Go Abroad China

Go Abroad China Reviews

Kyrra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Experience of My Life

Go Abroad China's on-site staff was incredible! They had the perfect balance with staying in touch with students, as they were neither too over-bearing, nor impossible to contact. If needed, the staff was a simple text or phone call away. Other than that, they met up with us monthly to see how we were doing and discuss our trips, classes, and plans for the remainder of our time. Although they did give us our freedom in the country, they were always looking out for us; a perfect example, I cut my finger while I showed my host family how to cooke the Pasta and was taken to a Chinese clinic, so luckily that they speak perfect English and looked after while I got stitches. The Go Abroad China program was very well organized, staff was friendly and helpful and I have participated in the wide range of activities. The Go Abroad China crew continued to accompany me to check-ups for the remainder of the trip. I have mostly enjoyed the making the Chinese dumplings class and visit to the Great Wall. I studied at Beijing Language and Culture University for 1 semester; our Chinese teachers are very experienced in teaching international students. Their friendly approach to the students made me want to learn Chinese even more. I was pleasantly surprised how friendly Chinese people are and felt really safe during my stay.

Social & Cultural Integration:
I felt extremely integrated with the local culture.

Safety: I felt completely safe walking around in Beijing, day-or-night. Obviously, any place can be dangerous, so my advice to future students studying in any city in any country, would be to don't make poor decisions and use your intuition.

What would you improve about this program?
The best program and service.
Jack
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer Internship

I have been working in a consulting firm established already four years ago, so it’s quite fresh and its project it’s focusing on a sort of human capital base project in north China, primarily brand strategy. My team was very small and I was in a very intimate office so I was working right with the founder of the company so it was a great experience to take and learn from someone who has gone through starting his own company as well as having his previous professional career.
Thanks to this experience not only have I gain knowledge on a professional life in China but also my eyes have really been open to the cultural sides as well and also how these cultural aspects affects work and businesses on daily basis here; so besides that I had a fantastic time, every single day, I explored the city, I have seen many cultural sides, I’ve eaten a lot of good food, I’ve made lots of friends.

Dave
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

First experience in China with GAC

I started study Business Management last year and I wanted to find an internship for this summer.
During my internship in China I worked for a company focused on Urban planning, that provides consulting and designig of different projects. Our projects were very broad, we look at for example business parks or sports cities. Our clients required our help with planning what they wanted to build or wanted to do with the land they have.
The first thing I really liked about my internship were my colleagues, they were really nice, they speak English they were very kind to me when I arrived, I also liked my boss, he is very friendly, he actually pays attention to his employees, we had the chance to discuss our work with him.
This internship made me realize how my future career will be, what I like most and what I want to pursue.
I went to a networking event where I met a lot of interesting people, it was very nice to network with people from GAC and also with some other people outside of GAC. It was an open event to foreigners or event to local beijingers.

As for the place, Beijing is a really nice place to go out, to have a drink and to meet different people. It was a lifetime experience.
For the first time to come to China Go Abroad China was a good choice.

Yann
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer Internship in BJ

I studied Construction and Sustainable Engineering. and I would like to be an Engineer working as a technician or a manager.
My internship in China was at the company PGCD and this was a very good experience. My colleagues are very cool, the boss is very cool, the job itself it’s really interesting. I have been working as a designer, which is not exactly my field, but I use nearly the same software and it was really interesting. Besides I have done some researches for the company. Thanks to this job I could know something about Chinese culture. The best aspects of the internship is actually that I learnt how China works in the construction field.
I think I have learned a lot from this experience.
As for my social life in Beijing, I have been in a lot of places, Houhai, Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Summer Palace, I have been a lot in Sanlitun, which is a great place!
Every time I went out I discovered something new.
The first week was quite difficult, but then I met some people, some neighbors, we went outside and then the social network became broader and broader. I met so many people at the end!

Jamie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Find yourself in China

I finished high school and have no clue about what to do next. I thought that to work abroad for some months could be fun and at the same time a valuable experience.

I found GoAbroadChina and compared to other companies, which offer basically the same kind of products, has the most competitive prices and was the fastest to answer my questions.

