Omeida Chinese Academy

Program Reviews

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Thierry
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An amazing experience

I spent three weeks in training in Yangshuo which was an unforgettable adventure. First of all the team is truly incredible, always listening to the students and their expectations. I was in a class of three then two people which allowed everyone to participate and therefore rapid progress. Then many activities are offered outside of class. A visit to a tea plantation, a day of hiking along the Lijiang River, a gourmet meal, a visit to a minority village ... the atmosphere is really excellent and everyone can participate at their convenience. The accommodation is perfect, two minutes from the school. Before arriving I wondered about the environment but the school is in a very lively area with an incredible number of shops and restaurants. This residential area is close enough to the tourist area to be able to enjoy restaurants, bars, and other distractions in the evening. Yangshuo is ideal in my opinion. The city is large and lively enough while having retained its traditional side. It is also in the middle of a magnificent natural area where mountains and rivers offer a superb playground.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would certainly stay longer. Three weeks go by really quickly.
Cons
  • A good level in English is needed
Default avatar
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience in Yangshou

Yangshuo School Experience
My time at Yangshuo School was a memorable and enriching experience. Located in a picturesque setting surrounded by stunning karst mountains, the school offers a unique blend of education and cultural immersion.

Activities
The school hosts a variety of activities that cater to different interests. From language classes to outdoor adventures like hiking, rock climbing, and cycling, there’s something for everyone. The cultural workshops, such as cooking classes and calligraphy, provided a deeper understanding of Chinese traditions and practices.

My experience was incredibly rewarding, filled with personal growth and cultural exploration. I would highly recommend this school to anyone looking to immerse themselves in Chinese culture while making lasting connections.

Pros
  • Diverse Activities: The wide range of activities kept things exciting and allowed me to explore different aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Engaging Instructors: The teachers and guides were passionate and knowledgeable, making each session enjoyable and informative.
  • Networking Opportunities: Meeting like-minded peers from around the world enriched the experience and fostered lifelong friendships.
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Linda
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Learn Mandarin with Omedia in beautiful Yangshuo

I am a British-born Chinese born in the UK but lived in Hong Kong so I can speak fluent English and Cantonese. I've been wanting to learn Mandarin in China as a lifelong ambition and so glad I chose Omedia. Right from day 1, I felt welcome, the culture of the school is througout all the staff, teachers and the students in a great village style community. They are all so friendly and welcoming that you are never alone and I've created so many fun memories. I also loved the language partner programme they offer where I can learn practical conversational Mandarin that's besoke to my needs, whilst in returns I teach my partner English. My Mandarin has improved greatly so I've decided to extend my original 2 weeks to a 4 weeks stay. I am sad to leave.

What would you improve about this program?
There are so so many places to eat which was a little overwhelming. You may wish to consider to create a digital 'Welcome Guide' for your international students where to eat and what to eat. A description of what the local cusine will be really helpful, for exaple what is oil tea lol. Plus local places to visit like chinese herbal hairwash and Romance park is literally 5 mins down the road but I had no idea!
Pros
  • Omedia's school's culture
  • In a safe environment to practice with local vendors, plus there will always be other students around to help if you are stuck
  • Yangshuo's beautiful scenary
Cons
  • A fridge in the room could be most helpful
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Clara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Very good experience in Yangshuo

I spent 3 weeks in Yangshuo taking 3 lessons a day at Omeida. I totally recommend it, from the first moment Omeida makes things super easy for you when preparing your trip. They answer any possible questions you might have coming from the other side of the world to a small town in China. The environment is amazing, surrounded by the mountains. The teachers are really kind as well as all Omeida staff so you feel at home from the beginning when you arrive. The lessons were really practical, in small groups (We were 4 to 5 people) so I improved my speaking that was one of the main reasons for going to China.

What was your funniest moment?
I had a lot of fun moments there. Talking to elder people at the Yangshuo Park early in the morning trying to understand how to play cards with them or riding a electric scooter for the first time in the middle of a big crossroad in a traffic jam.
Pros
  • Really nice location, Yangshuo is beautiful and you don't need to go far to enjoy landscapes
  • Making friends from all over the world
  • Small groups for the lessons, you can practise a lot your speaking and ask questions to your teacher
Cons
  • Accommodation is very basic, but still convenient and really close to the school
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Kim
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

May 2024

I stayed here for a month with their provided housing. Class sizes were small at the time that I went and class materials (textbooks) were all included and provided for. There are always teachers or students learning english there who can help with the content as well outside of class hours. The collaborations efforts between the chinese and the english school as well as the everyday practice exploring around are very effective in improving one's language skills.
Everyone was very friendly and one of my favourite parts were the trips that the school offers on the weekend (both the english school and the chinese school offer these so sometimes to get to pick too). Omeida's events make it very easy to make relations and so it's a good place for a solo traveller.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
You can opt in for a meal plan however most people go out together for lunch and dinner there, when you're there you could probably figure out a way to get some meal tickets for the cafeteria but have some days without so you're free to try the local cuisine and go out with friends.
I also recommend learning how to ride a moped/scooter as its very easy to get around with one, also taxis here are very affordable and most places one could walk to if need be.
Pros
  • Lots of group activities and adventures
  • Small class sizes
  • Affordable
Cons
  • No refrigerator in provided dorms
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Renato
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience to improve my chinese!

