Business Study Abroad Programs in China

My study abroad trip to Shanghai was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The city is full of energy, with an amazing mix of modern skyscrapers and rich cultural history. Every day felt like a new adventure, whether I was exploring local markets, trying authentic Chinese food, walking along the Bund, or visiting beautiful temples and gardens. One of the most rewarding parts of the trip was experiencing a different culture firsthand and meeting people from around the world. It helped me become more independent, confident, and open-minded. I also learned so much about China’s history, traditions, and daily life in a way that you simply can’t learn from a classroom.

I graduated from high school a semester early, and the only way I wanted to spend my semester was by being abroad. I've known about Semester at Sea for around 6 years and I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. I searched up the requirements to be accepted and luckily fit all the requirements most importantly being 18, so immediately I applied. I then got an email back the next morning saying I got accepted into the program and that email brought me to tears in the middle of one of my classes. I couldn't wait to board the MV World Odyssey and embark on this journey of a lifetime. On the ship, I gained so much knowledge about different cultures and I was able to be fully immersed in them, not just sticking to the touristy things offered. Semester at Sea does an amazing job keeping the students' safety in country as a priority with having mandatory “Pre-Port meetings” the night before arriving in a country, and offering field programs which are ship run excursions with ship faculty leading them. The community on the ship was nothing I have ever experienced before. We were so close knit and it felt like I was truly in a connected, caring, and welcoming environment. I met the people I never imagined I'd connect with, and they ended up becoming the best connections I've ever made with people. Semester at Sea also helped me get out of my comfort zone which led me to have experiences I would have never imagined I'd have, best example being running a half marathon in Vigo, Spain even though I'm not a runner and have never been a runner. Semester at Sea has given me the world and the opportunity to appreciate it to its fullest. I left the ship with my passport full, but my heart is even fuller with people, memories, and connections I will forever cherish. Semester at Sea was truly the best experience I have ever had and would recommend it to anyone as it was life changing.

One of the most underrated aspect of semester at sea is the ship campus itself. Being able to live so close to your friends and just walking a few flight of stairs to your classroom and being able to sit down with your professors for lunch is such an amazing experience. It's eternal sunsets, it's endless travel stories from your friends, it's lifetime of memories. Highly recommend. One of the best decisions I made. And still day dream about this experience, still talk and travel to meet my SAS friends 4 years later.

I have not experienced anything like semester at sea before, therefore giving me a whole lot of different lenses to look at the world with. I completely enjoyed my experience and understand the importance of understanding others concerns, communication, communities, and countries. A overall wonderful experience that has changed my views as well as the way I live and who I am as a person.

I spent five months at Peking University through GAC, and during that time, I stayed with a host family in Haidian. At first, I was pretty nervous. Moving in with people I’d never met, in a completely new country? That’s scary stuff. But right from the start, my host mum went out of her way to make me feel at home. She showed me how to make dumplings (mine always fell apart), helped me untangle my Mandarin homework, and brought me along when she went home for the holidays. The classes at the university were awesome—small groups, teachers who actually wanted us to get it, and a real sense that I was improving. But honestly, most of the real learning happened every night at dinner. Trying to talk about my day in Mandarin, stumbling through sentences while my host family laughed (always supportive, though)—that’s where everything started to click. I didn’t just come back with better Chinese. I came back with a second family. So if you want something deeper than a regular language course, go live with a host family. You’ll get way more out of the experience.

I went to china for 4 weeks of language studying and i could say i loved the Beijing Language and Culture University. my program provider Go Abroad China did wonderful job from placing me in the company to visa and airport pickup + the city tours.

When I decided I wanted to go abroad, I was nervous about a lot of things. First off, I was scared that when I went abroad I would have to settle for a location I did not want to be in because I needed my credits to transfer over. Luckily AIFS had a program in a wonderful city with a bunch of classes that would transfer back to my home university super well. When I chose this program, I was overjoyed but nervous about living in a homestay. When I got there I was happily surprised to find that my host family was amazing and provided me with an experience I would not have been able to have if I had been in a dorm/apt. The people that I met in the program were some of the coolest people I have ever known and am happy to call them my friends to this day. If you are looking for a great program in Paris where you have the freedom to meet new people, travel, and find yourself in a new place, I would 100% recommend this to you!

Studying at Tsinghua University was an exercise in intellectual velocity. The curriculum was not merely academic; it was a deep architectural dig into the structure of Mandarin, led by professors who are custodians of the language's logic and history. The university environment itself served as a constant, living lab—debates in the cafeteria, study sessions in centuries-old gardens, and the immediate application of classroom theory in Beijing's sprawling urban tapestry. This program excels by removing the barrier between learning and living. You don't just memorize characters; you learn to decipher the cultural code they contain, gaining not just fluency, but a profound and lasting literacy in the rhythms of Chinese life and thought.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this reviewDecember 29, 2025

Hi Elias, We're thrilled your time at Tsinghua University was an exercise in intellectual velocity, blending rigorous academic architecture with the vibrant, living lab of campus and city life. It's wonderful that you gained not just fluency, but a profound literacy in the cultural code and rhythms of Chinese thought. Thank you for sharing such a deep and lasting journey. Warmly, The Go Abroad China Team

They promised academic excellence, but Fudan University delivered a revolution in how I understand communication. The rigorous curriculum pushed me beyond textbook Mandarin into the living language used in boardrooms and back alleys alike. What surprised me most was how campus life became an extension of the classroom - debating politics with Shanghainese roommates, deciphering street food menus with classmates, and discovering how each character contains centuries of cultural wisdom. The professors didn't just teach language; they taught us to hear the history echoing in every syllable. Between intensive classes and spontaneous conversations with locals, I found myself not just studying Chinese, but dreaming in it. This program is for those who want to do more than learn a language - they want to let it change them.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this reviewNovember 22, 2025

