TEAN Auckland was the Greatest

I was terrified before studying abroad. Even though I moved from the Midwest to the East Coast to go to college moving to the whole other side of the world is completely different. TEAN was so great the whole time though and answered all the questions I had so quickly that it helped to calm my nerves.

From the second I met up with other TEAN kids in the LAX airport I had completely forgotten all of my paranoia. Everyone in the program was amazing and the pre-semester trip to Fiji was definitely a great way to ease into the study abroad experience.

Once I got settled in Auckland things only got better. I loved my residence (Parnell Student Village) and everything about New Zealand. Before going to Auckland nature and I were not the closest friends but there's something about New Zealand that changes you. I got into camping, hiking and even went skydiving!

Auckland itself is not the coolest city but the location definitely makes up for it. Where else can you see the sunrise on the east coast and then watch it set on the west in the same day? Plus, it's really easy to see all of the North Island from its location. Not to mention that Waiheke Island is only a short ferry ride away where you can lounge on the beach and wine taste all day.

University of Auckland was about as different from the seminar style of my college as it could get. The classes were big but all my lecturers were smart and definitely entertaining. While I definitely learned a little I wasn't challenged. I also was taking 100 and 200 level courses and my grades were pass/fail though so if you're looking for great academics just take 300 or grad courses.

I fully recommend studying abroad through TEAN. They are very hands-on and provide their students with more benefits/excursions than any other program I've heard of. And my time in NZ was definitely the best six months of my life!