Go Abroad China Ltd.

After high school in Switzerland, I didn't want to rush into university. GAC's gap year program in Beijing was exactly what I needed. I interned at a consulting firm in the mornings and studied Mandarin at BLCU in the afternoons. The team arranged 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 clarity on what I want to study. If you're thinking about a gap year, skip the backpacking and do something that builds your future.

I studied Mandarin at BLCU for 4 months through GAC. I arrived knowing only "ni hao." My homestay family was incredibly welcoming and patient – they only spoke Chinese, so I had to practice every single day. My teacher made classes fun and engaging, not boring textbook exercises. By month three, I could order food, take taxis, and have real conversations with locals. The GAC team organized weekend trips to the Great Wall and Summer Palace. I came back to Denmark with confidence, new friends, and a second family in China. Highly recommend.

As a business graduate from Austria, I wanted international experience before starting my career. GAC placed me with a trading company in Shanghai's Pudong district. From day one, I was working on real projects – market research, supplier negotiations, and client presentations. My mentor taught me how Chinese business culture works, which is completely different from Europe. The team handled my visa, found me a great apartment, and checked in weekly. Three months later, I landed a job in international trade back home. My China experience was the main topic in every interview. Worth every euro.