Internships

Complete Your TEAN Application

1. You can start an application on our website.
2. Pay your $95 application deposit via our online credit card form.
3. Once you’ve submitted the application deposit, your Program Manager will review your application and give you access to your online application.

The following are the required steps to complete your TEAN online application:

• Student Basics
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Personal Statements
• INT Statement from University
• Unofficial Transcript

It is important to keep in mind that our internship placements are highly customized based on your individual academic and professional goals. Many potential interns want to know where they will be placed, and we really cannot answer that until we have more information from you through our online application. In the application, you will provide some personal statements and submit a cover letter and resume before arranging a career advising session with your Program Manager. We will use all of this information, plus our conversations and emails with you, to find the perfect placement on your behalf. We do not have a list of pre-arranged internship placements into which we slot applicants. Instead, we look at each applicant on an individual basis and make connections to find the best internship placement possible.

SCHEDULE YOUR ADVISING SESSION

Discuss resume/cover letter edits, goals for your internship, skills you bring, and your program expectations. Then, interview with a potential company (anywhere from 1 week after advising session to 10 weeks after advising session). Please be advised that you will be asked to make a referral deposit of $1000 before scheduling this session which will be deducted from your final payment balance. You can make this payment in your student portal.

Internship Refund Policy

This policy applies to all cancellations, regardless of the reason. Your request to withdraw and receive a refund must be made in writing to TEAN. The $95 application deposit is non-refundable. If your application is denied due to eligibility requirements, your deposit will be fully refunded. Alternative payment arrangements (financial aid, payment plans, etc.) do not exempt you from this policy.

If you withdraw from the program after you have paid the $95 application deposit and before your application has been referred for placement:

• The $95 Cancellation Penalty

If you withdraw after your application has been referred for placement, but before you confirm your internship:

• The $500 Cancellation Penalty
• Plus any additional costs incurred by TEAN on your behalf.

If you withdraw after accepting a placement, but before the final payment deadline:

• The $1500 Cancellation Penalty
• Plus any additional costs incurred by TEAN on your behalf.

The final deadline to withdraw from any TEAN Internships program is 30 days prior to the start date of the program. If you withdraw after this deadline, regardless of the reason for withdrawal, you are not eligible for any refund from TEAN. One hundred percent of the program fee will be assessed.

Apply/Renew your Passport

Obtaining a passport for international travel may take a considerable period of time as the State Department can often have a backlog of applications to work through. Therefore, it is crucial that you apply for your passport as early as possible to avoid any last minute complications. You can apply for your passport at your local U.S. Post Office.

You can obtain necessary information regarding passports from the U.S. Department of State: Passport Services Department,   download passport applications, find a nationwide list of passport agencies, etc. here.

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Verify Validity of your Passport

As a condition of your student visa, your passport must be valid a minimum of six months past your anticipated return home. If your current passport is set to expire before then, you will need to apply for a renewal.

Contacting TEAN

Email is the primary form of communication during the application and enrollment period. Please provide us with an email address you use regularly, as important internship announcements and instructions will be sent via email. Also, please check your email on a regular basis and make sure to update your online application if you change your email address. Please also periodically check your junk mail to ensure that messages from TEAN are not being filtered into “spam”. If messages are being filtered into spam, please add the TEAN email address to your contacts.

In addition, please be sure to include your full name on all correspondence (including emails). We work with many students so providing your full name will ensure timely responses to questions and inquiries.

Mailing Address
The Education Abroad Network
5301 Southwest Parkway, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78735

Telephone and Fax
Toll Free: 1-800-585-9658 (from within U.S.)
Local Number: 1-512-480-8522 (from outside of U.S.)
Fax: 1-512-480-8866

Office Hours
TEAN is open Monday – Thursday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Central Standard Time and observes all major holidays. If these hours are not convenient, you may schedule a time outside of our normal business hours to speak with us. If you are currently international, it is possible to set up a time to Skype and get to know your Program Managers.

Important Dates

We finalize our program calendar several months before each term abroad (spring, summer, fall). During that time, we work with our overseas internship sites in order to determine our orientation schedule. We will provide updated information pertaining to orientation, key semester dates, and pre-semester trips once our program calendar has been finalized. We will send you an email notification once the updated calendar information has been posted on the website so you can plan accordingly.

