Go Abroad China: Study Chinese in China

Go Abroad China provides educational opportunities for students from all over the world. We offer placements in top Chinese universities, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Language and Culture University, and Fudan University. Our programs combine classes with professional teachers and staying with a host family, providing students with even more opportunities to practice their Chinese and get deeper insight into Chinese culture.

Go Abroad China also offers additional resources to students, such as after-school tutoring and cultural activities. Visit the Go Abroad China to learn more about the various language immersion programs available.

Reviews

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0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Internship Program

This internship was one of the best work experience I have had so far. Not only I could directly experience Chinese culture, but also I can now add something valuable on my career background.

Thanks to GAC support I had all I need to face daily life here. They provided me with everything I needed, besides some useful suggestions about China and the local habits.

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Submitted by Amelia on 04/27/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Australia    |    Novice Traveler    |      

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1 of 1 person found this review helpful
Best way to study chinese

GRC help me to have a contact with the biggest cultural country - china .The different cultures of the countries are always different. when I get to china my eye always keep opening and can learn many new things which different from my usual. I think that this program offers the BEST possible environment to learn in. china and GRC give me the best way to study Chinese. I have made many new friends in china and become friends with all of your professors, and I am learning about the history and cultural of china every day. I feel very thankful to GRC.

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Submitted by Cherry on 04/02/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Franch    |    Novice Traveler    |      

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1 of 1 person found this review helpful
The best way to study chinese

Go abroad china is committed to creating exciting opportunities for me when I go abroad china and also help me to gain much work experience and develop our Chinese language skills in China. With GRC help I have gotten much work experience and have traveled many interesting places .GRC offers fully customizable Internship, Volunteer and Study in China Programs to fit all my requirements and make my trip to China unforgettable. As a foreign student, I am very appreciate GRC can provide this precious chance to come china for me.

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Submitted by Hatty on 03/29/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   ENGLAND    |    Experienced Traveler    |    Alabama A&M University   

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2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Best Experience

I have been to China before to study the language, but this study experience was unique because I got to stay with a host family, which really allowed me to immerse myself in the culture and the language. This was very useful. My host family was very nice and I credit GAC for finding a family that really fit my needs. I'm convinced that their screening process for selecting suitable host families is effective. The whole stay was very pleasant and I knew I could contact GAC whenever I wanted in case I had a problem or needed help with something.

The staffs of GAC were very welcoming and polite. The GAC assistant that picked me up at the airport when I arrived very early in the morning had to wait several hours, and he was always friendly and helpful. The staff also organized a welcome dinner for another participant and me in a beautiful restaurant, which was a nice, welcoming touch.

This experience has allowed me to improve my Chinese language skills further, gain more confidence in my ability and learn about real contemporary Chinese culture. Furthermore, I have made friends with my host family and it is nice to have some contacts in China.

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Submitted by John on 03/18/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Male    |   Age: 14-18    |   Brussels, Belgium    |    Experienced Traveler    |      

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1 of 1 person found this review helpful
with GAC, in BEIJING

I had the Chinese course organized by GAC few months ago. It was a great time. I couldn't speak even a single word of Chinese when I first came, but GAC helped me a lot about Chinese class and everything else. They are really friendly. They also showed me how professional they are, and made me feel much better, not that scary as I was afraid.

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Submitted by PICH on 03/07/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   US    |    Experienced Traveler    |    Montclair State University   

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1 of 1 person found this review helpful
Really Great Experience..

I attended the class at BLCU. It was the intensive class so I had to study 6 hours a day. In the beginning I thought it was gonna be boring, but it wasn't!! My teachers and classmates were really nice and friendly.
I also joined some activities organized by GAC. It was really fun as well.

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Submitted by paul on 02/28/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Male    |   Age: 19-24    |   US    |    Experienced Traveler    |      

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2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My classes at BLCU were pretty good.

I came to Beijing through for a month to study at BLCU. GAC has been very helpful. They've done a lot for me - they picked me up at the airport, they've provided me with a phone, showed me around and they have taken me to lots of historic sites in Beijing, which has been really nice. My classes at BLCU were pretty good. They were a little harder than I was expecting, and it was confusing sometimes because the teachers weren't always clear GAC was here to help me, and I also figured it out on my own. It was really nice to have them show me around Beijing. It was really helpful. Overall, I really enjoyed my time in Beijing with GAC.

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Submitted by Tyson on 02/26/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Male    |   Age: 19-24    |   Canada    |    Experienced Traveler    |      

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1 of 2 person found this review helpful
Being in China with GAC

Doing Business with China for an American Company, I became aware how important the Chinese language and culture is. GAC's well-presented web-page allowed me a first overview of all the possibilities studying in China. My excellent impression on GAC was confirmed by professional and competent staff, giving me all necessary information and help. Being in China with GAC is like being in a big family.

