Asian Studies Study Abroad Programs in Beijing, China

When I signed the language pledge on day one, I made a promise: only Chinese, all day, every day. Every character was a rep, every assignment a set, and I studied my way through coffee shops all over Beijing, rating each one out of five stars. My politics and business courses were taught entirely in Chinese, and my one-on-one research dug into modern dating and why so few young Chinese are having kids — answers I found by interviewing locals myself. The real growth, though, happened outside the classroom. I'd talk to anyone who would say hello — monks, aunties in the park, students in the library, a woman making tea in a Yunnan mountain village. Each conversation was a private lesson worth more than gold. I took the bullet train to Shanghai, biked around West Lake in Hangzhou, got lost in the tea mountains, played pick-up basketball with Tibetan and Uyghur students, and even talked my way into a free tour of Alibaba's headquarters after waiting at the gate for over an hour. Persistence works. By the end, my teachers said my Chinese was the most improved in the program. But the part I'll carry with me isn't a grade or a trip — it's that I loved who I was in China.

Kaohsiung is an artsy, digestible city, one that is filled with history and was a joy to explore every day. The teachers, director, Taiwanese peers and roommates, and other study abroad students laid the framework for the program, while Taiwan's vibrant culture and natural environment filled in the rest of my experience. Under the language pledge, I was able to make progress in my conversational and formal Mandarin skills. I took classes that challenged me intellectually, but were still a lot of fun, learning the most in my one-on-one tutorial, where I got to delve deep into a topic of my choice. I chose modern Chinese and Taiwanese literature as part of my preliminary research for my senior thesis, and learned more in one semester than I could ever have on my own. Aside from academics, I also spent plenty of time exploring Kaohsiung, the rest of Taiwan, and was even able to utilize some weekends and breaks in traveling internationally within Asia. Despite living in the city, we also spent a substantial amount of time interacting with nature. Our school campus was surrounded by both mountain and beach, and Taiwan as a whole has no shortage of natural scenery to take in. Sprawling rice fields, Formosan monkey colonies gathered on trees, fog descending on the mountain in the early morning: these images of Taiwan have been truly unforgettable. The highlight of my time in Taiwan was of course the food. I ate a variety of Taiwanese dishes (even stinky tofu!), had a wide variety of desserts (108 cups of bubble tea...), and laughed with friends over meals every day. If I had the chance to study in Taiwan again, I would take it in a heartbeat. Studying abroad with Middlebury C.V. Starr Schools Abroad in Kaohsiung was one of the best decisions I have made in my life!

Overall my experience at CET Janterm and Middlebury in Beijing was very rewarding, albeit academically stressful. The CET program offered the biggest improvements to my Chinese I have ever had in such a short time. However, I was not nearly as physically and mentally healthy as I am normally. The Middlebury in Beijing program was similar but less extreme as it was spaced out over several months. The cultural activities organized by the program were wonderful and allowed me a very full experience in China, from going to various museums, the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Great Wall etc. Also, the study trip to Hangzhou was a major highlight. Also, it was not the experience of everyone, but in my experience I had a great roommate pairing and great interactions with the local students, they helped us to adjust and integrate into their communities.

I was very pleased to see that Middlebury in Beijing was incredibly helpful in making sure that I had the opportunity to study the things I was interested in. My topics were not particularly beginner friendly, most of them had a lot to do with Classical Chinese, however the professors at MiB went above and beyond to create a learning environment that supported my interests at my pace and language level. I will always be grateful for the knowledge and experiences I had during this program!

Studying at Peking University was an intellectually transformative experience. The curriculum is demanding and expertly structured, pushing my Mandarin from intermediate to advanced proficiency. Professors are not only scholars but passionate guides to the language's nuance and history. Beyond the classroom, living in Beijing's dynamic heart provided constant, real-world practice. The university's prestige and resources, combined with full cultural immersion, make this program ideal for students seeking rigorous academic growth and a deep, authentic connection to China.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

Studying at BLCU was intense and rewarding. The professors were experts, and the immersive environment—from classes to daily life on campus—pushed my Mandarin from intermediate to advanced. It was challenging, but the progress was real and has opened so many doors for me.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

My 6-month AI internship in Shanghai gave me unparalleled hands-on experience. I worked on real machine learning models alongside senior engineers. GAC handled all the complex logistics, from visa sponsorship to a great apartment, letting me focus 100% on coding and professional growth. This experience was a direct line to my current job in tech.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

Studying at BLCU through GAC provided an academic intensity I craved, paired with a living, breathing context you can’t get from a textbook. The professors are experts who teach you to dissect the language's logic and history, not just memorize it. Campus life is a continuous, immersive dialogue with students from across China and the world, turning the cafeteria and library into extensions of the classroom. The program expertly blends rigorous instruction with cultural application, ensuring you don't just learn to speak Chinese—you learn to understand the worldview it contains. A truly foundational experience for serious learners.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