Once the program calendar has been finalized, we will post this information on our website. Once the calendar has been released, all dates are still subject to change. While we do not anticipate any date changes once the calendar has been finalized, we reserve the right to make changes. All program participants will be contacted in the event of a date change.

Flights

Most airlines do not allow open-ended tickets and now require international passengers to select a return date at the time of booking their flight. Return dates can be changed, subject to availability, but program participants should initially book a return flight home no earlier than one day after their internship ends.

Housing Dates

We provide housing until the last day of the program, which is typically the Saturday after the last day of your internship unless otherwise specified. Please also pay particular attention to the housing move-in dates. We are unable to make exceptions for early move-in requests due to the complexity of housing logistics.

Program Start Dates

The program officially begins at the start of our Orientation Program. Students arriving in advance of our orientation will be responsible for their own transportation from the airport and any necessary accommodations prior to the orientation start date.

Diversity and Identity

One of our main goals at TEAN is to make sure all of our students are thoroughly supported from day one of the study abroad process. Embracing diversity in all its forms is very important to us. We’re dedicated to providing the most information and resources possible so students can make an informed decision on what program will best suit them, both academically and personally. We encourage all students to read through our Diversity and Identity page of our website to find resources useful for you directly and learn more about the students you will be studying abroad with.

Placement Process

Because we offer custom internship placements, the placement process can take some time…but don’t stress! The TEAN placement staff are experts in the field and will work diligently to make sure your placement is a good fit for you. Along the way we will provide you with plenty of advice, from resume or cover letter tips to interview techniques and strategies.

Sometimes, you will be called up for an interview with the host company. If this is the case, TEAN can help prepare you and may sit in on the interview and provide feedback that you can use for the future.

Once a placement is secured for you, your Program Manager will send you a placement profile, outlining your host internship site as well as your responsibilities as an intern. Once you agree to the placement, that’s it, you’re on to the next step.

Academic Credit Through TEAN

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Home University Credit

Participants may be able to arrange academic credit for the internship placement directly through their home university by speaking with their academic department and the study abroad office. At the time of application to the program, students choosing this option will need to provide TEAN with the details of the credit and any special requirements as it relates to the internship placement. Students are responsible for paying their home university for any tuition or fees associated with the credit.

TEAN encourages participants to discuss the academic credit options with their home university early in the application process. Academic credit for internships must be approved and arranged before the internship begins, as credit typically cannot be retroactively arranged.

TEAN Housing

TEAN uses housing that is affordable, close to your internship and safe. Because of the varied nature of our placements, our housing is varied. Usually there will be a group of other interns sharing your accommodation.

This process depends on a number of factors so it can take some time. On average, interns get their housing placement about 3 weeks prior to departure. Regardless of where you stay, we know you’ll love your TEAN housing.

Doing it Yourself

When it comes to housing, some interns may mistakenly think it is easier or less expensive to find their own housing upon arrival. Please think again. While you may luck into a good housing situation, chances are you will run into some challenges and hassles that may complicate your stay.

You may find that:

• You are locked into a 6-12 month lease.
• Safe housing near your internship site can be difficult to find.
• Public transport is limited.
• Many landlords and real estate agents are not willing to deal directly with students/interns.
• Set-up and payment of utilities can be a real hassle and sometimes not possible for international students.
• Many units come unfurnished, meaning you must rent furniture (a costly option).
• There is no one to serve as liaison with your landlord or roommates should a dispute arise.

Pre-arranged housing is truly your best option!

Should you still want to arrange your own housing, please contact your TEAN Program Manager. We will walk you through the process of declining TEAN housing.

Flights

We recommend booking your flights through our partner travel agency, Student Universe. They offer competitive airfares to Asia Pacific from major cities throughout the U.S. and can provide you the personal service needed to arrange your international travel. The key benefit to using a travel agent like Student Universe is the personalized service, particularly useful if flights are delayed, connections are missed, or if you have to change your flight for any reason. Fill out your request here, https://www.studentuniverse.com/travel-services-fit, email travel@studentuniverse.com, or call +1 303-802-8507. Hours are: Monday-Friday: 9:00am – 6:00pm EST.

You are not obligated to book through Student Universe, however, and are free to shop around for a better fare. If you would like to compare airfares, please feel free to research flights online. We recommend flight search tools such as SkyScanner or Google Flights.

We will not be offering a group flight for this particular program for a variety of reasons. Students traveling to Australia, New Zealand, and Asia will be departing from different locations within the U.S. and the specific departure location affects the overall cost of airfare. Additionally, the published fares for individual travel are currently significantly lower than the fares noted for group travel at this time.

