Study Abroad in Perth, Australia with WorldStrides

Tropical Marine Biology at Murdoch was a great short-term program. I didn't want to commit to a full semester abroad, so just one month in Australia was perfect! The teaching staff at Murdoch was exceptional, and the 10-day field camp up in Coral Bay was worth the whole trip. It was winter in Australia, so be cautious that you will be in Perth during their rainy season!

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Going to Perth I had no idea what to expect. I went in knowing nobody but ended up with more friends than I could imagine. Before studying TEAN had us meet in Cairns for a week to meet other people in the program. I made friends that went to Murdoch as well and I hung out with them every week; even the ones that went to Sydney became close friends as I saw them throughout the semester. In Perth I was quickly immersed into every day life which I loved. Me and some TEAN friends along with others I had met went on lots of road trips and camping trips all the way from Esperance down south to Karijini waaaaay in the outback. Through TEAN I was able to surf and explore the island right off the coast of the city. As for classes, it was a rough adjustment from school in the US, but my TEAN advisor was very helpful through every step. Although I didn't need to use my health insurance, it was nice to know it was there if needed.

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My New Year’s resolution for myself in 2020 was to get out of my comfort zone. I nicknamed this year “my year of yes”. My one rule? If presented an opportunity, I would say yes. And that is exactly how my year started. Whether it was saying yes to a random spur of the moment road trip with my best friend or deciding to ski one day when I had never touched a pair of skis before in my life, my answer was always going to be a yes. But my favorite ‘yes’ was actually at the end of 2019 when I decided that 2020 would be the year I would go abroad. I remember going straight to my university’s study abroad office the moment I got this idea in my head. I took all the brochures and made a list ranking them in order. After many hours and lots of research I had “narrowed” my list down to Galway, London, and well, all of Australia. So what did I do? I flipped a coin, and what the coin said I did. I spent the first week of February packing up my life into two big suitcases and saying my goodbyes to my friends and family. When the morning of February 10th came I was nervous, yet overwhelmed with excitement. I hugged my dad goodbye at the airport and walked towards my gate with my freshly issued passport in hand. I boarded the plane and waited patiently for the flight to take off while I tried to wrap my head around the fact that in just 53 hours I would be stepping foot into Australia for the first time. From the moment that I landed at the Cairns Airport, my TEAN family was there to make my experience the absolute best that they could. I remember my mentor Melissa waiting at the gate with a sign and as soon as I approached her she treated me like a long lost friend. Once the group had assembled we were shown to the coach bus which would take us to our hotel that we would be staying in for the following week. I sat in the window seat so that I could soak in all the views of my new temporary home. When we arrived at the hotel our TEAN guides did not waste any moments. We were welcomed with a massive buffet of fresh food that was located on the open deck floor of the building where we were able to catch a glimpse of our first Australian sunset. During my time in Cairns I did so much. Through TEAN we were given the opportunity to expand our culinary palettes and try traditional Australian foods like vegemite, kangaroo burgers and alligator ribs. Within the first few days that we spent with our TEAN mentors were given the chance to interact with the Australian wildlife at the zoo, snorkel around the barrier reef, and have a quiet beach day to soak in all the natural beauty around us. When that first adjustment week was up, we all boarded a plane again and headed to our final destinations. In my case, it was Perth, Australia or more specifically the University of Murdoch in Perth, Australia. I lived in the university housing during my time at Murdoch. Our dorm was a spacious 5 bed 2 bath apartment with a kitchen, living room and balcony. I was originally supposed to have 4 other roommates, but due to the Covid19 Pandemic travel bans I only ever met three of them. One girl was an Australian native and the other two girls were study abroad students from Dubai and India. After unpacking I decided to take a walk around the gigantic campus, which is how I met my group of friends. I met one girl from Germany, one girl from Amsterdam and one boy from India. Instantly we all became great friends. The girl from Amsterdam, Kim, did not live on campus. Instead she was residing with a host family. Kim and I became inseparable over the first week and her host family took me under their wing as well. We would have family movie nights with Australian snacks that we had never tried before, picnic dinners on the beach to watch the famous Perth sunsets over the water, and sometimes they would take us to the weekend food truck markets in Fremantle to try more special Australian delicacies. I enrolled in a variety of classes at Murdoch. I took an Australian criminal justice course, an ecotourism course, a psychology course, and a film history course. The ecotourism course was by far my favorite because we were never in the classroom. Instead we were constantly going on field trips to different places to experience ecotourism. The most memorable trip we went on was when we took a trip to Penguin Island. Penguin Island was a small island off the mainland where penguins were taken to help become rehabilitated. We saw tons of penguins around the island, sea lions perched up on the sand banks along the coast, and dolphins swimming alongside our ferry. In between classes students would try to be outside as much as possible. Many would sunbathe in the courtyard, play volleyball or go surfing if they had worn their bathing suits to class. Kim and I often would sit in the big red and black bean bags in the courtyard and do our readings for class together. When we had longer breaks we would grab food from the market and have a picnic on the beach that was only one bus ride away from campus. As more talk of the Covid 19 pandemic whirled around campus, our TEAN mentors checked in on us more and more. A lot of the study abroad students were choosing to go back home to their countries. I was scared of the unknown, but I wanted to experience as much as I could before it was too late. I enrolled in surfing lessons, I planned a day trip to Rottnest Island, and I planned a camping trip to go sandboarding in the outback. Unfortunately the COVID-19 restrictions started to have an effect on Australia faster than I thought. I was able to surf one time and go on my trip to see the Quokkas that lived on Rottnest island. However my trip to the outback never happened. Australia soon imposed domestic travel restrictions between the different states. When talk spread of travel restrictions between countries along with news of what was happening in other countries, there was a lot of worry for the safety of the study abroad students and the issues concerning our travel visas. It was at that time when many study abroad organizations started to pull their programs from the school and send their students home. TEAN held out on pulling their students for as long as they could, which I am truly grateful for, but eventually they had to do what was in the best interest and safety of us students. TEANs emergency evacuation system was seamless. They were in touch with each of us and helped us arrange emergency flights back home, they helped us with any transportation needs, and program/housing refunds to ensure we had the financial resources to get back home. Altogether I was in Australia for about one month before I had to move back to the pandemic dystopian that was my home. I was able to finish all my courses online and stayed in touch with all of my new friends. Even though my time with TEAN was cut short, I am forever grateful to them for the opportunities they had presented me with. Through them I was given opportunities and experiences that I would have never had otherwise. TEAN truly cares about the learning experiences of their students and always puts their students' safety and needs above everything else. And again to them I am ever so grateful.