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Submitted by Timothy on 02/25/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Male    |   Age: 25-30    |   US    |    Novice Traveler    |      

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Studying Chinese

Go Abroad China (GAC) always provides the sensation of security for its participants. There is always someone to turn the moment you need something in China. GAC allows participants to be selective in their accommodation options and it is thanks to this organization that I immersed myself into Chinese culture and rapidly benefited from improving my Mandarin with both roommates and families. The diverse background of the GAC participants additionally helped me improve communication skills as well as teamwork on complicated assignments. On the weekends, making friends through GAC proved to be rewarding as we bonded so much during the excursions and interactive activities like massaging, and cooking hotpot. These are skills that open up the challenging but worthwhile experiences in the real world that studying at a university cannot accommodate.

GAC provided supplementary help in learning Mandarin my assigning me a tutor. We would meet regularly in a cafe in order to maximize the language-learning environment since I could order food in Chinese at the same time. If the student's expectations do not directly correspond to those proposed by the tutor, GAC offers flexibility in which changing a tutor would not be problematic.

Assuming that the participant takes Mandarin, resides with a Chinese-speaking host family, and has exposure to the cuisine,everything would seem to be in order. What else could still be missing? GAC fills in the last missing puzzle piece by inviting students to take part at numerous excursions and cultural workshops offered on a weekly basis. Whether it be climbing at the Ming Wall, or learning the ins and outs of a Chinese massage, participants will enthusiastically choose cultural electives that cover an extensive realm of preferences. Those passionate about history and gardening will enjoy the Summer Palace, while those who are more action-oriented will enjoy Tai Chi.

Without GAC, interns would abound with confusion in a part of the world that may initially seem unfamiliar to them. Nevertheless, the help of such a reliable agency around the clock engages participants in an adventure that they will treasure for a lifetime. Remember,whatever a student puts into the experience is what he or she takes out of it,and those who take advantage of GAC will find a very rewarding experience that will remain indented in their memories beyond their stay in China.

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Submitted by Christopher on 02/22/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Male    |   Age: 19-24    |   US    |    Experienced Traveler    |    Virginia Commonwealth University   

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1 of 2 person found this review helpful
The best way to learn Chinese

Learn Chinese with a small group is a very unique experience. First, it allows you to learn what a culture is like firsthand from the Chinese roommate you are living with. Not only will you learn a new language, but you will also learn about the culture that surrounds that language and the people who actually live in that culture. You will have new experiences, you'll learn about new foods, and you'll learn just what it means to be Chinese.

You also grow as a person. You'll grow into new traits like tolerance and patience. You'll learn to open your mind to new perspectives and new ideas. You'll learn to think in the way that your Chinese roommate thinks and in the same way that people that live in that culture think so you'll be able to better understand where they're coming from and why they think the way that they think.

This experience not only allows you to learn, but it also allows your Chinese roommate to learn a little bit more about you and the culture you come from. It provides you a unique opportunity to dispel some of the myths and negative ideas that they might have towards you, and it also allows you to share the wonderful things about your culture with your family as well. Living with a Chinese roommate is secretly one of the best experiences that you can have. Not only to learn a new language, but also to learn more about yourself and about the people you will interact with. When you come to Go Abroad China, you will find the experience a thoroughly enjoyable one and also a fantastic one.

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Submitted by Brett Murphy on 01/18/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Male    |   Age: 14-18    |   Shang hai, China    |    Novice Traveler    |      

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1 of 1 person found this review helpful
Go Abroad China Learn Chinese program

I thoroughly enjoy the times I spend in China due mainly to Go Abroad China Learn Chinese program and I would recommend this process to anyone.
Learn Chinese with One on One tutor is the best path to improving one's Chinese. When you learn Chinese in a classroom, class begins and you speak Chinese and when class ends, you speak your native tongue. And that's about all the Chinese you can muster for that day. With a Chinese tutor, you often speak Chinese, and depending on your speaking ability, you may never speak your native tongue at all. This technique is beneficial to not only your speaking, but to your listening ability, knowledge of the usage of idioms, spoken Chinese, and slang. And importantly constantly hearing "authentic" Chinese alters your Chinese to the way in which Chinese people speak and away from the way foreigners speak Chinese. Soon you might even find that your ability to speak your native tongue suffers and that you are not only speaking good Chinese and listening with a full understanding of what is being said, but what you are actually thinking just in Chinese, rather than first in your native tongue and then in Chinese. That level of Chinese, I have heard, is what is called "fluency."

