CET Greater China

Name: CET Greater China
Brand: CET Academic Programs
SKU: 33958
Rating: 4.71 (162 reviews)

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4.71 Rating

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Location

Multiple Locations +2

China
- Beijing
- Shanghai
Taiwan
- Taipei

Term

Academic Year, Fall, J-Term, Spring, Summer

Subject Areas

Anthropology Asian American Studies Asian Studies Business Communications Cultural Studies Design East Asian Studies Economics Field Studies Finance Global Studies History Humanities International Business International Relations Journalism Language Studies Liberal Arts Linguistics Literature Marketing Political Science Psychology Public Health Public Policy Public Relations Social Sciences Sociology +19

Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Degree Level

Bachelors

Housing

Apartment Dormitory

Language

Chinese

Pricing

Price Details

The CET program fee covers tuition, housing with a Chinese roommate, activities and excursions (including an overnight excursion), weekday lunches, medical insurance, visa fees and course materials/textbooks.

The program fee does not include transportation to/from the program and meals (other than those mentioned above).

Still wondering how to budget for your time abroad? CET offers scholarships, and CET staff is happy to provide advice on keeping discretionary purchases to a minimum (i.e., they can tell you where to get cheap eats).

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Classes Visa

Last Updated: Apr 28, 2025

Last Reviewed: Jan 16, 2025

Wish List

36 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

CET Greater China Programs offer intensive language and internship options in three locations. Looking for a full-time language pledge to immerse yourself in Chinese language and culture? CET Beijing might be for you! Want to intern internationally while taking electives and improving your Chinese skills? Check out CET Shanghai or CET Taiwan! No matter which program you choose, you will have excellent faculty, staff support, and opportunities to learn and grow outside the classroom.

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Video and Photos

CET Beijing students in a classroom together

A group of students posing for a picture on a basketball court

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Student giving presentation at Internship in Shanghai

A large group of students posing for a picture at a baseball stadium at night

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

BIPOC Support

CET believes in making study abroad accessible to students of all races, religions, origins, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations. We’ve gathered experiences from BIPOC students to share as resources such as the Identity Abroad pages, Perspective Pieces, and Identity Abroad Support Networks. We are also dedicated to becoming a more anti-racist organization by transforming our workplace, programs, and industry with our Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI) Action Plan.

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LGBTQIA+ Support

CET supports and welcomes students of all identities on our programs. We provide program-specific information under the cultural climate section of our Identity Abroad webpages for LGBTQ individuals in each of our program locations.

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Neurodivergent Support

CET makes every effort to offer accommodations comparable to that of the students’ home institution. Disclosing early helps us to make proper preparations. The accommodations offered at each program can be found on each program location's Identity Abroad page. These pages can provide a good idea about what classes are like in terms of workload and class time. Initiating one-on-one conversations with Student Service Coordinators can also help inform students' decisions and determine if a program will be a good fit.

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Accessibility Support

CET makes every effort to offer accommodations comparable to that of the students’ home institution. The levels of accessibility, from wheelchair accessibility to extra time on exams, are under each program location’s Identity Abroad page. Initiating one-on-one conversations with Student Service Coordinators can help inform students' decisions and determine if a program will be a good fit.

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Impact 🌎

Sustainability

CET is an environmentally conscientious organization at our headquarters in DC and programs all around the world. In each of our centers, we adopt local measures to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to sustainable practices. As part of our ongoing efforts towards sustainability, we’ve partnered with Cool Effect, a nonprofit focused on reducing carbon emissions through scientifically-proven, hand-selected carbon projects worldwide. For each trip taken by one of our staff members, travelers, or students, we donate to support three carbon projects chosen by staff volunteers every year.

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Ethical Impact

When we set up a program overseas, we become a part of that local community. And as a community member, we are responsible for contributing to local initiatives in meaningful ways. Our website lists some local philanthropic organizations that help us fulfill this responsibility—they host our students, and we support their missions.

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Program Highlights

Chinese language classes
One-on-one sessions for targeted learning
Full-time language pledge or Internship for optional credit
Local roommates
Out-of-classroom assignments & learning

Popular Programs

CET Beijing

CET Beijing is an intensive language program for students of all levels (beginner to advanced). Grow your conversation skills with a full-time language pledge and housing with a local roommate, giving you a boost in language proficiency and skills to independently study while navigating life in China.

