! With my ISA group, we got to see many historic places such as the Acropolis, the National Archeological Museum, Anafiotica, the Acropolis Museum, Aegina, Cape Sunion, Lycabettus Hill, and more! In my free time, I got togo to Crete and saw the REAL labyrinth (the Palace of Knossos), the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Omphalos (what the Greeks believed was the center of the world), the Delphi Archaeological Museum, and the Sanctuary of Athena!
I’ve always been interested in traveling since I was young. I wanted to go to multiple countries and learn the languages of said countries so I could get the most out of it; being a polyglot is still something I’m working towards. Initially I had no interest in visiting South Korea. It didn’t pop up on my radar until late 2021 when my friend got me into the K-pop group BTS. After I was introduced into a seemingly endless world or Korean culture, I began teaching myself Hangul to better understand my new daily music preferences. At the same time, I saw a plethora of videos of Korean historical and recreational destinations, fashion malls and cuisine hotspots where food like the viral Korean corn dogs and the ever delicious KBBQ were sold. What captured my attention was how convenient the convenience stores were and the drinks people would make there. If you know, you know. A few months later in January, I received an email from the TEAN Abroad organization about applications opening for the opportunity to study abroad in South Korea for the upcoming fall semester. I, of course, jumped at the chance and started the strenuous but worthwhile process of getting a passport, applying for a student visa, and moving to Korea where I’d be for four months when I’d never been out of the country before aside from cruises. In my time spent in Korea I was able to meet so many amazing and like-minded people who shared many interests with me, I had the best food at my disposal at every turn I made, the cultural sights I visited were otherworldly, I was able to partake in learning and speaking Korean in a native environment, and my confidence with traveling and socializing went beyond my expectations. My study abroad experience with the 2022 program was unlike anything I could’ve imagined, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the knowledge and support of TEAN. Thank y’all so much for aiding in this experience!
What was your funniest moment?
I studied at Korea University and lived in Anam International House. At the bottom of our dorms was a CU convenience store that I frequented at all hours throughout the day and night and because of that I would see the same workers often. I would always do something embarrassing like leave one of my items on the counter and the worker would chase me down to give it back to me, have too many things in my hands and decline a basket, or drop my ice cup, etc. around the same worker. Every time I did something like that, he’d laugh at me. Not in a bad way, but a way that was similar to how you laugh when you see a baby do something innocently.
Living in Seoul was such a rewarding experience. I would recommend Seoul to anyone who is interested in food, history, and loves shopping or cafe hopping. TEAN only added to this wonderful experience by taking care of all the stressful yet necessary aspects of living abroad. They planned activities that satisfied all of my above recommendations. They took us on historical tours, took us to local food markets, and even helped us with visa documents. Overall it was a fantastic experience and I would recommend TEAN and Seoul to everyone.
If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I thinks the only thing I would do differently is go for a whole year instead of a semester. I was scared to go for a whole year in case I didn’t like it. However, Seoul quickly became my favorite city.
Studying Abroad at James Cook University, Australia
Dec 1, 2023
Truly studying abroad was the best experience of my life. I know that's incredibly cheesy, but this was a life changing experience.
There is such personal growth that takes place, you are able to travel the world and meet some of the best, like-minded people. Studying abroad helped me in my overall career and research goals. I can not recommend studying abroad enough! Australia was the best country I've ever travelled to and I really loved explore the quaint Townsville city.
I study biology, specifically marine biology, and there is so much research happening in Australia constantly. There are tons of opportunities for research and working for professors in any field of study. The Great Barrier Reef is beyond any of your dreams and truly is a magical place.
Every town across Australia has so many different features and qualities that are all worth visiting! Travel as much as you can! I travelled the entire east coast of the country for a month after my semester abroad and I completely grew independently as an individual, learned communication skills, and travel skills, along with so much more.
Honestly, if I could go back to studying at James Cook University right now, I would!!
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Say yes to every opportunity! There are so many different opportunities to take advantage of in Australia, and I would tell everyone to take every chance you can. Travel to as many places you can while you are there. Meet people within your building, live like a local if you can, and truly complete everything you want to!
P.S. pack light - If you are anything like me you will be buying a lot of clothes and things once you arrive.
Pros
Amazing professors and research opportunities, tons of chances to adventure, explore, scuba dive, and hike.
As this is a small town, you are able to connect with the locals. You are able to travel across the whole town through public transportation, and the beach is always 20 minutes away.
