Summer Marine Biology Study Abroad Programs in Australia

Studying in Barcelona had been a dream! I took classes in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, and Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. My 7 weeks in that paradise were filled with exploration, inspiration, and so much fun. From amazing people to the delicious cuisine, and stunning architecture to the colorful culture, Spain should be at the top of the must-visit countries list. My favorite activity, besides spending my day at the beach, was wandering around the city without a map and being amazed by the beauty hidden in every corner of Barcelona. Thanks to the Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage class, I learned even more about this impressive history and culture. CIS helped me through every step of adapting to studying and living in Barcelona. They planned fun events for us, such as various tours in famous parts of Barcelona, beach picnic and volleyball, wine tasting, tours to towns in Spain, and cooking classes. I stayed at Aparto Pallars, which is conveniently located near the metro station, from which you can take the metro anywhere. I'm so grateful for this experience, and I'm definitely willing to go back to Barcelona or any other program with CIS!

Studying abroad in Sydney, Australia was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, Sydney lived up to every expectation and dream I had for my abroad experience. Waking up just minutes from the beach, exploring the iconic Opera House, and taking weekend trips to some of the most breathtaking places in the world made every day feel surreal. Studying at UNSW challenged me academically while also allowing me the flexibility to travel weekly and enjoy everything my host city had to offer. While many people don't expect it, there was a bit of a culture shock with the Aussie slang and slower pace of life. Engaging with locals and other international students made the experience so meaningful and transformational. I will never forget the amazing Australians who welcomed me with open arms and showed me what Australia was all about. Looking back at my four months in Australia, this experience shaped me into a more confident, independent, and open-minded person. Studying abroad pushed me beyond my comfort zone and gave me a new perspective of the world. I will always be grateful for this experience.

I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad with CIS Abroad in Thailand during the fall of 2024, and I can confidently say that it was an experience of a lifetime. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to broaden their horizons. The on-site staff were exceptional, offering unwavering support throughout the entire journey. Their dedication truly made a difference. The cultural richness of Thailand is something I’ll never forget. Thanks to CIS Abroad, I was able to explore countless temples, enjoy local cuisine, and visit beautiful islands and vibrant cities. One of the program’s standout features is its encouragement for students to travel and immerse themselves in new experiences. The staff not only helped prepare us for academics but also ensured we felt confident navigating the country independently. This experience reshaped my perspective on the world. I had the privilege of meeting people from diverse backgrounds, which allowed me to learn and grow in ways I never expected. I also gained a sense of confidence that I didn’t know I needed, thriving in an unfamiliar environment where communication was often challenging due to language barriers. CIS Abroad goes above and beyond to support its students. From teaching about local culture to offering academic assistance (specific to Thailand), they foster an environment of growth and opportunity. Their consistent communication throughout the semester was invaluable. I wholeheartedly recommend CIS Abroad. It’s more than just an academic program—it’s a transformative experience that will empower you to truly live your best life while exploring the world.

I studied at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia under the TEAN program. Academics were rigorous and stimulating at UNSW, but I appreciated taking only 3 classes per term since it allowed me more time to explore Sydney and Australia as a whole. Lab and seminar/discussion-based classes were the best way to make local friends! TEAN staff were amazing! They were extremely helpful and so sweet. I hung out with and really got to know my TEAN RD on a personal level while also knowing that they could also help me with any questions or issues I had. Housing was a mixed bag. I lived on UNSW campus and it was mostly fine. I started out living in a unit that had cockroaches. However, my RD advocated for me and the other students and we were moved into other housing quickly. I had friends living in the other accommodations option, living off campus about 15 minutes from UNSW, which was obviously superior to the on campus option. The only real benefit to living on campus was reducing commute time by a couple of minutes. I rarely ever felt unsafe in Sydney, even as a woman. Public transport and walking around at night in well lit areas was also very safe. Obviously, it is still important to apply common sense and avoid danger as much as possible, but otherwise, there was very little risk. Overall, I had an amazing experience and I would totally recommend studying abroad with TEAN in Sydney! I would recommend participating in all of the excursions, especially the surfing lesson!

