TEAN: Study Abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand

Name: TEAN: Study Abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand
Brand: The Education Abroad Network
SKU: 32510
Rating: 9.95 (40 reviews)

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A beautiful day to bike around Lake Wanaka

My roadtrip friends and I at Hokitika Gorge

A tough but rewarding hike to Roy's Peak

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About

TEAN's partnership with the University of Otago provides an opportunity to attend a top ranked school while living in New Zealand’s ultimate college town - the country's first university was established here in 1869. Boasting incredible wildlife, a range of outdoor attractions, one of the country’s best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities, Dunedin is a rare place that seamlessly blends history, culture and nature. Students study at Otago University. The school focuses on the traditional arts and sciences, has an AACSB accredited Business School and is ranked among the world’s top schools for psychology.

The semester begins with an exciting 5-day Orientation Excursion in adventurous Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island where TEAN's in-country staff guide students through orientation sessions and an array of activities, including exploring Maori culture more deeply, jet boating along the Dart River or discovering the stunning Milford Sound.

TEAN Full Ride Scholarship

The TEAN Full Ride Scholarship is designed to give a stand-out student the opportunity to study abroad. It's an annual scholarship that can be used for any TEAN program and covers tuition, program fees and orientation (up to $15,000 value).

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Study

Academics 8.8
Support 9.9
Fun 9.7
Housing 9.9
Safety 9.8

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I must start by saying that my time abroad in New Zealand was absolutely the best experience of my life. I stayed there for the full 6 months that my student visa allowed me to, and I am so grateful to have gone through TEAN's program. I met some of my best friends (from all over the globe), went on multiple road trips around the entire country, walked on a glacier, surfed, and so much more.

TEAN was absolutely AMAZING. They were always just a quick email or phone call away if I needed anything. My university did not have any courses pre-approved for the University of Otago, but TEAN helped me immensely throughout this pre-approval process. Additionally, I was very unsure about what university I wanted to study abroad at in New Zealand. I switched around three times before settling on the University of Otago! TEAN was so incredibly flexible and understanding and helped me ultimately decide on Otago (which was undoubtedly the right choice for me).

The TEAN representatives at the University of Otago were also outstanding. They were Kiwis (from New Zealand), and were a great resource for any questions about Kiwi culture, recommendations for travel, food, or just about anything! They went above and beyond to plan fun outings for their TEAN students. What I really appreciated was that they were there if we needed them, but they also let us explore and have our own individual experiences. Planned events were frequent enough to keep in touch and check in, but spaced out enough to let us explore on our own. I really can't say enough good things about how TEAN takes care of its students while they are abroad, while still allowing them to be independent with their experience. Thank you TEAN!!

What would you improve about this program?

Honestly can't think of anything! TEAN was amazing.

Journaling on the west coast of the south island at sunset! Mid road trip.

New TEAN friends at the Skyline in Queenstown!

First time canyoning with some friends I made at uni - glacier water is cold!

Dunedin is amazing. I've been home for a few months and I'm ready to go back. TEAN made the transition to New Zealand go smoothly and relieved a lot of my (and my parents') arrival stress. TEAN's orientation sets you up for success and the continued events during the semester showed me attractions in Dunedin that I did not know existed. The outdoors were incredibly accessible and close and every place that I visited was my new favorite location. The whole country is right out of an adventure blog. I traveled as much as my class schedule would allow for, but still have a massive list of everything that I still want to see. Dunedin and New Zealand will always hold a place in my heart.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Please take advantage of all the nature surrounding you. There is no other place that allows you to be able to drive 15 minutes in one direction to hike a volcanic cone, then be able to drive 15 minutes in the opposite direction to lay in the sand at the beach. You don't have to go far to find adventure in Dunedin.

My time spent studying abroad in New Zealand was truly phenomenal. Being based in Dunedin was excellent for a variety of reasons. The city itself is a very comfortable size. There are always things to do, but I never felt overwhelmed by any sort of extreme hustle-and-bustle. It is located in a perfect location, only a few hours' drive from some of the South Island's most beautiful sights. I was able to take weekend trips to Mt. Aspiring National Park, Fiordland National Park, The Lakes District, Abel Tasman National Park and many more incredible places. TEAN effortlessly made an arduous preparatory process seem quite simple. They provided useful tips and effectively kept me on task during my prior semester to meet all of my required deadlines. I would absolutely recommend entrusting TEAN with ensuring that you have the best semester of your life in a brand new place.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

While in Thailand with TEAN, I ate a roasted grub.

Relaxing at the highest point on Fiordland National Park's Kepler Track

The sunset painted the wet sand with amazing pastel hues.

Studying abroad in Dunedin was the best decision I ever could have made. I experienced more in 5 months than I ever could have imagined and I made an amazing group of friends right from the start who become my travel and adventure buddies. I quickly felt right at home because everyone was always so friendly and welcoming. Whether it was attending a rugby game, a night out in town, or just hanging out in my flat with my flatmates there was never a dull moment in Dunedin. With the beach just a 10 minute bus ride away, hiking trails within walking distance and streets filled with cafes, shops and restaurants right downtown, this city had everything to offer. By the end of the semester, I had close bonds with people from all over the world which made leaving New Zealand one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

The most unfamiliar thing I ate was duck and lamb.