Australia has some of the best array of wildlife and nature spots on the planet! There are many trails, nature based centers and changes for travel and adventure. From land to underwater, this country was the most beautiful place I've ever been to.
Cons
Communicating with the time change difference can sometimes be challenging.
Small town - This is not a big city within Australia so if you are going for a big city feel it's not in Townsville.
I was in all hard core classes for major, which I loved, but if you are looking for easy basic classes you will not find it at James Cook. Most classes at this university have a large amount of rigor, but truly are amazing for your resume and career.
I had the time of my life studying abroad in Christchurch. If you love the outdoors it is the place for you. You can ski and surf in the same day, everyone around you also loves the outdoors, the clubs are amazing, highly recommend studying at the University of Canterbury. One warning is you are housed with all Americans which I thought was a little interesting but in the end I didn't mind it at all. Join different clubs definitely made my experience as great as it was. I wouldn't want to have studied at a different place.
Studying at AUT was such a blast! This was my first time leaving the United States and I felt very welcomed when I arrived. The housing was much nicer than usually provided for students in the US, and the staff in the residence hall were in touch with young adult issues and actually served as useful resources rather than just authority. Studying at AUT let me get a close look at the city of Auckland since we lived very close to Queen Street and the Viaduct, but also allowed me to explore a large portion of the nature outside Auckland and throughout the country. I quickly made friends with other students studying abroad and students native to NZ who I traveled with and explored Auckland with. I rarely felt homesick while studying abroad at AUT and had only the best experience in almost every way. Highly recommend!
for my first experience abroad, TEAN actually made it so easy to apply and navigate my time before and during being in Seoul. I didn’t realize how much i’d appreciate coming in knowing staff and having a group of students that came with TEAN too, meaning i already had some common ground with people coming into it to make friends. The on-site staff was so kind and helpful in adapting and giving suggestions for navigating life here in Seoul. Anam house wasn’t my favorite, but that’s a KU issue. I’d go with TEAN again if I were to do this all again!
What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Pork is the main meat source here, and they eat every part of it. I tried pork feet, liver, and lung which was…interesting to say the least!
Pros
Meeting new friends
Exploring new areas and culture
Sitting in cute cafes with amazing pastries and coffee!
Participating in this program was so beautiful: the location, the campus, the people, all of it! The location of the school is great because there are hiking trails within 20 minutes of campus, and there is a beach nearby where you can surf. There are also a lot of opportunities on campus to get involved in volunteer opportunities or on campus ministries, meet new people, and join any clubs. New Zealand is such an amazing country and has some of the most beautiful nature and people I've ever seen!
What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I did was do the world's largest bungee swing. New Zealand is home to bungee jumping, and being able to do a bungee swing in the valley of a mountain was insane.
Pros
Amazing mountains
English speaking country
Free national parks
Cons
Lacking in public transportation
On the more expensive side (gas, electronics, groceries, etc)
My semester in Florence was nothing short of amazing! Instead of staying in student housing, I chose the homestay option so that I could be fully immersed in the Italian culture. I took fashion design, leather handbag construction, clothing construction and styling classes, and what better place to learn fashion than the Home of Fashion?! I was truly in heaven with all of the fashion, food, and history. Traveling with friends and family to Rome, Pisa, Venice, Milan, and more put the cherry on top
What was your funniest moment?
My mom and aunt came to visit me for a week before Thanksgiving, and we traveled to San Gimignano to do a Vespa Wine Tour. Our tour guides made this excursion so fun! We rode the vespas through the hills of San Gimignano, did wine tasting and ate pasta with a beautiful view, and had a mini concert with the other group and our guides on the way back to the hotel. This day was one I will never forget!
I absolutely loved my program in Paris!!! ISA set us up so well to get to know Paris and get acquainted. They were so nice and fun, and really cared about us and helped us whenever we needed literally anything. They got to know us and had fun and joked around with us it more like they wanted to be our friends instead of just "chaperones". They encouraged us to get outside of our comfort zones and really immerse ourselves in the experience. I always recommend ISA to anyone wanting to go abroad!!!
What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was when we were on an overnight trip and the told us that if we were late to the bus we would have to sing on the mic. My friends and I were late so we had to sing and my friend Ariana sang a song from spongebob and it was so funny the staff with us went and watched the movie it was from and we talked about it and laughed about it throughout the whole program and it was just such a funny moment.
Pros
THE FOOD
getting to see so many new places and things i never would've seen before