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Steps to Book

STEP 1 – Review the Arrival Dates/Times by your Program Manager to ensure you are familiar with the required travel times.

STEP 2 – Determine if you are intending to travel independently prior to or after the program dates as this will impact your travel dates to/from the U.S.

STEP 3 – Research travel itineraries and costs through Student Universe. To assist with your search, please be certain to refer to the section below on “Important Tips Before Booking”.

Before students purchase tickets, please feel free to contact us or send us your tentative itinerary so that we may ensure it is correct and/or the best routing for your situation.

STEP 4 – Book your international travel through Student Universe (or other) and submit your travel itinerary to TEAN through the online application. Failure to inform TEAN of your flight itineraries jeopardizes our ability to arrange for airport pickup and transportation to orientation accommodations and activities. So please be sure to submit your travel details as soon as you are booked.

STEP 5 – Record your flight details on the Arrival Form. Your Program Manager will send you a link to the Arrival Form. Once you have booked your flight, you need to input your travel details into this form.

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Important Tips Before Booking

• Pay attention to the taxes and fuel surcharges that will be added to the total fare. Sometimes these can be very high and surprisingly they can vary considerably between the different airlines.
• Pay attention to any cancellation policies and ticketing fees. Many great deals are non-refundable and have quite a few rules and regulations for use.
• We recommend booking any domestic flights from your home city on the same ticket as your international flight in order to get international baggage allowances as well as to ensure that you will be booked on the next available flight in the event that a connection is missed.
• Keep in mind that you need to allow at least a 3-hour window of time in between domestic and international connections.
• If you need to re-check your bags in Los Angeles, San Francisco or Dallas you should allow 4 – 6 hours between flights. This may seem like a very long time but with any potential flight delays, it is better to be waiting at the airport for your international flight versus missing your flight overseas.
• You will be given a pick-up time window for your arrival in your orientation city to be eligible for the group pick-up. If you miss this scheduled time and arrive late, then you will need to take a taxi or shuttle to the orientation accommodation. Further information on this will be provided closer to your departure.
• If you want to arrive early before the start of Orientation, please keep in mind you will be responsible for extra costs for taxis and accommodations.
• There are several benefits to booking your flight through our partner travel agency Student Universe which include: personal attention from our partners who are organizing the flights, competitive booking options, convenience of assistance with booking domestic connecting flights; ease of not having to organize it on your own (Student Universe has prearranged flight itineraries), comfort of knowing there is the proper amount of time scheduled in between connecting flights and comfort of knowing that we will arrange your airport pickup if you arrive within the scheduled time.

Travel Outside of Host Country

If you decide to plan to journey out-of-country, please keep in mind that additional medical insurance is strongly recommended for all interns traveling outside of the country in which they are interning. The TEAN-provided health insurance through CISI only covers you in your host country.

Sign Internship Placement Profile

As soon as your internship placement is confirmed, you’ll be sent an Internship Confirmation Letter. This document provides a thorough description of the company with which you’ll be interning along with responsibilities and expectations of you as an intern. You’ll need to review this document, sign, and make your final payment.

By doing so, you officially accept your internship placement. If you cannot make your final payment in full or are using financial aid a good faith payment of $1500* will be collected and we can arrange a payment plan for a fee of $25 for you.**

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Sign Contracts with TEAN

You will receive contracts from TEAN that will cover important information and policies for you to keep in mind during your time abroad. By signing the program contract this will also allow us to introduce you to other TEAN program participants prior to departure. You will need to electronically sign the document to confirm your understanding of the terms and conditions of your program.

*Does not apply to students from direct bill universities.

**Please note that the $25 fee only applies when using financial aid if you do not have your Verification of Award form submitted. If the form is submitted you will not be charged a fee for a payment plan when using financial aid.

Assistance with Visa Application

We understand that applying for a visa can be a daunting process. There are many steps and forms to complete and we are here to help! We have compiled detailed visa instructions per internship country to aid you in completing the visa application. Your Program Manager and in-country team are both here for any questions you may have throughout the process.

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Visa Cost

The cost for a visa (if required for your location) varies based on your citizenship country and the country you will be interning in. The cost for obtaining a visa is not included in the final program fee. Please contact your Program Manager for an estimated cost of the visa based on your internship location.

