I came to improve my Mandarin, but left with lifelong friends

Studying Chinese at one of China’s top universities was nothing like a regular language course—it was a full cultural experience. The classes were intense but incredibly rewarding, and the teachers made learning fun and practical. What made it special was the university environment—I got to interact with local students, join clubs, and use Chinese daily both on and off campus. I came to improve my Mandarin, but I left with lifelong friends, cultural understanding, and a real connection to China.