While spending over five months living abroad as a student, I observed various cultural aspects within Australia that emphasized the nation's unique identity. The biggest cultural shifts and adaptations I saw while living in Australia were between the significance of sports within their society and the influences that the environment took within daily lives. In Australia, the significance of sports and the environment is an integral part of life, shaping their culture as a whole. One of the classes I took whilst participating in my study abroad was Sport and Learning in Australian Culture (EDUH), which a lot of the other study abroad students were taking also. This class allowed students the opportunity to participate in attending sporting events such as, The Australian Football League, Rugby, Cricket, Soccer, Horse Racing, Greyhound Racing, Surfing, Lifeguard training, and much more. This was my favorite class while studying abroad because it showed me and other students what Australian sports culture is all about. Furthermore, with my program manager TEAN, our group was able to attend numerous field trips including tours of the Blue Mountain National Park, Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, Sydney’s Botanical Gardens, and much more. This allowed the group to immerse themselves within the environment that so many Australians are used to daily. Within the EDUH class and the TEAN field trips, I observed Australian culture through the lens of a local. While attending events from events within my EDUH class and field trips from my TEAN program I found that Australians rely on their sporting culture and environment to boost their significance within the world. I think that because Australia is so big of a country, yet has a little population, it makes it seem like the world is small while being there, yet so big at the same time. While being there I would often see the same faces, meet with friends at the same cafes or restaurants, go to the same beaches, the same parks, and much more. This has a huge roll of the environment within Australia. I was lucky enough to stay at a famous beach called Bondi Beach for a couple of weeks, and while being there I found that the environment of being there changed my mindset greatly. My friends and I were talking about how there are so many Australians surfing on a random Tuesday at 11:00 a.m., wondering if they even work or not. We later asked a local this exact question and their answer was solely related to their environment stating “I would rather live a happy lifestyle surfing and doing the things I want and working 2 days a week, rather than working 80-hour weeks like you Americans do.” This changed my perspective on how an environment can change everything about your life entirely. I really enjoyed this type of lifestyle/perspective for a while, however, after a while I learned that it is not for me. A lot of Australians seemed comfortable with where they are and not wanting any more out of life, while it seems like the complete opposite in the U.S.A. This could be because I am used to the lifestyle of always working and trying to get more money to enjoy life with traveling, I found that most Australians don’t think that way, most Australians I’ve had conversations with haven’t left their country at all. I think that this lifestyle is solely based on what you want from life and it’s okay to think either way. Furthermore, one of my favorite sporting events in Australia was the Australian Football League. This is quite similar to American Football yet with their Australian twist. From my own perspective, I found that Australians love their sports and use them as a way to go beyond fun, however, they use them for community and identities. This goes the same for how my host country acts with the sport of American Football. I am from a city called Buffalo in New York, and by far our biggest identity is our Football team. Whether it’s at home with family watching the game or attending the game in person the Buffalo Bills football team is without a doubt talked about in every household in this city. Much like Australians we use sports as a way to shape our culture and to shape our identity throughout the world, creating a positive image for the rest of the world to see us in. However, the environment doesn’t play nearly as much of a role as the Australian environment plays. The environment within Buffalo consists of some restaurants and Niagara Falls, while the environment in Australia consists of numerous parks, the Sydney Opera House, gardens, monuments, cafes, restaurants, and much more. My host country and Australia, have a huge cultural dependence on sporting events, however, my host country is less dependent on the environment while Australia is huge on the environment. This changed my perspective less on the sporting events, but mostly on the environment. Reflecting on my time abroad, I’ve gained an understanding of the cultural prominence of environment and sports within Australia especially how they’ve shaped societal values and national identity. I was surprised by how different and prominent Australian sports are within their culture, not just as an entertainment source, but as a social influence that connects people of all ages, backgrounds, regions, and much more. The environment for me was even more important seeing as how it played such a huge role in the culture. Looking forward, these experiences will shape my influence on community building, friendships, professional life, and much more, especially when considering the value of responsibility while engaging in diverse environments and other cultures.

