TEAN: Study Abroad in Gold Coast, Australia

I absolutely loved my time abroad on the Gold Coast at Bond University. I got to experience a great deal like scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, skydiving in Cairns, shaking Kate Middleton's hand in Brisbane, and having lunch at the Sydney Opera House!! I could not be any happier with my decision to study abroad on the other side of the world through TEAN (The Education Abroad Network). They planned some amazing excursions and made it so easy to adapt and make friends.

I have been privileged enough to travel to many places in the world, but Gold Coast Australia was hands down the greatest experience I have ever had traveling. I attended Bond University where I studied Exercise Science, Nutrition and Philosophy of Buddhism. The classes were on a smaller level, which created an awesome learning environment. They were challenging, but extremely manageable considering the amount of traveling I did while I was living there. I was able to travel to the Great Barrier Reef, Indonesia, New Zealand, Fiji and Sydney while I was there. TEAN took a huge part in making all of this possible. From the moment I signed up, all the way through my time abroad to the moment I safely arrived home, TEAN took care of me better than I could have ever imagined. I recommend TEAN to anyone looking to go abroad because one it makes the process of transferring to another school easier than I could have imagined and two it offers so much more than any competitor company does. I was friends with students from all different companies in Australia and even they would agree that TEAN was the best choice. I would go back through TEAN to any of their abroad programs in a heart beat.

My typical day in the Gold Coast of Australia was waking up looking out my balcony window, and seeing beautiful mountains off into the distance. Since it only rained 7 times while I was there (yes I counted) it was perfect weather. With that being said think about a minute walk to a beautiful beach to relax before/after or your day off from school. The grocery store was only a 3 minute walk down the street that had everything you needed. I attended Griffith University in the Gold Coast, and had class 3 days a week. I had Tuesdays & Fridays off. Getting around in Broadbeach was easy the bus system was very easy to get on and find your way. The bus drivers were very nice letting you know if you were on the right bus. Aussie loved talking to you about anything they thought our accents were really hard to understand.

Going abroad to the Gold Coast with the TEAN program was by far the best decision of my life. I was able to meet some of the greatest people in the world while participating in once in a lifetime activities. The TEAN organization set up the most fantastic trip anyone could ever imagine and I can honestly say I wouldn't change anything about my experience. No other program provides it's students with as comprehensive an orientation, or guidance once we got to the Gold Coast. TEAN left no stone uncovered, from airport transfers to cell phones, TEAN made sure we had everything possible to allow for us to have the greatest time of our lives. That is exactly what we were able to do.

My time spent with the Education Abroad Network in the Gold Coast was the most unforgettable time of my life. Aside from living in a fully-furnished apartment overlooking the beach, I attended the most beautiful university (Bond) in the world. The only way to describe it: like someone decided put a college where a beach resort should be.
TEAN also provided me with all of the support that I could have asked for and then some. They planned a pre-semester getaway to Fiji and an amazing orientation in Sydney. We were able to climb the Sydney Bridge, enjoy some of the finest dining, and we were put up in the Great Gatsby mansion (used to film the movie "Gatsby")- all planned and paid for by TEAN. They were also there for me in more serious situations, like when I needed to go to the hospital after I injured my hand. Without the TEAN network, I would not have been able to travel with such ease. Their network makes it incredibly easy to connect with TEAN reps/students anywhere. Before I traveled anywhere, I would contact the TEAN people in that area and ask them how to get around, where to stay, and any places I should check out.
Throughout my 4 month stay, I traveled to Fiji, Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Whitsundays, Brisbane, Byron Bay, and all-throughout the Gold Coast. I had friends go to Bali, Japan, Perth, Uluru (the outback), New Zealand, Thailand, and many more. Not once, did any of us feel that we were alone. TEAN was there to support us every step of our journey.
I lived in Broadbeach, which was one of the areas in the Gold Coast. There was a plethora of beaches surrounding us, each with their own unique flavor. There was also Surfer's Paradise, where at any time of the week people were out at any of the many bars and clubs. Most importantly I never once felt unsafe in the Gold Coast.
What TEAN does better than any other program out there you cannot put a price on. It's the feeling that even though you're halfway around the world from home, you're still with family.

TEAN made the application process so easy. Taking care of flights, approving courses, and housing situations were so much easier with TEAN helping. Having the orientation in Sydney was the best way to start my semester abroad. It allowed me to meet and get to know other TEAN students who are now some of my closest friends. Once we got the Gold Coast, we had Helen to show us around and give us information about our new home. I lived in an apartment building that was a 5 minute walk to the beach, and a half hour bus ride to Griffith's campus. The Australian students are very welcoming and love talking to American kids. I made a few good friends in my classes.

We also got to do a lot of traveling. Getting to know the TEAN kids in orientation helped out because we had places to stay in other cities. It was great going to Melbourne, Sydney, or Cairns, because other students had either been there already or lived there, and could give us some good information on what to do there.

It was pretty easy to adjust to the culture there. It is very different, but at the same time there are a lot of similarities. The biggest thing was probably how laid back everyone was. It was a great change of pace.

There's so much to learn about yourself and the world living in another country. You learn how to use public transportation to get around and travel, you learn to cook and enjoy different foods, you get a new appreciation of different cultures by meeting new people and so much more. My program directors went out of their way to make sure that everyone accomplished everything they wanted to and more while abroad. I had the time of my life traveling all over Australia doing things that I will never forget like holding koalas, skydiving, scuba diving, kissing kangaroos, hiking, surfing and of course enjoying the nightlife. I definitely want to go back one day soon!

If anyone is ever interested in studying abroad I would highly recommend doing it through The Education Abroad Network!! They make the whole process extremely easy for everyone and help you with everything along the way. This started during the application process by practically holding my hand every step of the way to make sure I was applied in time. They have an awesome staff that love what they do and made my abroad experience in the Gold Coast Australia unbelievable. They offer you the best living arrangement seconds from a beautiful beach, and offer you many other trips to go on while your there. Many days were spent relaxing on the beach and hanging out with your new friends and the locals. I can promise you that you wont regret taking part in this adventure of a lifetime!