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Working Rights

All TEAN internships are unpaid, however select visas do allow interns the right to work for pay in addition to their internship should they choose. Although it is possible to work, it is not always recommended as holding a job can take away from your contribution and development as an intern, which is the primary focus of the program. If you plan to obtain a job whilst completing your internship, please contact your program manager so they can advise which visa is best for you.

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Processing Time

Unlike other countries, Australian and New Zealand visa applications do not require applying at a local embassy in person.

Australian applications are generally completed online, with Visa Grant Notifications often issued within 27 days* after submitting your application. Please note that you will only receive an email notification – no physical documents will be sent to you. You will need to keep a copy of your visa grant number notification with your passport.

New Zealand applications are also completed online, though the notification period can take anywhere between 2 to 12 weeks*.

South Korea and Japan do not require visas for U.S. citizens wishing to intern.

Vietnam, Singapore, China, and Hong Kong all require a bit of online application work prior to departure, as well as an onsite portion upon arrival in-country. We will walk you through this process!

*Processing times listed are an estimate from past visa applications and may change at any time.

Final Invoice

You will have access to your final invoice in your portal as soon as you move on to the placement phase of the process. You can pay via credit or debit card in your student portal, wire transfer, or check. Your final payment will be due at the point of accepting your internship placement.

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Internship Refund Policy

This policy applies to all cancellations, regardless of the reason. Your request to withdraw and receive a refund must be made in writing to TEAN. The $95 application deposit is non-refundable. If your application is denied due to eligibility requirements, your deposit will be fully refunded. Alternative payment arrangements (financial aid, payment plans, etc.) do not exempt you from this policy.

If you withdraw from the program after you have paid the $95 application deposit and before your application has been referred for placement:

• The $95 Cancellation Penalty

If you withdraw after your application has been referred for placement, but before you confirm your internship:

• The $500 Cancellation Penalty
• Plus any additional costs incurred by TEAN on your behalf.

If you withdraw after accepting a placement, but before the final payment deadline:

• The $1500 Cancellation Penalty
• Plus any additional costs incurred by TEAN on your behalf.

The final deadline to withdraw from any TEAN Internships program is 30 days prior to the start date of the program. If you withdraw after this deadline, regardless of the reason for withdrawal, you are not eligible for any refund from TEAN. One hundred percent of the program fee will be assessed.

PAST DUE ACCOUNTS

All past-due amounts will accrue a late fee of $50 per week that the final payment is overdue.

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Past Due Accounts

All past-due amounts will accrue simple interest at 12% per annum.

Packing Instructions

Very Important: It is rare that checked luggage goes missing, however it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. Pack small travel-sized toiletries, medication and change of clothes in your carry-on. This will more than likely not happen, but if it does you will be prepared.

For summer interns in Australia and New Zealand, you will be arriving during the southern hemisphere’s winter. While winter is generally cool, there will still be some warmer days. As such, we recommend light layers so that you can adjust what you are wearing according to the day warming up/cooling down. Layering will also help limit your luggage to a reasonable amount.

Summer interns in Asia will experience high temperatures and will need breathable clothing items such as cotton or linen. Even Japan and Korea experience hot and humid summers. Interns in Southeast Asia will experience the rainy season and will need to pack accordingly. Light rain jackets can come in handy, or expect to buy cheap rain ponchos while in Southeast Asia.

TEAN Packing Tips

• Remember the “less is more” theory
• Two checked bags + weight limit + overage fees = pack lightly!
• Leave behind half of what you think you’ll need
• Put labels on your belongings (especially on all of your luggage)
• Please refer to your airline carrier’s website for current baggage restrictions on international flights

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Suggested Packing List

The packing list provided is a suggested list. Triple-check to ensure you have everything necessary. TEAN is not responsible for forgotten items.

Necessary Items

• Work attire – generally it’s business casual but each host organization has variations depending on the duties of the intern. Please contact us if you have any concerns about appropriate attire in your placement.
• A raincoat – one with a detachable liner is best or a waterproof Gore-Tex jacket
• Sweatshirts/jackets/fleeces – Save space in your luggage by not bringing more than one light jacket
• Jeans
• Khakis or lightweight trousers/comfortable skirts or dresses
• Underwear and socks
• Light layers
• Shorts and T-shirts – no cut-offs or super short shorts
• Tennis shoes/walking shoes/gym shoes
• Sandals
• Dress shoes for work/going out in the evenings (see note above)
• Bathing suit
• Sunscreen & other specific toiletries (you can also purchase anything you need abroad)
• Camera
• Smaller backpack for weekend travel
• Prescription medicine for your entire stay
• Plug adapter for small electrical devices (computer, cell phone, etc.)