No better way to cool off after a full day of hiking Mueller Hut than a quick swim at the Tasman Glacier.

My last adventure of the semester! My friend and I squeezed this 3-4 day hike into a day and a half hiking 32 miles through knee deep snow in one day.

TEAN is a great program. They go above and beyond to prepare you for your trip abroad. I went to Dunedin NZ for a semester and the TEAN staff is simply phenomenal. They are easy to get in contact with and they really want you to have an amazing experience. They more than adequately prepare you before, during, and after your trip. The orientation program when you get to your country allows you to get acclimated in a comfortable environment. TEAN also allows you to meet fellow students who will be going abroad with you. TEAN staff is present within your country and are always available if you need anything. TEAN also has activities for you to participate in while you are in your country. I highly recommend studying abroad through TEAN.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

Going bungy jumping! It was so scary but going with friends made it an amazing experience!

Studying abroad in New Zealand through TEAN (The Education Abroad Network) was hands-down one of the best academic decisions thus far. As an outdoorsy person, Dunedin was a perfect match. Almost everyone at the university loves exploring which makes it super easy to find an adventure to a nearby glacier, mountain, or beach most weekends. On top of that, having an American-Kiwi transplant residential advisor nearby at all times made my semester 110% better. My TEAN RA was like a supportive aunt for all of us; she was always there to get a meal or talk if we needed a hug or any advice but wanted us to have our own adventures separate from the other American students we came over with. I couldn't have asked for a better semester abroad experience.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

If I were to do the semester all over again, I would have traveled up to further parts of the country. It is so easy to get stuck visiting the thousands of utopian sites only a few hours away that it is easy to run out of time to get to visit parts of the country that are completely different such as Auckland or any of the north island.

Nugget Point Rocks in the Catlins, New Zealand

I loved studying abroad with TEAN! I was super nervous to go all the way to New Zealand for a semester last fall, but TEAN made my experience really enjoyable. The first week/orientation was primarily meeting other students in the same program and learning a bit about the culture in New Zealand. The fact that I was able to know a bunch of students before actually going to class was so helpful because I was able to recognize people on such a large campus. Additionally, TEAN was very organized and really cared about their students. Every month, we had the opportunity to meet with our Resident Advisors for food or for an event and just talk with them about life and things we were doing which I truly enjoyed. Words cannot describe everything that TEAN did for me!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Make friends with travelers! If you want to buy a car while abroad, split it with friends and also split gas with friends. Gas in New Zealand is much more expensive than in the US. I only had class three days a week, so I was able to take long weekends to travel around the South Island. There are a lot of hidden gems around the area, so talk to the resident advisors and locals about places to go to!

I picked New Zealand for the nature and sense of adventure traveling to the other side of the world offered, but what I got was so much more. I was immersed in the nature and gained so much independence that I could not have from any other experience. TEAN orientation provided a small introduction travel and kiwi culture that was perfect to springboard into my own adventures. The program gave me the support and confidence that allowed for amazing day trips and week long adventures. Using a program like TEAN helped form friendships early on in the trip that have lasted far beyond time abroad to home. Forming those early friendships was crucial to have fellow adventurers for the rest of the semester abroad. Choosing TEAN for my semester abroad was the best and most seamless choice I could have made as they made everything so easy to do and fun.

What would you improve about this program?

N/A perfect combination of support and hands-off independence

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I felt as though it was the best fit for me. I knew that I wanted to study abroad in New Zealand, but I wasn't sure which school I wanted to go to. My TEAN Advisor was very helpful and answered all of my questions. The program also offered a week long orientation which made me more comfortable in getting used to a new country.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

My university assisted me with choosing the right program, selecting classes that fit my schedule, and making sure I had everything I needed in order to go. My program contacted my abroad university for me and provided contact information for someone I could talk to about getting my flights and make sure that I got to where I was supposed to go on time.

I had to get the actual flight by myself, but both my program and university assisted me with getting ready to go. Most of what I had to organize on my own took place when we arrived at the university.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Go out of your comfort zone. Of course, it will be uncomfortable at first, but it will add so much to your experience as a whole. Going out on a limb and meeting new people is what Study Abroad is all about, and it is what makes it the experience of a lifetime. I mean, when is the next time you're going to be on the opposite side of the planet for that long?!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average day/week in this program is pretty typical. During the week, you're going to classes and writing papers that are due, and maybe studying early for your final exam. My weekends normally consisted of either hiking locally or anywhere along the South Island. On the weekends I didn't feel like travelling, I explore the city I was living in by going to the beach, finding a new place to eat, or walking down the shopping strips.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was the fear of missing out. I have a close group of friends back home, and it seemed as though they were going out everyday, and I hated that I wasn't a part of it. I overcame it by seeing things I could never see at home and going on adventures. I eventually came to realize that it doesn't matter that my friends at home are going to dinner for the 10th time this month, I'm out in New Zealand and living my best life! I did things I could never do at home, and that experience easily replaces any party I could ever go to.