Studying at BLCU is an academic deep dive with a cultural snorkel. The program's brilliance is its dual focus: it trains your mind with rigorous, systematic language instruction while simultaneously immersing your senses in the living context of that language. My professors were scholars who treated Mandarin as a dynamic, breathing artifact. Campus life was a continuous dialogue—debates in the dormitory, poetry slams in the student union, street food adventures that tested our vocabulary. I didn't just learn to communicate; I learned to decipher the cultural code embedded within the communication. This isn't just school; it's intellectual and personal archaeology.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

Studying at BLCU was an exercise in intellectual archaeology. Each character we learned felt like unearthing a piece of living history. The academic rigor was formidable, yet it was matched by the vibrant, pulsing life of the campus itself—a global village where every meal in the canteen was a language exchange. The professors were mentors who guided us to see language as a cultural codex. I didn't just memorize vocabulary; I learned to trace the soul of a civilization through its script. This program is for the curious mind that seeks not just fluency, but profound cultural literacy.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

At BLCU, academic rigor meets cultural heartbeat. The curriculum is a carefully built bridge from textbook proficiency to living fluency. What sets it apart is the ecosystem—the campus is a microcosm of global China, where a coffee break conversation can pivot from particle physics to the best Peking duck in the city. The professors are custodians of the language, teaching you not only how to speak, but how to listen to the history in each character. You don't graduate with just a certificate; you graduate with a new lens.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

At BLCU, I didn’t just learn Mandarin—I learned how language lives and breathes. Between intensive classes and lively language exchanges, characters I once found daunting became familiar friends. The campus itself was a microcosm of global connection, where a conversation in the dining hall could lead to a weekend trip to the Great Wall. What stood out was how the curriculum blended rigor with real-world application, turning grammar lessons into practical tools for navigating life in Beijing. This program is for those who want to do more than study a language—they want to let it change them.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

Studying at BLCU through GAC was an academic dream come true. The university's immersive teaching approach, combined with its vibrant campus life, created the perfect environment for language acquisition. I appreciated how the curriculum balanced grammar fundamentals with practical conversation skills, and the small class sizes ensured personalized attention. Living on campus allowed me to form meaningful connections with both Chinese and international students, turning language practice into a natural part of daily life. The program's organized cultural excursions to historical sites further enriched my understanding of China. For anyone seeking rigorous academic training alongside authentic cultural immersion, BLCU delivers an exceptional experience.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

Studying at BLCU through GAC provided an academic experience that was both rigorous and rewarding. The university's teaching methodology emphasized practical communication skills while building strong theoretical foundations. What set this program apart was the vibrant international campus environment, where daily interactions with students from diverse backgrounds created natural language practice opportunities. The combination of quality instruction, cultural activities, and independent exploration time resulted in remarkable language progress and lasting friendships.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

Studying at BLCU through GAC was a dream come true! The university’s immersive teaching approach helped me progress from beginner to intermediate Mandarin in just three months. I loved the campus diversity and made friends from over 20 countries. GAC arranged comfortable dormitory housing and cultural activities like calligraphy and cooking classes. The program’s flexibility allowed me to travel during breaks. If you seek quality education in a vibrant environment, BLCU is the place to be!

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

Studying at BLCU was a dream come true. The professors were encouraging and patient, and the campus had students from all over the world, which made it such a vibrant environment. Staying with a host family was the highlight — I was able to practice Chinese daily and really immerse myself in the culture. It was the perfect mix of academic focus and real-life experience.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

Studying Chinese at BLCU was such a rewarding experience. The university is known for teaching international students, and the professors were patient, encouraging, and really focused on making sure we used the language daily. The campus was lively and diverse, with students from all over the world, which made it easy to make friends and practice outside of class. What I loved most was the combination of structured learning and the chance to experience Beijing—its history, food, and culture. I left not only with stronger language skills but also with memories that will last a lifetime.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

Studying Mandarin at Beijing Language and Culture University was a truly rewarding experience. The classes were well-structured and the teachers knew how to keep us engaged, but what made the biggest impact was the immersive environment. Every day outside class felt like an opportunity to practice—from chatting with classmates at the cafeteria to navigating the city on my own. I gained both academic progress and a deep appreciation for Chinese culture. I would recommend this program to anyone serious about learning Chinese.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

Studying at Beijing Language and Culture University through Go Abroad China was such a rewarding experience. The classes were small, interactive, and taught by instructors who truly cared about our progress. Outside of class, I joined student clubs, met amazing friends from around the world, and explored Beijing’s history and modern life. The campus was welcoming, and the support from GAC made settling in smooth. I especially enjoyed the cultural workshops, which made the experience so much more than just studying a language. It felt like I was learning both in and outside the classroom every day.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review

Studying at BLCU was such a unique experience. The campus is filled with students from all over the world, so every day felt like a mini global meetup. The teachers really knew how to make classes fun and interactive—I never felt bored, even during grammar lessons! I also joined the university’s cultural clubs, where we learned traditional dance, Chinese painting, and even tried martial arts. Living in Beijing meant I could practice my Chinese everywhere—at the supermarket, in cafés, or just chatting with taxi drivers. I left feeling more confident in my Mandarin and with a deeper understanding of China’s culture."

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this review