IES Abroad Shanghai Summer - Language Intensive

In so many ways my experience abroad was a mess. From getting strep on my first day, to an ATM stealing my card within the first week, and finally (the icing on the cake) my flights being cancelled on the day I’m suppose to leave. It was quite an experience. Nonetheless, I still had the best time of my life, and the IES staff is to thank for that. Not only did the staff bring me to the hospital, pay for me as I was money-less, and help book another flight abroad, but they also give me unconditional support in excelling my Mandarin and thriving as a foreigner. I was nervous about doing a language intensive because my Chinese was definitely not up to the casual conversation standards, let alone survival standards. The everyday classes, tutoring, and language pledge fixed that up quickly. Especially the language pledge (ask any of them, I took that sucker seriously). Finally, my Chinese was getting the attention it needed to succeed. My teacher even got me an internship and a kid tutoring so I could practice my Chinese and communication skills in a real-time environment. My time in Beijing was life changing, and I honestly wish I stayed longer. The staff was incredibly helpful, the other students were amazing, and Beijing was perfect. These days I’m just constantly brainstorming on how to get back to that experience again. If you’re on the wall debating whether or not to go study abroad. Always go.

You arrive at Beijing and get a cordial welcome from the RAs and the program coordinators. What really defined my experience was the awesome people I was surrounded with all the time. Awesome instructors who taught us the language, shared their wisdom, and encouraged us to enjoy China. Awesome IES friends who were enthusiastic to learn more and adventure everywhere. And awesome environment that made every day be interesting and fun. If you want to have an amazing summer, if you want to learn the language for real, and if you want to have a ton of fun too, then this the program for you. And trust me on this, Beijing summer has got the rigorousness and fun balanced.

Going abroad with IES to Beijing was without a doubt one of the best choices I have ever made. I am so pleased that I chose the language intensive program, as I really wanted to improve my Chinese language level. IES offered a longer summer program than any I had seen, and I really wanted to get a lengthy experience because I couldn't afford to stay a whole semester. I was worried about how much I could really do in the 8 weeks I was there, but once we started classes and got introduced to the city, it was hard not to find things to do! There are so many sights near and around BFSU, and I really loved the area that the school was in. I studied a year's worth of Chinese language while I was there which is amazing! It's hard work, but over time you see how much you are improving and can practice what you learn as soon as you leave the classroom! My time in China made me realize how much I fell in love with the country, and I am already planning to return after I graduate. If you want to improve your Chinese, become immersed in the culture, and see things you could never dream of seeing before, choose this program!