Study Abroad in Shanghai, China with WorldStrides

From the moment that I applied to the minute I stepped foot of the plane in Shanghai TEAN had always been there to support me with any questions or concerns that I may have had pre-departure. Since I didn't live close to an Embassy they helped me with applying for my China Visa before I left. The on-staff team is always there for you, from the program director to the local students that you may live with if you choose to live off campus whether it be help enrolling into a class or advice on where to go in Shanghai. During our time we were given a lot of cultural immersion opportunities provided through the program free of charge such as a trip to Chengdu and Beijing and various local experiences within the city. Throughout my time I was able to gain a true insight into how it is like to be a student in China. I was able to make a lot of lifetime friends because of this program and I wish I could go back and start over again!

Studying abroad with TEAN was the best decision I've ever made. Studying abroad in Shanghai was my first time studying abroad, I have traveled around but not for more than a week or two so living there, I had a lot or worries at the beginning. From the entire application process, I probably emailed 100 times just to ease my stress and TEAN was amazing at responding to emails and making sure I had all the information I needed and more. Once I got to shanghai, I had an amazing time. TEAN orientation was great at really letting us students bond before classes started. I love my shanghai group, everyone was absolutely amazing and they became some of my best friends. Shanghai is amazing for everything you could think of. There are older parts if you like history, there are bars and clubs if you like nightlife, there are cafes and restaurants for every type of food and dessert you could want (even vegan/vegetarian/halal)! TEAN takes you on amazing excursions to different places in China and allowed me the opportunity to do things I never would've thought have. 10/10 you should go, and trust TEAN will take care of anything you could possibly need. They are amazing resources and friends.

It was absolutely worthwhile: I was able to gain a new perspective on various subjects thanks to my peers and professors at Fudan University and experience what it's like to study, work, and live in Shanghai. I fell in love with this city and I don't think I could have picked a better program to go there with.

TEAN was without a doubt the best option when choosing a study abroad program. Going to a foreign place can be scary, especially when you don't know anyone and don't speak the language. TEAN held a predeparture video conference as well as maintained regular email contact and answered all questions I had, no matter how trivial they might have been. I felt confident going into the program, something that wouldn't have happened necessarily without TEAN's help. On this trip, I was fully immersed into Chinese culture, and I even got to do experiences like go see an acrobatics show, ride a river cruise, learn how to make dumplings, and visit the tea fields! I also made friends from all over the world that I still keep in touch with to this day. What a rewarding experience!!

I always knew I wanted to study abroad for a full semester in college and TEAN made the experience as incredible as possible. Right from the beginning of my search process, I reached out to TEAN asking questions and trying to get a feel for the program. They immediately made me feel as though I was choosing the right program because of the quick communication and ease of the application process. While in Shanghai, we had a weeklong orientation in Shanghai that was chock full of excursions and activities to get us settled in China (SIM cards, metro passes, local registration, etc). As for the academics, we were given clear pathways for getting used to our new university and classes that made it such a seamless transition. The TEAN apartment that I lived in for the semester was incredible! I loved being able to live in an apartment that was part of an actual Chinese community so I could fully integrate with the community. Furthermore, the apartment put me smack in the middle of incredible shops and restaurants that I was trying out all the time. Studying abroad can be a stressful process, but TEAN made it so easy for me to enjoy myself and get the most out of this unique cultural experience. If you choose to study abroad with TEAN, you will not regret it!

TEAN made the study abroad process as easy and painless as possible. The staff was very patient and helpful with any questions and concerns I had before leaving. I had nothing but good interactions with everyone in TEAN. They made sure we settled into our host country by taking us to get a SIM card, bank account, class registration and even an internship if you wanted one. Orientation before school was a lot of fun and gives you the chance to make friends right at the beginning of the semester. The friends I made and the experiences I had in Shanghai were amazing and I wouldn't trade it for anything. TEAN's housing was unreal and I will probably never live in such prime real estate again. There were plenty of restaurants and cafes around the apartment making it convenient to hang out with friends and study after school. It was also pretty close to a metro station which made it easy to get around the city. While I was in China, I traveled with TEAN to Beijing and Chengdu. Both trips were expertly planned, and we were able to see most of the cities in a weekend. While we were in Beijing, we went on a sunrise hike on the Great Wall and explored the art district in the city. The hike was one of my favorite highlights of the semester and was a once in a lifetime experience. If you have the chance to go abroad, go with TEAN. 10/10 would recommend.

