TEAN: Study Abroad in Brisbane, Australia

Australia is simply incredible. I had a very memorable 5 months of my college career abroad in Brisbane. The country is breathtaking, the city is lively with endless opportunities for entertainment, and the people are very friendly and laid back. I loved Brisbane in particular; the city is not overwhelming, there is a man-made beach near the center of the city, and the architecture of buildings is modern and attractive. There was a street lined with all different international cuisine about 5 minutes away from my student housing. You can head to the beaches on the Gold Coast just by hopping on the train as well. Or you can explore the central business district and check out the shopping mall and street music. Overall, I felt at home here!

The University of Queensland is beautiful and there are endless places to study on campus or stroll through. My classes were challenging but my professors and tutors were very supportive and helpful. I am glad I chose UQ as it's great reputation holds true!

Most importantly, TEAN helped shape my amazing experience; they are passionate about helping you have the best time abroad and are very knowledgable. TEAN organized the best orientation in Cairns where we went scuba diving and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef! My RA (from TEAN) also set up fun cultural events throughout the semester to help us integrate to Aussie life. We enjoyed a Brisbane Broncos rugby game and a crocodile show at the famous Steve Irwin Zoo. I always felt like I could reach out to TEAN for travel tips or help in general with school and my living arrangements if I needed to. TEAN helped me learn the more hidden parts of Australian culture and I felt like a local at times as a result!

I always knew I wanted to study abroad in Australia, and it was an easy decision to do it with TEAN. I had the time of my life abroad! Brisbane is an absolutely beautiful city with wonderful appeal of both a small town and a big city, with features fit for anybody's taste. I would love to return someday to Australia and I'm so glad that TEAN was the program that introduced me to the country. TEAN created a large circle of support for me in my academics and my personal and mental health while abroad, which was a necessity because even though studying abroad is fun, you sometimes need assistance. I wouldn't have wanted to spend my time abroad with any other program and highly recommend the experience.

Studying abroad was the best decision I ever made! Brisbane has so much to do! I loved going to the city and sampling the different types of food( especially sushi) and walking around the shops! I also loved Brisbane because you could easily head out to the Sunshine Coast (hello, Steve Irwin zoo) or the beautiful Gold Coast. TEAN made my semester even more amazing my taking us to a Rugby game and the Steve Irwin zoo! I loved every minute I spent in Australia and I can't wait to go back one day!

Studying abroad at the University of Queensland with The Education Abroad Network is the best choice I made. TEAN set us up with housing which was right across from UQ's campus. The walk to class, bus, and ferry stop were all about 8-10 minutes away. My everyday life consisted of going to classes during the week and getting all of my homework done so that I was free on the weekends to hang out with new friends in the city of Brisbane or traveling around Australia.
TEAN also had excursions, cultural immersion trips (AFL game, lawn bowling, and coffee breaks), and was always there if anything was needed! UQ offered us great clubs that allowed us to meet Australians and other International students. They carried on events such as traveling the East Coast, pub crawl, and different events throughout the week. Overall I was very happy with my study abroad experience!

Going to Australia has probably been one of the best experiences of my life. From learning a new culture firsthand; understanding science, nutrition, and government policy with an Australian perspective; and learning the high's and low's of becoming a certified barista, I never in my life thought I would have this knowledge of a country and lifestyle on the other side of the world. I made friends there, international friends from Italy and Asia, and even Americans who live close to me (and one who even goes to my school!) Being in Australia also gave me an insight about what makes America so unique and special, as well as solutions to some of the problems we have here because of the insight from outsiders. Saying this trip was worthwhile would be an understatement.

I knew I wanted to study abroad in Australia but was SO overwhelmed by all of my options! The Education Abroad Network really helped me narrow down my options and plan out everything I needed before I left. They were incredibly helpful with everything from getting my visa to finding housing. Brisbane was the perfect city for me. I loved it because it was a big city with a small town feel. There was always an adventure to go on, day or night! Overall, Brisbane is a great location in relation to everywhere else in Australia. There were so many opportunities to take weekend trips to the coast or to one of the many nearby islands. Within Brisbane, I fell in love with South Bank and West End. I couldn't get over how many cool little cafes and local restaurants you would find just wandering around. Overall, I would 100% recommend studying in Brisbane through TEAN. It was the most amazing experience of my life hands down!

TEAN is an incredible education abroad program. They helped make sure that everything was in order from start to finish. They aid in the academic application process, flight scheduling and housing accommodations. I lived in the city of Brisbane in an incredible apartment with a balcony overlooking the Brisbane River into South Bank. TEAN also provides an exhilarating five day orientation. My day to day in Brisbane was always a mystery, ranging from taking a ferry to school, hitting up the markets in South Bank, enjoying the nightlife in Fortitude Valley, or taking quick train trips to the Sunshine and Gold coasts. I can't think of a better way to study abroad!

Studying abroad was such a memorable experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat! I learned about people from all over the world and how their lives differ from mine in the United States. Studying and living abroad opened my eyes to various world issues and made me a much more independent and confident person. Nothing around me was familiar, so I had to be more aware of what was going on around me. I got the hang of Aussie life quickly, met friends, and figured out the best ways to get around the city. This experience was absolutely worthwhile and I encourage everyone to study abroad!