Unnecessary Items

• Extra toiletries – you can buy these in your host country
• Hair dryer, hair straightener, electric razors/shavers – the voltage most likely won’t work in your host country, so this are best purchased after arrival
• Beach towel or extra bath towel (you can buy a cheap beach towel in your host country)
• Rain boots – rain boots are bulky and not necessary in places like Australia or New Zealand.  If interning in Southeast Asia, we recommend bringing waterproof shoes/sandals over rain boots.

Items TEAN Will Provide

• Bedding and linens
• All kitchen supplies: utensils, pots/pans, crockery/glasses

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Baggage Restrictions

Most international airlines allow all passengers two checked items, one carry-on and one personal item. However, it is important that you contact your airline carrier for their current baggage restrictions (including dimensions and weight) and fees for additional checked items as their regulations change frequently. If you exceed two checked items, it is generally more economical, safer and easier to pay the airlines for additional checked baggage versus shipping items overseas. Purchasing your domestic flights on the same ticket as your international flight will ensure you receive the same baggage allowance on your domestic flight as your international flight. Be sure to double check your baggage allowance for any independent domestic flights to ensure you don’t get overcharged.

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How to Dress for your Internship

Most internship sites will require you to wear “smart casual” clothing. Just think business casual. Some internship sites do not require this so please check your placement description or check with the TEAN Internships Team.

Ladies: nice trousers, dresses, skirts, nice top or blouse, cardigan, closed-toe shoes

Men: button down shirt, collared polo, nice trousers, casual dress shoes

In general, those overseas dress a bit nicer than Americans, especially when going out in the evenings. While it is important that you are comfortable, you might want to consider bringing some nicer clothing with you for going out.

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Weather

Australia and New Zealand

For summer interns, you will be arriving during the southern hemisphere in the winter. Below are the average winter temperatures by location.

• Sydney, Perth, and Adelaide: 46-66 °F
• Melbourne and Newcastle: 45-60 °F
• Cairns: 63-80 °F
• Brisbane: 50-72 °F
• Auckland: 45-60 °F
• Wellington: 52-55 °F
• Palmerston North: 40-60 °F
• Christchurch has an average winter temperature of 52 °F but can get down to 32 °F overnight.

The sun will be much stronger than what you are used to here in the U.S. Be sure to bring sunscreen with you and use it daily, especially when you plan on being outside. Some of our worst sunburns have been due to lack of preparation, and we really do not want you to experience the same – so please be careful with your skin.

Locations in Asia

Here are the average summer temperatures by city:

• Ho Chi Minh City: 77-94 °F
• Hong Kong: 79-89 °F
• Kyoto: 68-90 °F
• Seoul: 65-86°F
• Shanghai: 70-90 °F
• Singapore: 78-89 °F

Rain can be quite common in Asia during the summer months, especially Southeast Asia (Singapore, Vietnam).  It doesn’t typically rain all day every day, but short bouts of rain will occur in the afternoon and then the skies will clear.  We recommend keeping an umbrella in your bag to be prepared!  You’ll also want to be prepared with sunscreen and bug spray.

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Pre-Departure Tips

• You may want some local currency before you leave the United States. The easiest, yet more expensive, method is to exchange cash at the airport international terminal. There will be currency exchanges near your orientation accommodations in-country and ATM machines everywhere. If you plan on using your U.S. debit card overseas (which most of you will will), let your U.S. bank know prior to departure so they do not stop the card from being used due to suspected fraud. (See below for more on banking)
• Make copies of important documents (visa confirmation emails, passport, driver’s license, credit/bank cards, airline tickets, travel insurance info, etc.) – bring one set with you in your carry-on luggage in case your larger luggage is misplaced or wallet is lost or stolen, and leave one copy at home.  Even better, keep the digital copies in an email or a Google Drive folder so you can always access these online.
• Take photos of your packed luggage and the contents. It will help in the unlikely event that your bag(s) get lost or misplaced in transit.
• Bring a positive attitude and willingness to experience new surroundings!

