Study Abroad in China – Earn College Credits

I was truly impressed by how well organized the entire experience at CLI was. Airport pick up, welcome dinner, orientation, my Chinese classes, cultural activities, new friends, and on and on. I had an incredible experience and highly recommend CLI.

I extremely enjoyed my experience at CLI. All of the teachers are so friendly yet so professional. I learnt so much whilst studying there and felt my Chinese improved considerably. I really enjoyed the weekly and weekend activities I especially enjoyed going to Yangshuo. The lunchtime meals were delicious and there were many dishes to choose from. I would recommend CLI it to anyone who truly wants to immerse themselves in the Chinese language and culture.

It is very fast paced without making you feel overcome. I was able to learn more Chinese in a month then I did in two semesters of college Chinese. I saw so many beautiful and historical sights. The food was always great and I never got sick. I did not hear any complaints from anybody, while I was there.

CLI has two very big things going for it. 1) Four hours of 1on1 classes with phenomenal and lovely teachers every day. This makes the learning completely personalised and the pace of it very high. 2) CLI is a big house with a warm, open, happy and immersive community of teachers, learners and friends living and working in it.

I stayed in guilin for about 4 months and can confidently say there is no better Chinese immersion experience out there. The teachers are experienced and well tenured to students of different ethnicities. The curriculum is flexible and the environment is perfect for learning Mandarin. Clis weekend activities are also extremely convenient and well planned out. Going into this program with a small knowledge of the language I can proudly say that now, 8 months later, I can hold a conversation with almost every Chinese speaker I come across with little to no conversation gaps.

I was a local student with CLI last semester, meaning I took classes but I was already living in Guilin, honestly the one on one classes helped me get my Chinese level very high, very fast as the classes are focused on your own goals, so if grammar, vocabulary, speaking or anything is your main issue you can tell your teacher and you can work on that. I highly recommend CLI if your goal is to improve your Chinese, it will mostly give you the confidence to speak, one of the main barriers when learning a new language. Friendly, english speaking staff (if you arrive here without even knowing how to say hello, that won't be a problem) that helps you in whatever you need, that being Chinese language itself or where to eat.

I attend CLI every year and this past summer took my youngest son for a month. The teachers, administrative and building service staff, as well as the interns are all excellent. It is impossible for me to speak highly enough about CLI. However, I do return each year for assistance in advancing my Chinese studies for work. It is also a goal to teach English in Guilin and Chinese in the United States. The best part is that I have made lasting friendships and stay in touch with many teachers, interns and other students. The immersive program and outreach of CLI is such that I have volunteered to help represent CLI in the United States. This is a school that inspires its students to forge lasting friendships, continue with their Chinese studies, and support its mission of building cultural ties throughout the world.

As a Dutch-born Chinese I was already able to speak a bit Mandarin, but it had never been very fluent. In the past I have participated in several language schools/summer camps, but they never were really a success. I still wanted to give learning Mandarin a second try, so this year I decided to take the gamble and go to CLI. The 1-on-1 private lessons were a new experience to me, but I quickly discovered how efficient this learning method is for learning Mandarin, probably even any language. Can't really explain why it works so well, but I guess you should just give it a shot if education in a big group of 10+ people doesn't suit your learning style. The community at CLI is also very kind and they organise a lot of activities during the week and excursion trips during the weekends. The atmosphere at CLI is just very informal and relaxed, it feels a bit like high school where you just go to class and have some fun afterwards. Personally I have improved my Mandarin a lot in just 2 months, therefore I can highly recommend the CLI. A nice bonus is that there is a lot to do in the city of Guilin and the surroundings, so you can also enjoy your time in China while learning Mandarin at the same time! Kind regards, Mike

I went to CLI for the first time about 3 years ago and stayed there for 4.5months. It was my first time to China and I knew zero Mandarin. The school was supportive and helpful in getting me to the school. The Teachers/staff at CLI were friendly and always extremely helpful. But what I enjoyed most about CLI was the supportive and happy culture, they became more like an extended family for me as opposed to just a school. I have gone back to that school every year since then. If you ever go to CLI you will find that a huge part of the students there are returning students, which just goes to show that they are definitely doing something right.

When we go to study abroad, we all have our goals in mind. For me, it was to grow as an individual. What I found was much more than that, I found a place that I call home and people that I can family. CLI's staff is what makes it the best option out there, people care and you can feel it. I have done the immersion program twice now (2 summers, both approx. 4 months) and I feel like I have pretty good grasp on CLI and what it offers and I can say without doubt that wholeheartely support it. I consider those two summers as the best times of my life and I wish they are the same for you!

I had such a great time in Guilin. I wouldn’t exchange the experiences I got for anything. It was amazing to be able to study such a fantastic language and culture from locals. It was cool to be surrounded by an entirely different culture and still feel so comfortable and at home. My reading improved tremendously in China, and I also became a more confident speaker. I am sad I could not stay longer than I did, but I hope to return in the near/distant future to continue my studies and exploration of this beautiful place.

