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57 Gap Year Programs in China

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The Intern Group
4.5
2
The Digital Nomad program lets students, graduates, and young professionals gain international work experience while exploring new destinations. ...
See All 2 Programs

Go Abroad China Ltd.
4.77
95
Design a transformative gap year in China with Go Abroad China. For over two decades, we have expertly guided students to make informed career de...
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International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
4.68
825
At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. ...
See All 2 ProgramsCIEE High School Grads Abroad
0
0
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture, learning Mandarin in China’s most Westernized city. Spend a semester abroad honing your Mandarin fluency. Study with native-speaking instructors, taking 20 hours of classes per week to improve your language skills. Put your knowledge into practice in your dorm,
GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
4.76
41
GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and med
See All 3 ProgramsSemester at Sea
4.77
47
Unlike traditional study abroad or tourism experiences, Semester at Sea offers a unique opportunity for deep, authentic engagement with countries and cultures around the globe. It's more than just the adventure of a lifetime. It's a transformative experience that will give you a global perspective t
See All 2 ProgramsLoPair Culture Exchange
4.41
32
Dream of living in China? Make it a reality with LoPair Au Pair China, an award-winning agency that connects you with a welcoming host family. Spend a transformative 3-12 months on a cultural adventure! You'll become a part of a Chinese family, assisting with educational childcare for up to 30 hour
4.7
20
The Au Pair Program in China gives young foreigners the chance to live with a local host family, assist with childcare or light housework, and experience Chinese culture firsthand. Benefits include: • Learn Mandarin through daily immersion in a native-speaking environment • Cultural exchange by joi
See All 2 ProgramsThat's Mandarin
5
4
Taking a long break from school? Use this period to travel the world and boost your résumé with international experience. At That’s Mandarin, we have a range of programs you can incorporate into your gap year in China! No matter the Chinese language course you choose, we make sure it caters to your
LTL Language School
4.72
474
LTL Language School is a perfect fit for students looking to improve their Mandarin quickly. Our comprehensive Chinese programs allow students maximum flexibility. You can study at LTL for a week up to a full year. We offer Mandarin language lessons in 10 cities across Asia including Beijing, Shang
Where There Be Dragons
5
1
Gain essential travel skills, cross-cultural competencies, and broad exposure to pressing contemporary topics while traveling across Southeast Asia and southern China. The 80-day gap semester, China & Southeast Asia: A Regional Travel Intensive By Land & Water, is for students interested in a compre
See All 2 ProgramsVolunteer World
4.29
17
Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller g
See All 2 ProgramsAbsolute Internship
4.83
23
Gain unique, valuable experience in this international internship that combines work with travel to Hong Kong and other places throughout China. Our award-winning program offers students the chance to explore the city's stunning blend of East and West whilst gaining valuable professional skills unde
See All 3 ProgramsLingoinn Teacher Homestay
4.82
33
Lingoinn offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the Chinese language while experiencing authentic local culture through our homestay programme. This is open to adult learners of all backgrounds and language levels, with no prior knowledge of Chinese required. You will stay at a teacher’
See All 8 ProgramsInstitute for Global Studies
0
0
Human Resources (HR) is one of the spokes that keep the corporate wheel spinning. Have the opportunity to gain real work experience in this field with an internship abroad. IGS internships in most fields do not result in job offers. However, you have a good chance of getting hired if you can show
See All 14 ProgramsSN Mandarin Chinese School
4.64
11
Choose our Intensive Course in Shanghai to immerse yourself deeply in Chinese learning and start speaking! This program also includes visa support. 1. Types of Groups: a) Small: Intensive 30 (6 lessons/day - 5 times/week) Intensive 20 (4 lessons/day - 5 times/week) Flexible 12 (4 lessons/day - 3 ti
Cultural Homestay International
5
2
CHI works with trusted overseas partners in Beijing and in Shanghai to carefully screen and interview host families. Once your application is received, our partners work hard to find a family that is the right fit for your personality. You will have a local coordinator that you can contact for suppo
4.67
15