Electronics

The plugs/sockets overseas are different from those in the U.S. This means that if you want to bring any electrical items from home to your host country with you, you must purchase a few plug adapters which ‘adapt’ your U.S. plug to your host country’s plug. You can find plug adapters online and in many box stores. You will want to be sure that the adapter specifically indicates your host country, or purchase a ‘universal’ plug adapter, which you will be able to use in all of your world travels.

It is very important to note that electricity in Asia Pacific is different from the U.S. Here, we use 110/120 volts, while in Australia, New Zealand and Asia they use 220/240 volts, which means that double the power is coming out of each outlet. So, in addition to your adapter, you will also need a power converter. Many electrical items designed for travel (laptop, cell phone, iPad, e-reader, etc.) had a converter built into the plug. You will want to read the fine print on any electrical cords you are bringing with you to ensure they specifically indicate ‘100-240v’.

We strongly recommend that you do not bring small electrical items including hair dryers, hair straighteners and electric shavers, as these items consume a large amount of power and even with an appropriate converter will more than likely ‘spark out’ if you choose to use them while abroad. These small electronics are not meant to handle the higher voltage and in almost all instances we’ve seen of students bringing these items from home, they have sparked out and students have had to buy new ones while in country.

Prescription Medications

First, please talk with your doctor about all prescription medications you take on a regular basis and ensure that you bring enough with you. You will need to bring all prescription medications with you, in their original packaging, with a prescription label on them.

If you are currently taking a controlled substance (something that by law you are only able to get a one-month supply), please talk with your doctor about how to ensure you have all medication you need. Many prescription medications are available in Australia and New Zealand, but it is important to note that not all medications will be available, so you want to do your research in advance.

Countries in Asia can be stricter on certain prescription medications that are allowed to be brought into the country, so you will want to do research to ensure your medication is able to be legally transported.

Australia

TGA General Information
Information about bringing medication to Australia
List of controlled substances 

New Zealand

Medsafe General Information
Bringing/Importing Medication
Medicine Classification Database

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Health Insurance

Comprehensive International Health Insurance is covered in your TEAN Internship Program. We work with our partner, CISI, to provide you with health insurance in the country in which you are interning for the duration of your internship.

Please note: This insurance only covers you while you are in your host country. If you travel to another country before, during or after your internship, you will want to make arrangements for additional health insurance.

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Personal Articles Insurance

We recommend you put anything of value (i.e., digital cameras, iPods/iPhones, jewelry, musical instruments, cell phone, laptops, etc.) on a Personal Articles Policy (many homeowners already have this policy so you most likely can add your items onto your parents’ Personal Article Policy). This insurance often covers the full value of the items worldwide with no deductible. Typically, items valued up to $3,000 can be covered for an approximately $30 premium. We encourage you to take pictures of item(s) and note their model, make and serial number, as well as saving receipts when possible. Purchase of this insurance is left to your discretion.

We believe that the combination of the CISI and a Personal Article Policy offers the broadest, most comprehensive coverage while you intern and travel abroad.

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Travel Insurance

Trip Insurance is optional and is not included in TEAN program fees. We recommend considering supplemental trip insurance to protect against unexpected mishaps (i.e. lost luggage) that can occur while traveling. Plans range from $100 to $350 and can be purchased through various insurance carriers. If you would like to discuss plans with TEAN’s recommended travel agency please contact Student Universe at 303-802-8507.

Safety While Abroad

We are committed to the health and safety of every participant. It is very important that you make informed decisions about your study and travel destinations. We continually monitor the safety and security of our intern abroad program locations as well as popular student travel destinations. We continue to advise students of the safety and health risks associated with interning and traveling abroad based on the information from the U.S. Department of State travel warnings, local law enforcement, the local government, NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the World Health Organization.

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Tips for Personal Safety

• Emergency Contacts: Be sure to designate a parent or guardian as your Emergency Contact in our online system. This way, information regarding an emergency situation will automatically be passed on to your parent/guardian. Also make sure to provide us with your Emergency Contact’s most up-to-date contact information.
• Your Contact Details: Provide TEAN with accurate and up-to-date contact information regarding your telephone, cellphone, address and email address. Be sure to notify your parents and Resident Director in case of an emergency.
• Keep Others Informed: Tell others (your roommates, your parents, your Resident Director) your travel plans. Keeping others informed will make it easier to locate you in case of an emergency.
• Stay Informed: Research the political, cultural and social climate of your intern and travel abroad destination before heading overseas. While abroad, read local newspapers and watch local news broadcasts for developments that may affect your health and safety. If you have questions, please contact us either in the U.S. or abroad.
• What about anti-American sentiment? Although individual Americans are generally well-liked abroad, there can be negative feelings toward U.S. Government policy. Participants are urged to use common sense, dress to blend in, speak softly, avoid overt displays of American patriotism and avoid all public demonstrations.

