Go Abroad China Ltd.

My gap year was a masterclass in balancing ambition and adaptation. Interning at a green tech startup in Chengdu by day and studying Mandarin by night, I learned to pivot between boardroom polish and bustling street markets with ease. The program’s structure gave me just enough guidance to feel secure while leaving room for spontaneous adventures—like hitchhiking to remote villages or joining a local hiking club. I returned home not just with language skills and work experience, but with the quiet confidence that comes from building a life from scratch in a new world.

I arrived in Shanghai with a suitcase full of expectations, but nothing could have prepared me for the whirlwind of growth that awaited. My internship at a Fortune 500 tech company wasn't just about fetching coffee—I was coding alongside industry veterans, contributing to projects that reached millions. The GAC team became my anchor in this exhilarating chaos, guiding me through everything from visa paperwork to understanding subtle workplace customs. Between brainstorming sessions and client meetings, I discovered hidden tea houses, bonded with other interns over spicy hot pot, and even learned to bargain in Mandarin at local markets. This experience didn't just pad my resume—it rewired my understanding of what I'm capable of, giving me the courage to pursue opportunities I once would have thought were beyond my reach.

From stumbling over basic tones to debating current events with my host family, this program transformed my relationship with Mandarin in just three months. The immersive environment—where every street sign, market interaction, and shared meal became a lesson—pushed me beyond textbook learning into true fluency. What surprised me most was how the cultural activities, from calligraphy to tea ceremonies, weren't just add-ons but essential pieces of the language puzzle. By the end, I wasn't just speaking Chinese—I was thinking in it.