Go Abroad China Ltd.

Don't get me wrong, my first week in Shanghai was really tough. It happened to stand in a supermarket and try to understand something basic. It is precisely this kind of challenges that I have chosen, and GAC provided me with a good support system for that. My placement was in a business consultancy, and my team members were pretty tolerant to me. They did not ignore me; they were taking things slowly in the meetings, tried to explain everything to me, and invited me to lunch even though I hardly knew how to speak Chinese. The tasks I had to complete were real. By week three, I became an active participant of client presentations and conducted market research for European brands entering the Asian market. And here I must say that the GAC took care of all those issues which I would have been worrying about otherwise – my visa, accommodation, transportation from the airport, etc. Those three months changed my understanding of my capabilities entirely. Not only I have gained some experience, but also have changed the way I look at life now. So, if you have any doubts, just go for it!

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Sending my 15-year-old daughter to China for a month was honestly one of the hardest decisions I've had to make as a parent. She’s adventurous, but I was a nervous wreck about the language barrier, the food, and just her being so far away. From the moment she landed, the GAC team proved me wrong. They didn't just hand her off to a host family and disappear. The local coordinators checked in with her (and me!) regularly. Her host family in Beijing was an absolute blessing. The "mama" of the house treated her like her own granddaughter—she even learned how to make hand-pulled noodles from scratch. The program itself struck a great balance. She had Mandarin classes in the morning, but the afternoons were spent actually doing things—calligraphy, exploring the hutongs, and visiting local high schools. It was incredible to see her actually using the language instead of just memorizing vocabulary. She came home different. More independent, way more confident, and constantly talking about the friends she made from all over the world. If you are a parent sitting on the fence, scared to let your kid go, I completely understand. But this program was worth every single penny.

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I'll be completely honest — moving halfway across the world for an internship when you don't speak a word of the language is terrifying. The first week, I genuinely wondered if I had made a huge mistake. Navigating a new city, the sheer volume of people, the culture shock... it’s a lot. But the GAC team was the safety net I desperately needed. They didn't just dump me in an apartment and disappear. My local coordinator literally helped me set up my SIM card and showed me where to buy groceries on day one. My placement was at a fast-paced tech company. The work culture was intense and completely different from what I was used to back home — meetings were direct, and expectations were high. But my supervisor actually cared about my learning. By week three, I wasn't just fetching coffee; I was running data reports and sitting in on client strategy calls. The friends I made in the shared housing were the highlight of the whole thing. We were all in the same boat, so we became a little family, exploring night markets and surviving the language barrier together. Looking back, it was the hardest and most rewarding three months of my life. It forced me to grow up, adapt, and figure out what I actually want to do with my career. If you're on the fence because you're scared, I get it. But just go. You'll figure it out.

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I was hesitant to send my 16-year-old son, Matteo, halfway across the world for a month, but the GAC team was incredibly reassuring from the very first phone call. Any parent knows the anxiety of not being able to just drive over if something goes wrong, but their 24/7 local support genuinely put my mind at ease. Matteo was placed with a host family in Beijing who treated him like their own grandson. He called me every few days completely buzzing—not just about the Great Wall or the Forbidden City, but about the local street food and playing video games with his host brother to practice his Chinese. The morning classes must have been good because he actually came home being able to hold basic conversations, which is way more than he ever learned in his high school language classes here. It was a huge step for his independence, and he came back noticeably more confident and mature. If you are a nervous parent reading this, I can't recommend this program enough.

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I was really nervous about learning Mandarin because I'd heard horror stories about massive classes where the teacher doesn't even know your name. GAC’s small group program was the total opposite. There were only six of us in the class, and our teacher, Chen Laoshi, somehow managed to give every single one of us individual attention. The first week was rough—tones are no joke—but having a small group meant I wasn't embarrassed to speak up and make mistakes. We'd spend the mornings on grammar and characters, but the best part was the afternoons. We'd go out into the city to practice ordering food, buying train tickets, or just chatting with locals. It didn't feel like a classroom at all. Living in shared accommodation with other international students was also a huge bonus. We'd go home and practice the vocab we just learned while cooking dinner. I came for 8 weeks knowing absolutely zero Chinese and left being able to have actual conversations with my taxi drivers. The whole thing just felt incredibly personal and well-organized from start to finish.

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I'll be honest — the first week was rough. The language barrier hit me harder than I expected, and I remember standing in a supermarket in Shanghai completely lost, trying to figure out which bottle was shampoo. But that's exactly why I chose this. I wanted to be pushed out of my comfort zone, and GAC made sure I had support while I figured things out. My placement was with a business consulting firm, and my team was surprisingly patient with me. They'd slow down during meetings, write things out for me, and invite me to lunch even when I could barely keep up with the conversation. By week three, something clicked. I started understanding more, contributing more, and actually enjoying the chaos of it all. My manager even let me lead a small client presentation toward the end, which terrified me but ended up being the highlight of my time there. I left China with more than work experience — I left with a completely different mindset about what I'm capable of.

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Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect before going. I'd never been to Asia, and the idea of working in a Chinese company felt intimidating. But from the moment I landed, the GAC team was there — airport pickup, apartment sorted, everything. My placement was with a consulting firm in Shanghai, and within the first week I was already sitting in on client meetings and helping with research. My manager didn't treat me like "the intern" — she actually trusted me with real work. The office culture took some getting used to (meetings can be long!), but my colleagues were patient and always willing to explain things. I also took Mandarin classes twice a week, which helped more than I expected — by month two I could order lunch on my own. Three months flew by. I came home with actual experience on my CV and a lot more confidence.

