If you're looking at this review, just go!

I did a six-week homestay; this was my first visit to China.

CLI is an amazing place, as proven by my experience and the fact that, during my stay, I think I met as many second, third, fourth, and nth-time visitors as I did first-timers like myself. The teachers are all amazing, the lunches provided by the school are so great, and the activities every TWRSa are a great way to experience things besides the school.

Guilin is gorgeous and fun if you have classmates you enjoy or make friends with people unaffiliated with the school. I was lucky enough that I had both. That sometimes made me socially over-busy.

Before going to CLI, I had worked through the Hello Chinese app. I knew some vocab and grammar, but I had no real-time listening/speaking ability. After six weeks at CLI, I could have a small conversation with a person on the street and could explain preferences at stores/restaurants. I consider that a huge improvement.

I plan to go back at least annually. Unless external issues make this impossible, I plan to stay at least six weeks next time, hopefully longer.