TEAN: Study Abroad in Gold Coast, Australia

Studing abroad at Griffith University was the greatest decision of my entire life. Going through the TEAN organization was a blessing. TEAN is the way to do it, they offer immediate friends, support, and guidance. Without the TEAN program and the staff, my experience would have been lessened. I cannot express how incredible this experience was and I cannot recommend the TEAN program enough.

The Gold Coast of Australia is such a beautiful place. The community is very welcoming and the city is great for new cultural activities. It is also close to Sydney and Melbourne if you're interested in a quick weekend there!

Studying abroad with TEAN was just as life changing as they talk about during orientation. Obviously moving across the world with no one you know can be intimidating, however not once did I feel alone. They do an amazing job at introducing you to the new culture and world while also providing an environment to build friendships and a new sense of adventure. When talking about my experience abroad the best word to describe it was surreal. There was so much to see and do, yet that only enhanced my confidence in travel and independence.

I absolutely LOVED my TEAN experience studying abroad at Bond University in Gold Coast, Australia!!! The trip started out with an amazing TEAN orientation the week prior to the start of classes where I got to SCUBA dive on the Great Barrier Reef, skydive, and hold a koala bear at a wildlife sanctuary! Bond University’s campus is in the perfect location to take advantage of all that the Gold Coast has to offer! A number of famous Australian beaches, a huge shopping center, and tons of cultural restaurants were just a bus ride away! Whether or not you decide to plan any extra trips to other parts of Australia or other countries, you will find that there is so much to do near the Gold Coast alone! The natural landscape is so stunning and lush that you will want to be a part of it - there is ample opportunity to take surfing lessons, go on long hikes, visit breathtaking waterfalls, or just grab a book to read on the beach! An excursion to Sydney is a must! While there, I visited the world famous Sydney Opera House and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Just a short bus ride over to the beach, I spent a day over at Bondi Beach, where the Bondi Icebergs Pool is located. Allegedly the most photographed pool in the world, the Bondi Iceberg Pool, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean, is an unbelievable sight. With the ocean waves splashing over into the pool, my swim in this pool was a highlight of my trip that I wish everyone could experience. All of these experiences could not have been possible without TEAN. My TEAN leaders were so welcoming and personable and were available throughout the semester if we needed help or just wanted to chat. I found the TEAN weekly Coffee Chats, optional field trips, and the variety of other activities to be impressive. While adapting to a new culture and environment, it was comforting to know that they were just a text or call away and were available to address any of my questions or needs. I made so many friends from all over the world and learned so much both inside and outside the classroom. TEAN knew exactly how to set my classmates and me up for success in Australia - I could not recommend an experience more!

My time abroad with TEAN at Griffith University in the Gold Coast, Australia was most likely the most fun and pivotal experience in my life thus far. This program allowed me to travel to and live in Australia, a country filled with culture, beautiful scenery, famous landmarks, and plenty of nature. TEAN allowed me to fulfill my lifelong passion of traveling the world while still working toward my education as well. TEAN’s support during the planning, moving, and living stages of my time abroad was also a great resource that contributed to the quality of my time down under. They had great staff always willing to help solve a problem and give recommendations for traveling. They also held great events including our program to help us meet our fellow travellers and get immersed in the Australian continent and culture. This program showed me how important it is to take steps out of your comfort zones and to follow your dreams and goals, even if working toward them may seem daunting at first. Overall, I fulfilled my passion for traveling, learning about new cultures, meeting new people, and continuing my education while abroad with TEAN. I will never forget the experiences I had and the memories I made during this trip.

Going to the Gold Coast in Australia was the best experience of my life. I had so much fun and met so many new people. I especially loved being able to experience the nature and beauty of the Great Barrier Reef the very first week I arrived. Seeing all of the animals native to the country is something I will never forget. Gold Coast is the perfect location because of its many beaches and superior schooling. It also has a vibrant nightlife. I had the best time every living on the Gold Coast. If you have the ability to study here, do it!

Thank you TEAN for giving me the experience of a lifetime! Four months after my study abroad I still think about Australia every single day. I dream about my daily beach walks and swimming in the aqua waters. Pretend that my drip coffee is as good as their lattes and make my own smashed avocado toast and wonder what they do different. I text my abroad friends daily and we reminisce on the good ole days. Somehow all the trips, beach days, classes, and movie nights in the apartment helped me develop into a more independent and open-minded person. None of this would’ve been possible without TEAN. They made helped every step of the way starting with helping find us deals on flights, organizing an orientation where we spent a couple days meeting everyone in the program, setting up the best housing, and even having fun events throughout the semester before helping us get back home. I have struggled to find a critique for TEAN but my only complaint is that I am graduating and can’t do it again!

I couldn't imagine going abroad with any other program. Through every step of the way, TEAN made my experience the best it could possibly be. They were so helpful with travel planning and packing advice which made me feel very prepared to go half way around the world. They gave me the opportunity to experience things that I would have never had the opportunity to do if I didn't go abroad. Thanks to TEAN, I made friends that I will have for the rest of my life. I went to Australia not knowing anyone ahead of time but thanks to TEANs orientation at the start of my semester, I was able to meet people and make life long friends. I never felt that I was completely alone and I credit that all to TEAN. They are the absolute best and I can't recommend them enough!

Going abroad with TEAN for the semester was one of the best decisions that I made throughout my time in college! The process was really easy and their highly communicative team works with you every step of the way. They were organized and detailed, and made me feel comfortable and confident throughout the whole application process. Upon arriving abroad, they have an orientation program that will help you get accustomed to the culture, meet new friends, and learn everything you need to know about being abroad. Throughout the semester, there are several fun events to hang out with other students and check in with people from the program if you have any concerns. It was a great way to be independent, but still have people looking out for you if you need any help. Being on the Gold Coast was incredible because of the beautiful setting, the perfect balance of city and nature, and the close proximity to an airport for any other travel. Additionally, TEAN provided so many new opportunities such as going to an AFL game, taking surfing lessons, diving on the great barrier reef, and so much more. I would recommend everyone spent time on the Gold Coast with TEAN.