Go Abroad China Reviews

Actually, going abroad was a last second decision for me but right off of the bat, Go Abroad China was there helping me along. Go Abroad China was extremely helpful throughout my whole process. With only a few days left before application deadlines, they quickly provided me with all of the information I needed to be sure that this was the right trip for me. And I could not have been more correct in my decision. On the day of my arrival, Go Abroad China offered to pick up from the airport, take me to my host family. Their accommodations to make sure you were settled in were useful for me. After they gave me a tour of the national museum, they took me to my host family. My host family's house was very well kept, clean, and most of all welcoming. My entire host family was happy to have me there and encouraged me to fully immerse myself in the culture. They tried to make my meals according to what I prefer, something not easily done in a common household in my home town.

Besides, while we were studying at our respective schools we had a resident director that stayed in close contact with us the whole time. This was very nice because whenever we had a question or something, we knew we could always go to him/her. My resident director would set up fun things for us to do together every couple of weeks, which was nice.
At the weekend I had the opportunity to complete the famous “The Bund” trip, which, although involving a little far away from where I lived, was definitely one of the best parts of my time in Shanghai. At the second weekend, when we actually made it to the West Lake, Go Abroad China blew all expectations out of the water when we arrived at our "housing". By housing I mean a classy hotel with full sized kitchens, flat screen televisions, maid service, a full sized indoor pool, an outdoor pool, and a gym. My particular room was located on the 24th floor with a balcony that overlooked the Lake. This provided for an awesome way to wind down the day and watch some of the most incredible sunsets you've ever seen.

With so many different activities planned including touring around the city and a boat ride around the harbor, it really created the perfect environment to bond with the other people on trip and get a feel for the country's city culture.

I could not have been happier with my study abroad experience. Go Abroad China has helped in everything we have done. From the time we landed in Shanghai till the farewell dinner, we had help all the way. Wow, I began to miss Shanghai again.

When I first got to China, I was picked up from the airport by a member of the Go Abroad China staff and immediately taken to my host family. I had two host sisters, a host mom, and a playful dog named Tato. I was lucky to have a spacious room all to myself. A little later into my stay of 2 months, I also received another intern who is also arranged here by Go Abroad China in my host family, and it was so great to have another intern to bond with in my house. I met a lot of the Chinese families that were hosting other interns, and all of them were so warm and welcoming. I am so grateful for memories with them of trying traditional dishes, dancing around to typical songs, and celebrating a birthday Chinese style, which involved getting a cake in the face.
I was also very lucky because I immediately fell in love with my placements. I was placed at a great IT company. Everyone in this company is so warm and welcoming. My life is busy but I really enjoy it. However, I never felt abandoned by Go Abroad China, as I had a supervisor who came to visit me each week at my host family and ask me if everything ok for me. In addition to working in the company, I also worked in the Sports Program on some afternoons, in which I served as a recreational volleyball coach and mentor to 10 to 11 year old girls. This was such a rewarding experience, and I came to love my girls as the little sisters I had never had.
On top of all of this, Shanghai is a great area to be located in and I took part in may activities arranged by Go Abroad China, such as barbecue, KV, travelling, ect.. The other part of my experience that I am so incredibly thankful for is the amazing group of interns that I came to know and love. We were brought together by Go Abroad China in Shanghai. They were such an extraordinary group of people who became some of my closest friends and whom I continue to keep in contact with even after we have all returned to our respective home countries.
Overall China was the experience of a lifetime and if I have a second chance to choose it, I won’t hesitate to choose Go Abroad China again.

I first heard about Go Abroad China through my university. I was looking to complete an internship internationally and Go Abroad China was one of the organizations recommended to me by my Internship Coordinator. I chose to go to China because I was looking to complete my internship in a place that would enable me to improve my Chinese skills while at the same time exposing me to a culture-rich environment. It is an understatement to say that I was not let down. China was without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life, and I have Go Abroad China to thank for organizing it and being with me every step of the way (especially through all my long question-packed emails) before I even boarded the plane for China.
The moment I got off the plane, I liked the country immediately. Go Abroad China team picked me up at the airport. They took me into town and showed me where I could buy things I needed, and many times called to see if everything was going Okay. Nice follow up that I had not experienced with other agent coordinators with other internship organizations.
I have several great moments in the program, but the most heartwarming is the way the kids at the daycare all greet me with sister and come for kisses and hugs. They are so cute. I begin to miss them now. The second is a trip to a The Bund, which is a famous scenic spot, I was really attracted by the beauty. Now all of that wonderful time will stay with me in my whole lifetime.

