IES Abroad Beijing - Language Intensive

This program is 100% worth it. The academics are stimulating, the Chinese courses are thorough and effective, and the level of cultural immersion is great. Beijing is a great city with lots to do. Compared to my current study abroad program, IES is so much more organized. China can be a crazy place with a lot of uncertainty, but I found IES to be very organized and provide a great learning environment. The option for a home stay and an internship really sets this program apart and I highly recommend these options. They add invaluable dimensions to your study abroad experience.

Studying abroad with IES was definitely a good choice to help me increase my understanding of Chinese and Chinese culture and affairs. Language class starts at 8am everyday, except Wednesday, and goes until 12pm. In addition, students have a one hour one-on-one class that is scheduled independently from the morning Chinese class. Most students used Saturday as their day to explore the city and Sunday was typically reserved for doing homework and such. One of the best things about studying in Beijing was that there was no shortage of things to do. I was easily able to visit museums, parks, markets, and other cultural sites with my fellow students during our free time.

I did IES' Language Intensive program in Beijing in 2010 and had an incredible experience. The quality of the language classes cannot be beat. In addition to my classes, I had an internship while in Beijing. I have maintained great relationships with my friends, teachers, and internship supervisor since returning to the US. I highly recommend this program!!

I did the Language intensive program and lived in a home stay arranged by IES. The workload was not as light as other programs I've heard of but my Chinese improved A LOT. Any student serious about pursuing Chinese should sign on for this program. Each class has multiple teachers and I received a lot of individual attention. Also the area of Beijing that the center is located in, HaiDian district, is vibrant and fun but not as commercial as other districts, such as Chaoyang. I liked the smaller feel of the surrounding area but everything was still convenient because buses and subways were still really close. There is Chinese class and "Area Studies" classes every day except Wednesday. Students can chose to do an internship on Wednesdays but I did not. I took Chinese Government and Politics and Calligraphy. Calligraphy was the most fun class I have taken and the teacher, Fang Laoshi, is so kind and patient with students.
I went on a two week trip with IES and it was so awesome. I got to see the Chinese-North Korean border and I actually crossed it for like 30 seconds! I got really close with a lot of other students on that trip.
The absolute highlight of my time at IES was becoming very close with the Chinese tutor that IES set me up with. Every student gets a Chinese tutor and me and my tutor became best friends. We still skype at least once or twice a week (in Chinese). Without IES's help I would not have met someone who is now such a close friend of mine.
This program is absolutely great. The only thing that I think students should consider before choosing it is how much work they want to do while abroad. All of the work in IES is very worthwhile but if a student is looking to just have fun and party while overseas, I don't think this is the program for you.