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In just three weeks, we were able to do and see so much in Australia! From Byron Bay to Sydney to the Blue Mountains to the Daintree Rainforest to Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef (!), every part of the trip was thrilling, and I learned so much about conservation and ecology in Australia. I'll never forget hiking in the Blue Mountains or snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. But we learned about more than just conservation: In Byron Bay, we took a walking tour with an Aboriginal guide and learned about Aboriginal culture and history in Australia. We read about the history of the Australian continent and had a lesson on coral reefs. And the class pushed us outside our comfort zones – I learned how to surf! I arrived nervous about going to a new country without knowing anyone else on the trip, and I left wishing that we'd had more time there!

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I had the experience of a lifetime studying abroad with TEAN in Australia! The staff was so helpful in preparation for the trip, the professors were engaging and really cared about their students, and our field trips helped add to our understanding of the course material. It was so amazing to learn about the different environment and wildlife of Australia in the classroom and then to see it for ourselves out in nature. My favorite part of the trip was learning about the different flora and fauna of the Blue Mountains and then actually hiking and seeing the countryside with my own eyes. I will never forget this experience and all of the friends that I made along the way!

This program was only about 11 students which was perfect for easily getting to know everyone in the group. We had a really close relationship with each other and the professor on the trip because of this. The group size allowed us to do the majority of events together and travel around the cities we stayed in with ease. The course we took was Sports Psychology and we were able to relate the course to the sports we got to see while on the trip which added a lot of value to our learning. The course gave me a look into the psychology behind sports and athletes. Methods used to perform optimally in sports and things that can affect the mind when competing at the highest level. This course was great in discussion-based assignments and learning while in the country of Australia by seeing different sports played in person.