I decided to travel to Shanghai with Go Abroad China for a two week High School Special program after studying Mandarin for a year at school. I felt that it would be a wonderful experience that would broaden my cultural horizons. My time in Shanghai was everything I imagined and more! I arrived nervous, for it was my first time traveling without friends or family who would share in my experience; however, the great Go Abroad China staff really worked to ease my concerns. Upon arrival, I was immediately greeted by an employee and introduced to other students who would be working with me. I was then brought to my home stay, where I was greeted by my cheerful host family, who taught me about traditional Chinese holidays and about everyday life in Shanghai throughout my time with them.

During the first week in Shanghai, our mornings were spent at the Group Study Mandarin Club, where we took lessons in language and culture. Although I already spoke some Mandarin, our teacher taught us about the local dialect, which made me even more comfortable speaking in the city. I was also very interested during the lessons about the daily, traditional, and business components of the Chinese culture. After our morning lesson and lunch at a local restaurant, we went to different types of businesses throughout the city. Throughout the trip, we worked on a presentation for China Linguist, one of the city’s major linguistic companies, which we presented towards the conclusion of the trip. We also visited multiple law firms to learn about the Chinese legal system the differences between western and eastern law.

My free time was filled with visiting local attractions and restaurants. We went to a traditional Chinese Opera show and ate at a hot pot restaurant. My host family took me to their hometown of Leshan to see pandas and the Leshan Giant Buddha. I was able to really immerse myself within the Chinese culture during my free time.

Prior to my arrival, I was uncertain of what to expect from the local food; however, I quickly came to realize, through the urging of both my host family and staff members, that trying the unfamiliar dishes would lead to me finding new favorite dishes. Shanghai food, famous for its special taste, is quite unique, and whenever I find myself missing Shanghai, I go out to eat some.

Overall, my experience with Go Abroad China was phenomenal! The staff really helped to make my experience memorable through working to ease all of my concerns, creating interesting daily agendas filled with both cultural and business-related education, and making me feel at home while I was thousands of miles away.

I had a wonderful experience in China with Go Abroad China. The Go Abroad China staff was very helpful and level headed. Prior to traveling, when I unexpectedly lost my passport during the government slow down Go Abroad China staff told me to be patient and not cancel anything until about two days before I was expected to leave, just in case the new passport arrived in good time. I was glad for their advice as I was panicky that I might lose the trip and the internship experience.
It was eye-opening to realize the magnitude of the problems in Shanghai, China which have developed better in recent years. The company I interned with is an on-the-ground, activist organization fueled by passion and commitment of the founder/director. It is a great internet and media company. They need lots of help, I felt I did them a great favor. I am grateful for what they teach me not only in my working ability but also in Chinese speaking. The women I worked with were incredibly generous and grateful and really appreciate all the help that interns are giving. However, it’s good to have some idea of how you would like to help and take the bull by the horn. They need help writing, organizing, updating the website, grant writing, letter writing, etc. I look forward to following up with the work that I started there…editing the video clips into short videos that can be used for fundraising or on the website. The experience was humbling and inspiring.
It was quite difficult to leave Shanghai in the end. Even having been there for a short time, I had made friends who I know will be my lifelong pen pals and totally immersed myself in the new, exciting culture of China. I am already planning my next trip to China with Go Abroad China, but it might be more wishful thinking seeing as I am about to become a student! But my advice to those thinking of volunteering is not to think about it too much, obviously planning for your trip is important but try not to get too caught up in what might or might not happen when you're there – just go for it, you won't regret it.

I trusted Go Abroad China to place me in reliable and honest organizations that are 100% committed to making a difference in my country. Go Abroad China brought me to Beijing in 2012. The trip was my own without any friends or family traveling accompanying me. But with Go Abroad China I honestly never felt alone. The best example of how much I trust this organization is that I went back to Go Abroad China for my next trip to Shanghai in 2013. They fit me with an organization as passionate as I am and knowledgeable as I hoped to be. My placement was incredible and I couldn't have imagined a better fit for me. I was working with at least four other interns at a time but we all worked in different areas.
Besides I was arranged to stay with a local family, which is my favorite moment in China. When I asked my "mum" if I could go to dance lessons during my time in Shanghai and she was like "dance lessons? Of course! Tonight we'll put on some music and I teach you how to dance.". And so we did and it was so much fun! :) ....At work it was simply every morning when I arrived and everybody screamed "good morning" and hugged me. I felt loved.Along with the time spent with Chinese people, my Chinese skills are improved much.
In addition to all of this, I met some other dedicated intern from around the world. In total, we were a group of 10 from 9 countries. The best part of this organization is that you can choose what part of the year you want to go on your trip, so people in the group came and left for various lengths of time. I still keep in touch with my friends overseas today to see how they're doing.

Wow, where to start?

Going to China was a goal of mine since I was about 7 when I saw it in a movie, and at the age of 21, I was able to spend an amazing one year studying and exploring there. I created a short video of the beginning of my adventures in China, which will give me forever memory I ever had.