After having a semester back at my home university, I have had ample time to reflect on my study abroad experience at the University of Sydney. In all honesty, I loved absolutely everything about my experience and truly have nothing but great words to speak about the university, the city, and the TEAN program I went with. The University of Sydney was a gorgeous campus, I loved each of my courses and professors, and met some local Aussie's which enhanced my experience even more! The city of Sydney always had something fun going on, from Lunar New Year to Vivid Sydney, and I found myself so happy to wander around at any free chance I had! I loved being in the city but also being so close to the beach AND the mountains, it truly was the perfect mix of everything I love. I always felt safe, and loved the ability to hop onto the many forms of public transportation to really make the most out of my Sydney exploration! I also cannot thank TEAN enough for the role they played in my experience. My orientation week in Cairns and visit to the Great Barrier Reef my first week in AUS was truly a once in a lifetime experience and something I will cherish forever. Throughout the semester, TEAN did a phenomenal job at hosting fun events to reconnect all of the students together and provided a lot of support! I would like to give a special thanks to Cate Chase for making my abroad experience with TEAN so great:) Lastly, my semester abroad in Australia allowed me to have the opportunity to travel to other countries closer than they would be in the U.S. I visited Fiji, New Zealand, Bali, Vietnam, and Thailand. I have so much gratitude for these experiences and will remember this semester abroad forever. Thank you TEAN and thank you Sydney, I will be back someday (hopefully very soon!!!).

There’s a reason why they call Australia “down under.” As soon as I landed in Sydney, I got it—not just because it’s literally below everything on the map, but because everything here feels kinda upside down. The sun’s in the opposite part of the sky, the wildlife is straight-up wild (I still can’t believe kangaroos just chill in parks), people do not wear shoes outside (kinda weird ngl) and the Aussie slang has me confused half the time. But what really makes it "down under" is the laid-back vibe. Whether I’m wandering through The Rocks, hanging out at Bondi Beach, or catching a sunset at the Opera House, I’ve totally embraced the fact that life here is just a little more carefree- and a lot more adventurous. I’ll be honest, it’s nerve-wracking to travel to the opposite side of the world alone, especially when you don’t know anyone. But once you get here, it’s so worth it. I ended up meeting so many amazing people. We’d go out and hang all the time—went to music festivals in Melbourne, did a road trip in New Zealand, and even went bungy jumping, rafting, and hiking (which took 13 hours, so pro tip: wear good shoes). We went surfing, did yoga, checked out bars, and so much more. My program, TEAN, also set up activities like going to the Great Barrier Reef, touring the Opera House, and even giving us surfing lessons. Overall, if someone asked me what’s the best thing I’ve ever done, I’d probably say studying abroad. Take the risk—it’s totally worth it!

My semester abroad was the best semester of college so far! The classes were challenging because the academics in Australia are very different, but the TEAN staff as well as USYD were very helpful in helping me with the learning curve. Sydney was such a fun city to live in and I had the time of my life!!!

I love studying in South Korea! It was a bit of a culture shock when I arrived as this trip was a lot of firsts for me, like my first plane ride, time in an airport, and trip outside the country! The sunrises are beautiful, and the Cherry Blossom season is one of a kind. As a picky eater, Korea helped me find more foods to try and experiences I liked. If I had to do something different, I would travel more independently and get lost through exploring. The biggest advice I have is to give it a fair shot and do it. There will be moments when you'll get frustrated with not knowing what to expect, but take those in stride and be patient with yourself.