At Global Youth Au Pair in China, we are committed to promoting meaningful cultural exchange and personal growth through our au pair programs. We connect young people from around the world with friendly and carefully selected host families in China, offering a rich, immersive experience that builds
Oyster Worldwide
4.5
4
Interested in taking a gap year? Do it with an organization well regarded for its responsible travel and gap year travel opportunities - Oyster Worldwide. Whether you are taking a break before pursuing higher education or taking time off from university, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Our
Star Exchange
5
2
The Au Pair Program is an educational and cultural exchange that includes child care. You can stay in China for 3 to 12 months, with placements in major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Chongqing. As a language tutor in a host family setting, you'll work with children, communicating in
4
1
Join Yohoo Au Pair China for a meaningful cultural exchange experience with a carefully screened Chinese host family. This program is designed for applicants aged 18-28 who want to live in China, study Mandarin, experience local family life, and share their language and culture with children in a wa
4.6
15
Discover China while living with a local family through our Au Pair Cultural Exchange Program. This program offers young people the opportunity to experience authentic Chinese life, improve cross-cultural communication skills, and create meaningful connections with host families. As an au pair, you
0
0
Teach English Overseas with Full Training, Visa Sponsorship & Career Support Looking for a stable, full-time job abroad where you can teach English, gain international experience, and receive professional training- even if you’ve never taught before? English 1 is recruiting entry-level English tea
0
0
Begin your journey towards studying in China with an International Foundation Program, designed to prepare international students for success at Chinese universities. Serving as a bridge between high school and university, these one-year preparatory programs help students strengthen their academic
CET Academic Programs
0
0
Immerse yourself in a new language, intern abroad, or explore a different part of the world. CET’s gap programs offer the opportunity to join college-level courses overseas or online. Whether you're mastering Chinese in Beijing, volunteering while living with a host family in Siena, or creating art
Shanghai Meiji Culture Communications Co.,Ltd
0
0
Pursue your 120-hour TEFL course for 5 months in Shanghai, where you will study the usual modules and lessons and train with an expert instructor. You will also gain actual hands-on one-to-one tutoring and in-class teaching experience to practice what you have learned. The course includes an inter
A Guide to Taking a Gap Year in China
Popular Locations
Where in the world will you go on your gap year in China? China is the world’s fourth largest country and boasts its highest population. Though everyone’s city preferences vary–big, small, historical, artsy, hipster, etc—no matter where you decide to live during your China gap year, it’s going to be a great time guaranteed. I mean, come on—it’s China!
Beijing. The capital of China is always a great place to surround yourself, as it’s the heart of Chinese pride (besides pandas… those are up there too). Check out the Summer Palace, where the royalty of China once lived, or scope out the beautiful parks that are full of koi fish ponds. With Beijing being such a massive city, many gappers choose the work abroad route, thanks to the growing need for native English speakers. There’s so many gap year opportunities in China to choose from in a colossal city like Beijing!
Shanghai. It’s easy to find activities to do in ritzy Shanghai—from art shows to music festivals, you’ll never get bored exploring the city, taking a stroll down Nanjing Road (#shoppingspree #earnedit), or making your way around the French Concession. When not ooh’ing and aah’ing over Shanghai’s impressive and futuristic architecture, you can focus your gap year on learning Mandarin, volunteering with migrant children, or teaching English.
Hangzhou. Choosing a gap year program in China is always great, but to pick Hangzhou as your host city is even better. Here, you can experience the culture of urban China in a smaller, more nature-oriented place. While you’ll still be spoilt for choice (did we mention Shanghai and Nanjing are quick train rides away?), you’ll also have access to the quainter, greener side of Chinese culture. Practice early-morning wushu or kungfu with the locals in the park, then master your calligraphy in the afternoon. Sinophiles and culture-nuts will feel at home here on their gap year!
Popular Activities
When in China, you have to keep yourself busy, right? Traveling on your gap year is always a good time (okay, except maybe during National Holiday, 国庆日), but if you want to live in a specific city throughout an entire year, you need to do something useful. Here are a few ideas of gap year opportunities in China that you can do.