The Go Abroad China made the research, preparation, transition, and experience abroad easy and smooth. They provided all of the necessary details and logistics of going to a different country, as well as a great network of support all throughout the process. I was especially happy with the transition that Go Abroad China provided. I like to say that they provided three opportunities of transitions prior to beginning my new life:

1.) Getting to know each other
2.) Getting to know your host country
3.) Getting to know your university.

If all of these steps had occurred at once, I feel that I would have been very overwhelmed. But Go Abroad China offered the opportunity to make the transition slowly and have an amazing time learning and exploring all throughout the process.
China is the place that I have begun to call my home, where my friends have become family, and my dreams a reality. When we fully EXPERIENCE the world and the wonders it has to offer, we CONNECT with who we are, and DISCOVER who we can be.

Throughout the whole process of studying in Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Go Abroad China was amazing. From the beginning, they answered every single little question I had and made the entire process simple from financial aid to housing to the abroad university I picked, they were there every step of the way. I strongly recommend Go Abroad China to anyone who is thinking about studying abroad! Each of them went above and beyond of what I expected and made our time abroad just like home. Going with Go Abroad China was one of the best decisions I have made during my college career!

At first, traveling to the other side of the world seemed crazy to me. Getting on a plane for hours to China and immersing myself into a culture for one year was something that I was not comfortable with. With the help of Go Abroad China, it made my transition from Australia to China not only a smooth one, but an extremely enjoyable one as well. From the beginning Go Abroad China kept me organized from what I should expect and pre departure materials that were necessary for my success with my transition. They always had a timely response to my questions.

Once I got to the airport and was ready to take off I was accompanied by others in the program as well. This helped with the transition as we talked over our worries and excitements and realized we were all in the same boat. Once we got to China, staff members of Go Abroad China were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Traveling to the Xihu was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I was eager to get my semester abroad in China underway. I came to Shanghai with absolutely no understanding of Chinese culture, customs or language. The staff of Go Abroad China were so friendly and helpful, they made it very easy for me understand the Chinese. It was a fantastic experience and I'd definitely keep it in memory for my whole life. With the help of Go Abroad China they made the best semester of my life possible.

A number of things contributed to making my internship such a fantastic experience. First of all, as I chose the home stay option, I was living with a Chinese family in a typical Beijing apartment. The family was very kind and provided assistance to me where they could. Secondly, the internship position itself and the company I worked for were excellent. For the first time since starting my studies I was able to get real-world, hands-on experience applying my knowledge, and I got to learn a lot of new stuff along the way. Thirdly, the other employees at my work were great people who really enriched my experience.
I initially discovered GAC simply because they were one of the few overseas agencies to offer an internship program in my discipline. After browsing their website for an hour or so it became apparent to me that GAC was an extremely professional organization that has a clear understanding of student needs. Then I proceeded to contact a representative of the company. All of my questions were promptly answered, and the process for applying for the internship program was clearly explained.
Prior to coming to China I did not speak any Chinese at all, and naturally this makes life a little bit difficult, especially when trying to get directions or order food at restaurants. However, the program coordinator's service was extremely good. They were extremely friendly and helpful, and made the transition to Beijing life much easier than it would otherwise have been. I will recommend this program as it provides a very unique and rewarding experience, and is provided by a very professional and helpful organization. Choosing GAC for my internship has been an excellent decision, and I have not regretted it for a moment.

Ever since I participated in an exploratory Mandarin Chinese course in Grade 11, I had always craved the ideal opportunity to immerse myself in Chinese culture. As my university required an internship component as a graduation requirement, it seemed only reasonable to set my eyes on China as an internship destination. Only one concern remained. How would such an ambition become feasible? Luckily, there is Go Abroad China (GAC), a non-profit organization dedicated in equipping young adventurous interns in China with the expectation that they succeed and emerge as global leaders.

Naturally, the core of the internship program revolves around endeavors at the workplace. Assuming that the companies operate Anglophone environments, exposure to Chinese culture on a daily basis appears to be missing. Thanks to GAC, embedding elements of a culture pertaining to one-sixth of the world's population everyday became a reality that left me as a well-rounded and open-minded leader prepared for future challenges involving China's emergence as a world superpower.
If learning the Chinese language and customs is to occur regularly, then focusing in on the accommodation remains imperative. GAC abounds with options that enable participants to live with Chinese of all lifestyles. In my case, I managed to live with single roommates working full time, a wealthy family in Beijing's northern suburbs, and a host mother who worked professionally as a doctor. Irrespective of social status, all appreciated my effort to learn Mandarin, and they introduced me to a wide array of Beijing specialties to satisfy my appetite for Chinese cuisine. Such a set-up proved worthwhile in helping me integrate into Chinese society.
Additionally, 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.