I could say so much about my time at CLI, but I'll just say this. Studying at CLI was one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. It was filled with people and novelty that I didn't know my life was missing. And my Chinese improved more in the ten weeks I was there than in 6 years of trying. The one-on-one teaching was fast paced and personable, and the people you meet, students, teachers, interns, locals of Guilin, are all irreplaceable. I came in ~HSK2+ but couldn't speak, and left working on HSK4 after 10 weeks, capable of having conversations about life, friends, and dreams. Some people were tricked into thinking I was ~fluent, but I just knew enough other words to describe things I didn't know and to understand people's explanation of words I didn't know. Besides my initial purpose of language acquisition, which I progressed on through class and many, many encounters befriending locals, the best part of my experience was wholeheartedly the sense of community within CLI. Everyone is super open and inclusive. There's always someone in the activity room to get to know or to work on homework next to, and there's always people down to get a quick bite or to explore downtown. It is super important in life to feel connected and fully accepted for who you are, no questions asked, and CLI taught me to settle for nothing less. I hope to carry my friends and memories in my heart, always.

I enrolled in CLI's immersion program not knowing what to expect. However, all of my worries went away as time went on, and I began to understand the culture and language more. With CLI's hardworking staff (teachers, administrators, ayi), I felt safe and welcomed into the community. The teachers at CLI are very understanding and friendly, so it made learning a lot easier. The staff was also very accommodating when it came to working out class schedules and personal assistance. Along with them, meeting students with unique stories from all over the world was truly inspiring, as everyone was of different ages and from different countries. The learning at CLI is very well-paced and can be adjusted accordingly to the student's pace and goals. My goal was to learn as much as I could within the five months I was there, and I believe that I exceeded my expectations starting from zero Chinese to being able to have full conversations. With my three amazing teachers, who motivated me to keep working hard and not give up, I was able to complete the Integrated Chinese series and leave with a few chapters into HSK 5. The flexibility of the courses provided is definitely a huge plus at CLI. I am very glad I was able to find CLI and to participate in the activities that were introduced during the duration of my stay. I highly recommend going to CLI if you are interested in intensive (but fun) Chinese learning at a school with flexibility, great teachers and staff, and international students. Guilin is also a very beautiful city with great landscapes and opportunities to explore.

My experience at CLI, as everyone else who’s had the pleasure of going, was of the life altering level. From the second you arrive at the school you feel welcomed and are given a sense of belonging from the friendly faces in administration, the other students, and the interns who are always ready and willing to help. The school offers almost daily activities and outings that add to the immersive experience and provide opportunities to use the mandarin you’ve learnt and learn more about the culture and the language. The school is beautiful and kept in order. It can be intimidating going to a country where you don’t speak the lanaguage, but attending CLI gives you the experience to make connections with locals (interns) who want to help out, other students who will also help out and who have wicked diverse stories to keep you entertained throughout the whole stay. Towards the end you’ll be ordering food and talking with the locals all by yourself! I went not speaking a lick of mandarin and I now actively try to find opportunities in my own country to immerse myself in the language and, as much as I can, the culture. I’m excited to go back, and hopefully it won’t be my last time either.

I’ve really enjoyed learning my mandarin in Guilin. The course is quite intense but definitely worth it, Guilin is a really beautiful City, easy to travel in and quite small compared to other big cities in China.

I was very impressed with CLI from beginning to end. They guide you through the entire process and make it all very simple. Whether you are a veteran traveler or new to the whole concept of international exploration, CLI will have you covered. In terms of language training, I think CLI has nearly perfected the process. They provide one-on-one training with native speakers, many of whom have years of experience. Each instructor then tailors the process in adapting to the unique needs of each student. I learned more studying three weeks at CLI than I did in an entire semester at university. I could not recommend them more.

My nearly three month immersion at CLI was everything I had hoped for. Having done some great language immersion programs throughout the world I am always critical when signing up for a new one. Nonetheless, CLI truly exceeded my expectations. The teaching staff is fantastic and really set you up with all the tools you need to advance (and advance quickly) in learning Chinese. One of the gems of CLI is its location. Guilin is such a small and safe city I would often wonder around for hours on foot exploring the city and practicing my Chinese in every possible scenario. I would highly recommend my experience at CLI and I hope to return to continue where I left off next summer. Academics: The vast majority of CLI's teaching staff is fantastic teachers that are passionate about teaching Mandarin to foreigners. In addition, there is a great balance between traditional classroom style teaching and hands-on learning around Guilin. I thought it was particularly effective when my teachers would bring me around Guilin after we completed a unit. For example, after we covered relevant vocabulary for food and a restaurant, my teacher would bring me to a restaurant where I had to order for the both of us. This practical teaching really helped me quickly learn Chinese. Living Situation: The living conditions are simple but definitely comfortable. When I return to Guilin I will definitely opt to stay with Chinese roommates. Nonetheless, I enjoyed my stay in the CLI building. It was extremely convenient and easy to get classes since they are hosted in the same building. The one downside to staying at CLI was it was often difficult to get away from English as much as I tried. Cultural Immersion: Guilin is a beautiful city and a great place to learn Mandarin. Virtually everyone I met around the city was friendly and interested in helping me with my Chinese and practicing. Likewise, the CLI staff is extremely patient and willing to repeat a question several times and perhaps ask a different way if necessary. The CLI experience is truly an authentic immersion. Program Administration: The CLI Administration is fantastic and overly accommodating. Upon arrive to Guilin I wanted to change my schedule and adjust my program of study slightly. They began work immediately and by the first day of classes (several days after I arrived) everything was ready. In addition, it's evident that the administration if fully invested in this program. They are always accessible and positive. Health and Safety: I thought Guilin was very safe. I always traveled by foot and felt comfortable in every part of the city. Social Life: As a small city there isn't too much to do but I definitely was still able to keep busy during my couple months in Guilin. There are a couple dance clubs in the city and CLI always has rotating activities.

