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CET Academic Programs

Why choose CET Academic Programs?

CET Academic Programs is a study abroad organization that has been developing and delivering innovative educational programs abroad since 1982. Originally “China Educational Tours,” CET began operations in Beijing, and today offers a varied portfolio of semester, summer, and short-term customized programs for college, high school, pre-college, and gap year students around the world. Known for strong academics, professional program management, and supportive student services, CET strives to integrate students into their host communities, adopt environmentally conscientious practices, and promote diversity and inclusion across all programs.

Scholarships

CET Academic Programs Scholarships

CET is a study abroad provider with locations in Brazil, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Italy, Jordan, and Taiwan.

CET offers scholarships and financial assistance for their high school abroad, gap year abroad, and college study abroad programs. Financial assistance and scholarships are need and merit based.

Upon applying to any CET program, you'll gain access to CET's scholarships application.

Value
$500 - $2,000

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

CET believes in making study abroad accessible to students of all races, religions, origins, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations. We’ve gathered experiences from BIPOC students to share as resources such as the Identity Abroad pages, Perspective Pieces, and Identity Abroad Support Networks. We are also dedicated to becoming a more anti-racist organization by transforming our workplace, programs, and industry with our Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI) Action Plan.

LGBTQIA+ Support

CET supports and welcomes students of all identities on our programs. We provide program-specific information under the cultural climate section of our Identity Abroad webpages for LGBTQ individuals in each of our program locations.

Neurodivergent Support

CET makes every effort to offer accommodations comparable to that of the students’ home institution. Disclosing early helps us to make proper preparations. The accommodations offered at each program can be found on each program location's Identity Abroad page. These pages can provide a good idea about what classes are like in terms of workload and class time. Initiating one-on-one conversations with Student Service Coordinators can also help inform students' decisions and determine if a program will be a good fit.

Accessibility Support

CET makes every effort to offer accommodations comparable to that of the students’ home institution. The levels of accessibility, from wheelchair accessibility to extra time on exams, are under each program location’s Identity Abroad page. Initiating one-on-one conversations with Student Service Coordinators can help inform students' decisions and determine if a program will be a good fit.

Impact

Sustainability

CET is an environmentally conscientious organization at our headquarters in DC and programs all around the world. In each of our centers, we adopt local measures to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to sustainable practices. As part of our ongoing efforts towards sustainability, we’ve partnered with Cool Effect, a nonprofit focused on reducing carbon emissions through scientifically-proven, hand-selected carbon projects worldwide. For each trip taken by one of our staff members, travelers, or students, we donate to support three carbon projects chosen by staff volunteers every year.

Ethical Impact

When we set up a program overseas, we become a part of that local community. And as a community member, we are responsible for contributing to local initiatives in meaningful ways. Our website lists some local philanthropic organizations that help us fulfill this responsibility—they host our students, and we support their missions.

Reviews

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Maryana
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
CET Italy

Semester in Florence with CET!

Studying in Florence was an excellent experience that allowed me to expand my perspectives and learn more about the city and its people. Florence is a beautiful city that offers plenty of things to do and to see. The CET program did a great job organizing events that allowed students to meet, interact, and explore the city. They organized programs and activities that allowed us to see different landmarks, and the classes often included trips around the city that allowed students to understand more about and experience the culture of Florence. While the quantity of students studying abroad in Florence makes it easy to make friends, it can also be a downside when it comes to cultural emersion which is something to consider depending on what you are looking to get out of a study abroad experience.

What would you improve about this program?
I would improve the language courses in this program. I think that it would be very helpful to students to have a week or two before classes start when they take an intensive Italian course to introduce them to the basics of the language and the phrases that they will need to interact with people in the city. This can make interactions easier and less stressful for students while allowing them to learn more without the stress of other classes.
Pros
  • Supportive staff
  • Location
  • Well-educated professors
Response from CET Academic Programs

Hi Maryana,

Thank you for taking the time to write a review about your semester in Florence!