CET Shanghai

Shanghai is a large, diverse city and our program structure is representative of that! CET Shanghai offers a wide range of elective options and internship opportunities. With a local roommate and language courses, you'll improve your Chinese, whether you're a beginner or advanced.

CET Taiwan

With a big selection of English-taught electives, a choice between 4 or 12 credits of Chinese at Taiwan’s top university, and even an option to intern at a local organization—CET Taiwan offers maximum flexibility for your term abroad. You also have optional language pledge housing and local Taiwanese roommates to help you make the most of your time in Taipei!

Program Reviews

4.71 Rating

based on 162 reviews

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Rating Spread Study

5 rating 72.84%
4 rating 25.93%
3 rating 0.62%
2 rating 0.62%
1 rating 0%

Academics 4.5
Support 4.7
Fun 4.45
Housing 4.35
Safety 4.85

Good for Students, Foodies, Adventure travelers

Showing 161 - 162 of 162 reviews

I initially CET Shanghai because it was advertised as an academically challenging program that still allowed for students to participate in internships (if they chose to do so). Since I was double-majoring and studying abroad for a full academic year, I couldn't sacrifice any course credits during my time abroad - a CET program was a logical choice because students receive a ton of classroom time and, even on a non-language intensive program, students get the equivalent of one full year of language instruction in one semester.

My situation was admittedly a little weird; there were only 6 students on the Shanghai program that semester, so I ended up having a 1-on-1 language class for the entire semester. That meant 2.5 hours every day of individual language instruction. It would've been easy for CET to just fit me into the nearest language level with other students, but instead the Director chose to provide a separate class to meet my academic needs, and I really appreciated that.

The only downside to my experience was the social scene - since there were only 6 students, we didn't have a big group to explore the nightlife, and we never really bonded. My roommate was friendly and helped with my Chinese, but we didn't share much in common. The roommate experiences of the other students on the program seemed better, so I think it's just hit-or-miss, and it certainly didn't define my experience in Shanghai. Overall, I was really satisfied with the coursework, and I left feeling like I'd made the right choice based on my academic goals.

What would you improve about this program?

Honestly, the only problem I had was a disconnect with the other students on the program. Maybe the Shanghai program could have done more during the first week to orient students to the city and organize events to get students acquainted with one another.

Chinese is hard, and I knew that going in. I wanted a program where I could really work on my language skills, and I got exactly what I asked for. I'm a good student with pretty decent time management skills, but I still had to wake up at 6:30 every morning and study the thirty-odd characters I would be quizzed on at 9. After lunch I'd run to my internship, and then I'd be back home for dinner and more studying. This kind of jam-packed day was rough, but it brings you close to everyone in your program. We were all very different people, but from the start we could count on each other for anything. It was a fantastic environment to grow in, and in China, you either grow or get run over.

Another thing that begs to be mentioned are the roommates. They put us to shame every day with how much they cared, taking friendship to a new level. I still feel shallow in comparison to Fujie, who translated carry-out menus and circled good options for my vegetarian friends without even being asked!

China is very, very different from America. We were all homesick at one time or another. But now that I'm back doing my regular college thing, I miss Shanghai a lot. I miss discovering new things, challenging and reinventing myself. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

What would you improve about this program?

We had a tough time with the history teacher. She was very knowledgeable, but I have never been in a more boring class. She had no idea how to keep us engaged. It worked out as we got to know her better though.

I also wish we had more free time. There's so much in Shanghai that it felt like a waste going to work every day.

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Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I knew CET was an amazing organization after my experience in the summer of 2018 with another CET program that I also had a fantastic time participating in. In addition, I wanted to improve my Mandarin Chinese, especially my speaking skills, and I knew a language pledge would be an ideal method to do so.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

CET provided us with housing and had selected our roommates for us based on a questionnaire that we were required to fill out months ahead of arriving in Beijing. Furthermore, CET planned excursions for all students, including for the Chinese roommates; these excursions involved going to see historical attractions in Beijing and as well as taking a historical trip to a different city in China. Stuff that we had to take care of on our own was transportation costs if we wanted to do things on our own, food, and other personal needs.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Please, try to spend as little time with other foreigners as possible.