This summer, I interned in Shanghai through The Education Abroad Network (TEAN). I am never one to write reviews, but my experience was so life changing that I really wanted to share it! Due to engineering having a strict curriculum sheet with little flexibility for transfer credits, I was worried I’d never get to study abroad. When I went to the career fair and met with a TEAN representative, they offered me a unique solution. Since I knew my major would be difficult to get the appropriate transfer credits for, they recommended that I do their summer internship abroad program. Since internships are critical for gaining the practical experience needed for a job, and since I’ve always wanted to be part of an abroad program, this was the perfect fit for me! When you apply to internships through TEAN, there is a drop down menu to pick the field you’d like to internship in. I chose Computer Science, and got an internship at a startup blockchain/FinTech company where I felt like I was genuinely contributing and learning every single day. Apart from work, I also got to meet so many students from around the world and explore Shanghai with them! I had so much fun, made so many life-long friends, and even got practical experience along the way. To anyone thinking about studying/interning abroad (especially if you have a major where you can’t take a semester of gen eds), I personally recommend The Education Abroad Network (:

I studied abroad in Shanghai this past spring semester, and I absolutely LOVED IT--it was one of the most valuable and thrilling experiences of my life. Shanghai offers a unique combination of cultural history and rapid modernization. Each day in Shanghai, there was something new to explore; I wish I could spend another semester there! What made the experience truly over the top was deciding to go with The Education Abroad Network. From my first interest email to help choosing classes in Shanghai to showing me around the city to now requesting Fudan University transcripts, TEAN has been there to help me out every step of the way. TEAN, in partnership with UVA, also offers a unique Chinese language program that is limited to students in the program, so classes are only about 5 people. When we went back to our apartment, we could practice what we’d learned with our local Chinese roommate. We lived in an incredible TEAN apartment that was perfectly located between Fudan University and the metro station, which connected us to the rest of Shanghai. Some of my favorite memories, including hiking the Great Wall at sunrise and eating famous spicy hotpot in Chengdu, were thanks to the TEAN organized trips. Going abroad, especially to China, can be a little nerve-wracking, but TEAN staff made me feel prepared and supported throughout the whole process. Living in Shanghai challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and explore somewhere new. I had the opportunity to study at one of the top universities in China, practice my Mandarin on a daily basis, immerse myself in a completely different culture, and develop friendships with people from all around the world. However, transitioning to a new place does not come without its challenges, which is why I am so grateful to have gone abroad with TEAN, whose staff was there to help me every step of the way. During my time abroad, Shanghai truly became my home and the TEAN students and staff became my family.

The day before my flight to Shanghai was nerve wracking and exciting; I was thrilled to experience a new culture and take on new adventures in a country that I was interested in since freshman year of college. I have always wanted to go to China. Weeks before my departure got me super thrilled due to the thought of improving my speaking skills and sightseeing. TEAN has relieved my tension through its thorough preparation and informative Orientation. I loved living in China for one semester where I made new friends and changed my perspective. Orientation Week was my favorite because I tried different Chinese foods and saw tourist attractions such as the YuYuan Garden and The Bund. My favorite meal was the revolving buffet at the top of the Pearl Tower; I tried my first cocktail! Not only has TEAN arranged a comfortable and exciting environment for all the study abroad students, but it also enabled me to rely on someone if I had any difficulties. Medusa and Lily were always available if I needed any assistance. Also, I made lots of new friends with the other students from TEAN as well as Fudan students. They have strengthened my Chinese speaking skills and have given me insights in local areas that are not known to tourists. My Chinese roommates were the best! I deeply miss all the fun times I've had in Shanghai and I can't wait to go back there soon!

