WorldStrides Reviews

I always knew I wanted to study abroad in Australia, and it was an easy decision to do it with TEAN. I had the time of my life abroad! Brisbane is an absolutely beautiful city with wonderful appeal of both a small town and a big city, with features fit for anybody's taste. I would love to return someday to Australia and I'm so glad that TEAN was the program that introduced me to the country. TEAN created a large circle of support for me in my academics and my personal and mental health while abroad, which was a necessity because even though studying abroad is fun, you sometimes need assistance. I wouldn't have wanted to spend my time abroad with any other program and highly recommend the experience.

Studying abroad was the best decision I ever made! Brisbane has so much to do! I loved going to the city and sampling the different types of food( especially sushi) and walking around the shops! I also loved Brisbane because you could easily head out to the Sunshine Coast (hello, Steve Irwin zoo) or the beautiful Gold Coast. TEAN made my semester even more amazing my taking us to a Rugby game and the Steve Irwin zoo! I loved every minute I spent in Australia and I can't wait to go back one day!

Waiting in the airport was a strange feeling for me. I had just said goodbye to my friends and family for five months, but I was overcome with excitement. I knew the coming months would be an incredible journey, but I couldn't even imagine just how great they would be. As I sat there, waiting to board the plane, it was the most anxious and nervous I have ever felt. But I would give anything to go back to that exact moment. I can't even describe what that feeling was like. I had spent so much time getting ready for that semester abroad that it didn't even feel real at that point. It was the most vivid and amazing dream I've ever had, and the rest is history, as they say.

I can still remember the exact moment I decided on this program. I had been meeting with my school's study abroad office and I was trying to decide where I wanted to study. There were so many options to choose from that it was a little overwhelming. I was scrolling through Instagram one day, and I saw a picture of a place in New Zealand called Cathedral Cove. I was mesmerized by the picture, and knew right then that New Zealand was where I wanted to go. A few weeks into my semester abroad, my friends and I all rented a car and took a road trip to Cathedral Cove on my birthday. As I stood there looking at the same view I saw in that picture, all I could do was smile. This is a pretty bold statement, but I think that was the happiest moment of my life. It was so simple but I've never felt pure joy like that. Being there on my birthday, with all these new friends, knowing that I was accomplishing my dreams was a feeling I'll never be able to accurately put in writing.

Studying abroad with TEAN was the best decision I have ever made. I learned more about the world, life, and myself in that short amount of time than I could have in years. There is nothing more valuable that having the opportunity to see the world, and that is exactly what TEAN gave me. From the temples of Thailand to the beaches of Bali and back to the amazing city of Sydney, I met the most amazing people, had the best experiences, and lived and laughed more than I ever thought possible. TEAN set me up for a lifechanging experience and for that I am forever greatful. I will never forget my days studying, living, and loving life as a ~temporary~ Australian!

When I decided on The Education Abroad Network program in Sydney, Australia, I had no idea that was the first of many great steps in my abroad journey. Sydney not only opened my eyes to a world of culture, but also offered a feeling of confidence and independence I didn’t think I had. Living about a 15-20 minute walk to Central Station gave me the opportunity to hop on the next train or bus to anywhere I could think of! Several trips to Bondi beach, exciting new gelato shops, and even visits to the Rocks Markets near the Opera House were just a small portion of my greater journey. Australia soon became my home away from home, offering adventures I could have never dreamed and roommates that became best friends. By choosing TEAN I chose a team that was willing to make my study abroad experience unique, safe, and exciting. While they offered countless excursions around Sydney, some of my favorite moments with TEAN’s team were during our “coffee catch-ups” where we discussed our experiences, local culture, and ideas for even more adventures. If you’re looking for adventure, in a place to call home, with people who care about your study abroad experience, then I suggest TEAN Australia.

There's nothing like the Gold Coast especially when you go through TEAN. My time in Australia was an adventure of a lifetime. I began my trip where my orientation was, which was Sydney. When I found that out I was so excited. If there's one place to go in Australia, it has to be Sydney. During my time there, we toured the Opera House, got to walk through the beautiful Botanical Gardens, hike the famous Sydney Habour Bridge, and ate at the most delicious restaurants in the city. From there I headed to my home for the next four months, the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast is a buzzing city, home to Surfer's Paradise. There is an endless amount to do here. From learning how to surf, to exploring the inlands, to shopping at the best boutiques and markets in the country, to swimming the most amazing beaches, to cuddling with koalas and kangaroos, to many many more adventures of a lifetime and I had the opportunity to have lived in the center of all of this through TEAN's beach housing. Living here was basically a dream come true. I was only a 20 minute bus ride away from my school, Bond University, and also Burleigh, which ended up being one of the my beautiful places I've ever been to! Picking The Education Abroad Network as my program to study abroad through was one of the best decisions I've ever made in life, and I would do it all over again in a heart beat !

Bond University is an amazing school that seems to be primarily known for business, but it offers so much more. Not only does it offer a whole host of different degree programs, but Bond also offers a great network for its students in regards to academic support, extracurricular activities, internship opportunities, and many other aspects that make it such a fantastic school. The courses were challenging, but the professors were more than competent and really showed genuine interest in making sure that their students succeeded.

I wanted to have as much money to travel as possible, so I spent as little as I could on food while studying abroad in Australia. Most mornings I would eat oatmeal, most lunches I would eat PB&J's or leftovers, and for dinner I would often eat rice, chicken, and vegetables. Of course I switched it up often and tried cooking new things, but I found this to be a relatively healthy and cost-effective way to eat without spending too much time or money grocery shopping.

I learned a great deal about the subjects that I took courses in and Australia as a whole from my experiences abroad, but most importantly I began to learn more about myself. Away from my parents for an extended period of time, I made decisions independently of anyone else, and the decisions that I made helped me to figure out who I am as a person. The incredible beauty of Australia and all of the memories that I made there made this trip absolutely worthwhile, and something that I will always cherish and look back happily at.

Studying at ICMS was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am so fortunate to have experienced. Trust me when I say don't let the anxiety of not knowing anyone in a foreign land stop you from taking the leap. The growth that comes along with this journey is unparalleled to anything you would have seen/done at your home school during the same semester.

The connections I made were worth the trip alone. However the many excursions along the way added immensely to it. The day before I went skydiving me and some friends ventured to a nearby cliff jumping spot from the school. It was my first time, and I was on the ledge for a good 10 minutes wondering why I signed up to jump out of a plane if I couldn't do this. Well eventually I did it, and jumped out of the plane, as over many other mental hurdles that were holding me back.

This trip taught me a lot about myself, and I'm confident it will do the same for anyone else.
Highly recommended 10/10

Everyday I become more upset that I didn't extend my trip. My time with TEAN in Australia were the greatest 16 weeks of my life. The program was always there whenever I had questions about school, a trip, or anything else for that matter. One of the best parts of the program was the Australian orientation. We were able to spend a week full of culture, food, and walking in Sydney with an actual Australian tour guide. We got acclimated with our surroundings and our new friends.

Another great plus of TEAN is that they offer a post trip (I think to ease you back into real life) to Fiji. Let me tell you, it was the most relaxing week of my life. 12/10 would recommend.

Newcastle, Australia is my new home away from home. Between the people I lived with and the places to go it has everything I need to be happy in life. I loved spending time going to Nobby's beach and walking down the break-wall to the light house. Not only is there so much fun to be in had in Newcastle but the surrounding areas as well. Port Stephens is a great area. There are some incredibly beautiful beaches and hikes. But, if you are looking for a really cool day trip in the area Caves beach is the place to go.