Go Abroad China Ltd.

I spent 4 weeks in Beijing with GAC's high school summer camp and it was the best experience of my life. My homestay family was so kind – they taught me how to make dumplings and took me to local markets. My Mandarin improved so much, and I made friends from France, Germany, and Brazil. The weekend trips to the Great Wall and Summer Palace were unforgettable. I came home more confident and independent. If you're a teen thinking about going to China – just do it!

As a marketing graduate from Milan, I wanted international experience before starting my career. GAC placed me with a PR agency in Shanghai's Jing'an district. From week one, I was helping manage real campaigns for international brands. My mentor taught me how Chinese social media works – completely different from Europe. The team handled my visa, found me a great apartment, and checked in regularly. Three months later, I landed a job in international marketing back home. My China experience was the main topic in every interview. Worth every euro.

After finishing school in Germany, I wanted something more meaningful than just traveling. GAC's gap year program in Beijing was perfect. I interned at a consulting firm in the mornings, studied Mandarin at BLCU in the afternoons, and explored China on weekends. The team handled everything – my internship, classes, shared apartment, even weekend trips to the Great Wall and Xi'an. I came back with real work experience, improved Chinese, and job offers. If you're thinking about a gap year, do this.