Program Reviews

My journey with the Learn Chinese at China's Top Universities with Homestay program was nothing short of life-changing. From the moment I arrived in Beijing, I was immersed in an environment that perfectly balanced academic excellence and cultural immersion. The language courses at Peking University were both challenging and incredibly rewarding, with passionate teachers who made every character and tone feel like a fascinating discovery. But the true magic happened outside the classroom - living with my homestay family allowed me to practice Mandarin in the most natural way possible, from morning market visits to late-night conversations about life and dreams. Their warmth and patience made me feel truly at home, and the cultural activities organized by GAC - from calligraphy workshops to temple visits - deepened my connection to China's rich heritage. After six months, I'm not just speaking Mandarin - I'm thinking and dreaming in it. This program is perfect for anyone seeking not just language skills, but a genuine understanding of Chinese culture and lifelong connections.

I didn't just spend a gap year in China—I collected a thousand little revolutions in how I see the world. Mornings might find me interning at a Shanghai tech startup, afternoons practicing Mandarin with elderly park-goers, and evenings learning family recipes from my host grandmother. GAC built the framework, but China filled in the colors: the startling quiet of a Buddhist temple, the electric hum of a night market, the warmth of a shared pot of tea with new friends. This wasn't a year away from life—it was life, dialed up to its most vivid setting. I returned not with answers, but with better questions, a solid foundation in Mandarin, and the quiet certainty that home can be found in the most unexpected places.

My summer in Beijing with GAC's high school program was absolutely life-changing! I'd never traveled alone before, but the moment I arrived, the coordinators made me feel completely safe and welcome. The Mandarin classes were so engaging—we learned through games, music, and real-life practice like ordering food at local markets. My host family was incredibly kind; they included me in everything from family dinners to weekend outings, and even helped me with my Chinese homework. I loved visiting a local high school and making friends with Chinese students—we still chat online! Between exploring the Great Wall, trying new foods, and bonding with other teens from around the world, every day was an adventure. I returned home more confident, independent, and with a newfound love for Chinese culture. This program is perfect for any high school student ready to step out of their comfort zone and into an unforgettable journey!

My internship in Shanghai through GAC was a career-defining experience. I was placed in the finance department of a Fortune 500 company, where I worked on real projects and gained hands-on experience in international business. The professional environment was challenging yet supportive, and I learned invaluable skills from my mentors and colleagues. The GAC team provided exceptional support throughout my stay, from visa processing to finding comfortable accommodation. I also appreciated the cultural immersion—exploring the city, trying local cuisine, and practicing Mandarin with locals. This internship not only boosted my resume but also gave me the confidence to pursue a global career. Highly recommended for anyone looking to gain international work experience!

My summer in Beijing was the first time I ever felt truly independent. As a 16-year-old from a small town, I was nervous about traveling alone, but from the moment I landed, the GAC coordinators made me feel safe and supported. The Mandarin classes were surprisingly fun—we learned through games and real-life scenarios like ordering bubble tea or asking for directions. My host family treated me like their own daughter, teaching me how to make dumplings and even helping me shop for clothes at the local market. The best part was bonding with other teens from around the world while exploring iconic sites like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. I returned home not only with better Mandarin skills but with lifelong friends and the confidence to take on new challenges. This program is perfect for any high school student ready for an adventure!

My gap year was less a planned itinerary and more a series of beautifully unscripted moments that rewrote my understanding of the world. I thought I'd be choosing between interning, studying, or volunteering—but GAC helped me weave them all into a single tapestry of transformation. Mornings might find me teaching English at a rural school where children's laughter became my favorite dialect, afternoons collaborating with Beijing tech innovators, and evenings sharing street food with grandmothers who became my unofficial language coaches. The magic wasn't in checking experiences off a list, but in the unexpected connections between them—how volunteering at a panda reserve would lead to a conversation that improved my internship project, or how a homestay family's cooking lesson would unlock deeper cultural understanding than any textbook. I didn't just visit China; I let China visit me, leaving its imprint in my accent, my worldview, and my heart.

My journey with the Learn Chinese at China's Top University with Homestay program was nothing short of transformative. From the moment I arrived in Shanghai, I was immersed in an environment that perfectly balanced academic rigor and cultural immersion. The language courses at Fudan University were challenging yet incredibly rewarding, with experienced teachers who tailored lessons to our individual progress. But the true magic happened outside the classroom—living with my homestay family allowed me to practice Mandarin in everyday situations, from grocery shopping to sharing stories over homemade meals. Their warmth and patience made me feel like I was home, even thousands of miles away. The program’s cultural activities, like calligraphy workshops and visits to historical sites, deepened my appreciation for China’s rich heritage. By the end of my stay, I wasn’t just speaking Mandarin—I was thinking and dreaming in it. This program is a must for anyone serious about mastering the language while building lifelong connections.

They say fortune favors the bold - my bold move was trading British drizzle for Shanghai's skyscrapers, and what a trade it proved to be. My internship at a fintech startup felt less like work and more like a masterclass in global business, where I was coding alongside developers who'd casually suggest grabbing bubble tea between solving complex algorithms. The GAC team didn't just arrange my visa - they became my cultural translators, explaining why my colleagues gifted me oranges during Lunar New Year and how to properly accept a business card with both hands. The salary wasn't just numbers in my account; it was weekend trips to misty Huangshan, spontaneous hot pot feasts with fellow interns from across the globe, and the quiet pride of becoming someone who could navigate both the Shanghai Metro and high-stakes client meetings. This wasn't just an internship - it was my personal hero's journey, complete with dragon-scale skyscrapers and the treasure of lifelong connections.

Totally worth it,I've improved my language skills a whole lot. The service was excellent, and this program has been a great asset to my future career—I highly recommend it. Arriving in a foreign country alone for the first time, I couldn’t help but feel anxious before coming to China. But now, I want to say—everything went smoothly. The service was thoughtful, and I didn’t experience any culture shock during my stay. The services included visa processing, airport pickup, and accommodation arrangement. They also helped me get a Chinese bank card, a transportation card, escorted me to the company and language school for registration, and more. GAC took care of every detail perfectly. I loved my Chinese teacher the most; she’s such a kind and sincere person. Here, I made many friends and also gained fluent Chinese speaking skills.

My homestay in Shanghai began with awkward charades over tea and evolved into late-night conversations about everything from Chinese poetry to global politics with my host parents. At Fudan University, my professors didn't just teach characters - they unlocked the cultural DNA hidden within each stroke. The real magic happened in the space between classroom and home: practicing tones with my host grandmother in the morning market, debating current events with my host brother over dinner, and discovering hidden local cafes that never appear in guidebooks. I didn't just learn Mandarin - I learned how to build a life in China, with all the messy, beautiful, and unforgettable moments that come with it.