Chinese Language Study Abroad Programs in Beijing, China

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.

I studied at LTL Chengdu between for three weeks in April. For context, I'm 22, recently graduated, and ethnically Chinese (although I was born and raised in an English-speaking country, and English is my first language). The purpose of this trip was both to learn a language and actually relax for once on vacation. To me, studying at LTL Chengdu (I did 4-hour one-on-one lessons, from Monday to Friday) provided a good anchor for me to ground my day in, otherwise I would have run out of things to do in Chengdu. The teachers and class time are super flexible, so you can do in person or online classes. After my classes ended I just roamed around Chengdu and put what I'd learned that day into practice! A lot of my positive feelings about LTL Chengdu is thanks to my teacher, Shuyi Chen (陈姝熠) (I must've gotten the spelling right this time!). She was really welcoming and a great conversationalist. My Mandarin speaking skill improved so much because we would just chat about different things, where I'd gone the previous day, what life is like in China and and in my home country. Plus, being in a language actually provides you with a community of people who are all in the same boat as you, so it feels less isolating if you've traveled alone. To me, I found the experience abroad to be incredibly freeing. My recommendation if you go! If you're down for it, I really think it's good to live with a host family. The host family I was put with were so funny and I really miss them, although the host family lifestyle isn't for everyone. Also, if you can afford it, stay and learn for a longer time! I think your language skill tends to increase exponentially with time in a country. That's it from me! -- Grace