CET Greater China

CET was exactly what I had hoped for for my study abroad experience. By the end of the program my Chinese skills had exceeded even my most optimistic expectations. My confidence in using the language was also greatly increased. I am sill in touch with my Chinese roommate and we often share pictures now that we are far away.

When someone asks me what it was like to study abroad with CET in Beijing, I always say, “It was awesome.” So why is this? CET’s Intensive Chinese Language program not only provides you with great support from teachers who are more than willing to help you, but also with a warm and friendly environment by competitively selecting Chinese roommates from across Beijing and by choosing a wide variety of American college and sometimes, gap year students.

The immersion experience in Beijing really adds to what this vibrant city has to offer, because you are placed in such small institution such as the Beijing Institute of Education (BIE) and because you are in a neighborhood where, by nature you along with your classmates are the main group of foreigners, compared to other neighborhoods like Wudaokou 五道口 or Sanlitun 三里屯, you become very close to the others American and Chinese students in the program. Excursions, which are included in tuition, that take place every Friday around Beijing’s various sights, such as the Summer Palace, the more modern 798 Art District, and an acrobatic show, allows you to see Beijing more through the eyes of a local than a tourist.

The most critical characteristic about this program is the language pledge. Although the language pledge is strict in class and out, it also challenges you in a positive way. The Chinese roommates are also under a language pledge. I remember within a month, seeing the changes and improvements in everyone’s language level. After the first few weeks kick in, it’s much more enjoyable to speak with everyone. As a 200 level (2nd year at the college level) student in Beijing, I had about 3-4 hours of class per day. Scattered throughout the week were one-on-ones with teachers and one-on-twos with other students, which effectively target your oral Chinese skills. Other students who placed into 300, 400, or 500 level Chinese classes had additional classes about other aspects of Chinese culture in Chinese.

There are also volunteer experiences outside of the CET bubble as well. I volunteered in Wudaokou at BEAM, Bridging Education and Mobility, for their Big Brother, Big Sister project last spring every Saturday (2013). BEAM is organization aimed to “provide the proper incentives and support for teachers in migrant, rural, and disability classrooms to turn their own ideas into unique opportunities for their students to grow". I was able to both make connections with some of Beijing’s migrant children, but also with other expats working in Beijing and other international students studying at different universities in Beijing.

The most positive takeaways for me about this program were the immersion possibilities outside of the classroom. CET really encourages you to explore the city and reimburses cultural visits to museums, movies, and historical sites under 70-100 RMB (*price varies). I had the most fun exploring other parts of China over a weeklong spring break, seeing David Guetta at the Great Wall Music Festival, and meeting other expats by volunteering at BEAM every weekend. The connections that CET provides is invaluable and both the staff and teachers are very open and approachable. However, it is good to keep in mind that this program has high expectations on academics and because of the language pledge, you may feel more homesick than if you were on a non-language pledge program. The pollution in Beijing is not the most ideal, but many CET students, including myself were able to go to a local gym for exercise. Also good to know that in this program, only lunch is served at the cafeteria so students have to buy their own breakfasts and dinners. However the neighborhood has a lot of family run businesses and restaurants that have good food for very little. I had a very positive experience with CET and if what I have written above sounds appealing to you, then it may be the right fit for you too.

4 classes meeting 2/3 times a week and keeping the language pledge greatly improved my Chinese speaking, listening, reading! At most, 5 students per teacher, so close friends and connections. So many happy memories of school dances, weekend trips to different parts of Harbin, hiking mountains, ice-skating on the soccer field, eating at local restaurants - even celebrating Christmas in the dorm study room with friends. Altogether, one of the best experiences of my life.

I initially selected to go to China through CET because a former student at my college had studied abroad with their program, and upon her return, her language skills were significantly improved. Additionally, both I and my parents felt it safer to go through a program rather than directly applying to a college in China, especially because at the time my language skills were at a low-intermediate level and I was concerned about whether I would be able to get by on my own in Beijing.

