As we get to know you through the application process to intern abroad, it’s only fair that you know a bit about us too! Read on to learn more about the folks behind all the emails and phone calls. And, of course, feel free to contact us anytime if you have questions!

Photo of TEAN Staff Dharma Bendersky

Dharma Bendersky

Director of Operations - Pacific

Australia, New Zealand, Fiji

Born in Sydney, Dharma studied Environmental Sciences at the University of Wollongong where he lived with many study abroad students and formed life-long friendships. This led to a career in international education and travel, where he has worked for over 20 years at Australian universities, study abroad companies, and leading educational tours around Australia and Asia Pacific. A dual Australian/American citizen, he has lived in and traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe, and is a keen surf and landscape photographer. Dharma has a passion for adventure and new experiences, and enjoys working for TEAN to help others have life-changing intercultural experiences that encourage personal and professional growth.

Q&A

What is your role at TEAN?
Director of Operations in Australia. I oversee all the programs and in-country staff.

What are some must-do activities for a first-time visitor to Sydney?
Doing the Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk, visiting the Blue Mountains, taking a ferry on the harbor and simply enjoying a day spent at any of the city’s amazing beaches.

What is unique about an educational experience in Asia Pacific?
There’s a wide variety of locations and something for everyone. Want a big city? Sydney and Melbourne have you covered. Want to live near the beach? The Gold Coast, Newcastle or Wollongong are for you. Want to try something off the beaten path? Townsville or Perth are amazing. Want to live in paradise? Nothing beats Fiji. Want somewhere laid back and beautiful that has a lot to offer? Anywhere in New Zealand is a great idea. Want to experience Asian culture? Thailand or Singapore offer unique settings and experiences you can’t find anywhere else. TEAN’s partner universities in Asia Pacific also each have excellent education systems with world class academics and facilities, plus a wide variety of institutions and subjects to choose from.

What advice would you give a hesitant, nervous future traveler?
While it can be hard to leave your comfort zone, spending time abroad (regardless of if it’s just one week or an entire year) will change your life for the better. No one ever regrets spending time in another country and culture. As they say, travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer!

You mentioned that you have a passion for photography. What is the most photogenic city you’ve been to?
With its harbor and beaches, Sydney has lots of amazing opportunities to capture great scenic images. I also love Paris for its architecture and style.

Taylor Green

Internship Program Manager

Taylor grew up in a small Pennsylvania town (think: no highway nearby) in an area known as the PA Wilds. Travel has always been an important part of her life, starting when she was younger when she would take family vacations to places including Wyoming, Florida and the Bahamas. She graduated from Edinboro University in 2016 with a B.A. in Communication Studies and an M.A. in Communication Studies in 2019, effectively making her a master of communication. Wanting to travel more, during her graduate school career, Taylor expanded her travel experience with an internship in Dublin, Ireland and has since traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland and Salvador, Brazil. She has a passion and love for travel and vows to help others feel the same joy and excitement of exploring a new place. Taylor also loves coffee shops, photography, and Penn State Football.

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Veronika Pesina

Internship Program Manager

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Veronika is originally from the north of the Czech Republic. As a European located in the heart of Europe, she always had easy access to international travel and has visited most of Europe. Last year she graduated from The University in Sunderland in the UK with a degree in Business and Human Resource Management. Thanks to studying abroad, she undertook a year-long Business and Hospitality Internship in Austin, TX. It was a life-changing milestone that completely influenced her life direction and helped her to permanently relocate across the world to Austin, TX. Outside of Europe, she has traveled to Egypt, the Asian side of Turkey, the USA, and Mexico and would love to explore more places in the United States and nearby countries. Veronika joined WorldStrides in April 2022 as an Executive Administrative Assistant and worked her way up to her current role of Program Manager for International Internships.

Stuart Shreve

Internship Program Manager

SOUTH KOREA, JAPAN, CHINA, VIETNAM, HONG KONG, & SINGAPORE

Hi! My name is Stuart but feel free to call me “Stu”, it’s been my nickname ever since I was a kid. I was born in North Miami beach, but I was raised in the city of Pembroke Pines, Florida. When I was a kid, my parents would always take me on trips to Disney World, which first sparked a small flame for hospitality, hotels, and travel of course. Over time, we slowly started to travel to other states, to experience some of our Nation’s beautiful history, people, and landscapes. I have seen the White House and visited Times square. I will always remember attending Derek Jeter’s last game at Fenway Park in Boston, but most of all taking in the view of Grand Canyon was unlike anything I’d seen before. Even so, something was missing. I recently graduated from Florida International University in December ’21 with my bachelor’s in hospitality management and a focus on travel and tourism. In my time at FIU, I wanted to learn about international cultures and people so that I could continue learning about myself as an individual. I achieved this goal when I studied abroad remotely as an intern in Vietnam, and it was the best decision I ever made. It will be my pleasure to assist you along your journey in making this dream a reality.