WorldStrides Reviews

Going abroad with TEAN was the best 5 months of my life. Every aspect of my program helped me learn more about Thai culture. In classes, we learned about things that would make daily life easier and helped us understand more what was happening around us. Our teachers were friendly, helpful, and encouraging. Excursions with TEAN were unreal. From the gorgeous islands of Thailand to the historically rich north, we were able to see so much of this magnificent country. On our excursion to Bangkok, our teacher set up meetings with the former prime minister and current head of the Thai senate, opportunities that most Thai students never even have. Housing accommodations could not have been more perfect. At Uniloft I had everything I needed and felt safe and comfortable. My Thai roommate became one of my closest friends and showed and taught me things about Chiang Mai I would have never known otherwise. TEAN also helped me land my volunteer placements teaching English to local students and Burmese refugees. This was another way in which I was able to engage with Thai culture and get to know a different population of Chiang Mai residents.
Everyday since I left Thailand, I ache to be back there. TEAN gave me the best introduction and integration into this culture, and I can't wait to not only return to Thailand, but to explore the rest of the world. TEAN helped make me a more globally conscious person, and gave me the confidence to explore our world.

My study abroad trip was by far the best experience I have ever had. I had previously never been outside the country before so I was terrified, but it was worth it a million times over. The Education Abroad Network really built a perfect program. You live with a Thai roommate, instead of just your home group like most programs, which facilitates the learning of Thai culture exponentially. Plus, it allows for you to get a real experience of Thailand, rather than the touristy side of Thailand. Further, the program allows for a lot of freedom. I had class everyday for 3 hours a day but once class was over, I was able to go where I wanted and do what I wanted. They even gave students a one week break where we were seriously able to do what we pleased. For example, I took that time to relax at the beaches of Krabi (south Thailand), another student on the program took that time to go to Bangkok, and another student took that time to go to Laos. It was nice to have so much freedom because it allowed for us to get the most out of the program by our own means, whether that meant visiting temples, experiencing the nightlife, or living like a local. Something else that was really awesome about the program was the courses. I was hesitant about studying abroad because I felt as though taking classes while in another country would take away from the experience; however, it enhanced it. A lot of class time was spent in Thailand, rather than in a classroom. We learned by immersion, meaning that rather than trying to learn about Thailand by reading a textbook, we actually went to go see and experience it for ourselves. For example, in my Cultural Foundations of Thai Society course (I also took a Business in Southeast Asia course) we studied Buddhism for a week, and instead of just learning from powerpoints we went to go visit temples and talk to monks. I definitely don't regret choosing to take courses in Thailand, because the skills, ideas, and knowledge I gained in those courses have expanded my horizons both academically and personally.

Studying abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand through The Education Abroad Network (TEAN) was the best decision I have ever made. I cannot say enough good things about my experience in Chiang Mai. The program provided amazing support before the program as we prepared for our semester in Thailand and during the program, if we had questions about visas for travel outside of Thailand, if we wanted recommendations for restaurants or fun places to go out, pretty much anything we needed they were there to help. There are great excursions through TEAN, like to Krabi in the southern Thai islands, but the program is also flexible enough that you can travel on your own to other parts of Thailand or Southeast Asia. Living in Chiang Mai was unlike anything I have ever experience before: the Thai people could not be nicer, the city could not be more beautiful and vibrant, and the entire place is just bursting with color and life and delicious food and a million things to do. Living in Chiang Mai also provides such an incredible perspective on another part of the world - you will learn about Thai culture and customs, different religious beliefs, try new foods, and experience the way people live in other parts of the world. My heart belongs to Chiang Mai and always will, and I am so thankful to have studied abroad there with TEAN!

Studying abroad at the University of Queensland with The Education Abroad Network is the best choice I made. TEAN set us up with housing which was right across from UQ's campus. The walk to class, bus, and ferry stop were all about 8-10 minutes away. My everyday life consisted of going to classes during the week and getting all of my homework done so that I was free on the weekends to hang out with new friends in the city of Brisbane or traveling around Australia.
TEAN also had excursions, cultural immersion trips (AFL game, lawn bowling, and coffee breaks), and was always there if anything was needed! UQ offered us great clubs that allowed us to meet Australians and other International students. They carried on events such as traveling the East Coast, pub crawl, and different events throughout the week. Overall I was very happy with my study abroad experience!

Going to Australia was always a dream of mine and TEAN made it come true. I think studying abroad is an experience that every college student should do. I mean come on who wouldn't want to spend 5 months in another country?! Experiencing a new culture is so eye opening and actually changed the career path that I wanted to follow. And I'm much happier with a my new one. TEAN made the whole process of studying abroad so easy and basically stress free (the only stress was not being home for 5 months and the 14hr time difference, but I made it work!)! The only thing I would do differently would to do a year instead of just one semester. The hardest part about studying abroad is the leaving of your host country.

