TEAN: Study Abroad in Auckland, New Zealand

Counting down the days until I meet again with the lovely Pacific Island of New Zealand! My friends from my program and I had so much fun hiking, surfing, climbing, and going out during our time spent overseas. One of my favorite stories was getting invited to a semi formal with a cute kiwi boy and dancing the night away in the city! The lessons I learned from this trip made me the best version of myself I can be!

Being a part of the TEAN program studying at the Auckland University of Technology was a life-changing event and I could not be happier to have completed it. Beginning from the time we left LAX as a group of nearly 90 students getting prepared to face the unknown, TEAN gave us the tools and resources to enjoy our experience to the best of our ability and I can't be more thankful. As our orientation took us from Fiji to Auckland, we spent time building connections with other US students facing the same situations we were going through. Then once moving into our new homes and becoming a part of the AUT community, I was able to establish friendships with a lot of local Kiwis, especially my four roommates who were all from the same town in the north island. I cherished these friendships more than most and the uniqueness of crossing cultures has been incredible. Throughout the semester, TEAN staff did a good job putting together trips and activities for us to attend, ranging from a rugby match to a late-night comedy show. All-in-all I loved my time abroad and learned so much more about myself and the world surrounding me than I ever would've guessed.

Throughout my entire study abroad stay in Auckland, New Zealand, my number one goal was making memories! And it was an easy goal to accomplish thanks to my friends and advisors at TEAN, the Education Abroad Network. From our orientation in Fiji to our first week in Auckland, my TEAN advisors were there to help me and my new friends get adjusted to life in New Zealand. They took us surfing and then to my very first taste of fish and chips. After that, I was hooked on this meal! Everywhere I went afterwards, be it to Kaikoura to Wellington to Fox Glacier, it was the first thing I would eat! It became a ritual for me. So much so that my friends would tease me for it. But to me, it represented the food culture of New Zealand, and that's how I best connect to a place, through its food. And it was through food and meals that I made such great new friends and visited some great place!

The Education Abroad Network has set up a solid program for studying abroad in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland already provides an abundance of opportunities to learn about Kiwi culture, but TEAN fully prepares students to live in a new country for 5 months.

TEAN is very good at making checklists of the required items we need. This made it easier to adjust in New Zealand and also less stressful. They helped with my visa application, university application and payments for the program.

One of the outstanding things about TEAN is the number of trips and events they plan for the students. Throughout the semester, they will host cultural events such as a rugby game or surfing for students. This helped me explore more of the country but without the hassle of planning it myself. One of the unique things they provided for us was a voucher for the Sky Screamer in Auckland. It's the perfect precursor for adventuring in New Zealand.

The residential advisors are the best people to talk to learn about the culture or just places to eat. They seem genuinely concerned about the students and whether we are making the most of our study abroad experiences.

From beginning to end, The Education Abroad Network was a fantastic program. I was impressed in the beginning on steps they took to answer my question and preparing us for our time abroad. The orientation in Fiji is an experience I wouldn't trade for the world. Lack of technology and distractions, Fiji offered the cultural experience of a lifetime. My favorites include the cultural dance performed for us and a hike to the local village.
When arriving in New Zealand, I felt so set to take on this city from the fist night eating tapas downtown. We had the opportunity as a program to explore the city and take time with friends. It was so relaxing and being able to spend my first week with people who I met in Fiji making it extremely comfortable and fun.
After getting settled in Auckland I realized how lucky I was. I had brand new housing with an American student from a different program looking to travel and locals. I felt like I had a balance where I met people who wanted to travel as well as locals to teach me all about kiwi culture.
I was able to accomplish so much while I was there. I learned a lot for great professors, I felt like I had made lifelong friends, and I felt like I had an amazing support system along the way with TEAN. I would not go back and do it any other way. I wholeheartedly suggest you choose TEAN if choosing to go abroad because there is honestly no other program that will give you all that they can!

Studying Abroad through TEAN was the best decision I made in my entire study abroad experience. I made so many amazing friends and was well prepared for my travels abroad all because of TEAN's help and activities that they set up for you to do for orientation.
Going to New Zealand all I can say is to travel as much as possible, and leave no sights unseen. I got this mentality from the staff at TEAN and it really made my semester in New Zealand worth it and something that I will never forget as long as I live.

The education abroad network (team) was the best decision I did to go to Auckland. I knew exactly where I was going, but how and through which program was still in contemplation. Finding TEAN at my study abroad fair was simply fate and so happy with my decision to apply with TEAN. With TEAN I was more than satisfied with everything it had to offer. From the people I met, the helpful staff, and the pre-excursion trip to Fiji was just the few things I loved about going through TEAN.

New Zealand is the most incredible country in the world and you will never experience so much in such a small place! Every weekend was spent traveling the country and doing anything from white water rafting to skydiving to hiking. You are really far from home, but you quickly come to find that it doesn't matter. The country is such a paradise that the only thing you will regret is having to leave. TEAN especially made the experience memorable.

TEAN is extremely helpful in making sure you are prepared for the study abroad experience. They offer incredible trips and really fun events throughout the semester. The pre-semester orientation takes place in Fiji on a beautiful island. So from the start you are in a situation where you become close friends with everybody in your program. You get to spend time with some natives of Fiji and learn their culture a bit.

When you arrive in New Zealand, TEAN representatives are awaiting to pick you up. They make sure you have the most comfortable accommodations throughout the weeks prior to move-in and they make sure there is never a dull moment. Throughout the semester TEAN remains in contact and provides meet-ups and various fun events (We got to see an All Blacks vs Australia rugby match!!). They also give great information on upcoming events and promotions.

TEAN gives you the freedom to be yourself and experience the country as you see fit. They give you the choice to be a part of the events during the semester. I don't know that I would have felt so prepared for five months abroad had it not been for the comfort of having TEAN guide me through the processes.

The country itself is spectacular and you absolute must take advantage of all it has to offer. Never say no to an adventure!! The only downside is that its often quite pricey so bring some money!