Studying in Sydney at USYD was the best decision I could've made. Australia is one of those regions where you need a good amount of time rather than a 2-week vacation where you can plan a mid-semester break to New Zealand or a weekend trip down in Tasmania. We were placed in a great and safe part of the city which is on the outskirts of the CBD, but also near a shopping centre and 10-minute walk to campus. It is such a vibrant, multicultural, and touristy city that you'll never run out of things to do. While the courses at the insanely beautiful University of Sydney's campus are pretty vigorous, the professors, TAs, and students are kind enough to help and many resources are there to help. There are countless ways to get involved on campus with a diverse array of clubs such as the Chocolate Society, book club, bushwalkers, and societies appropriate for your studies.

Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine. When I found a program in my dream vacation spot I knew I had to apply. Spending 6 weeks in Sydney was a dream come true and I could not recommend it enough. Meeting new friends, visiting new places, and gaining lifelong experiences is something I will cherish forever. While in Sydney, I visited some amazing places and saw some amazing things. Saying I have witnessed a symphony in the world-famous opera is something I will talk about forever. TEAN made my experience easy and fun. 10/10 Recommend!!

Studying abroad in Australia was one of the best decisions I've ever made. In the 4 months I spent abroad I met more people than I can count, traveled around Australia and Indonesia and New Zealand, and grew as a person. There are so many unique and cool experiences for people to discover in Australia, including the different animals and unique foods. I really loved seeing koalas, kangaroos, and platypuses in the wild. One of the most important parts of studying abroad is to take advantage of every opportunity you have, and that really helped make my abroad experience something that I'll never forget.

Studying abroad in Sydney, Australia was truly the best experience of my life filled with adventure, excitement, new friends, and new opportunities. Going abroad with TEAN was awesome because of all the opportunities offered to students, assistance with academics, housing, and adjusting to a new city, and great staff to help me in any situation I may have needed. Through TEAN, I was able to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, hike around the Blue Mountains, and go to a very cool rugby game in Sydney. TEAN also helped coordinate my housing situation and I absolutely loved where I lived with all the amenities I needed- The Meriton Suites on Bondi Junction. During my three months abroad, I was able to travel to many places with my best friends such as Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, Queenstown, New Zealand, Nadi, Fiji, and cities throughout Australia like Mildura, Cairns, and Nelson Bay. I took advantage of all the opportunities placed in front of me and had an adventure of a lifetime. Through TEAN, I met some of my best friends that will forever be my travel buddies! After living in Sydney for three months, it has become my favorite place in the world. The amazing people, clean and safe city, beautiful beaches, active lifestyle, and the best coffee I have ever had made my experience even better. Because of my amazing abroad experience with TEAN, I want to move back to Sydney in my near future!

My TEAN study abroad was so much fun and so well organized! There was a lot of on-site support for students through the university and through TEAN and I felt very safe the entire time I was in Sydney. It was also very easy to make friends through TEAN's orientation in Cairns and it was so fun going to the different TEAN events in Sydney throughout the semester. TEANs orientation in Cairns was a highlight of the semester for me and automatically made TEAN stand out amongst other study abroad companies for me. I would highly recommend studying abroad with TEAN, especially in Sydney with the University of New South Wales. There were so many events and ways to meet people through UNSW and the proximity to the beach was amazing!! The only bad thing about my experience was that there were a lot of cockroaches in our apartment, but we worked with UNSW to get them to spray down our apartment with a special cockroach-killing spray. We had them come in like once a month and it got better after that.

Seamester was the adventure of a lifetime. I went into it not knowing how to sail but wanting to learn, and came out of it not only with that knowledge, but also with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me so many new things about myself. The staff members were amazing with their teaching and support, especially when times got rough. Their diligence ensured we all made it safely across the pacific. I also loved the places we visited, with my favorites being the Galapagos, Mo'orea, and the Panama Canal. The class schedule could be challenging at times, and waking up for watch in the middle of the night was definitely not my strong suit, but overall I had an amazing semester. I couldn't recommend Seamester enough and I'm so grateful for this wonderful experience.