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Zoe
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CET Taiwan Fall 2023

TLDR: CET is difficult but overall a great experience

Taipei is an amazing city with so much to do from food to sightseeing to nightlife. It felt a little overwhelming at times, but it was mostly fun. Take advantage of the weekends to take trips to other parts of Taiwan with friends, like Jiufen, Hualien, Penghu, Beitou, and Tainan--those weekend trips were the highlights of my CET experience, but Taipei itself is great too. I came to CET with almost no Chinese language skills, and I improved rapidly with the language course through NTU. The electives I took were not my favorite--the 3-hour classes, even though they were only once a week felt really long.

The biggest piece of advice I have for anyone considering traveling to Taiwan in the future is consider what kind of study abroad experience you want to have. If you are really invested in improving your Chinese language skills or experiencing a different culture, I'd highly recommend CET Taiwan. But if you want a more laid-back, fun experience, CET might not be the right program for you (CET was fun but not in the traditional sense you imagine for a program in say, Italy). Again, I'd highly recommend CET Taiwan and just Taiwan as a place to visit in your life. It just depends what you are trying to get out of your experience.

Pros
  • Rapidly improved language skills
  • Food is delicious and cheap
  • Taiwan is a beautiful country with all kinds of sights (mountains, beaches, urban areas)
Cons
  • Time difference (hard to communicate with people from home)
  • Classes are rigorous and time-intensive, so not a lot of time for sight-seeing
  • If you are a beginner at Chinese, day-to-day communication with locals can be difficult
Response from CET Academic Programs

Hi Zoe,

Thanks for your review! Your advice was sound, and reading about your language gains through NTU was great :)

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Lilly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Unforgettable Study Away Experience

CET Taiwan overall was a great experience for me. I was able to improve my Chinese, experience Taipei and other cities, and make meaningful connections with locals. I thoroughly enjoyed and felt challenged in my Chinese course that was taught by the Chinese Language Division at NTU. However, I didn't like the CET elective that I took. The format of the class and the professor were disengaging, and it felt like I just wanted to get it over with every time I went to class. One thing I enjoyed about the CET program was living with a local Taiwanese roommate and having language partners. This allowed me to make friends easily and practice conversational Chinese often. Taipei is such a great location. There is always something fun to do in the city and the transportation makes it easy to explore. The people are also very friendly! I definitely want to visit Taiwan again in the future.

Response from CET Academic Programs

Hi Lilly,

Thank you for leaving a honest and thoughtful review. We hope you do visit Taiwan in the future!

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Eliza
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CET Taiwan Fall 2023

There are a lot of reasons that my semester with CET in Taipei was an awesome experience. CET does a really good job of encouraging you to immerse as much as possible in the local community (like the language partner program, local roommates cultural reimbursements, travel reimbursements, organized programs, etc) while also providing a lot of support and planning for you (housing, orientation, metro pass, programs, etc). While being in a language study program does mean you spend a lot of your time in class with other study abroad students and not locals, having local roommates and built in language partner program was a really unique chance to make connections and friendships with local students, and definitely helps to balance out the bubble of only hanging out with other Americans that can be an easy routine to fall into. In terms of location, Taipei is such a great city to live in and there are endless things to do for whatever you love; amazing hiking and nature, BIKING!!, history and museums, night life and night markets, sports culture, etc, all easily reachable by the safe and accessible public transit systems. The food I ate during my semester abroad is by far the best food I've ever eaten, and also the cheapest.
The academic culture of this program and Taiwan in general should definitely be considered before coming. There is a heavy focus on academics and you will be spending a lot of time in class and studying outside of class. While it is an adjustment to make, I think it is overall a good opportunity to learn how to prioritize time management, because you will have to put in effort to make time for all of the things you want to do/explore.
Looking back, my favorite things about Taipei became the routines I created for myself. The riverside bike path that runs all around the city is extremely lively all afternoon and night, and realizing that going on nighttime runs was something that was safe to do in Taiwan was a game changer for me: this little routine became one of my favorite things to do after my busy days of class and interning, and is one of the places I'll miss the most. Finding a nearby food alley in the neighborhood my apartment was in also became a part of the daily routine, and becoming friendly with the owners of my go-to breakfast street cart or braised pork restaurant really contributed to the sense of home in the corner of Taipei that I lived in.
Traveling all over Taiwan was undoubtably a huge highlight of this semester as well. The HSR and train systems make going virtually anywhere in Taiwan really easy as well as affordable. My favorite part of traveling in Taiwan is that Taiwan is not a major international tourist hub, and so traveling within the country was a really cool way to get a sense of the different local indigenous and regional culture. One of my favorite trips was over Mid-Autumn Festival, when my roommates and myself visited family of one of my roommates in Chang-hua (a small rural city). We were able to stay with her Taiwanese cousins and celebrate moon festival and barbecue with them.
These are just a few of my biggest takeaways from my semester abroad. I am so grateful for the three months I got to spend in Taipei, and know that it is a place I want to be a part of my life in the future.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I participated in CET’s internship program, and interned for Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (the ruling party of Taiwan). The timing of my internship, especially given the upcoming presidential election, meant that I was able to attend and assist with a lot of major events. A moment I will never forget was in my very first week in the program, I was working an international conference the DPP was hosting in Taipei. There was a high-profile gala held on the last night of the conference, and somehow another intern and I were put in charge of recognizing and greeting the VIP guest list. I remember being assigned this job and almost not believing they would actually give first-week foreign intern this responsibility. I was responsible for recognizing all of these people who I had never seen before that night, and the stakes felt incredibly high, given they were some of the most well-respected people in Taiwanese politics. It felt like every few minutes, my supervisor would come over to us and point someone out and say something like, “oh yeah, thats a senior advisor to the president.” The nerves paid off, though, and by the end of the night, despite the slight language barrier, I had had some unbelievable conversations with the people on my list, who were all incredibly kind and welcoming.
Pros
  • Huge language skills improvement
  • Taiwanese people are so friendly and welcoming
  • Safety
Cons
  • Time difference (communication with home is hard)
  • Work-centered culture
  • Busy schedule can make it hard to find time to explore
Response from CET Academic Programs