What is your greatest memory from going abroad?

My greatest memory from going abroad is hiking Roy's Peak. It was very challenging for me because it was two and a half hours up at a steep angle, carrying 10-15 pounds of camping gear. Nearly the whole way up, I didn't think I was going to make it. The friends I had with me encouraged me to keep going and reminded me "it's about the journey, not the destination." The view was so breathtaking and worth the struggle of getting there. I was so proud of myself for doing it that I looked forward to the next time I’ll be able to do it again. That realization was what my whole abroad experience was centered around.

Laura exploring the jaw-dropping landscapes of Dunedin!

Laura Nickerson

2013 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Alice is based in Sydney and manages the TEAN Internship programs in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. She is originally from the UK and loves to travel. She has covered the majority of Europe, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand in her travels.

What is your favorite travel memory?

I am very fortunate to have traveled to over 30 countries so far, but one of my favorite travel memories was two months of travel across New Zealand with my mum during a school break. There is probably no point arguing with me on the note that New Zealand simply is the most beautiful country in the world.

We traveled both the North and South Island during the New Zealand Winter and it was absolutely freezing but this automatically made it even more beautiful because of all the stunning scenery being lit up with snow and twinkly lights in all the streets in the evenings.

As much as I love to travel, and as much as I would love to go back tomorrow, there is still lots of magic in a home that we can treasure every day. Yet saying that, I often visit New Zealand and get to enjoy its beauty on a regular basis and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. The mountains of middle earth are particularly stunning and I would encourage anyone to hop on a plane and go and explore this beautiful country full of beautiful people and culture.

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How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have grown substantially since working for TEAN, both personally and in my career. I started out at TEAN managing both the Australia & New Zealand Internship Program and am now managing the Internship Programs across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kyoto, Shanghai & Bangkok.

My TEAN journey has developed quickly yet I am continuing to love and grow my role within this organization more and more every day. Personally, I have changed in terms of some of the approaches I have adopted due to TEAN’s sustainable ethos – for example, I no longer use plastic bags at the grocery store and am taking more and more steps each day to contribute to helping save our planet.

I have also developed even more of a bucket list of travel locations, which is almost impossible not to do when you work in this industry.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Just recently, one of my return students shared the extremely exciting news with me that he had been accepted into the internship program for the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the United States!

The work that he completed during his TEAN internship in Australia allowed him to be published in multiple national media platforms and I am so excited that his experiences in Australia are now able to take him to such exciting places to now learn from the best of the best in the United States.

Films from Sundance include Boyhood, Donnie Darko, Saw, Little Miss Sunshine, Napoleon Dynamite, The Blair Witch Project, and more. I couldn’t be more proud and delighted for him that his experience in Australia has got him to this place in his career and I can’t wait to see some of the films that he will be responsible for in years to come.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

If I could go on any program that TEAN offers I would go to Massey University in Wellington to study Visual Arts & Design. I fell in love with Wellington and its atmosphere earlier this year and it felt like home to me.

For anyone who is artistic, there is so much inspiration in every street that it’s not surprising some of the world’s most famous cinematography, film crews, fashion designers, and costumers have stemmed from this location.

Having been fortunate enough to work closely with Massey University throughout my career, I have seen the outstanding facilities that they have on offer for their students. If I could turn back the clock, I would have told myself to study abroad in this location.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

TEAN is like a family to me. TEAN is unique in its approach to so many different things such as its sustainable ethos and choosing the earth to the unique student approach. Being a part of the TEAN family has encouraged me to make lifestyle changes to ensure we are taking care of this planet and it’s wonderful to know that everyone shares these same values.

Everyone in the organization is so passionate about what they do that we achieve some incredible & innovative results for our students. I love that our students are a name and not a number at TEAN and that we can get to know them on a personal level and establish what they want to achieve from their time studying or interning abroad from the outset.

My team is consistently making me proud and on a daily basis are accepting new challenges and striving towards having the best possible opportunities available for our students.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I believe that the biggest factor in being a successful company is in the staff that are a part of that company. When your employer invests in your development and your growth as an employee, it speaks volumes and allows staff to excel. Peer support is essential to growth and success of a company and opportunities for staff to explore your creativity as well as your skillset to complete tasks can be very inspiring and can lead to new and exciting developments.

This is one of the main reasons I find internships to be of such value to our students as well – by being able to grow with a company, you contribute to their success and learn a lot along that journey as well as taking away essential strategies for your future career.

I also think that company success stems from staff success which can be seen through passion and dedication to a role whilst having & developing expertise in the work that you are doing.

About The Education Abroad Network

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN) is a full-service international education provider specializing in immersive study and internship programs throughout Asia Pacific. Creating close partnerships the best universities in Australia, New Zealand and across Asia over the past two decades has allowed TEAN to become experts at delivering unique programs in the region. Dedicated and experienced staff provide unparalleled individual service every step of the way and thrive on giving students personal attention, program preparation and quick answers to all their questions. TEAN's online applications

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