WorldStrides Reviews

I absolutely loved my study abroad experience with The Education Abroad Network (TEAN) at the University of Sydney. TEAN staff was so helpful in answering any questions or worries I had before going abroad up until the day I left. Once I landed in Australia, I attended the TEAN orientation, which was such a blast! We spent time learning about Australian culture, the logistics of the next 4 months of our lives, getting to know the other students in the program, and doing crazy activities like Skydiving and canyoning. This was the perfect way to start my study abroad adventure, where I soon ended up in Sydney. TEAN organized for about 20 students in the program to live together in apartments right in the city within walking distance of school, grocery stores, malls, the train station, and so many tourist sights! I also had such a great experience at the University of Sydney were I learned so much by being in a classroom everyday with Aussie students. TEAN also set up lots of events throughout the semester for all of the students in the area including surfing at the famous Bondi Beach, a day at Luna Park (an amusement park), a tour of the Sydney Opera House, jet boating around the harbor, an end-of-the-semester dinner cruise, and so much more! It was a great way to spend time with the other students in the program as well as see more of the city. They also organized a fun trip to Melbourne, which is another big city in Australia, which I absolutely loved! Having to say goodbye to all of my new best friends and a city I fell in love with at the end of the semester was so hard. I would absolutely recommend this program, as I had the time of my life and I'm sure you will too!

Interning through TEAN is the best choice I've ever made. If I lived any closer to New Zealand I would have stayed with my company for a full time job. An intern abroad experience is a unique way to gain work experience in which hiring companies love to see! My company was absolutely fantastic. As a marketing major, I was unsure of what specific kind of marketing I was interested in. I decided to click the "Public Relations" option when matching with a company to work for because it is something I was previously on the fence about, and I found that I love it! I truly enjoyed talking to people on the phone, getting ready for events, setting up interviews, talking to magazines, and specifically speaking with young chefs in Auckland that we would later write a press release on. I learned how to write reports, press releases, and how to design a social media page to target customers of clients we worked with. I learned so much about myself; what I am interested, and what I am not so interested in, and that communicating with others actually brings me joy. TEAN gave me the tools I needed to feel comfortable as an intern while allowing me to be on my own as well. Our four day intro helped me to make friends in my program and understand my surroundings in Auckland, and The Great Barrier Reef Excursion I went on provided by TEAN after my internship was the absolute perfect way to end a few months of hard work! I cannot say enough about how much I loved being an intern through The Education Abroad Network.

Studying abroad has changed the way I view myself, and the world. Since my trip this spring, I’ve completely changed my perspective on learning, and what it means to grow outside of my college bubble. Studying abroad has shown me to take full advantage of opportunities, for they could lead to some of the most significant and influential experiences of your life. I’ve become extremely passionate about traveling, and the importance it has on higher education. What I loved most about my time abroad was that learning didn’t stop when I left the classroom. As a member of a foreign community I learned to be independent and open minded to all the country had to offer. I believe there’s no better way to learn, than to learn by doing, and immersing myself in a completely new culture has impacted me in ways that staying home could not, and I’m very excited to share my experiences to other students.

Melbourne is the perfect size for study abroad. It’s big enough to have something going on at any given time, but by the end of 5 months I could travel around the entire city and know where I’m going. There is so much culture within art and music, but also has great beaches and national parks, as well as it’s close to the Great Ocean Road and other surfing and hiking locations. It has an incredibly competitive vibe when it comes to footy, but also has an overwhelming sense of acceptance for diversity of fashion, customs, and people as a whole.

Overall, studying abroad with TEAN was the greatest time of my life. I learned more about myself, other people and cultures, about how to be independent, and how travel and adventure through life this past semester. Never again will I be able to befriend 20 new strangers, and be able to travel with all of them to some of the most notable places in the world. TEAN gave me the building blocks to be successful through information sessions, housing, affiliation with the University, our RD, and so much more. Traveling to foreign country can be incredibly daunting, especially a country on the opposite side of the globe. TEAN recognizes that vulnerability and makes sure that we are completely taken care of.

My time in Shanghai was incredible, and TEAN had so much to do with that! I loved the experience, and I miss it so much! Fudan was an amazing place to learn at, and I really came to understand more about China as a whole. I loved being able to explore a city as big as Shanghai, and I wish that I could go back sometime soon! The TEAN staff in Shanghai were beyond helpful, and they made sure that we were capable of getting around the city ourselves. I was really happy with everything that TEAN did, and I could not suggest this study abroad enough!

I interned abroad In Australia last summer and it was a once in the life time experience. It has always been my dream to travel to Australia and I never thought I would actually make the dream happen, let alone do work there. I worked at a film company and TEAN did a perfect job matching me with my ideal internship. It was great because I had a chance to go out into the country with people who have grown up there all their lives. Everyone was so welcoming and the experience I got in a short two month period was almost more then I would've gotten at home for a full semester. TEAN was great with matching me with awesome roommates, and the outside activity they took us on was the best part of the whole trip. It was an incredible experience that I will remember forever.