Accommodation: I choose to stay in a host family because I wanted to be closer to Chinese culture. It was great, maybe a little bit awkward at the beginning (my level of Chinese was really low, we had to use gestures to understand each other). I became part of the family and when I got time I spend time chatting with them. I know much more about Chinese culture now.

Internship: as I didn't really know which kind of job could be more suitable for me, I asked GAC staff who helped me a lot. I studied scientific (IT, telecommunications) subjects during high school, so I decided that an internship in a company in that field.

Mandarin course: you don't really need to speak fluent Chinese. Anyway, I wanted to get closer to Chinese culture, that's why I decided to take some classes of Mandarin with a private tutor GAC put in contact with.

Christopher
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GAC Internship Program 2011

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 café 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.

Mark
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Chinese experience: intern in BJ

I finished high school and have no clue about what to do next. I thought that to work abroad for some months could be fun and at the same time a valuable experience.

I found GoAbroadChina and compared to other companies, which offer basically the same kind of products, has the most competitive prices and was the fastest to answer my questions.

Accommodation: I choose to stay in a host family because I wanted to be closer to Chinese culture. It was great, maybe a little bit awkward at the beginning (my level of Chinese was really low, we had to use gestures to understand each other). I became part of the family and when I got time I spend time chatting with them. I know much more about Chinese culture now.

Internship: as I didn't really know which kind of job could be more suitable for me, I asked GAC staff who helped me a lot. I studied scientific (IT, telecommunications) subjects during high school, so I decided that an internship in a company in that industry. Luckily GAC found me a place and in very short time, so I could fly to China and start this experience. My plan was to stay there at least three months.

Language course: the best way to learn Chinese is to stay with Chinese, so I can say I learnt more talking with my host family than in class. Anyway, Chinese classes were useful to learn something about grammar and tones (which in Chinese are crucial!!).

What would you improve about this program?
even if GAC staff gave me all the information, it's better to ask and look on the internet about everything before leaving for China (that's a tip every traveller should do). It's just because you know better and learn to be independent!
Tashin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Worthwhile experience

I believe that my experience in China allowed me to grow personally and learn a great deal about other cultures.
I think that GAC’s services are very unique and beneficial for students like me.
As for the language course, the tutor was extremely helpful, and allowed me to develop skills in a language I knew nothing about prior to coming to China.
Speaking about the internship, the program coordinator was very helpful and was available whenever I had a question or concern.
Overall was a great experience because on one hand I had the chance to develop and improve my level of Chinese; on the other hand I had a unique working experience.

Yasho
1/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Terrible experience

You can bet that any 100% positive review about Go Abroad China is 100% fake! One look at their fake staff page and you can get a lot of information about this company.

I was on the Shanghai internship program. GAC put me in a dirty apartment and gave a poor quality internship in a dead-end company. Totally against my dreams and aspirations for China.

Chinese law requires all non-Chinese to register their residence at the local police station in Shanghai. GAC NEVER told me about this and when I phoned them for guidance, they SHOUTED at me and told me not to go!! Why? Because then GAC would have to pay staff to tell all their interns this! I was fine 3000RMB because GAC did not tell me. GAC refused to pay me the money.

I had to consult a lawyer in China and luckily GAC became afraid and gave me a full refund so I could find new accommodation independently.

P.s. GAC is an advertiser on goverseas.com. No conflict of interest there! (*sarcasm*)

Response from Go Abroad China

Dear Yasho,

As GAC International Relations representative, I feel responsible to reply to your feedback with full importance of this matter. We are sorry about the difference between your very high expectation and reality.. The same refers to the apartment issues. You have approved the apartment, and then you decided that this apartment is not luxury enough for your standards. Our staff in Shanghai helped you to compare several apartments several days and then you chose one. We even paid 2-3 night hotel fees. For residence registration, we definitely told you to make it at the beginning. However as you kept checking other apartments and missed the time, you could not make.
For the internship placement, we kept asking you your feedback about the company. As with our policy, we would definitely provide you with another placement if you don’t like it. However we never heard from you that you didn't like the company. And you worked there for 6 months and now you tell us you don’t like the company. We don’t think, your position make any sense in the already stated facts.
We never heard a anything about lawyer and we have no reason to be afraid of you. Your relationships are pretty clearly stated in the contracts and terms and conditions base.