I understand, you are in a different country, and China is vastly different from any Western country, so you may choose to hang out with other foreigners to obtain a sense of belonging. However, if you do this, you are simply wasting your time abroad. Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm sure you will have time to talk to your friends you made abroad once you get back to your home country. While abroad, please do yourself a great favor and spend as much time as you can with your Chinese roommate and other locals instead of trying to evade the language pledge all the time by spending the majority of your free time with other foreigners.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

On weekdays, you will have class from 8 AM - 12 PM, followed by a one-on-one session in the afternoon. You get around an hour and a half for lunch, and after that, the one-on-one session lasts around 25 minutes.

Every day (minus Friday), there is a small quiz at the beginning of class that tests new vocabulary and grammar assigned from the reading; keep in mind that these, while assigned every day, they are actually a fairly small fraction of your overall grade. Every Friday is the weekly test, including of a written test (consisting of multiple-choice, true/false, constructing sentences, and short essays) and an oral test (topics usually assigned by the teacher and are relevant to textbook readings).

While four hours a day may seem tedious, there is a ten-minute break between every hour, so you can go out into the hall and stretch, use the bathroom, etc. So, in reality, it goes 50 minutes of class, ten minutes of break, and repeat until 11:50 PM.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I did not have any fears of participating in this program. I love traveling and am truly thankful for having the opportunity to participate in this program from CET. However, during the summer of 2018 (my first time in China with CET), I was a bit shy to haggle for souvenirs and other things I may have wanted to purchase. I told myself, if I don't haggle on my own, then I can't say I've utilized my time in China well. Don't be afraid to practice your Chinese by bartering with locals!

What's the weather like in China during the summer?

Very, and I do mean very, hot. Be prepared to wear sunscreen if you plan to do lots of sightseeing. While walking around in China, you will notice hundreds upon hundreds of people, especially women, walking around with umbrellas out to protect them from the sun's ultraviolet rays. While this may be unusual for Westerners, Chinese people try to avoid getting tan or sunburned as much as possible.

After walking around with an umbrella out myself during a hot and humid day (pretty much every day), I will say that it felt significantly cooler and I did not have to worry much about getting sunburned!

Paige Alexander

2019 Alum

Laura Ashley Bate

2019 Alum

Ethan Hill

2018 Alum

Autumn Welch

2016 Alum

Caitlin Bailey

2014 Alum

Caitlin Bailey

2014 Alum

Grace Evans

2014 Alum

Bailey Hu

2014 Alum

Connor Ryan

2014 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memories involve trains and buses. For me, travel is all about getting there. China has an incredible amount of transportation infrastructure, so it is easy to mix and match trains, planes, and automobiles, sometimes all in one trip. Some of my craziest travel experiences were riding the overnight sleeper buses in Yunnan, China.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

If I could only choose one program, it would be CET Harbin, where I currently work. The program offers an intensive and highly personalized language immersion, at one of the best universities in China. Language learning can easily be taken beyond the classroom, with standard mandarin spoken throughout the city.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

CET is unique because of its academic intensity and high standards for students. A semester at CET may be the most academically intensive of your college experience, but also the most rewarding.

It is amazing how much language learning can happen in as little as 8 weeks. CET also upholds high standards for cultural immersion and cultural proficiency.

The most memorable and lasting aspects of my CET experience were the friendships I made with my Chinese roommates, and the many trips we took together in the city and its surrounding areas.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I believe a successful company is a company grounded in its mission and values. CET's mission is to educate through intensive programs abroad, to challenge students, and to be a leader and innovator in the field of education abroad.

This mission is clearly articulated to employees and upheld in company policies and initiatives. I have personally seen this focus on mission and program goals upheld at CET Kunming, CET Shanghai, CET Harbin, and at their office in Washington, DC.

Adrienne Losch

Beijing Intensive Language Residential Director

Kat Davis

Southwest Campus Relations Coordinator

Shelby Bourgault

Mark Lenhart

About CET Academic Programs

CET Academic Programs is a study abroad organization that has been developing and delivering innovative educational programs abroad since 1982. Originally “China Educational Tours,” CET began operations in Beijing, and today offers a varied portfolio of semester, summer, and short-term customized programs for college, high school, pre-college, and...