Going abroad completely alone was nerve wracking to say the least. It was my first time out of the country for more than a week. Was I going to make friends? Was it going to be life changing like everyone says it is? Fast forward five months and I can't believe I ever questioned these things. Going abroad was the most life changing thing I have ever done for myself. I was lucky enough to travel through the TEAN program. They were so helpful when setting up flights, housing, classes, and other traveling outside of the country! During the first week we had an orientation in Queenstown, which was the most exhilarating week of my life. For 7 days I barely slept because I was constantly meeting new people, going on new adventures, and learning everything there was to know about life as a Kiwi. TEAN set up speed boats through Glenorchy, afternoons at local wineries, and dinner at some of the best spots in town. Once orientation was over and we were adjusted to life in Dunedin, they set up activities throughout the semester to catch up with everyone. We went to rugby games, explored the Otago peninsula, toured the Cadbury chocolate factory, and dined at incredible restaurants. Throughout my semester, I took full advantage of everything around me. I slept in caves on a beach with penguins, I bungy jumped, I walked on an active volcanic island, I hiked mountains, traveled to Thailand, and did so much more. My trip to Thailand was also set up through TEAN. We visited two cities and three islands during our 9 day getaway. We went to an elephant sanctuary, snorkeled, relaxed on the most beautiful beaches, and spent the night in a traditional thai village. Going abroad is the most eye opening, thrilling, and life changing experience that I wish I could return to everyday that I'm back home.

I interned in Sydney in the summer of 2017. My TEAN advisor got me in contact with an awesome company and really took into account not only the field I wanted to be working in but also the type of company I wanted to be working for. I had an awesome experience with that company and remain in contact with them, as they have written me recommendation letters for upcoming work. Additionally, TEAN did an awesome job of ensuring we had the best possible experience outside work as well. Alice, our advisor was there for us every step of the way, from arriving and showing us around the city, to being on call when someone was sick and didn't know where to go, to helping us plan trips.

Deciding to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea was one of the greatest decisions I’ve made. This was my first time studying abroad, or even leaving the country, and The Education Abroad Network had an incredible program for me. While studying at Korea University, I took some required electives for my education including art. Taking a basic art class in a different country gave me a new perspective and even changed the way I saw things and thought about things, not only in art but in life too. I grew as a person and became more confident with myself as well as became much more independent. I had never been so far from my parents for that long. I met many really amazing and interesting people while I was in Korea, and everyone’s story was completely different. The schooling was so intense and challenging compared to my normal university, but it gave me a chance to experience the Korean culture even more. The nightlife was another thing I really liked about Korea because it was almost the complete opposite of where I’m from. There, it’s normal to go drink on a work night with friends or your boss. Even if you don’t drink, I definitely recommend going out with friends and seeing the different people having fun together. Seeing people crowd into the subway when it first opens at 5am is also really funny, as some people just sleep on the street. For me personally, 6 weeks wasn't enough in Korea. I had already been interested in South Korea and it was my first time abroad, so I wanted it to be shorter. If you're interested in Korea but don't know if you could spend a whole semester there or if it's your first time abroad with or without family, this is definitely a good fit for you! If you want to have an amazing time, learn about and see a unique culture, and meet amazing people, you should definitely look into going to Korea University!

My experience with The Education Abroad Network (TEAN) was incredible. From trying new street foods on the daily, to discovering hidden garden cafes, exploring temples, shopping in different markets each night, hiking in the mountains, and finding waterfalls to swim in, the city of Chiang Mai always had something new and exciting to offer. For me, it was the perfect combination of urban and outdoor adventures. The city is surrounded by mountains that are within walking distance from the student apartments, so it is easy to get away from the city and go for a hike. It is also a foodie's paradise. I was surprised to find diverse foods from all over the world in Chiang Mai. The cost of a meal is generally 1-3 dollars, so trying new things is incredibly affordable.

I studied Southeast Asian Art, Cultural Foundations of Thai Society, and Thai language, which totaled up to 9 credits during my 7 week summer study abroad. The courses were challenging, yet engaging, and combined off-campus excursions with classroom discussions for a well-rounded learning experience.

In Thailand, I learned to go out and do things on my own. By the end of the trip, I was not only more confident in being a solo traveler, and had a new-found sense of self confidence.

The TEAN staff answered all of my questions, and helped me to fulfill all of my goals that I had for my study abroad experience. They were helpful throughout my entire study abroad experience, and continued to support my study abroad interests even after the program ended.

Overall, I highly recommend studying abroad with The Education Abroad Network!

TEAN made studying abroad so easy and fun, I couldn't have seen it going any better. They know how to provide enough structure and support while allowing you to make the experience what you choose. I lived in an amazing apartment right on the beach while being close to amazing surfing, hiking, and restaurants. I also was able to travel all around Australia in addition to making it to Thailand and New Zealand, all must see places while being in the part of the world. Any questions or concerns I had I knew I could go to the TEAN staff and they would help me with whatever I needed. This experience encouraged me to be more independent and adventurous, pushing me out of my comfort zone and allowing me to really live my life here to the fullest. I truly loved the Gold Coast and my entire abroad experience.