Global Village School

Program Reviews

Sofie-Felicia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teachers with passion

This school is quite small, but the teachers are warm-hearted and open-minded. Overall is the experience is great, but currently they lack students, so many programs can not take place. So, if there were more students, it would be more fun.

This school has a very familiar atmosphere, due to its smallness and the teachers who are really passionate about teaching Chinese.

Pros
  • Larger vocabulary than expected
Pauline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience with my Intensive Mandarin Course!

I did an intensive course at Global Village School in Beijing and honestly had such a great experience. Everything regarding the course and administration was super well organized. The group classes were lively and fun, giving me a chance to practice with others, while the one-on-one lessons were more focused and helped me work on my personal challenges. The teachers were amazing, really supportive, and they made the lessons engaging. I felt like the level was just right for me, and I learned a lot in a short time. I’d totally recommend this school to anyone thinking about learning Mandarin!

Thanks so much for helping me improve my Chinese skills!

Elin
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

30-day course

It was a worthwhile course, my only wish is that we would have done more sentence structures and grammar rules. It’s good that we’re learning lots of new words, but it would have been easier to improve my Chinese language skills if I also learnt more grammar points. It was advantageous that my group was a small one; it provided more time for each individual to practice orally, and it was easier to follow the conversations in Chinese. The staff members are also very helpful and polite. The fact that plenty of foreigners come here to learn is a pretty good testament to the effectiveness of the language courses.

Scarlett
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Chinese Course

I had a fun time speaking a lot of Chinese in those courses, the teachers are really nice and the kids that came were also really nice. The classrooms were organized and had good air conditioning, although most teachers didn’t speak English they tried hard to understand and help with my Chinese skills. The teachers were funny and very helpful in giving advice to where to travel to see the best places or to eat. This course is a very speaking focused course I spoke a lot more than reading which was great since I believed it improved my listening and speaking skills.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Most surprising thing I saw was that the school had very few children in a class
Pros
  • Kind people
  • Clean environment
  • Organized
Cons
  • Few people
  • Hard to communicate
  • Good very different
Clowie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience

My name is Clowie, and joining the Go Abroad China program has been one of the best experiences of my life. I didn’t just see the tourist side of China, I got to live like a local, riding the subway, going to school, and becoming part of my host family. They welcomed me with so much love, and I felt like one of their own. The teachers were amazing and really helped me improve my Chinese through full immersion. We also visited incredible places like the Great Wall and the Summer Palace. Even with a small budget, I had a great time since everything was so affordable. This was my first time outside the U.S., and it completely changed how I see the world. I’m so thankful to Go Abroad China for making this possible.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I would have to say traveling on the subway. At first I was very anxious but by my third time I started to get confident. But there was on experience specifically that made me panic. I was on my way to class and suddenly close to my stop many people got on. I was squished between many people and pushed to the back. When my stop came I tried to get off but the people that were coming in kept pushing me back. I started to panic but got someone’s attention he was a boy around my age and I told him I needed to get off. People were still coming on but he moved out of the way and made it easier. I ended up needing to push through and made it JUST before the doors closed.
Pros
  • Improved my Chinese
  • Got to try many new foods
  • Got to experience a different culture
Cons
  • Bad tap water
  • Bug bites
Tinnawat
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

学习

The teaching is very fun and the teachers are kind. When I don't know anything, the teachers always come to help me. The lessons are interesting. Participating in a cultural learning program in Beijing was one of the most enriching and eye-opening experiences of my life. The program, which focused on various aspects of traditional and modern Chinese culture, gave me a deeper understanding of China beyond what I had ever learned in books or classrooms. I am grateful for the opportunity, and I would like to share my feedback and reflections on the experience.

The program was well-structured and covered many aspects of Chinese culture, including language, calligraphy, traditional music, martial arts, tea ceremony, Chinese cuisine, and visits to historical landmarks. Each activity was thoughtfully designed to give us both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. The instructors were knowledgeable, passionate, and very supportive. They made sure that all participants, regardless of their background, could engage meaningfully with the content.