This program is excellent if you want to travel but are afraid of complete language or cultural differences. Sydney is a massive city with people from all over the world, allowing me to taste all their cultures while taking advantage of the great view of nature. The city is very populated and crowded but relatively safe and clean. There are multiple large shopping centers and restructures everywhere. There is no need to worry about transportation; public transportation is well-structured there, and you can use Google or Apple Maps to see which ride you need to take. The train can take you to farther cities, but you would need a car if you want to go into the mountains or the fields. Cities outside of Sydney are very small-town-like, but public transportation is still there. They give a beautiful coastal view in a quieter setting and local experiences. I also recommend traveling to New Zealand for a week while you are in Sydney. The flight is only about three to four hours. New Zealand's city is less populated, but the lake and green islands outside the city are where the true beauty lies. There is so much I want to share about my six weeks, but none of the words would be as good as experiencing it for yourselves. Australia has both, whether you are a city or a nature person. And if you are not satisfied with it, take advantage of the fact that you have already flown halfway across the globe and travel to neighboring countries. Some advice: Take a good and comfortable pair of shoes because Sydney is a very walkable city to explore. If you want to shop, check out Australia's Tourist Tax Refund policy and see how to use it. Use Google Maps rather than Apple Maps. Apple Maps does not show all the stores, while Google Maps shows it and the comments. There are places with low light pollution, which is excellent for stargazing. Visite Newtown because it is the complete opposite of downtown Sydney while only 20 minutes away (by bus) from downtown Sydney. If you are only going to be there for a month or so, I recommend not wasting any day indoors because you will experience something new every time you step out.

I could not have wished for a better experience if I tried! I was the only student studying in Australia from my home university so I was a bit nervous going into it, but after TEAN's orientation I already made incredible friends and felt excited and much more comfortable starting my experience abroad. TEAN's program coordinators were fantastic and made all the logistics so easy. Sydney was an amazing city and I am so grateful I had the chance to live there, I look forward to traveling back one day :)

I studied abroad in Sydney, NSW, Australia in 2020. As we all know Covid started that year, but I was still able to be in Sydney for about 1.5 months before everything shut down due to the pandemic. Those 1.5 months were a once in a life time opportunity. I was able to go in the ocean for the first time, swim in the Great Barrier Reef, snorkel, hold a koala bear and many more experiences. Despite the unfortunate events of Covid, I still would never trade this experience for anything. TEAN Abroad was very organized and helped my transition to and from Australia go smoothly. I definitely recommend their study abroad programs!

I truly had an incredible time in Australia. The program that I was on was honestly incredible as offered many incredible perks, including the first week in the Great Barrier Reef! The staff that were in charge were absolutely incredible, and it was so accommodating, and really set us up for success while we’re there. They were constantly looking out for us and checking in on us, making sure that we are nursing ourselves on the culture and pushing us to do things we’ve never done before. The first week in the Great Bareier Reef was absolutely incredible, and we were able to get a really great gauge of Australian culture and history. The university of Sydney was an absolutely incredible university, and it was so nice to experience a different culture at school, and a different way of life. Me and all of my classmates absolutely loved Australia. We all came back to America believing that this is one of the best things that just happened to us, and we truly felt like this experience shaped us, and hope this really grow as individuals in the world.

I took a gap year after high school and chose to spend my Fall onboard S/Y Argo and sail from Palau, through Indonesia, to Bangkok Thailand. I had some scuba diving experience, but had never even been aboard a sailboat before. The Seamester staff was supportive and amazing. I made some of my strongest friendships and had the most amazing experiences, from diving with oceanic manta rays to long night watches sailing through the rough South China Seas. I learned so much about diving, sailing, and marine sciences, as well as so much about myself as a person. I would recommend Seamester to anyone considering it!