Sending my 15-year-old son to RiSH in Shanghai was a huge leap of faith, but it paid off tremendously. The boarding program is so much more than just classes. The highlight for him was the high-speed train trip to Beijing to hike the Great Wall and the flight to Chengdu to see the pandas. At each location, they had "Mandarin missions" where he had to interact with locals to complete tasks. He came back much more mature, more responsible, and surprisingly enthusiastic about continuing his Chinese studies. The immersive environment really forced him to step out of his comfort zone and grow.

We wanted our 16-year-old, Jack, to experience something completely out of his comfort zone, and RISH definitely delivered. The itinerary is packed—they don't really do "weekends," so they were constantly exploring, from the Bund in Shanghai to the Great Wall in Beijing.

I won't sugarcoat it: the first 48 hours were a massive culture shock for Jack. The jet lag combined with the intense Shanghai heat and the fast-paced schedule was a lot to handle. He called me on day two feeling pretty homesick. But what really flipped his mood was the way the camp is set up. Taking classes in actual university classrooms made him feel like an independent college student, not just a kid at a camp. His mentor, Mr. Li, was fantastic. Mr. Li noticed Jack was struggling and actively pushed him to use his Mandarin outside of class. By the time they took the high-speed train to Beijing for the cultural tour, Jack was confidently bargaining with street vendors in Mandarin and trying every weird snack he could find.

The food provided is very authentic. Jack loved the hotpot but honestly wasn't a huge fan of the traditional breakfasts. The staff were great about making sure he had enough to eat, though. If your kid is an adventurous eater, they’ll be in heaven. If not, pack some granola bars! Staying in the 4-star on-campus hotel was also incredibly secure, which gave us peace of mind back home. Looking back, this trip pushed Jack to grow up and build confidence in the best way possible.

Sending my 14-year-old daughter, Mia, to China for three weeks was a massive step for me as a dad. I’ll be honest, my biggest concern was safety. You hear different things, and it’s a long way from home. When I saw that RISH uses a hotel strictly inside a closed university campus, that sealed the deal. It gave me the peace of mind I needed.

The hotel on campus was solid—clean, safe, and definitely better than a standard dorm room. It was comfortable enough for her needs. But the real highlight was the staff. Let’s talk about everyday life for a teenager. Mia is used to just throwing her clothes in a hamper at home. To be fair, she had never touched a washing machine before this trip. During her first week, she was completely stumped by the camp's laundry room. Her mentor, Daisy, was a total lifesaver. She didn’t just do the laundry for her; Daisy actually took the time to teach Mia how to operate both the washers and the dryers properly. It sounds like a small thing, but that kind of personalized, 24/7 care from the mentors is exactly what you want as a parent.

They also took classes in actual university classrooms, which made the academic side feel very authentic. The camp doesn't really have "weekends" where kids just sit around in their rooms. Instead, every few days they take the students out to explore major Shanghai attractions and do some shopping. Mia couldn't stop raving about the authentic Xiaolongbao. After the main classes wrapped up, they even took the group to tour another culturally rich city. Through it all, Daisy was always right there, keeping their small group organized. Looking back, sending her halfway across the world was worth every penny, and she came home with a completely new level of independence.

The itinerary RISH provides is brilliantly balanced and culturally rich. My daughter, Sophie, wasn't just sitting in a classroom all day; she was out trekking the Great Wall, exploring the historic Bund, and witnessing the futuristic innovation of modern Shanghai. The mix of ancient heritage and modern wonders gave her a holistic view of China that a textbook never could.

Sophie came back with a gallery of stunning photos from Suzhou and Hangzhou, but more importantly, she came back with an appreciation for the local lifestyle. The food was a major highlight—she raved about the authentic Xiao Long Bao, Hotpot, and Peking Duck dinners. RISH makes sure the kids get a real taste of China while also providing familiar options when they need a break. The cultural workshops, like fan painting and martial arts, were engaging and fun, preventing any hint of homesickness. Sophie felt like she lived a whole lifetime of adventures in just a few weeks. It is truly the gold standard for cultural immersion.

It's the thoughtful details that set RISH apart. One aspect that truly impressed me was how they handled daily chores. In the humid Shanghai summer, kids need clean clothes constantly. Instead of just doing it for them, RISH provides a free on-site laundry room where students learn to manage their own laundry. My son, Max, had never really used a washing machine before, but the RISH staff were incredibly patient. They actually taught the students how to use the machines and assisted them throughout the process. It was wonderful to see Max gaining this kind of real-world independence in a supportive environment. The teachers didn't just stand back; they were right there making sure he knew what to do. This level of care extended to every logistical detail. From the seamless airport pickup to the teachers personally escorting him through customs at the end of the trip, every detail was handled with 15 years of expertise. As a busy parent, seeing my son return home more self-sufficient was the best part of the summer.

RISH provided a fantastic, prestigious platform for my son, Noah, to connect with other high-schoolers from across the globe. In his group alone, there were kids from Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. Noah has made lifelong friends and they are already planning a reunion! This camp broadened his global perspective in a way that his local school at home never could.

The environment at RISH encourages independence and self-confidence. Noah learned to navigate a foreign city, manage his schedule, and interact with a new culture, all while being supported by the amazing bilingual mentors. He returned home more mature and globally aware. It’s the perfect mix of independence for the teens and total peace of mind for us parents. We were so impressed with the quality of students RISH attracts—they were all motivated, respectful, and curious. We are already looking at the 2026 sessions for Noah's younger brother because we want him to have the same life-changing experience. Highly recommend to any parent looking to give their child a global edge.