WorldStrides Reviews

I had the most wonderful experience studying abroad at University College Dublin with ISA! Aside from loving every second studying at the university, I was able to have many experiences outside of Dublin. UCD quickly became home, and I will always cherish the friends and memories made during my time abroad. Excursions planned by ISA allowed me to see other parts of the country and connect with other students studying with ISA. I especially loved the flexibility and support of the program as I was able to safely take trips outside of Ireland during the semester. This experience was something I will always miss, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity!

I loved Thailand so much, I have studied abroad multiple times, and this was my favorite place. I loved the country's beauty; the food and prices were cheap, and the culture was so beautiful. Only 15 of us were in my program, so we got to know each other very well. We also got to make friends with the further study abroad students and the Thai students, who were super friendly and wanted to hang out and make friends with you.

Our resident director, Mamiaw, was terrific. She made it feel like she wasn't only our resident director but also our friend; she would go out with us and meet up with us if we were in the city. She took time out of her say to hang out with us, and it made such a big difference because I felt more comfortable talking and asking for help.

I studied abroad during the summer, and I loved it. It was shorter, and I didn't get to meet as many students at KU, but I got to meet many other people from the USA who were there to study. The dorms are very close to the MRT; you can take it anywhere. You literally can go anywhere. I loved how we could explore so much of the city and how easy it was. The food is fantastic, and you can get a variety of the same food, whether it is tteokbokki, bibimbop, jjajangmyeon, and more.

I went as the first group after COVID, so it was a little stricter, and we weren't allowed to do as much stuff. But it was so much fun just to be there and experience how beautiful the city is.

My time abroad In Greece was so much fun. I have made friends for life; I don't know how I would live without these people. The on-site staff is super friendly, and they are very helpful. It was a fantastic time, I was there during the fall, and I think this is the perfect time to be. We had about a month and a half of fantastic weather where we spent most of our free time on the beach, which are very quickly accessible. Then we had lovely fall weather and even got some snow towards the end.

I never felt unsafe in the neighborhood where the dorms are super safe. It was also a pleasant walk from the school, so you got to explore the neighborhood a little, don't the way to the school. The school itself is very lovely; the teachers are all friendly and very helpful.

IMPORTANT, as an American, attendance was not something super important in college classes, but here is it. You need to show up, and if you're sick, you need a doctor's note to get your absences excused.

Studying abroad with TEAN was just as life changing as they talk about during orientation. Obviously moving across the world with no one you know can be intimidating, however not once did I feel alone. They do an amazing job at introducing you to the new culture and world while also providing an environment to build friendships and a new sense of adventure. When talking about my experience abroad the best word to describe it was surreal. There was so much to see and do, yet that only enhanced my confidence in travel and independence.

I absolutely LOVED my TEAN experience studying abroad at Bond University in Gold Coast, Australia!!! The trip started out with an amazing TEAN orientation the week prior to the start of classes where I got to SCUBA dive on the Great Barrier Reef, skydive, and hold a koala bear at a wildlife sanctuary! Bond University’s campus is in the perfect location to take advantage of all that the Gold Coast has to offer! A number of famous Australian beaches, a huge shopping center, and tons of cultural restaurants were just a bus ride away! Whether or not you decide to plan any extra trips to other parts of Australia or other countries, you will find that there is so much to do near the Gold Coast alone! The natural landscape is so stunning and lush that you will want to be a part of it - there is ample opportunity to take surfing lessons, go on long hikes, visit breathtaking waterfalls, or just grab a book to read on the beach! An excursion to Sydney is a must! While there, I visited the world famous Sydney Opera House and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Just a short bus ride over to the beach, I spent a day over at Bondi Beach, where the Bondi Icebergs Pool is located. Allegedly the most photographed pool in the world, the Bondi Iceberg Pool, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean, is an unbelievable sight. With the ocean waves splashing over into the pool, my swim in this pool was a highlight of my trip that I wish everyone could experience. All of these experiences could not have been possible without TEAN. My TEAN leaders were so welcoming and personable and were available throughout the semester if we needed help or just wanted to chat. I found the TEAN weekly Coffee Chats, optional field trips, and the variety of other activities to be impressive. While adapting to a new culture and environment, it was comforting to know that they were just a text or call away and were available to address any of my questions or needs. I made so many friends from all over the world and learned so much both inside and outside the classroom. TEAN knew exactly how to set my classmates and me up for success in Australia - I could not recommend an experience more!