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I am so happy I decided to go on this particular trip to Australia. If I had not, I would not have made the friends that I did. These friends made me the more confident and outgoing person that I am today. On top of that, I learned so much about Australia and their healthcare system, along with the Aboriginal people of Australia. The hands-on learning approach was very helpful in learning and keeping it exciting considering it was a study abroad. I really enjoyed visiting the Royal Flying Doctors Service, the Aboriginal unit of St Vincents Hospital, and the Health Lodge of Byron Bay. Any other Public Health class wouldn't even compare to this amazing experience in Australia.

Going abroad with TEAN gave me the best and most memorable months of my life!! TEAN helps every step of the way- from initial application to applying for and tracking your visa through your final days abroad. Orientation was amazing! If you have the chance, DO IT! I will never forget scuba diving on the great barrier reef or talking to my friends about their morning skydiving! From there, TEAN arranged a shuttle to take me to my home uni in Australia which made everything super easy! I loved living in Kooloobong Village right off campus, and my Australian roommates are like my international brothers and sister. I loved the coffee and dessert catch ups and cultural experiences (Opera House tour anyone?!) with Jenn, our local TEAN advisor. Wollongong was there perfect location to travel! Our weekend trips included: Sydney (many many times), the Blue Mountains, Hyams Beach, Kiama (multiple times), Alexandria, the Gold Coast, Thirroul beach, the Glowworm Caves in Helensburg, the Seacliffe Bridge and many more! We spent Spring Break in Tasmania and New Zealand to explore Honeymoon Bay, Hobart, hot springs, Mount Wellington, Christchurch and anything else we could get ourselves into! My time in "The 'Gong" will never be forgotten and I hope it is not over! I can't wait to return one day.

This program was one of best, if not the best, experiences of my life. The course material was very interesting and was only made better by the professors, who are simply incredible, both as professors and as people. As the program moves around the east coast of Australia, we got to see a wide range of what the country has to offer, from the major city of Sydney to the surfer town of Byron Bay. The various excursions helped to expose us to the areas and topics that we were studying. Scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef was something I thought I would only dream of doing and this program gave me the opportunity to do so. One of my favorite memories, however, was hiking through the Blue Mountains with a guide who was one of the local Aboriginal people, an experience that only an established program like this could arrange. This program was an amazing experience and TEAN made it all possible. The hardest part of the entire program was convincing myself to go home because I could have stayed for much longer.

I absolutely loved this program! The professors are extremely knowledgeable and answered every question that we could think of. The program is the perfect length of 3 weeks so we were busy the entire time but still had time to have fun. I had never been out of the country before, but TEAN made it such an easy transition and organized all the events very well. We stayed in various hostels and one apartment which were all very nice. I had never stayed at a hostel before, and I was pleasantly surprised with the staff and accommodations. The areas that we traveled to were extremely beautiful and made me realize why I wanted to take this course in the first place. This is an unforgettable experience that everyone needs to try!

When I look back on my life choices so far, choosing to study abroad with TEAN in Wollongong will be one of the best I have ever made. This program had the perfect balance of adventure and education; within the first week we had an amazing lecture on what to expect in Australia( along with a fantastic Aussie lingo course) and got to dive the Great barrier reef and explore the rainforest. When I lived in Wollongong for the semester, the TEAN staff organized great events and loved hearing about the trips we were doing on our own. They provided me with a stable support system I knew I could contact if I needed help or just some travel advice. The program in Wollongong has opened so many new doors for me, it allowed me to become more confident in my field of studies and more adventurous as a person. If you're looking for the semester of a lifetime filled to the brim with adventure, this is the program for you.

I had such a good experience abroad. I am pretty sure everyone says that, but it was a big life changing moment for me. It opened up my eyes to the world and to myself. It really made me get a different perspective on situations and I feel as if I am living a better and healthier lifestyle because of it.

