WorldStrides Reviews

Studying abroad in Sydney was definitely one of the best decisions I ever made! There's so much to do in and around the city and by going through TEAN I was given so many more opportunities to learn about the city and to interact with locals. I attended the University of Sydney so I lived near Central Station, pretty much in the middle of the city. This location was so awesome for me because there was so much around my apartment and I was only a walk to my classes and a short train or bus ride away from everything else. Should you choose to go to the University of Sydney, UTS, or The University of Notre Dame in Sydney, it's most likely that you'll live in this area too as it's convenient to all of these schools. Being in this part of Sydney was really cool because it gave you that big city feel but you were also close to Bondi Beach, Coogee, Manly and several other beaches so that the city itself didn't become too overwhelming. On the other hand, if you choose to go to the University of New South Wales, you're likely to live in either Coogee or in Bondi Junction. I had several friends attending UNSW living in Coogee that loved where they lived and I can attest that the area was convenient to their campus, even closer to beaches, and it seemed to have a lot right in and around their too. Regardless of where you choose to go to school though public transit is super easy to figure out and really convenient so that you can get anywhere!

In my free time, I loved going to all the beaches, eating at some amazing places (Harry's in Bondi is delicious), taking the ferry to Manly Beach- they had pretty good shopping over there, and all around exploring the city. Some of the must-do's of Sydney include the Opera House of course, Bondi to Coogee walk, the Harbour Bridge Climb, Taronga Zoo, Luna Park, Bondi Icebergs Pool, the weekend markets in The Rocks, the Figure 8 pools - harder to get out to but if you can do it, I definitely recommend. If you're into museums Sydney also has a plethora of different types for you to choose from. I also got the opportunity to go see a concert in the Sydney Olympic Park which was a really cool experience. But, without TEAN I wouldn't have been able to do some of the awesome things that I did. They took us surfing at Bondi Beach, to a show at the Opera House, kayaking in the Sydney Harbour amongst other things. They're so awesome about giving unique opportunities that I don't think I would have otherwise been able to do.

What I also loved about my experience with TEAN is that at orientation I not only met the people who would be in my city, I also met people who'd be studying at universities all over Australia which gave me tons of people to see and places to stay when traveling!

In terms of nightlife, Sydney has so many different types of clubs and bars to choose from. Ivy is probably one of the most well-known clubs, it even has a rooftop pool. The Argyle in The Rocks is also really fun and afterward stop and get some pancakes in the Rocks. Darling Harbour is great both during the day and at night boasting tons of restaurants, bars, and clubs. Coogee Pavilion is also great for happy hour.

I had such an amazing experience in Australia. It opened my eyes to the world and even my own life. I really changed my life and guided me to living a healthier lifestyle. I learned so much from traveling on my own and meeting people from all over the world. I would tell anyone going abroad to really keep an open mind to everything. Time flies really fast, you really need to do everything you can to see as much as possible and to really enjoy it. Push your boundaries and do stuff you're kind of uncomfortable with. It WILL pay off at the end.

I had such an amazing experience in this city, this school, and this program. I had never been out of the country until I traveled abroad, and IFSA made it so easy to figure out where I was supposed to be. They set us up in our apartments, had a multiple day orientation, and gave us a ton of good advice. The people in the program always ensured my safety and my health, and helped me get on the right track from the start. I became really close with our program adviser, and she was always there for us when we need anything. The school aspect of this program was the most challenging; NUIG enrolls their international students with regular students, and this was great, but difficult. Irish style of education is different than American in terms of testing instead of work, but this challenge is one of the reasons I'm so proud I went there. I was able to navigate a new education system, and receive a transcript from another institution that was complete and real! I really believe I earned the transcript I got, in comparison to people who just take joke classes that don't matter. That is why IFSA was amazing, it is an academic focused study abroad program that cares about you and your grades while abroad. I loved everything about Galway and the NUIG and I wish I could go back right now! Overall, the best experience of my life!

Studying abroad through TEAN was the best experience of my life. The University of Newcastle was so welcoming and the campus is absolutely beautiful. The Samdon St Housing made it so easy to make local friends. The housing was also super close to cafes, shops, the grocery store, and public transportation. It was a prime location.