The ISA program in Valparaíso, Chile was fantastic. The ISA staff were quick to respond to any questions or concerns that I had and helpful throughout the entire program. Anytime you needed anything, they were there, but it was never so much that the program felt guided; it is still quite independent. Public transportation was quick, cheap, and reliable so you could get anywhere in Valparaíso or Viña Del Mar with ease. The host families are incredibly kind, adaptable with their exchange students, and an amazing support system to have while abroad. The option to have independent housing is also available if you would like, so the program is very customizable. The academics are also able to be unique to the individual student so earning credit at home should be no problem. Beyond that the cities are full of gorgeous colorful buildings, murals, and stunning ocean views. You are sure to find some great places to eat, shop, and spend time with friends. The locals are typically very helpful and kind. You aren’t too far from Santiago so you can have fun at the Capital or travel easily to different cities in the country. If you love nature, the lakes region, Atacama Desert, and Chilean Patagonia are incredible places to visit. This program was the best part of my college experience and I will always remember fondly. I highly, highly recommend this program to anyone interested.

Studying abroad in a city like Seoul has offered me so many new perspectives. South Korea was an amazing destination to study abroad; with so many places to explore, eat, shop, and see, I believe Korea has something for everyone. I am glad I chose this program to study abroad because they have provided me with numerous resources to make this trip as smooth as possible. The ISA/TEAN staff was extremely helpful throughout the process, and their activities, lunches, and orientations made the first few weeks in Korea feel less overwhelming. This allowed us to meet and make friends with other international students. The on-site team was wonderful, and they had all the resources necessary to assist the international students. The staff planned fun excursions for the TEAN students and were very easy to talk to!
One of the excursions included a weekend getaway to a city called Busan, where we had access to a private bus to take the TEAN students around the city and explore various popular travel locations. Seoul is a technologically advanced city where everything seems to make sense. Everything in Seoul is more efficient, aesthetically pleasing, and beautiful than anything I've seen in the United States. Seoul is buzzing with people and activities, with opportunities for amazing and fun nightlife, cafe hopping, city shopping, and even some sightseeing. The nightlife is a must-have experience for students studying in Seoul. Busan, a coastal city about 3 hours outside of Seoul, is a coastal town with incredible views and landscape, beautiful beaches and fish markets to try, and everything from Buddhist temples to small colorful villages to walk through. While Jeju is a small island off the coast of Korea, it is only an hour away by plane and has a completely different vibe than the city. It feels like a tropical vacation, complete with beautiful beaches, palm trees, fresh food and fruits, and amazing views. It has opened my eyes to the reality of the culture and way of life in Korea. I am happy to have experienced such a unique and advanced city, where I felt safe and independent despite the language barrier.

Valencia was the best choice I have ever made. I studied abroad through ISA but I am a nursing major, and it was a little difficult to find a program that met my requirements so I could still enter nursing school. Valencia provided the opportunity to not only get into nursing school but learn so much about myself, how I handle difficult situations, and just be free to experience life and different cultures. I loved the friends I made, and the people I was with that made this experience the best.

My time abroad with TEAN at Griffith University in the Gold Coast, Australia was most likely the most fun and pivotal experience in my life thus far. This program allowed me to travel to and live in Australia, a country filled with culture, beautiful scenery, famous landmarks, and plenty of nature. TEAN allowed me to fulfill my lifelong passion of traveling the world while still working toward my education as well. TEAN’s support during the planning, moving, and living stages of my time abroad was also a great resource that contributed to the quality of my time down under. They had great staff always willing to help solve a problem and give recommendations for traveling. They also held great events including our program to help us meet our fellow travellers and get immersed in the Australian continent and culture. This program showed me how important it is to take steps out of your comfort zones and to follow your dreams and goals, even if working toward them may seem daunting at first. Overall, I fulfilled my passion for traveling, learning about new cultures, meeting new people, and continuing my education while abroad with TEAN. I will never forget the experiences I had and the memories I made during this trip.