The Education Abroad Network

The Education Abroad Network is an awesome company to go with and I could not have chosen a better one even after 6 months back in the states. TEAN offers so many opportunities while in Australia that there is no reason that you would run out of activities! The pre-semester trip was one of my favorite experiences. I went on the East Coast trip to Cains and Byron Bay and made so many friends and memories in 9 days. I was able to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef, white water raft in Cains and learned how to surf in Byron Bay. The friendships that you make on these pre-semester trips are unexplainable, as many of them become your best friends over the course of the semester. They become your travel companions and your exploration buddies! TEAN makes it so easy to sign up for these trips and they genuinely want you to have the time of your life!! There are so many activities planned for you and it's a great opportunity to explore multiple places in a short period of time for a great deal!!!! You will not find a company that cares more about your experience in Australia!! These are some definite things you need to do while in Australia: Go to an opera at the Sydney Opera House Go hiking for a day in the Blue Mountains Spend a day at the Rocks Market Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge A day wandering around The Strand Arcade The Sydney Tower A weekend trip to Melbourne!!!

This program was amazing! I learned so much about the region and it's rich culture! It was well worth the money, especially since it was cheaper than a semester at my home institution (Marymount Manhattan College). The classes we took included language, history, politics, and gender and development. All were helpful in understanding the people and the culture. TEAN did a great job of ensuring our safety, which wasn't that hard since both countries were just as safe, if not safer than home. TEAN also planned some amazing excursions within the curriculum that allowed us to see and do as much as possible. I definitely recommend doing both countries, because it's nice to see how diverse and dynamic south east Asia is.

I studied abroad in Thailand and Cambodia for a semester and it was by far the best experience I've ever had. I was able to study in two countries and compare the two through classes and being fully immersed in both cultures. The academics were great and we were able to participate in several village homestays where we were able to see more cultural aspects that have been relatively untouched by western influences. This is the perfect program for students who are looking for something out of the ordinary, new experiences, and a life changing experience.

I went to Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia-Fall 2010 TEAN was extremely helpful throughout my whole process. From the beginning, there was always someone there to answer any questions my parents or I had. They never made us feel like we were asking too many questions or the wrong questions which was very important to me. Even at my study abroad fair at my home campus the representative was very helpful and helped me choose the best school for me. The whole staff always went above and beyond anything that I expected. They made the experience a much more personal one which I think is important. The orientation in Sydney was awesome! The whole staff was so friendly and helpful while we were there and there were always fun things planned each day, not to mention the amazing hotel we stayed in! I then went on the pre-semester trip to Cairns which was so much fun. I definitely recommend going on it because you get much closer with a smaller group of people. I became really good friends with people that went to all different schools around Australia which was fun because we would have them visit us or we would visit them throughout the semester. The housing was amazing in Broadbeach! It was a block away from the beach, and close to all the stores, bars, and restaurants. Also, while we were studying at our respective schools we had a resident director that stayed in close contact with us the whole time. This was very nice because whenever we had a question or something, we knew we could always go to him/her. My resident director would set up fun things for us to do together every couple of weeks, which was nice. I definitely recommend Study Australia and I am so happy I decided to go with this program. It really made my study abroad experience a smooth and enjoyable one. I already wish I could go back!

When I set out to find the perfect study abroad program, I had no idea that I would end up in Chiang Mai Thailand. I found The Education Abroad Network through my Study Abroad office and fell in love with the program. Five months in the cultural capital of Thailand, a Thai-orientation in Bangkok before classes start, three week-long excursions to the villages and ancient kingdoms of Thailand, all for half the price of any program in Europe! From application to my first international flight landing in Bangkok, I was guided every step of the way by the lovely staff of the Education Abroad Network who became family to us. Although Thailand was my first time out of the US, I am convinced it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world! The mountainous landscape, beaches, and remote villages were breathtaking. Our classes greatly enhanced our experience in such a foreign country and helped us understand the culture on a deeper level. I was anxious about taking a Thai language class, but it turned out to be one of the funest classes! We were able to communicate with locals and order our own food. When we weren’t in class we were exploring waterfalls, temples, and markets in the “Old City” with our Thai roommates and friends from all over the world. Chiang Mai is rich in culture and the people are so beautiful and welcoming. The local Education Abroad Network staff became our Thai family that took us on trips and volunteering at orphanages and teaching English at Monk schools. Having such a supportive staff with the Education Abroad Network comforted both my parents and I. Education Abroad Network is an amazing program, weather your looking to study in Asia or like me never imagined it! Also, Spring semester is when Songkran, the Thai New Year is held. Be there!

Before I getting to Shanghai I had no idea what I was getting into- I just knew that I wanted to experience something away from my campus. TEAN did a really amazing job for us while we were there- the orientation was fantastic, and they really took care of us once we got to Shanghai. My 6 months in Shanghai have really been one of the best times of my life- and I really don't think that it could have been so good without TEAN. The orientation in Beijing was such a blast- we saw the sunrise and sunset on the Great Wall and saw all the great sites of Beijing. TEAN made it effortless and easy for us to explore Shanghai and its culture in the way that TEAN took care of all the administrative details for us. Our housing in Shanghai was absolutely beautiful, and I miss living in the apartments. Every encounter with a TEAN member was a positive one, and everyone was very willing and happy to answer all our questions and make our transitions as smooth as possible. We were able to touch base with our resident director at least monthly, over dinner or a get together. And our Inner Mongolia trip was fantastic as well- I thought it was awesome that TEAN chose Inner Mongolia to do the trip over the typical trips that come to mind when we think China.

I could not have chosen a better location or program for study abroad! Studying in Thailand allows you to immerse yourself in an entirely new culture. Chiang Mai was a fascinating city and a really fun place to live. I also really enjoyed getting a taste of rural Thai life on our two village homestay trips. My experience would not have been possible without the support of the Education Abroad Network. They were so helpful throughout the application process and pre-departure. In Thailand, we had two fabulous resident directors who were available to us throughout the whole semester whenever we needed help. They went above and beyond, even acting as a translator for me for a research project! I really appreciated the ways in which the Education Abroad Network program helped us integrate with the Thai people. I was placed with a Thai roommate who welcomed me to her culture and customs. I also had the opportunity to volunteer teaching English at an elementary school - one of my favorite experiences abroad. There were also plenty of opportunities to travel during my semester. In addition to the two home stays, our program included a sightseeing trip to the three historical capitals of Thailand. There was also time for independent travel, which is very inexpensive in the region. Overall, I would encourage anyone to study in Thailand, an amazing country, and go through the Education Abroad Network, an extremely supportive agency!

Everyone studies abroad in Australia, New Zealand, Spain, etc. They are cool countries, but they will ALWAYS be there. When it comes to studying abroad, you want to pick somewhere totally different, where you are actually going to get a cultural exchange. While at first I may have had cold feet on the plane having chosen Thailand, a country I knew very little about, it has definitely been the best decision I could have ever made. Thanks to TEAN I was able to emerge myself fully, not feel uncomfortable, and feel entirely welcomed since the very beginning. Pre-Departure, Departure, in Thailand, and back home. With a great orientation in the city of Bangkok to begin my time abroad and then 3 embedded excursion to Villages and Ruins, I most definitely had the time of my life in Thailand. It has definitely changed my life. Thanks to TEAN and Payap University. I've become extremely captivated and engaged in the Asian region, and have decided to add a certificate to my studies on Asian Studies. My Professors were extremely helpful, well educated, and very engaging. My experience was beyond what I expected and has definitely left a footprint in my heart. I would recommend this to absolutely anyone. For pics and stories: http://alandofsmiles.blogspot.com/