8 weeks in Beijing changed everything

I studied Mandarin at BLCU for 8 weeks through GAC. I arrived knowing maybe 10 words. My homestay family was incredible – they only spoke Chinese, so I had to practice every single night at dinner. My teacher was patient and made class fun. We learned through games, real conversations, and even Chinese songs. By week 6, I could order food, bargain at the Silk Market, and take the subway without getting lost. The GAC team organized weekend trips to the Great Wall and Summer Palace. I came back to Belgium speaking more Chinese than friends who studied for 2 years. Highly recommend.