One of the highlights for me was the Chinese calligraphy class. At first, it seemed very difficult, but the teacher was patient and explained each stroke clearly. Learning how to write Chinese characters with a brush helped me appreciate the beauty and discipline involved in traditional Chinese arts. It was more than just writing—it was a form of meditation and expression.

Another memorable experience was participating in a tea ceremony. We learned about the history of tea in China, the different types of tea, and the significance of tea in Chinese culture. I was amazed by how much detail and care went into preparing and serving tea. It taught me not only about tradition but also about patience and mindfulness.

We also had the chance to visit historical sites such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Temple of Heaven. These visits brought Chinese history to life. Walking through these places gave me a deeper respect for the richness and complexity of China’s past. Our tour guides were very informative and provided historical context in an engaging way.

The cultural immersion extended beyond the classroom. Interacting with local people, trying authentic Chinese food, and experiencing everyday life in Beijing helped me understand Chinese values, such as respect for elders, harmony in society, and the importance of family and education. These experiences helped break down stereotypes and allowed me to see China from a more human and respectful perspective.

If I were to suggest one area for improvement, it would be to include more opportunities for small group discussions or cultural exchanges with local students. This would help deepen the cultural connection and allow for more personal interaction and understanding.

In conclusion, the program exceeded my expectations. It not only expanded my knowledge of Chinese culture but also gave me personal insights and lifelong memories. I now have a greater appreciation for cultural diversity and the importance of understanding one another. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in Chinese culture, history, and society. Beijing is truly a city where tradition and modernity come together in a unique and powerful way.

Suchada
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

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It was so much fun here and I learned so much about Chinese culture. I really liked it and I hope there will be more activities in the future. The people here are so knowledgeable and fun in every activity. It was an activity I never knew before, but I came here to study with my friends. I practiced writing Chinese, making Chinese masks, painting. Some of the Chinese culture I felt was so amazing, I had never seen it anywhere before. I am glad to come and learn the culture here. I hope that in the future, those who come to study will gain some knowledge and benefit from coming to study the culture in Beijing.

Kalyaporn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Culture class

It was very fun and interesting. I did many things I didn't expect I would get to do, although it did take lots of effort and patience, it was fun since I did it with my friends who came to summer camp with me here in Beijing. The teachers are very, very nice and funny, and even though there might be a language barrier, they tried their best to communicate with us. We even had a chance to sing Chinese songs and communicate in Chinese when we did the Chinese corner. I had loads of fun, I would really recommend it.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
if i was going to do this againni would want to bring my friends and family to do this with me to make it more fun, however i would also try to change the langauge even though i know we are here to inprove our chinese, if it wasnt for the teacher that came with us i wouldnt be able to communicate much with the teachers here if my teacher that came with us would translate for us
Pros
  • Fun
  • Interesting
  • Unique
Cons
  • Langauage barrier
  • A bit tiring
  • Would want more activities
Atisha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Culture class

I had so much fun here in the class and the teachers are all nice, they all very kind.I learn a lot about Chinese culture and also got hands on experience too.The activities is also very interesting, it helps me to focus less on my phone for example we painted Chinese 太极拳 mask and painted Chinese fan.The class helps me improve my Chinese too because the teacher would encourage us to speak more and it helped me learn more Chinese vocabulary .it’s a good choice if you want to improve your speaking through a fun activities .

Prim
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Culture Class

It was so good, the teachers are very nice and funny. The activities planned mostly exceeded the time planned. For example, calligraphy and drawing chinese paintings. We joined an activity called ‘Chinese Corner’ which was very interesting and fun, it allowed us to practice our Chinese. I had a great time learning with my friends and I would recommend this place to other people who are interested in practicing their Chinese and interested in learning Chinese Culture. Overall, I am very happy with the outcome and the experience.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Have fun and be brave.
Pros
  • Fun
  • Teachers are nice
  • Culture is interesting
Cons
  • Took too much time
  • Couldn’t understand what they’re saying (sometimes)
  • A little bit boring