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Submitted by bacum on 01/18/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Male    |   Age: 19-24    |   Beijing, China    |    Novice Traveler    |    College of Mount Saint Joseph   

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2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Tremendous

It was a fantastic experience and my Chinese speaking skills and my understanding of the culture improved tremendously!
I was living with a Chinese family just outside of Central Beijing and had a private tutor for four hours a day. The home and family were very nice. The apartment was spacious, air conditioned, and I was given my own room and bathroom. Whenever I was at home, I would eat my three meals with the family. The neighborhood was very very safe. I had no issues or worries at all. I asked to be in a neighborhood where not much English was spoken, so I would be able to practice my Chinese. I was living in a community of 30,000 Chinese, where I made many friends during my stay. GAC provided me with exactly what I asked for.

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Submitted by Vimal on 01/18/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Male    |   Age: 19-24    |   New York    |    Experienced Traveler    |    New York University   

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2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Mandarin Program

I am a senior in college in the United States. I came to China to learn mandarin as quickly as possible. That being said, I decided learn Chinese with BlCU program would be most appropriate! The Go Abroad China provided outstanding service before, during and after my trip in China. I was most pleased with the degree of freedom I was able to exercise while in China. Since I participated under the BLCU learn Chinese, the class times were amazing. My teachers were understanding, smart, and very funny. I got more than plenty of time to explore the city; I even signed up at a local health club to upkeep the active lifestyle I have in the USA!

My host family was a perfect match for me. They were a down to earth, modern family. My stay there was great. My host mother was a busy professional, but always spent the time to show me around and teach me about Chinese Culture. This stay in Beijing reinforced my knowledge of the Chinese as generous, caring and intelligent people.

I will most definitely recommend Go Abroad China to my friends.

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Submitted by Richard on 01/07/2013
Reviewer's Bio:    Male    |   Age: 19-24    |   Germany, Munich    |    Novice Traveler    |    University of Munich   

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2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Go Abroad China is very helpful

My experience with Go Abroad China here has been great and quite helpful of course. I would really recommend GAC to all my friends; I think they are very nice and made me feel very comfortable every minute while in China. They have been very helpful and lovely to me! I am very sad for leaving! Anyway, they told me that we can still hang out together and I will for sure visit them from times to times next year.

My Chinese courses at Shanghai Fu Dan University are very good and I love the atmosphere at my university. I gained a great deal of practical knowledge from this course.

I really appreciate GAC making my stay in Shanghai such an interesting sojourn, and of course of helping my Chinese to improve a lot faster. Thank you again.

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Submitted by Sherry Loaiza on 12/27/2012
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Beijing    |    Novice Traveler    |    London of Kings colledge   

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3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Double safe

The program was awesome. I loved my home stay best. I was really lucky to stay with these hospitable, kind and understanding people. They were always there for me just like GAC guys. I felt double safe. I knew, no matter what, GAC and Mr. and Mrs. Wang will be by my side. They also helped me to practice m Chinese and the improvement was obvious. In exchange I taught their son, Peter (a very nice little folk) some English.
This month was amazing thanks to GAC!

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Submitted by Mary Janison on 12/25/2012
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Walnut, California    |    Novice Traveler    |    California State University   

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10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I fell in love everyday ---China Amzaing country

Hi, my name is Marry. I have studied Chinese for two years, and this is my first time with the Go Abroad China Program in Beijing. I really enjoyed it! I thought it was very fun and I learned a lot more than I would have otherwise. I would definitely recommend this program to other students because I have done multiple Chinese programs in China and I thought this one was the best.

I think Beijing Language and Culture University is the Amzing place to learn Chinese, and I made lots of friends there, never feel lonly here. we had lots of fun togeter. Also I really loved my host family. They were absolutely amazing and made me feel very comfortable and very at home. I think that in living with a host family, you learn so much more Chinese than you would otherwise. You also become more immersed in the culture as well as the language. I think that my relationship with my host family will be one that I share for a long while.

I really fell in love with China, a great place to go!

Critical Feedback:

do not eat out, use student oyster card, go to clearance section of tesco or coop for buying food. To party go to imperial college instead of expensive clubs.

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Submitted by Marry Rosenthal on 12/24/2012
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Beijing    |    Novice Traveler    |    Cornell University   

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31 of 40 people found this review helpful
I'm lovin it!

When I first arrived in China I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. It felt like biting off way more than I could chew.

The GAC staff has been of great help in supporting me in times of need. Not only guiding me throughout the entire program but also using their own free time to take me out on excursions and sightseeing events. Because of them I can truly say that this has been one of the most enriching experiences I've ever had in my whole life.

The program itself was tough but manageable. I have learnt alot during my time in China about their language, culture and history. It's truly a unique place.

I definitly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in Chinese language and/or culture.

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Submitted by Minellie on 09/06/2012
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Canada    |    Novice Traveler    |    Cardinell University   

Alumni Interviews

  • John Pirenne

Meet John Pirenne, Go Abroad China alum

GO: Why did you decide to study abroad with Go Abroad China?

