I had an amazing experience studying abroad with TEAN during Spring 2023. With all of the fun activities TEAN prepared for us like touring Nami Island, going to Busan, and a Han river cruise, I definitely don't regret picking TEAN for my study abroad experience. It was also reassuring knowing that we could contact TEAN staff in Korea basically at any time and the onsite staff is very kind! South Korea is a great destination for study abroad as it's easy to travel around the country with its convenient public transportation and school life there is very dynamic! I would definitely recommend studying abroad in South Korea with TEAN.
My time in Granada was nothing short of enchanting, wonderful, and outright life changing. This program allowed me to see a whole new side of the world, and I just can't wait to go back already! From dancing in the streets of Toledo to visiting the beautiful Alhambra palace, to having the opportunity for travel on a budget...it couldn't have been any better. I made some of my greatest friends through this program, and saw so many new things and places I never would've been able to without it. The onsite staff were amazing and helped my friends and I at any time that we needed them, and they took us on so many tours of the city where we were given the opportunity to learn more about the beauty that is Granada. My language skills improved tenfold, I met people from all over the world, and most importantly, I learned more about myself and grew as a person. So what are you waiting for? Granada is the place to be!!!!
Pros
Easy travel to other places!
Live music in the streets left me with a sense of love in the air
ISA offered the perfect balance of guidance and freedom in my study abroad experience, making their resources for student success crystal clear. I absolutely loved attending excursions as the ISA staff were very knowledgeable about the history and amenities of Madrid and each city we traveled to. Outside of these events, the staff and my host family gave great tips and tricks for exploring independently and on a budget. One of my favorite parts of going to Madrid with ISA is that they have students in two different universities and a wide range of majors, allowing me to interact with students I wouldn’t have met in class. If you love a new adventure every day, I highly recommend heading to a big city like Madrid and taking the metro to wherever the map calls you!
Going to Seoul with TEAN made a huge difference with my experience abroad! They help with visa processing, preparing transcripts, setting up our residence appointments, and more. A big plus was that TEAN conducted the housing process, which my non-TEAN peers said was very challenging and competitive. We had so many fun excursions planned out throughout the semester that it made forming friendships very easy, all while knocking things off our bucket lists. Attending university in the Spring, especially Korea University, means so many university events with music festivals being the highlight. The semester builds up to these events through iconic school spirit events such as Korea vs. Yonsei cheer competitions, I would say I feel more school pride for KU than my home university thanks to these events. Seoul has an endless amount of possible activities, from karaoke to making your own jewelry to accessible travel outside the city, one could never get bored here. On average I spent less than $10 for a good quality meal, and transportation was usually $1 per train/bus ride. Getting to Korea can be expensive, but the cost of living definitely makes up for it.
If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would take advantage of how much there is to do. I regret not doing more with the time and independence I had like explore the country, take all sorts of hobby classes, try new restaurants, etc. The city and the country are so much bigger than you think.
Pros
Most KU classes didn't have a consistently heavy workload like the US (ex. having an essay due every other week with constant tests), meaning you had time to explore. However, less assignments = higher reliance on good exam scores
Easy to travel - I had friends go to all over the country. Once they got their ARC's they went to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and more.
Language barrier is rarely a problem, especially if one learns some basic phrases
What other participants should know
The dorms of KU is on a hill, just be prepared for that
KU is a little farther out in the city compared to other universities; Anam has a lot of charm and restaurants, but most activities are outside of the Seongbuk-Gu district
Difficult to engage in university club activities due to language barriers and/or not accepting non-full-time students
The ISA program in Buenos Aires is a valuable experience! I cannot recommend going abroad, especially in South America enough. The city was welcoming and warm, and the metropolis always offered something to do. Whether you are more interested in music, art, science or history, Buenos Aires has options. The ISA staff (shoutout to Gaby) was always attentive and available to help with anything I needed. The University of Belgrano was housed in a safe neighborhood and had interesting course offerings. I was able to meet people from around the world there. It is a great environment to learn about Latin American culture and history, and the people are always friendly and willing to help you out with your Spanish.
With lots to do in the city, a whole semester can fly by, but I appreciated that the ISA staff also had recommendations for trips to do in all of Argentina. I fully recommend not only coming to Latin America but seeing as much as possible while you are here.
Even after a month back in the US, I find myself missing the life in Buenos Aires.
Seoul was such an incredible city to experience during the Spring 2023 semester. I had great quality of life in terms of safety, affordability, and amusement! There are endless things to do in Seoul like explore the food scene, take in the city's green spaces, do some great shopping, or going to karaoke. The TEAN staff was very helpful in making me feel prepared prior to my program in terms of helping me get my visa, teaching me about the cultural expectations of Korea, and even just guidance on what to pack. I also felt reassured in that there were TEAN staff members on-site during my stay abroad.
Pros
Rich culture
Affordable lifestyle
Amazing food
What other participants should know
Homogeneous country (foreigners tend to stick out)
I had have the best experience studying abroad in Greece. For me, this was the first time outside of the United States so, I was a bit nervous but I was received with so much compassion and kindness abroad that I can now say that I have found a second home! Not only were the staff at ISA so helpful and supportive but, the community from the neighborhood and college were so inviting and welcoming! The food, the people and the excursions, I definitely will be back in Athens in due time! I recommend this program to future college students, take that leap, you wont regret it!
I had the most incredible experience with ISA during my time in Cusco! From the moment I arrived in Peru, I was warmly welcomed by the program coordinators who made me feel right at home. The academic aspect was equally enriching; the courses were thoughtfully designed and provided a perfect balance between classroom learning and real-world exploration. Beyond academics, the program's cultural immersion activities allowed me to truly understand and appreciate the local way of life, traditions, and customs. The support system in place, including the dedicated staff and fellow participants, created a tight-knit community that made me feel welcomed and connected. This journey has not only broadened my perspective but also given me lifelong friends from around the world. I'm immensely grateful for this experience and would wholeheartedly recommend this study abroad program to anyone seeking personal growth, academic advancement, and unforgettable memories.
Pros
Seeing the breathtakingly incredible mountain ranges.
Immersing yourself in a rich and beautiful culture.
Very affordable and easy to budget while still doing plenty of activities.
What other participants should know
The dry weather made my lips chapped.
It did get cold at night indoors.
The altitude definitely affects your body if you are not used to it.
My time in Sevilla during my study abroad with ISA was by far the greatest experience of my life. From the excursions to the course and the people I met through the program, my semester was packed full of excitement and life-changing experiences. I lived with a host family, and by the end of my time in Spain, they had become like a second family to me. With my host parents, I was able to become so immersed in the city of Sevilla, learning about its rich history, culture, and traditions. The ISA staff was also incredible! They are there to make sure you stay safe, but also to ensure you have the most fun possible on your study abroad. In my program, we did excursions to Morocco, Lisbon, Gibraltar, and a few other places, and the ISA staff was always right there with you having fun. As far as classes go, I took mine at a local university with many other international students. This was amazing because I became friends with students from all over the world. My time with ISA was truly incredible and it has left me wanting more and ready to plan another trip abroad.
While studying abroad with ISA in Chile, I had a great experience with my host family and made new friends through the program. I did not get as many opportunities to interact with Chileans as I'd thought and the schedule was rigorous but I had a unique chance to learn about Latin American healthcare and politics. It was different than I expected it to be but different is not good or bad-- it's just different. Overall I would recommend studying abroad to every student so that they gain knowledge about themselves and the world around them.