Everything about my study abroad program was incredible! Australia has so much to offer and you really get to feel like you live there, rather than just visiting. I saw some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and ate some of the most amazing food. I believe that the main reason I loved Australia so much was because I went through The Education Abroad Network (TEAN). TEAN is extremely organized and they're with you every step of the way. I never felt alone and knew that if I ever needed something TEAN staff would be there for me. All of the staff were young and so nice and had the greatest tips and advice on everything-- travel, culture, food, etc. TEAN's accommodations were amazing. We staying in apartments with incredible views of the city with multiple balconies.TEAN's orientation was so much fun and I learned so much during it, not to mention I made some of my best friends during it. TEAN's post trip (Byron Bay) and pre semester trip (Thailand) were two of the best trips I went on while abroad. They are so organized and amazing!

I consider myself a very lucky individual for having been fortunate enough to have traveled to so many places by the age of 20. Despite my travels, no trip has ever even come close to my study abroad experience at the Gold Coast. From sun-up until way past sun-down I made sure to see and do as much as I possibly could - and I did. Starting with sunrise runs along the beach along with surf sessions before (and after) morning classes, we'd then go to join our international peers at class for a few hours. On the way home, we'd stop in Surfer's for the best kebabs around and continue to walk back home along the beach. After some grocery shopping, we'd bus it to Coolangatta for the best spot to catch a sunset on the Coast. On Saturday nights we made sure to hit the international street market in Miami. On weeknights, we would hop on the boat cruise throughout the canals for the sunset. Events we attended included rugby games, professional surf competitions, Aboriginal performances/guided tours, hikes to Springbrook, festivals, the Neon run, markets, concerts, and more. In just a few short months, we managed to experience all along the Gold Coast, (sky diving in) Byron Bay, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns, Whitsunday Islands, (Scuba Diving) the Great Barrier Reef, the Great Ocean Road, and even trekked to New Zealand and Thailand - because when you are already on the other side of the world, why not? The beauty these places offer will never be done justice either by words or even pictures. So, what did I gain from this all? To start: memories for a lifetime; friends who became a second family; the ability to adapt to another society's lifestyle including academic expectations as well as social expectations; an understanding that even a culture that speaks the same language is very different from American culture; membership into a global community - Australians, Americans, Europeans, Africans, etc. alike; and a whole new perspective on not only my home country, but the world and life itself. The Australian motto "No worries" I have taken and applied to my life style back home in America and it has made a world of difference in regards to my quality of life. In addition to a less stressed, happier outlook on life, the greatest two lessons I learned from traveling to the ends of the earth (initially) alone are: 1) I occupy such a small part of the world - a wonderfully humble thing 2) Living on my own, I not only solved all issues that arose (i.e. sicknesses, flight cancellations, etc.) but also made sure to take advantage of every second abroad, which made me realize that I can do anything - any boundaries that I initially placed upon myself no longer exist. I like to illustrate a before and after of what this experience has done for me with the dialogue (Pre-Study Abroad): "What if I fall?" (Post-Study Abroad): "Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?".

My experience in Australia was phenomenal. Everyday was a new adventure! I was very fortunate to travel to so many cities such as Brisbane, Byron Bay, Darwin, Kakadu, Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast and Cairns. I chose this program because it fit well with my curriculum since I am a Hospitably Business major and when I read the program outline I was very interested in learning more about the topics covered. the TEAN advisors were more than helpful while on our trip! Whenever I had a question it was always answered, even if it had to be the next day. During our time in Australia we mainly stayed in hostels, but during our two-week period at the University of New South Wales we stayed in the dorms. Personally I loved staying in the hostels because it was a great way to meet people, not only from our study abroad group, but from all over the world. One of my most memorable experiences was climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Learning about the construction and work that went into such an iconic bridge was so interesting. I am so thankful for my time abroad and for the staff that led us through some of the most amazing experiences!

I have never felt so at home thousands of miles away from my friends and family. My study abroad experience was the most unforgettable time in my life. How often do you get to live in an apartment on the beach in Australia? The experience doesn't come by everyday. Luckily with TEAN I was able to make this dream a reality.

Going to Australia has probably been one of the best experiences of my life. From learning a new culture firsthand; understanding science, nutrition, and government policy with an Australian perspective; and learning the high's and low's of becoming a certified barista, I never in my life thought I would have this knowledge of a country and lifestyle on the other side of the world. I made friends there, international friends from Italy and Asia, and even Americans who live close to me (and one who even goes to my school!) Being in Australia also gave me an insight about what makes America so unique and special, as well as solutions to some of the problems we have here because of the insight from outsiders. Saying this trip was worthwhile would be an understatement.