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Emergency Response Plan

We have created an Emergency Response Plan for our study abroad and internship locations that will be implemented by both our local Resident Director staff and our U.S.-based staff in Chicago. Our staff will work with students, parents, and study abroad staff at both the student’s home and host university to provide the most up-to-date information regarding any situations that may arise while interning abroad. You will be given Emergency Contact Information before you depart the U.S. and also briefed at orientation on specific instructions to follow in case of an emergency.

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TEAN Protocols

• In the event of a health emergency, serious accident, natural disaster, crime or death, each program location has a contingency plan that can be activated. TEAN will contact participants, their emergency contacts and home universities in the event of such a situation.
• Disclaimer: Nothing in this plan is a guarantee that any specific action will be taken in any given situation, nor is anything in this document a contract or part of a contract between TEAN and any other party, nor is any statement in this document intended to sell a service to a prospective customer, nor to attempt to persuade any party to avail themselves of any program or service provided by TEAN. Health, safety, and recovery from emergency situations are the sole responsibilities of each individual participant

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Urgent after hours line

• TEAN personnel are available to assist you with an emergency 24/7. In addition to having access to a Resident Director, as well as instructions on contacting Police/Fire/Ambulance in your host country, you and your family will be able to reach us after hours in the event of an emergency. Although we will not always be your best resource to resolve an issue directly, we work in conjunction with our partners on the ground to make sure students get a quick resolution in crisis situations.
• Please call 512.632.9284 during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, CST (and Fridays until 4:00 pm CST). For emergency assistance after business hours, please call 574.239.6545.

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VACCINATIONS

It is recommended to have general vaccinations up-to-date including tetanus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, etc.

If you have any health conditions that may cause issues, please make sure to consult a doctor before departing.

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RElevant Travel and Safety Links

Helpful travel and safety links are listed below.

State Department Travel Warnings
Center for Disease Control
World Health Organization
US Embassies

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Internet Services

All students will have access to Internet services in their accommodation. Please note that, in general, internet might not be as you may be accustomed to in the U.S. Daily data limit usage may apply, so you will want to budget your time online accordingly.

Currency

See below for a list of the currency in our internship locations.

• Australia – Australian Dollar
• New Zealand – New Zealand Dollar
• Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnamese Dong
• Hong Kong – Hong Kong Dollar
• Kyoto – Japanese Yen
• Seoul – Korean Won
• Shanghai – Chinese Yuan/RMB
• Singapore – Singapore Dollar

We recommend Googling your host country’s currency to have an idea of the money and coin currency in your soon-to-be new home. It’s a good idea to start teaching yourself the conversion rate so you can quickly pick it up upon arrival.

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Bringing U.S. Currency Abroad

We do not recommend bringing large amounts of cash with you for security and safety reasons. However, you may wish to bring a small amount of your local currency for any initial personal expense needs. Most major banks in large U.S. cities have foreign currency in stock, but smaller, regional banks may have to order these currencies. Therefore, do not wait until the last minute to place your order. Alternatively, you can exchange money at the Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago or San Francisco Airport before you depart for your overseas flight. This is slightly more expensive than using a local bank (1%-2% higher fees), but can be convenient. Currency exchanges are not open 24 hours in Australia and New Zealand so you should obtain the foreign currency in Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago or San Francisco.

You may choose to wait until you arrive in your host country, and then use your bank card to withdraw local currency out of the ATM at the airport. This is usually the easiest option, but make sure to read the section below about using ATMs abroad. If you’re interning in a cash economy (like China or Vietnam), you’ll want to ensure you do have some local cash with you upon arrival.

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Money Access Abroad

Cash (ATMs): The use of an American ATM card is a convenient and fast method to withdraw money while abroad. Most of these transactions assess the wholesale exchange rate that applies to large foreign currency transactions, which ultimately means savings for you. Please check with your bank to ensure your PIN number and ATM card will work abroad. Some international banks currently do NOT charge any fees for using ATMs, but you will want to see if your home bank will assess fees for foreign withdrawals (this is pretty common).