CLI is the solution to the dry, impersonal, often bureaucratic language learning offered in big-city universities in China. In fact, CLI was founded by two American brothers with the specific intention of shifting the learning focus to immersion rather than impersonal classtime drilling. Though learning a language anywhere must incorporate "hitting the books", CLI strikes the perfect balance of "fun" learning by immersion, while still covering the fundamentals and mechanics. And it does this all with one-on-one attention for each student. CLI is a 24/7 personal learning experience. It's not a language classroom. And this is why it stands out above all other Chinese language learning institutions in China. Academics: If the individual student is highly motivated (and close to all students who come to CLI are) the flexible academic system is perfect. So I give an A+ score. However, for the lazier breed of student, this flexibility can be hurtful because there's no clear top-down system of motivation imposed by CLI. Living Situation: Relative to other dorm-style living arrangements in China, the living situation at CLI is excellent, definitely top notch. But in terms of international standard, there's definitely room for improvement, particularly in terms of western showers and laundry driers. Cultural Immersion: Across all of China, CLI is uniquely positioned for the most rewarding immersion experience. But students should be pushed more to immerse themselves, because it is possible to get caught in the CLI "foreigner trap" in which students only spend time with other students. Perhaps CLI could do more to arrange "immersive" activities. Program Administration: Scheduling is organized and professional. Health and Safety: All of mainland China is very safe in relation to the West. Violent crime in China is low, particularly against foreigners. Social Life: It's tough to hit the perfect balance between study and play, but Guilin comes close. There's enough to do in the city to keep you entertained, but not so much that you'll be out every night. If you're into the club scene, you'll have your pick. But Chinese clubs are very different than western ones, and may not be your cup of tea. They are probably the number one place to meet local youths. As for pubs and bars, there are a number of western-style ones all around town, and they're excellent places to hang out and get some nostalgic western comfort food.

I would strongly recommend CLI to anyone interested in studying Chinese. The staff and teachers are all enthusiastic to make you feel like a special guest in their family. The city of Guilin provides a unique blend of historical and modern Chinese culture, standing apart from the East Coast image that is projected onto all of China. Lastly, the actually classes are very personal and can be easily oriented towards areas where you need practice. Academics: I really liked the small classes. The teachers were very fun, and their willingness to talk/work/play with us outside of class made for a comfortable learning environment. One of the teachers we had, however, did not do a good job of adjusting to our specific needs as students who had already been living in China for a year. In other words, we already knew the basics of Chinese culture and practical Chinese, but since that is what he was used to teaching, he seemed to not adjust with new students. Living Situation: The rooms were fantastic, the building was clean and well ordered, and the service was phenomenal. Cultural Immersion: I really enjoyed the extra activities offered by CLI. Also, the teachers were enthusiastic about just showing us the daily life of Guilin - drinking milk tea and playing tennis. Program Administration: After spending a year in rural China, it was a breath of fresh air to deal with such efficient and effective people. Health and Safety: Perfectly safe. Social Life: The social life was great. It was very easy to meet some new people, hang out, and exchange ideas. It was only frustrating when we wanted to play ping-pong or majiang, and there was a class in the game room.

I was with a small group and CLI was able to be very helpful. The classes were led by excellent instructors who were always friendly and patient and effective. The living areas were always clean and cool for the summer. I really enjoyed the location, which was close enough to the city center but far enough that I was bothered by traffic. Plus, there's a lady nearby who makes the best mango smoothie. Academics: My teachers were excellent, some of the best I have had while in China. They always went out of their way to teach in a way that was beneficial for our group. Living Situation: Excellent. Very comfortable and much better than my home here in China. Cultural Immersion: My g/f sprained her ankle and so we didn't get to go out. But there were many things advertised. Program Administration: Everyone was quick to help and make sure we could get to where we needed. Health and Safety: Very safe, and in a good neighborhood. Social Life: I met a few people and they were all nice.