Regards
GAC International Relations

Kane
1/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Go Abroad China Shanghai SCAM

GAC is a disgusting company who lies and totally unethical. In 2012 I joined on their Shanghai Internship program. Here are the list of lies they committed against my wife and I:

1. The internship company did not pay a stipend despite GAC promising in writing that they did;
2. Accommodation was a dump, totally unsafe and they pictures they gave me before I came to China were fake;
3. I paid extra for for Chinese lessons but I was never given any. They promise on their website that they hire professional Chinese language teachers with degrees to teach Chinese. This is a 100% lie. They hired a girl, paying her $4 an hour and she had no language degree. Even she hated GAC;
4. GAC has NO office in Shanghai. Ask them on their Live Chat and they will grudgingly admit it! If you have a problem, they don't care and abandon you. They use part time workers, temporary workers as cheap staff and they then disappear;
5. GAC offer paid internships illegally on their website. It is illegal to pay an intern a wage under the Internship (F) visa. They are illegally advertising.
6. GAC find internships by spamming CVs to any random company and cannot find you the internships you want. They give you rubbish internships;
7. GAC did not provide me an internship when I got here, I was forced to wait for THREE WEEKS while they looked for one. They lied to me and told me they found one. When I arrived in Shanghai, the internship was non-existent!;
8. They tried to extort extra money from me because I wanted to leave the dirty apartment they gave me. They wanted to in effect have 2 deposits and cheat the next intern they had coming to Shanghai. When I refused to pay their bribe, they tried to put my apartment up for sale on an online agent! The language teacher they hired at $4 an hour refused their request thankfully!;
9. There are 100s of cheated interns who took the Shanghai internship program. They just don't bother speaking out. I met many ex-GAC interns who had to fight the company to get refunds. Examples include Newin Gretz from Switzerland and Yasho Rajmarathan from India.
10. GAC illegally prevent interns from registering at the police station upon their arrival in China
10. Their staff includes an ex-English teacher who regularly threatens interns with illegal actions if they don't pay GAC extra money.

Please do NOT use Go Abroad China. They are a scam company and do not provide a truly useful experience to their interns. All their reviews are fake or probably from Beijing where the interns don't know any better. They do not care about you. They are Chinese criminals.

Response from Go Abroad China

As GAC International relations representative, I feel responsible to reply to your feedback with full importance of this matter. We have to admit that all facts stated by you are very far from the real development of this case. We found that negative emotion implemented is not based on any facts, but personal interpretation 
1).   The company did promise us to pay stipend to our clients, but it’s based on program participants’ performance. Also it’s our first time to hear that you did not get the stipend. We would definitely coordinate with the company for you if you have told us earlier.
2).   If the accommodation is not safe, we don’t understand Mr.Rajesh had stayed there for 6 month totally. We stated clearly that due to uncontrolled reasons, we had right to change the housing. Hope Mr.Rajesh can understand this.
3) Mr. Rajesh have never been charged additional money for Chinese language lessons and it is not serious to comment professional relationships ,without having any information and details ,just based on guesses. 
4)We have never mentioned that there is GAC office in Shanghai as we work with our local employees , by providing better and more flexible service.
5) We have always stated the stipend ,not the salary as good way to help interns to cover part of there running expenses. Other than that never been commented or discussed.  
6)The following point is painless to discuss on public as Mr. Rajesh has no idea or access to GAC terms and way to work with Intern partnership companies.  
7)Mr. Rajesh request to be placed at Risk management’s business field with no related experience. He was not able to fulfill the most contacted company’s requirements, despite his high expectation and self overconfidence. As Mr.Rajesh did not like the first internship company, we arranged another more suitable one for him.  
8) Mr. Rajesh has live there for 3 months and refused to leave apartment after the end of the contract. The same person is living in the same apartment even at the moment, without paying the deposit even program finished.