Teach English. Want to get paid during your gap year program in China? Well, you can! Get a TEFL certificate and sign up to teach English in China. You can work with kids or adults in language academies or public schools. Programs can help you coordinate job placements, as well as housing and support. Plus, you’ll get a paycheck. Kuai for days!!
Au Pair. Are you a pro at nannying and want a “free” place and a host family to stay with? Then, becoming an au pair on your gap year in China is perfect for you. Being an au pair gives you the best culture experience since you get to live it every day—your host family will introduce you to locals and it gets you out and about with other locals.
Language Immersion. They always say the best way to learn a language is to live in the country it’s spoken in, right? So why not study Mandarin? Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world, plus it will make your stay much easier if you can converse with the natives. Once you return, impress all of your friends and family (and college admissions counselors, wink wink) with your the language skills that you learned during your gap year program in China.
Everything else you need to know about the gap years in China
The culture is unique, the cities are fantastic, and the locals have some of the best hospitality in world. It’s be perfect place to start your gap year adventure. But once you get there, what will you have to know to set up camp? Where will you be staying? How much does everything cost? When you embark on your gap year in China, here are some important tidbits that you’ll be happy to have learned.
Costs.10 Chinese Yen (CNY) is between $1-2 USD. Average costs to live in China are much lower in the US, but prices are rising. Going out to dinner may cost you $1-10 USD and the transportation is quite cheap. To sign up for a gap year program, the average price varies. It all depends on what you want to do while during your China gap year, and how much support you want along the way. Jumpstart funding your gap year with FundMyTravel!
Accommodations. If you plan on living in an apartment, don’t expect much space or a gorgeous patio out back. Apartments in China are simple and functional. When backpacking throughout the country, it’s best to stay in hostels; on the flipside, if you’re attending classes at a university, opt for a dorm. All of these accommodations can make socializing with locals trickier, but it ultimately depends on your goals and comfort-level needs. Truly, the best option is to find a gap year program in China that places you with Chinese host families. The meals are prepared for you, you receive five-star hospitality, and you’re culturally exposed to so much more than other housing options.
Visas. Yes, you’ll absolutely need a visa before you hit the road on your China gap year. You’ll need to apply for a visa online, fill out the required paperwork, and visit your local Chinese consulate so they can approve you to travel. You have two options of visas you can choose from: a travel visa and a working holiday visa. Visit GoAbroad embassy directory to find the nearest embassy near you.
Safety. Crossing over the pond for an entire year can be intimidating, especially when you don’t know the safety precautions you must take. Overall, the Chinese people are very welcoming and loving to all newcomers. It’s a very safe country in general, but just like anywhere else in the world, you need to be attentive, street smart, and stay in safe neighborhoods. Use your instincts to avoid danger!
GoAbroad’s Inside Scoop
Why do China gap years rock? Because they make you stand out from the crowd and they truly take you down the road less traveled. Not everyone can say they have the courage to take a year “off” the beaten path and live out their lifelong dream of doing a gap year in China. They help you experience different ways of life that you simply can’t back home.
A travel tip for the future travelers doing gap year programs in China is to wake up early and go to their local fish or farmers market! The produce is fresh, the catch is really fresh, and the farmers gather to show off their latest crops. When you realize how much work goes into cultivating rice, that 5lb bag suddenly becomes a lot more impressive! Use this time for gentle interactions and to practice your Mandarin. 很好!
Your freshly steeped (and incredibly bitter—just like the locals!) jasmine tea is ready to sip. Follow the moon and reach for your incredible year of travel. Don’t just dig there with a spoon, find a gap year program in China today!
Want even more gap year inspiration? Watch this awesome video on Why taking a gap year will be the best decision of your life.
Latest Interviews

Vivianne Kaiwei Zhang Wei
Wanderlust Exchange
I was looking to take a gap year between my undergraduate and Master’s studies, and going to China just made sense to me.

Zohaib Qazi
(DEAD URL) Aupairia
Traveling has always been something on my bucket list, for my own personal development and education. And now that I've finished up with university, i...
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