Best Experience!

I met so many wonderful people coming to CLI. I became so close to many students and teacher during the 6 weeks I was staying in CLI. Many of whom opened their lives up to me in such a short amount of time. For example, one of my teachers invited me to their house for Chinese New Years (because she knew I had never experienced a Chinese New Year). It was so much fun! I had one of the interns invite me to their house in Nanning, as well as meet some of her friends. My other teacher actually took me to the train station and made sure that I made it safely there. While my last teacher always bought me good food and took me to eat my favorite Chinese foods.

Everyone (teachers, staff, and fellow students) were all so kind to me and always there to support each other.

I feel like my Chinese improved so much more than when I was learning here in the States (5 years vs. 6 weeks). The teachers were always so patient and willing to correct any mistakes I or any other students made.

Sometimes, it didn't feel like student and teacher, the atmosphere is more friend and friend (both learning from each other). During free time we would play ping pong, go out to eat, or just hang out together. There is a good balance of when to be playful and when to be serious.

I still keep in touch with my teachers and friends. And they all still help me with my Chinese. I couldn't have improved so much without their help.

After attending CLI, it has helped me decide that I want to attend a school and live overseas. Currently, I am looking at universities in China and South Korea. Thanks to them and many friends I have made along the way. I want to challenge myself and live in Asia. They all gave me the confidence to work hard to improve my language skills.

A big thanks to Nikki and Tania, for helping me get from the United States to China. I was feeling very anxious and kept worrying about traveling by myself. But they both comforted me and told me that they would be available the whole time to help me along the way. Nikki also helped me transition from my host family to living at the CLI dorms. They never questioned me on why I decided to leave they just helped me move to the dorms.

I seriously recommend CLI to anyone who wants to live in China but doesn't know the language; a few weeks in CLI and you will improve so much! For example, my father wants to teach in China but he doesn't know Chinese, I told him he should attend CLI for a few weeks so that he can get a baseline.

It's also a good experience, especially for young people who are learning how to become more independent.