Hi Eliza,

Thanks for taking the time to write a review! With the routines you created in Taiwan, it shows that you found different ways to make Taipei your "home" that you can always return to in the future!

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Jewel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer in Taiwan: CET Taiwan 2023

Classes: I took Mandarin classes at National Taiwan University's CLD during the weekdays. The courses are pretty difficult, we went through units quickly and were tested very regularly, but the professors are understanding and are happy to work with students. The test taken to determine your level before the program begins is pretty holistic, and I felt comfortable at the level I was placed in.

Housing: Most housing was around 30 minutes away from NTU's campus. Some were further, which meant other students had a long commute. My apartment was in a very nice neighborhood and was a clean environment. Cleaners came bi-weekly to clean the apartment, but daily chores were done by myself and my roommates. We created a schedule to clean and take out trash and kept our living areas clean. If anything in the apartment broke or went wrong, such as AC units or getting locked out, CET was always on call to help us out.

Programming: CET admin planned a lot of events that were very engaging and well attended by students. We visited museums, attended theatre shows, did local tours, and even went to a Guardians baseball game. Sometimes, events seemed a little disorganized, but they were always fun to attend.

Internships: The summer program gives you the option to intern as well as take CLD classes. We had weekly meetings with the CET admin to check in about our roles and expectations at our different placement sites, and they were helpful. My internship was amazing, and I got really close with the other interns and my supervisor.

Pros
  • Learning Mandarin
  • Internship Oppertunities
  • Fun Programming
Cons
  • Difficult Course
Response from CET Academic Programs

Hi Jewel,

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review for us (and including some photos)!

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Isabel McLaughlin

Program
Isabel McLaughlin

Why did you choose this program?

I chose the CET Brazil study abroad program because I was intrigued by the radical art movements and street art in São Paulo.

I am drawn to big cities, and São Paulo seemed to offer a wide variety of opportunities and activities. Additionally, every aspect of the program supported an immersive and authentic experience. The most important for me was living in an apartment with other Brazilian students my age. I was extremely excited about meeting new people and building lasting relationships.

I was also intrigued by the Volunteering and Social Justice opportunities that were advertised in this program.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Kalamazoo College assisted me throughout the application process, both inside the University and the process with CET. Obtaining the Student Visa was long and complicated, but all of my questions were answered by CET.

I was in the first group of students to participate in the program. This meant I did not receive information from past participants.

