TEAN: Study Abroad in Gold Coast, Australia

The Education Abroad Network did nothing short of making my time abroad the best it could possibly be. Within my time there they offered trips to Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne, Thailand, and New Zealand while I had the opportunity of living in the Gold Coast. They made it possible and easy to visit the places you wanted to see in your new country as well as help you get to know the new town we lived in. The housing they provided had easy access to the beach, transportation to nearby towns and uni, grocery stores, restaurants and bars, and anything else you could need! I learned so much about myself from studying abroad, it gave me chances to become independent and push my comfort zone to new levels. TEAN easily helped me accomplish all my goals of living in a new country and I would go back in a heartbeat. I highly recommend it to any student looking to study abroad!

Australia has always been on my bucket list since I first saw the movie Crocodile Dundee and it did not disappoint. When I arrived in Syndey on the orientation I fell in love with Australia. Greeted by the amazing and friendly staff of TEAN made it that much better. While we were in Sydney the TEAN staff created a treasure hunt all over the city of Sydney. After that one day, I knew Sydney like the back of my hand! Over the course of the semester, I got to experience so many places with such great people. I went to the Whitsunday Islands, a couple of beautiful rainforests, ST. Douglas and Bali. It is an experience I think that everyone should have a taste of if they can! If you want to study abroad explore traveling with TEAN!

When I arrived to the Gold Coast, I could not believe that the beach was my front yard. Getting around the city is very easy due to the newly constructed light rail. It was especially helpful that the last stop was Griffith University, where I was going to be studying for the semester. The people on the Gold Coast are so friendly and will not hesitate to help you out if you need directions or just want to chat! During my time in Australia, I traveled to Sydney, Cairns, Byron Bay, the Whitsundays, Thailand and Singapore. It is an experience I think that everyone should have a taste of if they can! I can honestly say it is life changing and has changed my outlook on what I want to do with my life.

From start to finish, TEAN had made itself very accessible for any questions. Both in country and before the semester, they made sure all needs were met. My housing was unreal, high above what I expected. The city of Gold Coast was incredible to live in for a semester. I was able to take all courses that I had wanted to, as well as become involved in the university as a whole. The excursions, both within my city, and all over the country, encompassed so much of the Australian culture, that I felt I had gained so much from each trip I went on. Highly recommend to anyone studying in the south pacific region!

Australia was a wonderful experience. I expected to go to Australia to see beautiful places of the world, not to learn so much about myself... And I did. It's an adventure you have to go on. Why did I pick Australia? I mean, everyone goes to Europe to study abroad, right? Well- I figure I will get to Europe sometime in my life... But to spend time on the beach, to have the opportunity to go to the Great Ocean Road, the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback, tropical rain forests with unique and beautiful creatures, cuddle a koala and lounge around with kangaroos, to have the chance to visit other diverse countries like Fiji, New Zealand, Thailand, Bali.... I would regret my decision every day if I hadn't done it. It took so much courage to get through bouts of homesickness, but it sure wasn't hard if I went to any of those beautiful places I listed and realized how unique of a place I was in. I loved going in the Fall because the weather just got warmer every single day, which made it nice to go to the pool or walk by the lake after class every day. TEAN made this experience as wonderful as it was and I can only hope that future students see what a wonderful program they would be entering in.

Saying I found my study abroad experience to be very rewarding and valuable would be an understatement. Studying abroad and having the opportunity to live and learn in a new country was an experience that I will never forget; I made friends and memories that I will cherish for the remainder of my life and enjoyed traveling meeting new people, and embracing the adventure that each day brought. Academically, Bond Uni required a great deal of school effort which was initially challenging but the classes I enrolled in there were some of the most rewarding of my life. Classes were definitely not "a walk in the park" as often expressed by study abroad students. On a side note, it is quite difficult to focus on class when your backyard contains beautiful, endless beaches and sunny weather! My classes brought new perspectives and insight and I believe enhanced what I learned and studied at my home university. I chose The Education Abroad Network, commonly known as TEAN, program for their outstanding reputation that they hold and their connection with Bond University. Choosing TEAN as a program was one of the best choices I have ever made and I have the utmost gratitude for my study abroad experience and have nothing but fond words to say about my experience in Australia and with TEAN; I believe that their services and expertise in all areas are unparalleled. The company is very organized, always accessible, and, what I found to be the most valuable, is the sincere interest they take in their students. They created trips throughout the semester, had the best living accommodation options, a week orientation, and free coffee "breaks" and cultural events that never felt boring or like they cut corners. Everything they did was of value and of high quality. The TEAN staff did a wonderful job preparing us students culturally, academically, socially etc. about what were to expect in Australia in a fun and efficient manner especially during orientation and the pre semester trip to Fiji. I believe every company should adapt their approach of finding a great balance between business and fun. By studying abroad, I believe I have received a holistic education with a diverse range of approaches, settings, and dynamics. Throughout my experience I am confident that studying abroad in Australia has allowed me to grow both academically and personally. I am forever grateful for the experience I have had and I have TEAN to thank.

Studying abroad at Bond University through TEAN was an experience that nothing else can compare to. Before the semester even began, TEAN provided the opportunity for us to go on a pre-excursion to Fiji. Going to Fiji was such a unique experience that I would have never had to chance to go to had it not been for TEAN. Also, TEAN planned so many fun activities for our orientation in Sydney like climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge and going on a night cruise in the harbor. Bond University has such a beautiful campus that is a quick bus ride away from the beach. I spent four months laying out on the beach, eating great food, and learning a new and amazing culture!

I never knew one decision could change my life so much. Choosing to study abroad in Gold Coast at Griffith University with The Education Abroad Network not only changed my outlook on my country but how I saw myself and my future. I was able to learn how other countries view the United States and experience not only Australian culture but learn the history of the country too. I was able to travel to multiple cities thanks to TEAN and always felt like I had a friendly face in case of need thanks to my city advisor. If you are considering going abroad, do it. You will be amazed just how much a few months can change your outlook!