Gap Year Programs in Asia

I have had such an unforgettable experience at LTL Beijing! A place really is its people and here I had a magical time feeling at home with the LTL family. Not only did I feel welcomed by everyone as soon as I stepped through the door- but even before I got to Beijing! My student advisor Ilaria and the school manager Linda patiently and diligently helped me to plan my trip and secure my visa before arrival. The school managers Jane and Linda are incredibly caring and light up the school. They would always be more than willing to give us recommendations to explore the city or help us out with anything at all like exchanging money. They would even go above and beyond to ensure we had a special experience like once we mentioned wanting to try out 功夫 and Linda would book this activity for us as a wonderful surprise. All of the staff are incredibly patient in using Chinese and helping us outside of the classroom too! Every morning and in breaks they engage in Chinese chats with us to help us practice and brighten up our day. Sometimes they would have to repeat things or speak incredibly slowly for us and they would always do so with a smile which really helped me to learn. For instance Masako even taught us how to play Mahjong in Chinese! I also felt incredibly close to Beijing thanks to my connection Carol who would ensure I did all the things that excited me the most and made sure I always felt safe. Since I am vegetarian, I was previously worried that I would struggle but Carol took me to a fully vegetarian (and very well priced) buffet close to where I live, ensuring I didn't miss out on anything! I couldn't be happier with my Chinese learning experience and am so lucky to have been taught by 王老师。 Lessons were so engaging, stimulating and interesting that I would remember them well and be able to incorporate phrases from class when interacting with the locals outside of class. I absolutely loved 王老师's teaching method as she was focused on ensuring we absorbed the crucial words and grammar to soar to a higher level while teaching us how to use the language as a natural 北京儿. So as well as advancing fast through the textbooks we often had activities like debates and topic discussions. 王老师 also taught us about culture as well as language- ensuring we ate like a local (with recommendations like the Durian pizza) as well as lived like one like practising our Chinese watching cinema recommendations. My friends would even ask me about my favourite times I'd had in Beijing and I would genuinely answer that lessons were one of the best! I am forever grateful for the memories I have made here with the LTL family in Beijing and look forward to making more! Sienna (好梦）

I joined the GAC Gap Year Program right after high school, and it was truly transformational. I split my time between learning Mandarin, interning at a local startup, and participating in cultural activities like calligraphy and martial arts. The homestay experience gave me real insight into Chinese family life, and my language skills improved faster than I ever expected. It wasn’t just educational — it was fun, challenging, and eye-opening. If you’re a high school grad looking for something meaningful before college, this program is 100% worth it.