John Pirenne, Go Abroad China alum
John Pirenne

John: Before making a decision, I browsed many internship agencies in order to look for one in China. My decision to pick Go Abroad China above others was quite easy to make. In fact, even though there are plenty of programs promoting good experiences and promising to have an unforgettable adventure in the other side of the world, I have to admit that GAC was the best.

First of all, the staff was very responding, and they helped me a lot to answer my inquiries and small concerns. It is amazing how we kept going back and forth with e-mails for a couple of months. I did not want to go through a terrible experience that would add nothing to my life's journey so I needed to make sure they were trustworthy and not just about marketing, it should maintain it's promises and the programs displayed on the website are real. This is a step I think everyone needs to check before immersing oneself into the unknown.

However, I could feel it was an encouraging program; They were very professional, helpful and very kind. These are key components for me to make a first move.

GO: What made this study abroad experience unique and special?

John: My experience in China lived up to my expectation and even went beyond. There are many things that made the whole experience unique. It goes without saying, being comfortable within the host family is crucial. I mean, if you can't feel at home, then it would be very intense all the time but I think I was so lucky. Maybe I was more than fortunate to live with such a great family. We spent some time together, did a lot of things I haven't done before; I got immersed into the Chinese culture, enjoyed authentic food and most importantly, I got exposed the hospitality of a Chinese family.

In addition, I met many people and thanks to the GAC staff, my life was so much easier to get around Beijing and know where to shop, where to eat and how to get used to the subway which is so convenient. Furthermore, I made new friendships and I met so many interesting people, my social life there was exceptional, it was very special and I had no time to stick to my computer screen due to my busy schedule and parties!

Similarly, the GAC activities as well were a good break and nice occasion where we could all meet. The dinners we had were really good and the staff were down to earth. Zoe and Maria were helpful too, they knew the place and they helped us finding good shopping markets, fine restaurants, etc. and quickly respond to any questions and we did not hesitate to contact them whenever we needed to. We even hung out all together from time to time. I am really grateful! It was amazing time.

GO: How has this experience impacted your future?

John: My experience in China was just perfect, I did not expect it to be so enriching. It impacted me on different levels; as an individual; it just made me realize how different cultures are and how we should respect our differences, there is no superior or right and wrong cultures, we just need to accept these values and traditions that took years to be formed. I feel like I grew up a little bit more after the month I spent in Beijing, taking the subway every day to work made me notice that this world is a puzzle and every country makes it's pieces and there are many things I witnessed that made me thoughtful about world-issues and many inspiring ideas come to my mind, it is just hard to explain, but I can certainly say that I bring back some cultural awareness and respect for every nation and culture.

Also, not being able to speak Chinese or hold a simple conversation was a wake-up call for language learning. I come to realize we need foreign languages they are always useful, the world is more connected than ever and knowing two or three languages is the minimum to do if we want to secure a job or even to be able to travel. We don't have to assume people around the globe must speak English even if it is the common business and technological languages, we still need others.

After I got lost in China and after I had my private lessons; I just started to think to enroll in Chinese class not only because I found obstacles to find my way back home or to ask for a place's address but rather to keep up with the world's change, China is a developing country and the future is lying on the horizon, we need some language weapon to be ready for the war! (I am exaggerating here, but you know what I mean... we must always have the tools for future) so this is my plan for the future.

Professionally, I start to think about any job offer in China, I can't say it is easy to enter the job market there but rather consider Asian cities which are rising, I would not mind if I can find a job within a corporation that operates in china, I am really open to Asia listings if I get the chance. Other than that, I am sure I would make another trip back to China; I would love to see Shanghai or Hong Kong.

Further Info

Living Arrangements: 
Apartment
Application: 
Online Application

About Go Abroad China

Founded in 2003, Go Abroad China is committed to creating exciting opportunities for students and young professionals interested to gain work experience and develop their Chinese language skills in China. With the clients' interests as our priority, Go Abroad China offers fully customizable Internship, Volunteer and Study in China Programs to fit all your requirements and make your trip to China unforgettable. Flexible dates, program components and affordable prices - our placements are uniquely designed to meet your needs and expectations.

All of Their Programs

Students exploring China
China
Go Abroad China provides educational opportunities for students from all over the world. We offer placements in top Chinese universities, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Language and Culture University, and Fudan...
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This listing has
an alumni interview.
95% Rating
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Media Interns in China
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Go Abroad China provides internships in Beijing in Shanghai with leading companies in a variety of fields including Information Technology, Non-Profit, Business Development, and Marketing. We are committed to creating opportunities for...
97
This program has been
rated awesomely fun!
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rated highly supportive!
97% Rating
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Volunteer teach in Beijing with Go Abroad China
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Go Abroad China offers valuable and meaningful volunteer programs in Beijing for individual and small group travel. As a volunteer in Beijing, you will have the opportunity to work with special needs children, orphans, immigrant worker's...
85% Rating
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