Program Reviews

I'm a PhD student joining a lab with mostly Chinese native speakers, so I thought I should learn Mandarin and earn the opportunity to practice more with my labmates later.

The teaching was superb, and the language partner program provided excellent infrastructure to continue learning outside the classroom and really get a fully immersive experience.

What really made my time in Yangshuo special, however, was the laid-back atmosphere of the school, the friendliness of the staff and other students, and the surrounding natural beauty. I've never before had a time in my life that was so carefree, where my "job" was just to talk and listen and learn. The staff were all really focused on student happiness, and often organized weekend outings. The teachers and staff were more than just their job titles, and without exception became friends with every student, eager to share more of Chinese language and culture both inside and outside the classroom.

If you come here, you will learn, which was my goal -- but you will probably come away with a bit more than just that.

Everything you could ever want from a Chinese school is right here. Studying during the day, socialising with the English students in the afternoon and going out to eat delicious food in the evening.
The teaching standards were of extremely high quality and I felt that everyday my Chinese was improving an incredible amount.

I completely fell in love with the magical surrounding area of Yangshuo and the homely atmosphere of Omeida Chinese Academy. Everyone in the Academy is always smiling, very positive and ready to help you with any question you might have. And of course teachers are very friendly and professional.
The area of Yangshuo is so picturesque, rivers flowing, limestone mountains are all around you. You can cycle around, go rock climbing, visit little typical Chinese villages, eat local food, practice Tai Chi, yoga. Seriously the options are endless.

You only live once, don't even doubt and come to Omeida and Yangshuo straight away! I am sure you will have a time of your life!

Yangshuo is a wonderfull place to learn Chinese and there are so many activities you can do during your free time, like renting a bike, hiking, rock climbing, swimming, clubbing and so on.
Omeida is a great school with nice people and very good teachers. They support you in every situation around your daily life in Yangshuo. Regulary social activities planned by the staff give you the chance to explore Yangshuos surrounding or learning Chinese games, dances or kalligraphy.
The integrated English academy for Chinese people gives you the chance to stay in contact with Chinese people, so that you can practise your Chinese intensivly.
I can totally recommend Omeida, if you like learning Chinese with open minded people, during social activities, sports, life close to the nature and if you like to have a close contact to local Chinese.

The Omeida team is composed of a group of chinese teachers all very efficient and helpful. We had fun together (ride bycicle, go swimming, have meal, speak chinese and cook French dishes!). Each person brought me different experience and I learn from each of them about their culture. They are all devoted and passionated to their teaching. It was a pleasure to be part of their student.
Regarding the environment it's a great place if you like nature and sport or want to enjoy life far from big cities. Yangshuo is full of places to visit and things to do. I will remember for a long time my trip in Omeida.
Omi

After studying four weeks in Beijing, I came to Yangshuo. Beijing was too expensive and the school I went to, was too focused on money. I by accident found Omeida on the Internet and I immediately liked it. After a few emails back and forth I decided to book and fly to South china. I must say after the big city you need a bit of audjusting, but the school made feel very welcome. I got a welcome pack for free, including towel, cloth hangers and all sorts of maps. In Beijing they would have made you pay a 100 euros. First impression was already very good. I had a brilliant teacher Cindy and I notice my Chinese improve quickly. I booked an all inclusive package which ment housing and food twice a day. The food in the school canteen was not bad, but sometimes you would rather eat out and that was no problem. If you cancel a day before you get your money back. Every time I had a question, whether about Chinese SIM card, school activities or anything else all the staff would help immediately. After one month (too short) I felt part of the omeida family. The difference with Beijing is that the school here focusses on your experience and making it an unforgettable one, instead of focussing on money. I would say omeida you are doing in the right way, because I love to share my experiences with others and I cannot wait to come back!

Yangshuo it self is quite touristic, however you only need 5-10 min to cycle out of the crowd and you can see beautiful landscape, small villages, rivers, karst mountains, you can climb, you can hike, you can swim, you can eat! And be very satisfied with living in South china.

2015.02.01. I came to Omeida to improve my chinese language. And my teachers Becky and Cindy were very professional . Other Omeida staff also were excellent , very helpful (Anya, Twelve, Daisy, Wanda, Ieva, Abby, Kelly) . Yangshuo is also wonderful place, local people so friendly. When I was in OMEIDA, I really had wonderful life, enjoyed life's GOOD!
If I have some opportunities, I would be stay with OMEIDA in YANGSHUO. And I happily reccomend the OMEIDA to anyone who is like to improve their chinese level and chinese culture, enjoying Chinese life with foreign people and students.

I have attended Omeida on two separate occasions now for a combined total of nine weeks study, and both were magical experiences that fostered a rapid and dramatic improvement in Chinese.

The setting of course is beautiful and unique, as its reputation would suggest, and there is no need for me to add here to the already plentiful enconia to the natural splendor in and around Yangshuo. The school and its attendant dormitories are about a twenty to thirty minute walk from the noisier and somewhat tourist infested downtown area, and the environs are somewhat sleepy with beautiful views of the karst mountains in all directions.

The teaching and administrative staff are excellent - professional, friendly and accessible, and contribute to a warm and cheerful atmosphere.

Particularly advantageous are the small class sizes - the maximum number of students in the classroom in my time at Omeida was four, and often there were only two of us. This means that you will have many hours of actual practice and conversation daily, and in my opinion will be able to progress much more quickly than is possible in a larger classroom.

I have also been very impressed by the teachers' ability to place students in a class appropriate to their level. Since students come and go over varying periods of time, I had the opportunity to see various classmates join the classroom and leave again, and I don't know that anyone ever felt as though the had been misplaced.

Finally, I would like to mention that the group of students the school attracts seems invariably to consist of warm, kind, interesting and adventuresome people from all around the world and all walks of life. The camaraderie around school and on the various outings and activities on offer is heartwarming.

I happily recommend Omeida highly to anyone who is interested in studying Chinese in a beautiful place and surrounded by wonderful people.

I can't say this is the best school of its kind in China, because I haven't been to any other. But I'll be very surprised if there is a better all-round school - especially given the added attraction of its location. I carefully checked out options around the country and it ticked all the boxes for the kind of course, environment and overall experience I was seeking. I am happy to report that it did not disappoint. I can praise and criticise various aspects, but all these would be relative only to my preferences and expectations. Others would likely have a different opinion. The best endorsement I can give Omeida is that I am going back for more.

I took classes at Omeida for four weeks this past February, and was very impressed. The school is located on a very quiet street with housing very close by, and it is just a 10-15 minute walk from the center of the city. The teachers at Omeida were excellent; all my teachers had been teaching Mandarin for several years and were quickly able to create a teaching plan suitable for my level in which I feel I made great progress. Classes are small, as most classes have just 2-4 students.

Not only is the quality of instruction very high, but there is a real sense of community at the school. I quickly became friends with several members of the staff, and would accompany them on weekend trips to surrounding villages, hikes to the top of the TV tower, and on multiple camping excursions. They helped to make my stay in Yangshuo truly memorable. I will definitely be returning to study at Omeida sometime in the future.