TEAN allowed for such a smooth transition from my home university to the University of Wollongong. From the application process, to orientation, to my pre-semester excursion in Cairns, and finally to Wollongong I was able to just have fun while they helped out with the rest. The orientation was set up in such a way that I felt really immersed in the Australian culture from the very beginning which made making all of my Australian friends that much easier. During my stay in the Gong I lived at Weeroona College, which I would highly recommend when choosing a dorm. Everyone is so friendly and there are so many Australians that making friends with the locals is super easy. I still catch myself using their slang even 3 months after leaving. The TEAN local staff member in charge of Wollongong was also able to host a lot of exciting events throughout the semester. This allowed a chance to continually check-in with the program, and participate in incredible excursions such as surfing at Bondi Beach or catching a local Rugby game. I can honestly go on and on about how amazing my experience was in Australia, and I definitely have TEAN to thank for that!

I have been abroad before, but never like this. Choosing TEAN and the wildlife, environment and conservation trip was one of the best choices I could have made. The experiences were incredible and everyone worked hard to make sure that we were learning and that we were having a great time. It was just the right amount of work and play. I learned so much in those five short weeks, it was an experience I will never forget. We traveled through what seemed like half of australia and got to meet and work with so many natives, as well as really get out in the field and see the things we were learning about. This trip doesn't relate to my major, and in honesty, I would highly recommend that for someone. I learned so much about something that I don't usually study, but something that I am passionate about, and now want to continue doing.

Going abroad was the best opportunity I have ever had and one of the best experiences. I have gained so much from studying abroad in Australia. The Education Abroad Network program gave me the opportunity to go on the greatest adventure with amazing people I met along the way. Being a photography major, this semester gave me the chance to open up to a new environment and explore my talents in a creative and adventurous way. Going abroad has changed my outlook on life and shown me what's important. It was one of the best experiences I've ever had and I couldn't be happier with my decision.

There are no words to describe a vast country that has been taken care of by the Aboriginal people and a land that has taken care of them. When you reach the overlooks in Kakadu National Park, the amount of life and history you can see in one moment is breathtaking. The Education Abroad Network was the most responsive and the most helpful while I prepared and made my decision studying abroad. They also provided the most amount of travel around Australia for a summer program. Most of the accommodations were safe and welcoming hostels, but we also stayed at the University of New South Wales dorms (almost as large as an apartment) for 2 weeks and camped while in Darwin.

As an individual who had never left the United States before going to Australia, I believe that I chose the most responsible and exciting team who could help me explore. This program allows deep connections to grow and new friendships to form while also taking you on the time of your life, all the way from avoid-the-crocs at all costs Down Under to the don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-a-lifetime Great Barrier Reef. Each day was packed with learning and with spare time, most of the time starting early. Choosing a good study abroad program is crucial, The Education Abroad Network provides simultaneous stability and independence, modern and cultural interactions and more importantly, equal amounts of work and play!

There are no words to describe a vast country that has been taken care of by the Aboriginal people and a land that has taken care of them. When you reach the overlooks in Kakadu National Park, the amount of life and history you can see in one moment is breathtaking The Education Abroad Network was the most responsive and the most helpful while I prepared and made my decision studying abroad. They also provided the most amount of travel around Australia for a summer program. Most of the accommodations were safe and welcoming hostels, but we also stayed at the University of New South Wales dorms (almost as large as an apartment) for 2 weeks and camped while in Darwin.

The Cairns trip was the most memorable experience of the trip. Each day we had a new activity which brought the group closer together. The week was full of high adrenaline activities and non-stop excitement. I chose TEAN because they were highly recommended and provided lots of help along the way, while including a comprehensive and immerse program. I lived in Campus East housing at the University. The accommodations vary significantly throughout all University housing. Every area has its pros and cons, but overall the housing is quite good.

The trip abroad began with a comprehensive orientation in Sydney where you are guided around the city by TEAN staff and you get to experience the country for the first time. It is a great way to learn about the city and get your first taste of the foreign culture. After the orientation I went of the TEAN Cairns Great Barrier Reef trip. It was the trip of a lifetime and allowed all of the students to engage in amazing activities every day while making new friends in the process. The University of Wollongong is a highly rated school with modern facilities and many great programs. The school is large and welcoming with great professors and staff. The proximity to Sydney is great and the train is just a few steps away from the housing area which makes traveling a breeze. The area is beautiful and you can get housing just a few minutes from the beach.