When arriving in São Paulo, the CET team was amazing at assisting students. However, we also had the freedom to make our own decisions and find new opportunities.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I believe that everybody needs to shape and accept their own study abroad experience. Although we all have expectations about future travels, I think it is important to acknowledge these expectations before, during, and after your trip.

Don't compare your travels to others! Social media and stories don't fully communicate the everyday reality of studying abroad, so don't use social media to compare and criticize.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I participated in 5 classes during my semester in São Paulo. My Portuguese class met 3 times a week in the morning and the other classes occurred once a week in the afternoons.

Half of my classes were located at the CET office (2 blocks from my apartment) and the others were at Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (6 blocks from my apartment).

Reading assignments were common, but homework and projects were not overwhelming. This allowed me to use my nights and 3 day weekends to go to museums, adventure to new neighborhoods, experience night-life, and explore parks.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I was incredibly afraid that I would not feel welcomed and accepted by friends, colleagues, and professors in São Paulo. I did not speak Portuguese before arriving in Brazil, and I was afraid this language barrier would inhibit others from understanding my intentions and actions.

Overcoming this barrier was a long process.

My friends and professors always encouraged me to speak confidently. Their support helped significantly; however, it wasn't until I accepted my abilities and took pride in my growth that I lost my fear.

What did you learn on your program that will stay with you?

I learned how to incorporate attitudes of community and sharing into all aspects of my life. Most of my experiences in Brazil showed how eating, cleaning, talking, studying, exploring, drinking, and dancing are meant to be enjoyed with others.

Before studying abroad, I had a mindset of independent strength and productivity. This mindset changed dramatically and I now find more joy in relaxation, conversation, and collaborative work.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Nova Shao

Program
Job Title
Resident Director, CET Shanghai
Nova started to work for US-based study abroad programs in Shanghai in 2007 and joined CET Shanghai in 2013. Nova holds a BA in Sociology from East China Normal University and a MPhil in Social Anthropology from the University of Bergen in Norway. As a native Shanghainese, Nova leads walking tours in Shanghai herself. She loves introducing her native city of many faces to students, and enjoys helping students get most out of their Shanghai experience and proudly being a responsible global citizen.
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What is your favorite travel memory?

I am most interested in experiencing and exploring a culture that is very different from mine. I have traveled to many places in Europe and also within China, but my favorite travel memory goes back to the first year of my college life.

I traveled to Harbin, the capital city of Heilongjiang Province in North China, with a few friends. It was right before the Chinese New year when almost all the Chinese people working outside were heading back to their hometown to celebrate the New Year with families, and we could only get a ticket for a hard seat on the train.

The painful 23-hour ride on the train was paid off by extraordinary experience in Harbin. The nature shaped by the freezing weather, the way the local people prepared and sold food, the fun of playing in thick snow and ice, and the interaction between north China and Russia are all deeply rooted in my memory.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I had been working for other study abroad programs in Shanghai before I joined CET Shanghai in early 2013. The biggest change for me is to grow from a “baby-sitter” to an educator.

An educator’s responsibility is to guide and train students to get the most out of the study abroad experience instead of taking away the challenges (especially the cultural aspect) from students.

It is certainly harder but much more meaningful than being a “baby-sitter”. Effective communication skills, good judgment, from experience, understanding of student’s background and patience are all needed to make it happen.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Students often say that the Shanghai experience has been a life-changing experience for them. It has an impact on student’s life choices in different ways.

I know a student who planned to establish a student club to promote Chinese language and culture creatively after she returned; a student who changed her mind to study public health instead of molecular biology after she was inspired by the person she met in China; a student who got his dream internship in New York City which owes a lot to the internship experience he had in Shanghai; and more and more students who fell in love with Shanghai and China and couldn’t wait to come back to start a career.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

As a Shanghai local employee, I am proud of my company and my supervisor who trusts local employees and offers many opportunities for local employees to grow.

CET is an organization which actively supports academically qualified students of all races, religions, origins, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations. I proudly found such diversity and inclusiveness in our office in Shanghai too.

It is just amazing that every staff member in our office is trusted to be a “manager” of certain job divisions and we are all indeed committed to CET’s mission of equipping students with new skills, broader perspectives, and an appreciation of difference.

Professional Associations

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