I had a lot of fun while also improving my chinese. The classes were just suited for me and got the chance to make a lot of friends in here! I could also learn a lot about the culture, the history and about the daily life of chinese people!
I would definitely come back to keep learning more and having also a lot of fun. Besides, the activities that the school organized were very fun and let me experience the beautiful and unique landscapes of Yangshuo, truly an amazing place to travel 😍 totally recommend to come and live the experience!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Many things like mold tofu, pig's ears, noodles with river snails, Durian fruit, duck and more haha. It doesn't matter if I liked them, but the experience of trying new dishes let me know more flavors and combinations of ingredients I would never dare to try at home.
Pros
  • Full immersion with new cool things to experience
  • Fun activities with very welcoming people
  • Best way to improve the language quickly
Cons
  • Depends for each the person, but for me all were pros
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Fabián
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Expectations vastly exceeded

When I told a friend I was learning Mandarin, he told me about Omeida. Another friend confirmed it being a positive experience. I wanted to see China for the first time so why not. Not only were the classes really good and the progress fast, but also the two weeks I spend in Yangshuo were also my favorite part of my 4 week trip to China. The region is full of cultural sites, entertainment and astounding nature, particularly the mountains, unlike anywhere I've been to. Besides the quality of the lessons, the school provides a really friendly, helpful and positive environment. They helped me with all sorts of chores to enjoy my stay to the max. The staff is always ready to help and they organize plenty of nice activities with all the students so you never get bored. I can't recommend it enough.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Come for as long as you can and try to book the full day intensive program, it works and it's the most cost effective way
Pros
  • Course quality
  • Friendly environment
  • Surrounding areas
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Gerhard
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Es ist nie zu früh und selten zu spät/It is never too early and rarely too late

Aufmerksam auf Omeida bin ich durch ein Werbebanner während einer Rundreise 2016 geworden. Nachdem ich schon einen Online Kurs absolviert hatte bekam ich im Frühjahr 2023 die Gelegenheit die Schule während eines Arbeitsaufenthalts zu besuchen. Das war unmittelbar nach dem Lockdown ende, der Schulbetrieb lief auf Sparflamme, aber mein Interesse war geweckt. Dieses Jahr war ich drei Wochen hier und beabsichtige auch nächstes Jahr zu kommen. Die ganze Organisation, Unterkunft, An- und Abreise, Schulbetrieb ist, klasse. Es ist IMMER jemand erreichbar.

English version:
I became aware of Omeida through an advertising banner during a tour in 2016. After I had already completed an online course, I had the opportunity to visit the school during a work trip in the spring of 2023. That was immediately after the lockdown ended, school operations were on a low budget, but my interest was piqued. I was here for three weeks this year and plan to come again next year. The whole organization, accommodation, arrival and departure, and school operations are great. There is ALWAYS someone available.

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Mads
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great for both beginners and more advanced students

I had a fantastic experience at Omeida Yangshuo during the summer of 2024. I spent a couple of months in China, initially exploring various cultural sights. However, when I arrived in Yangshuo and enrolled at Omeida, I ended up staying in one place. Although I originally booked the course for just one week, I enjoyed it so much that I extended my stay to a full month.

The experience at Omeida was exceptional, not only because of the high-quality instruction and small class sizes—qualities you might find at other language schools—but because of the unique language environment and the rich cultural experiences they offer. What truly sets Omeida apart is its integration with the adjacent Omeida English school, creating a vibrant community where students from both schools can connect. There are numerous opportunities to interact with native Chinese speakers, whether it's playing mahjong, sharing meals at local restaurants, or participating in the school's cultural nights and weekend activities. These events often bring together native speakers and Chinese language learners, providing ample opportunities to immerse oneself in a Chinese-speaking environment.

There's never a dull moment at Omeida. I spent four weeks there and hope to return in the near future.

Also, If you enjoy rock climbing, you'll find that Yangshuo is one of the best places in China for this.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I was i Yangzhou on my only with the main purpose of learning Chinese. Next time, I hope to bring my partner, to let her also experience this wonderful place. Even though, she does not speak any Chinese, Yangzhou has the benefit of having a large international community, which makes it easier for a non-Chinese speaker to make friends.
Pros
  • Lots of language practice with native speakers
  • Many activities on all days of the week
  • Beautiful environment - suitable for climbing, hiking and exploring nature
Cons
  • Price - I do find the price step compared to public institutions, however it is also worthwhile
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Jovell
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Jovell's Yanshuo Review

If you are going to come to get a proper walk through of Chinese, then Yangshuo is definitely the best place to learn. It is filled with friendly people that are willing to communicate and a relaxed environment to enjoy your time. Personally, I wanted to practice speaking more and with the option of doing 1-on-1 class, really helped with my williness to communicate and has really motivated me to continue self-studying and pursue the language much more!

The language partner program is a really great addition to the school especially if you are motivated to practice speaking much like I was. I would do it again and perhaps stay longer!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would definitely stay longer and have more free time to practice.
Pros
  • Cultural Activities
  • Language Partner Program
  • Weekend adventures
Cons
  • Book vocabulary words can be hit or miss