My abroad experience was incredible I had an unforgettable experience. At first, I was really hesitant to join in different activities and talk to strangers. But the staff member working for ISA really helped me come out of my shell and join in. Once I started to become more a part of my group I was able to try things I never would've had before. After my study abroad experience I feel that I am so much more open to trying new things as well as being involved in my community.

I studied abroad with international studies abroad twice . Once for study abroad and again for an internship , both were in China . I cannot say enough about my experiences. I improved my Chinese language skills immensely while also being immersed in the Chinese culture. Along the way I made life long friends I would recommend ISA to anyone interested in studying abroad they were so helpful every step of the way.

My time in Shanghai with TEAN was amazing! I was beyond thrilled to be studying abroad in Shanghai, and the overall experience is one that I will never forget. I loved the classes I took and being able to have such a large and overwhelming city at my fingertips! Shanghai has so much to offer, and I feel that I need to go back sometime soon because I miss it terribly. The courses were really interesting, and the people that I got to know through TEAN were great, and I still keep in contact with them. I have no regrets regarding my choice to go to Fudan with TEAN, and I feel obliged to continue to tell people that TEAN is one of the best study abroad companies around!

Going abroad with TEAN was a decision that I will never regret in my entire life. It was the first time that I had studied abroad and I cannot imagine going abroad because of the type of experience they helped me discover. Shanghai is a special place that I now hold very near and dear to my heart even if I was only there for a short amount of time. I made friendships from around the world that I know will last a lifetime. Seeing everything in person rather than in photographs such as the Bundt, the Pearl Tower, Yu Garden, and Shanghai Disney was so surreal and I still sometimes cannot believe that I actually went there. Lastly, Fudan University deserves all the praise it has been receiving as a place for higher education. It pushed me to work better in groups, work outside my comfort zone, and to think outside the box. If these are the kind of experiences that you are looking for in a study abroad experience then TEAN is the program for you!

My experience with TEAN in Shanghai is beyond word. It was the best decision I have made and it was the best summer I have had. Shanghai is a mega metropolis, it is 8 times bigger then New York City. The fun and opportunity to learn and grow in Shanghai is endless. I left Shanghai richer in knowledge and wiser. I made lifelong friends from around the world and built so many connections that I cannot count it all. With 13 other TEAN students, we bonded and grew up together only within a month. We became family, we traveled together, climbed the Great Wall of China, ate local food (which we were told not to), tried every excursion that were available for us. The staffs were purely amazing, friendly, and helpful. Not only they were there to help me with everything (from using the washer to extending my visa), they showed me Shanghai and became my friends as well. I have learned so much about myself, the culture, and most importantly, I have developed strong communication and survival skills. This was my first time in China and not knowing the language was terrifying at first for me; however, TEAN made everything so much smoother and I blended right in. Fudan University is a great university. The facility is beautiful and very secured. All classes besides the language ones are taught in English, the teachers are very nice and understanding. Although the courses can be a bit intensive, it is worthwhile. The best thing is if you’re there to learn the language, you’re not only learning in class but everywhere you go. You get to practice and apply what you learned immediately which is very effective. The moment my taxi headed to Pudong Airport, I already miss Fudan’s beautiful campus, my friends, and all of the delicious, cheap food that can only be found in Shanghai. I could go all day about how amazing this trip was but it’s always better to feel it yourself. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! I highly recommend this program to everyone, it truly changed my life and I know for sure it will change yours too.