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I spent two months studying Mandarin at Fudan University in Shanghai through GAC, and it was an unforgettable experience. My homestay family welcomed me like their own — we cooked together, watched Chinese dramas, and they patiently helped me practice every day. My teacher was engaging and focused on real conversation rather than just textbooks. By the end, I could confidently order food, ask for directions, and chat with locals. The GAC team also organized weekend trips to Suzhou and Hangzhou. I came home with real fluency and a deep love for Chinese culture.

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I joined the program as a final-year business student from Zagreb, eager to gain international experience before graduating. GAC placed me with a consulting company in Shanghai, where I assisted with market research, competitor analysis, and client presentation preparation. My mentor was patient and always willing to explain how business relationships work in China, which was completely new to me. The team arranged my visa, comfortable accommodation, and even helped me navigate the metro system during my first week. I returned home with practical skills, a global mindset, and a much clearer idea of the career I want to pursue. I would recommend this to anyone serious about working internationally.

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I joined the program as a recent business graduate from Rotterdam, hoping to gain international exposure before starting my career. GAC placed me with a consulting firm in Shanghai, where I worked on market research and helped prepare client presentations for companies expanding into Asia. My mentor was supportive and always made time to explain how business is done in China — from relationship-building to negotiation styles. The team arranged my visa, accommodation, and even helped me settle into the city during my first week. I came home with practical experience, a wider perspective, and a job offer within two months.

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I studied Mandarin at BLCU in Beijing for 4 months, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. My homestay family was so kind — they spoke only Chinese, so I had to practice every single day. My teacher was patient and always encouraged me to speak more. By the end of the program, I could comfortably order food, take the subway, and even have simple conversations with locals. The GAC team organized a weekend trip to the Great Wall and a traditional Chinese painting class. I left Beijing with real language skills and friends from all over the world. Highly recommend!

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I spent three months studying Mandarin at Peking University through GAC, and it completely transformed my confidence with the language. My homestay family was incredibly welcoming — they spoke only Chinese at home, so I had to practice daily. My teacher made grammar and tones easy to understand with interactive lessons. By week eight, I could order food, take the metro, and even bargain at the markets. The GAC team organized a trip to the Great Wall and a traditional tea ceremony, which made the cultural side unforgettable. I returned to Spain with real fluency and a second family in Beijing.

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As an economics graduate from Athens, I wanted to gain international experience before starting my career. GAC placed me with a business consultancy in Beijing, where I contributed to live market research projects for European clients looking to expand into Asia. My mentor guided me through every step — from data gathering to presenting findings to senior stakeholders. The GAC team made the entire process smooth: visa support, airport pickup, and a comfortable apartment in a central location. Weekly Mandarin lessons helped me navigate daily life with ease. After three months, I returned to Greece more confident, globally aware, and with a strong addition to my CV. I highly recommend this program to any young professional ready to grow.

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As a management graduate from Poland, I wanted to see how business works in Asia. GAC placed me with a consulting firm in Beijing, where I worked on real market entry strategies for international clients. I was involved in client meetings, data analysis, and presentation preparation. My mentor was incredibly supportive and explained the nuances of Chinese business culture. The team handled my visa, accommodation, and even organized weekend trips to the Great Wall. I returned home with confidence, new skills, and a job offer. Highly recommend!

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I studied Mandarin at Peking University for 3 months through GAC. I arrived knowing almost no Chinese, but my homestay family was incredibly patient and kind. My teacher made classes fun and practical. By the end, I could hold conversations, order food, and even bargain at markets. The GAC team organized weekend trips to the Great Wall and Summer Palace. I returned to Japan with confidence and a love for Chinese culture. Every food was very tasted and appetite bringing and I would eat more than usual. Highly recommend.

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As a business student from Amsterdam, I wanted to understand how global companies operate in Asia. GAC placed me with a consulting firm in Beijing, where I worked on real strategy projects for international clients. My mentor gave me hands-on exposure to market entry plans and client presentations. The team handled everything — visa, housing, and even helped me set up a local bank account. Three months later, I returned to the Netherlands with practical skills and a clear career direction. Highly recommend this program.

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After finishing school in Ireland, I didn't want to just travel — I wanted to do something meaningful. GAC's gap year program in Shanghai was perfect. I interned at a marketing agency in the mornings and studied Mandarin at Fudan University in the afternoons. The team arranged everything — my internship, classes, shared apartment, and weekend trips. I came back with real work experience, improved Chinese, and a clear direction for my future. Highly recommend.

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My 15-year-old son spent 5 weeks in Beijing with GAC's summer camp. He was nervous at first, but his homestay family made him feel comfortable immediately. He learned real Mandarin and made friends from all over the world. The weekend trips to the Great Wall and Summer Palace were unforgettable. He came back more confident and independent. Thank you GAC!

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As a finance graduate from Zurich, I wanted hands-on experience in global markets. GAC placed me with an investment firm in Shanghai's financial district. I worked on real client portfolios, helped with market research, and sat in on strategy meetings. My mentor taught me how Chinese financial systems work — completely different from Europe. The team handled my visa, found me a great apartment near the office, and organized weekend trips. Three months later, I landed a job in international banking. Worth every franc.

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My 16-year-old daughter spent 4 weeks in Beijing with GAC's summer camp. She was nervous at first, but her homestay family made her feel at home immediately. She learned real Mandarin and made friends from all over the world. The weekend trips to the Great Wall and Summer Palace were unforgettable. She came back more confident and independent. Already planning to go back next year. Thank you GAC!

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