In terms academic rigor, the program definitely didn't disappoint. The classes were very small (about 8 people in each main class and 4 in drill groups), and the teachers were incredibly experienced. Both the main grammar classes and the drill classes were extremely helpful and structured well. The one-on-one lessons that were offered were particularly great –– not only was I able to increase my fluency significantly and get help with individual issues, but also develop a rapport with my teachers.

The campus was very safe, but also very small especially in comparison with the other CET campus in Beijing. There were about 40 CET students and equally as many Chinese roommates. At times this could feel almost constraining, but in general there really was a great sense of community. I came out of this experience knowing all of the people in my program very well. Everyone was incredibly nice and there were plenty of activities for students to branch out beyond campus, and the staff was incredibly helpful in this regard.

The best part of the program for me though, was getting to live with a Chinese roommate. She was such an amazing person, and we became really great friends during my stay in China. We still keep in touch.

Going into this program, I had no idea what kind of summer adventure I was going to have, but I knew it was going to be interesting to say the least. Arriving in Shanghai, my roommate was waiting for and we travelled back to Donghua, the university I would be living at for the summer. I knew, just from that moment, my roommate was going to be the best part about my summer. She helped me struggle through learning Mandarin and always encouraged me to speak Chinese, even if I messed up over and over again. She took me around to museums and different restaurants (she learned that I loved spicy food and brought me to as many places as possible).
Living in Shanghai was an experience in of itself. Everyday the city brought something new and surprising to my life. I was constantly out of my comfort zone, but i loved every moment; the city always kept me on my toes.
I learned so much about myself from being in Shanghai. I am so thankful for this program and the entire CET staff who were always there for us when we needed anything.

Shanghai was the time of my life.

I made strong friendships, learned a lot of Chinese, and had a blast exploring the Shanghai nightlife. Most importantly, I learned about myself. Being thrown into a culture and overall lifestyle that is so different from my own, I was forced to adjust. As I've heard others say, "It's China. You either grow or are run over." I can happily say that I grew - academically, professionally, and emotionally.

You are matched with a Chinese roommate through CET, and I'd say around 95% of the CET students were very pleased with their roommate pairing. I am still in contact with my roommate, and I plan to visit him as soon as I can.

The staff is incredible. They made me feel at home! They are courteous, reliable, and always willing to go the extra mile. I remember when a staff member, Nova, stayed up extra late just to help a CET student with flight issues. They are here for the students, and it shows.

The program director did an excellent job making sure that everyone was assigned with an appropriate internship. Whether you are working for a small software company or the largest financial planning firm in Shanghai, your internship will be satisfying and open doors.

My advice: Speak Chinese as much as possible. Go out and explore not only the amazing nightlife of Shanghai, but also the enriching daytime excursions offered by Shanghai and other Chinese cities.

With the right mindset and motivated attitude, Shanghai with CET can be the most thrilling and rewarding ride of your life.

I enjoyed every aspect of my experience in Harbin with CET - if I had the chance to do another study abroad program, CET Harbin would still be at the top of my list, over other programs in places that I haven't been to. CET Harbin had the perfect combination of interesting cultural experiences, rigorous academics, and fun social life that I was looking for in study abroad.

I studied abroad through a Fellowship program that channeled me through CET. I didn't know much about study abroad at the time, and blindly went in, and only now realize how well-suited the program was for me.

The program was the perfect size - big enough where we had lots of different students and roommates so that it felt like a community, but small enough where we could get individualized attention in class. The classes felt like they were planned down to the minute - our main teacher was incredibly experienced, and effective at drilling us and making sure we understood the nuances of the lesson of the day.

The program highlights were a camping trip on a section of wild, unrestored Great Wall, and my Chinese roommate. We hung out, talked late at night in the dorms, and he even took me to the hospital. He's such a fun and quirky guy, and we remain really good friends.