Very Important: You must call your bank in advance and notify them that you are traveling internationally and will be using your ATM card abroad. If you do not, your accounts may be frozen to ‘protect’ you from theft (i.e., the bank will think someone has stolen your cards and is using them abroad).

Before departing the U.S., determine if your current ATM/bank card is readily accepted at foreign ATM machines. Check if your U.S. bank has an affiliation with a bank in your host country by contacting your current U.S. bank. For Australia Interns, Bank of America and Australia’s Westpac are affiliated. The advantage is there would be no ATM withdrawal fees or foreign transaction fees when you use your debit card at Westpac ATM’s.

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Credit Cards

Major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express are most commonly accepted in Australia. Visa and MasterCard are accepted more regularly than American Express. Please keep in mind there must be someone readily available to pay your credit card bill (if your billing is not online) or your finance charges will quickly add up. Most credit card bills can be paid online so you may be able to pay from abroad without involving a third party.

Very Important: You must call your credit card company in advance and notify them that you are traveling internationally and will be using your credit card abroad. If you do not, your accounts may be frozen to ‘protect’ you from theft (i.e., the credit card company will think someone has stolen your cards and is using them abroad).

• Your credit card must be in your name as shown on your passport.
• Be aware that many credit card companies charge approximately 3% for foreign currency transactions. Please contact your credit card company and ask them what the foreign currency transaction fees will be.
• Make sure you have signed the back of your credit card.

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Banking Recommendations

• The quickest (and most economical) way to receive money from home is to have the funds deposited into your home bank account and withdraw those funds with an ATM card.  Wire transfers take a minimum of 3-7 days to reach you abroad.
• You will find that most major credit cards are widely accepted overseas.  We recommend Visa or MasterCard.
• If possible, bring some local currency with you from the U.S. in case you arrive overseas during non-business hours, e.g., when banks and currency exchanges are closed.
• For those participating in the summer internship program, there is no need to open a bank account in your host country.

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Personal Spending

For day-to-day spending, excluding any major travel plans, you should budget approximately the same as you would for a summer in the U.S. plus an additional 10-20% to factor in variances of cost of living and extra activities. General day-to-day living expenses are comparable in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Kyoto and Hong Kong to that of major cities in the U.S., however students tend to spend more on weekend travel and entertainment when abroad. Living in a large metropolitan area will be more expensive than living in a smaller town.  If you are interning in Vietnam, Shanghai or Korea, you will experience a lower cost of living and will find food and transport to be cheaper than you are used to in the States.

Cultural Events

Your program includes a minimum of two cultural events with TEAN. You will be given more information about your events during orientation. Activities are subject to availability and location; examples of past cultural events have included:

Australia

Sydney Opera House Performance
Rugby Match
Surf Lesson

New Zealand

Rugby Match
Visit to Weta Studios
Whale Watching

Ho Chi Minh City

Mekong Delta tour
Scavenger hunt around the city
Shop in the local markets and then cook a traditional meal

Hong Kong

Experience a traditional dim sum lunch
Participate in a community volunteering event with local students
Professional networking event within the Hong Kong startup scene

Kyoto

Day trip to Nara or Osaka
Learn how to make matcha tea
Take a meditation workshop in a Japanese zen temple

Seoul

Intro class to learning Korean language
Visit Insadong
Temple visit

Shanghai

Day trip to Hangzhou or Suzhou
Enjoy a historical day visiting the former French Concession
Cooking class on how to make Chinese dumplings

Singapore

Visit the botanical gardens
Attend a local festival, like Diwali
Participate in a community volunteering event with local students

Airport Pick-Up

Please complete the Arrival Forms sent to you by your Program Manager. We use this information to help coordinate airport pick-up when you first arrive for orientation as well as preparing for any domestic flights you will have after orientation (if applicable).

Specific arrival details will be provided to you prior to departure but in general, you will need to arrive within the allocated arrival window provided to you during the flight booking process. If you arrive during that window, you will be met at the airport by TEAN staff and provided an airport transfer to the orientation accommodation.

It is your responsibility to notify TEAN in a timely manner if you experience flight delays and/or itinerary changes.

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Contact Information

Prior to your departure your Program Manager will provide you with contact details for all key TEAN personnel, including your Resident Director, as well as information on your local embassy and emergency contacts. Please be sure to program these numbers into your phone and have print copies as well.