TEAN also did a good job of planning excursions such as Bondi Surf Lessons and a night at the Sydney Opera house.

My time in New Zealand was more than I could have ever imagined, and I credit TEAN for setting me up with the friends and resources I needed to excel to have the trip of a lifetime. After having an action-packed orientation with 35 other studying abroad students, I felt that I was moving into my new home with a great group of friends already. I kept these friends for the duration of the semester, roadtripping around and bungee jumping and hiking, and I am also confident that these are friendships I will hold for years to come. My TEAN contact in Dunedin met us for coffee dates, dinner, and was always available when we needed her expertise. TEAN encouraged our independence and sense of adventure but also made sure we were always prepared enough to have an enjoyable time. I could not be happier with choosing to study abroad though TEAN, and I will be forever grateful for the memories they led me to.

After a lot of careful research, I chose to study abroad in Chiang Mai with The Education Abroad Network (TEAN) because they were quick and informative in responding to my questions. I was so glad I did. TEAN coordinators stayed in contact with me throughout my stay in the second largest city in Thailand, providing tips about where to travel to and how to make the most of my time in Southeast Asia. Through TEAN, I had the opportunity to volunteer in a Thai elementary school with adorable little kids. I also took classes at Chiang Mai University, where I got to learn about Southeast Asian politics and religion from a mix of Thai and American professors. We took numerous field trips, including a four-day homestay in a rural Thai village and an exploration of the refugee crisis on the Thai-Burmese border. Analyzing the foreign influences, politics and cultural values of Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations helped me critically examine my own country. Throw in some amazing tropical fruits and a visit to an elephant sanctuary, and I would say TEAN is the best Thailand experience out there.

I had never traveled before my semester abroad in Australia, 10,000 miles away from home. The TEAN staff not only prepped me and kept in touch the entire time I was going through the application process but once I was admitted and organizing everything as well. They have a step by step process to ease the stress on the student that works wonders. After getting to my location the TEAN staff on the ground was amazingly fun and helpful. We had a lot of freedom, but there was also structure and support if we needed it. I cannot believe how lucky I was to have chosen easily the best program for study abroad in Australia. I made a lot of American friends at my university who were in different programs and they were all envious of all the things TEAN provided us with such as the week long orientation full of once in a lifetime activities. I would not change a thing about my experience through TEAN.

Participating in this program was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my entire life. My study abroad experience was all I wanted it to be and more. Dunedin was an incredible location on the South Island of New Zealand. I was near a beach, and the weekends I used to travel. TEAN made me feel comfortable and supported the whole way through. There was a point of contact in case anything were to ever happen and she met with us periodically throughout the semester. I wanted to stay the whole year I was so incredibly happy!

From the moment I touched down in my destination city, this program was everything I could've dreamed of. TEAN staff made sure everything was taken care of, whether it was rides to the airport or making sure we knew where the grocery store was. I may be a little biased, but I think the Gold Coast is one of the friendliest cities in Australia. The beaches are something from a travel blog, there's always something exciting going on, with mountains and a rainforest and beaches all within an hour's drive, you really couldn't ask for more. TEAN helps to make sure you're taking full advantage of it all as well- within the first two months, they'd already set us up with a surf lesson (turns out I wasn't born a pro surfer, but it was still a blast), taken us to scuba dive on the great barrier reef, visited a wildlife sanctuary to pet kangaroos, and taken us to a rugby game to learn about the local sports. I can honestly say the time I spent on the Gold Coast was truly golden, and I would do it all over in a heartbeat.

Considering studying abroad? My advice is to just do it. Forget about the doubts and how much it costs; do what you can to make it work. Why? Because it will be the time of your life. Studying abroad through TEAN provides you with so many experiences in the country you will call home for the next four months. I've never met anyone who says they regret studying abroad. As matter of fact, I've only heard positive things. Being a TEAN alumni now after my time in Australia, I can honestly tell you that it's an unforgettable experience. You will love every second of it. You will see beautiful places, meet wonderful people, and become knowledgable of a whole new world. Not only do you learn so much about Australia, but you discover so much about yourself.