I love my time in Shanghai with The Education Abroad Network so much! I had such a hard time leaving. Shanghai is a mega metropolis with so much to do. During our orientation with TEAN we saw a lot of sights and got adapted to use the metro and start using our language skills, so that when the semester at Fudan University began, we had been able to gather some experiences with the Chinese culture. We were able to take a broader range of courses ranging from finances all the way to history. For our Mandarin courses, we had teachers privately hired for the TEAN students, so that our classes were only four or five students strong. An hour a day, we practiced speaking and listening to Chinese, which made the class very applicable for every day use in Shanghai. Most of the TEAN members in my semester lived off campus, in western style housing which were very comfortable and very modern. Through living together we became very close friends. We explored Shanghai together, did homework together, went out at night and tried many different Chinese cuisines and restaurants together. Our favorites are North- Easter Chinese food, especially cabbage and cauliflower. Maps doufu, a sichuan style dish, was among our favorites as well as Chinese hotpot. As a group we also grew closer during our excursions to Inner Mongolia and Beijing. These two weekend trips with TEAN were especially fun. I already miss strolling around Fudan's beautiful campus with my friends, taking classes together and finding street food on campus. I was also very glad for the guidance TEAN gave us. We had an easy time registering with the police, signing up for classes and communicating with our landlord thanks to the residence director, who was a Chinese native, and the assistant resident director who was an American. I am glad I went with TEAN to Shanghai for my very first time in China and I would do it all again with a hesitation. Thanks - TEAN!

As a returning student and traveler to Shanghai, China I can only reflect back on so many highlights of my trip. From traveling to attractions such as the great wall to just exploring the community where a resided in the Yangpu district. It was eye opening to see so many different features of life in person such as the architecture, culture, geography and lifestyle. At first I was a bit apprehensive about how my experience would unfold because of the my uncertainty of how I would adjust to notable things like the language and customs. Then after awhile, I grew more comfortable and confident being out on my own because I started to become really familiar with my surroundings and agenda. Fudan, was a great university to attend especially because it was very laid-back. Being a international I feel like one worry we share going into a traveling experience is the depth of the education we'll receive abroad. Fudan provided a huge amount of resources but it was interesting to explore a whole school database written in another language. I can't stress enough how much TEAN has contributed to my experience with the inclusions and 360 degree support from start to finish. Highly recommend choosing to travel with them.

Choosing TEAN as my program provider for my semester abroad was the best decision I made. From the start of my application process through the end of my semester, I received help with everything I needed. Academics: Due to my major, I took a lot of businesses classes and one beginner Chinese class to help me immerse myself within the culture. I had classes with many students from across the globe! The classes weren't too hard or too easy. You should be fine as long as you study and take notes. I was able to read signs in Pinyin and improve my language skills because of what I learned in my chinese class. Housing: I lived in an off-campus apartment five minutes away from Fudan. I found the location perfect because It was close enough to school and still in the center of the social scene. There were many restaurants and bars on the street I lived on and a metro stop nearby if I wanted to go to other parts of the city. There was a Wal-mart conveniently located nearby. They also deliver your groceries. There are also many gyms located around the area. The street food is delicious! Many street foods by Fudan and the apartments. Staff: The on-site resident director helped us with everything we needed. Responded to our questions in less than 24 hours! You don't realize how beneficial this is until you need help. Social: There is ALWAYS something to do in Shanghai! You'd have to try really hard to be bored. www.smartshanghai.com is a great site to find things to do.

TEAN provided the best accomadations and cultural immersion. My classes were a range of business classes and one Chinese language class. The classes are not too hard or too easy. My classmates were from around the world. My Chinese language class was super fun and there was a total of 12 of us. We got a lot of our questions answered. The staff was always there whenever I needed help. My questions were answered in less than 24 hours. I lived in an off campus apartment that was only a 10 minute walk to Fudan. We got to go to ride camels in Mongolia and see the sunrise at the great wall. I made local Chinese friends and international friends from all over the world! I would definitely choose TEAN again!

My most memorable experience during my semester abroad is visiting my birthplace, Hong Kong for the first time in my whole entire life. I remember my first night there, I was in disbelief. I arrived at my hostel around midnight but I was so restless I just wanted it to be morning time already so I can wander around. I felt most comfortable with TEAN. They handle everything from start to end. They even include a few group excursions to enhance the experience for those who are not as comfortable going off on their own. I lived in an apartment that was located 5 minutes walking distance to the university. I lived with other students from america who also went through TEAN, and a local Chinese roommate.

This was hands down the best decision I've ever made. Deciding to pack up and move to a different country for 6 months is scary! TEAN helped me through the whole process of applying, all the way up to when I landed back home in the U.S. I've seen so much and learned so much during my time abroad. I miss it dearly :(