Hi Kenji, We're truly inspired by your reflection—thrilled that Fudan University not only met but exceeded your expectations, turning language learning into a profound journey of cultural and personal transformation. It's wonderful to hear how campus life, from political debates to street food adventures, became a living classroom that helped you dream in Mandarin. Thank you for letting the language change you, and for sharing such a meaningful experience. Warmly, The Go Abroad China Team

They say the best way to learn a language is to live it—and at Tsinghua University, I didn't just learn Mandarin, I breathed it. My days began with intensive language classes where passionate teachers deconstructed complex grammar into digestible lessons, followed by afternoons practicing calligraphy in sun-drenched courtyards. The campus itself became my classroom: debating politics with local students over cafeteria meals, joining spontaneous basketball games where the only common language was laughter, and discovering hidden tea shops where shopkeepers patiently helped me order. What surprised me most was how quickly the characters stopped being abstract shapes and started whispering stories of ancient civilizations. This program doesn't just teach you Chinese—it rewires your brain to hear the poetry in everyday conversations and see the calligraphy in Shanghai's skyline.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this reviewNovember 10, 2025

Hi Atlas, What a powerful reflection on your time at Tsinghua University—we love that you didn't just learn Mandarin, but learned to "breathe" it. It's incredible how the language came alive for you in classrooms, courtyards, cafeterias, and tea shops, transforming characters into stories and everyday moments into poetry. Thank you for sharing such a vivid and inspiring journey. Warmly, The Go Abroad China Team

Studying Mandarin at Tsinghua University through GAC was an academic experience like no other. The university's rigorous curriculum challenged me to push beyond my comfort zone, while the international student community provided a supportive learning environment. What made this program exceptional was how it combined classroom learning with real-world application - from language partner programs to cultural immersion activities. The campus facilities were outstanding, and the professors were genuinely invested in student success. My Mandarin proficiency improved dramatically, and I gained deep insights into contemporary Chinese society.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this reviewOctober 27, 2025

Hey Maria, we're thrilled to hear your time at Tsinghua University was such a rewarding academic experience! It's wonderful that the rigorous curriculum and immersive activities helped your Mandarin improve so dramatically while giving you deep cultural insights. We're so proud of your progress and glad you felt supported by the community—thanks for sharing your incredible journey! Warmly, The Go Abroad China Team

The academic rigor combined with complete cultural immersion created an ideal learning environment at Peking University. Classroom instruction focused heavily on practical communication skills, while daily life on campus provided endless opportunities to practice with native speakers. The university's extensive resources and qualified teachers accelerated my Mandarin progress significantly. Beyond academics, organized cultural activities and exploration of Beijing's historical sites deepened my understanding of Chinese traditions. This program successfully balances intensive language study with authentic cultural experiences, making it perfect for serious students seeking comprehensive Mandarin acquisition.

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this reviewOctober 04, 2025

Hey Javier, we're thrilled to hear your experience at Peking University provided the perfect balance of academic rigor and cultural immersion! It's wonderful that the practical classroom focus and campus life accelerated your Mandarin while the cultural activities deepened your understanding. We're proud you found it ideal for comprehensive language acquisition—thanks for sharing your meaningful journey! Warmly, The Go Abroad China Team

I just finished the Learn Chinese program at Peking University through Go Abroad China and it was incredible! The teachers were so patient and really knew how to make the classes fun while still being challenging. I lived in the university dorms and met students from all over the world which made the experience even better. The campus was beautiful and had everything I needed close by. What I liked most was how the program mixed language learning with cultural activities like calligraphy and tea ceremonies. My Chinese improved so much faster than I expected. If you want to seriously learn Mandarin while having an amazing cultural experience, this is definitely the program for you!

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this reviewSeptember 23, 2025

Hey Ethan, we're thrilled to hear you had such an incredible experience at Peking University! It's wonderful that you enjoyed the patient teachers, campus life, and cultural activities like calligraphy—and we're especially proud of how much your Chinese improved. Thanks for choosing to learn with us and for sharing your amazing experience! Warmly, The Go Abroad China Team

I studied Mandarin at a top university in Beijing thru GAC and it was amazeing! The teachers were great and I learned so fast. The class size was small which really helped. I lived in the dorms and it was a good way to make friends. The university campus was beautiful and there was always something to do. My Chinese improved a ton and I already plan to go back next year. If you want to learn Chinese seriously, this is the program for you!

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this reviewSeptember 17, 2025

Hey Daniel, that's awesome to hear! We're so glad you had such a great experience studying in Beijing and felt your Chinese improved quickly—it sounds like you really made the most of the classes, campus life, and everything the program offers. We’re thrilled you’re already planning to come back, and we can’t wait to welcome you again next year! All the best, The Go Abroad China Team

Studying Mandarin at one of Chinas top universities was amazeing! The teachers were really good and patient, and I loved that the classes were small so you actully got to practice speaking alot. The university campus was beautiful and the location was perfect for exploring the city. I also appriciated all the included suport like help with my visa and finding accomodation, it made everything so much easier. I definitely feel more confident with my Chinese now and had a fantastic time!

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this reviewSeptember 14, 2025

Hi Sofia, thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had such an amazing time studying Mandarin and enjoyed the patient teachers, small classes, and beautiful campus. It's wonderful that the included support helped make your experience smooth and enjoyable—we're so glad you feel more confident in your Chinese and had a fantastic trip! Warmly, The Go Abroad China Team

I just studied abroad with SAS in spring of 2025. To say this experience changed my life would be an understatement. I cannot recommend this enough. The learning opportunities are amazing, the staff and faculty do everything they can to make this your home away from home, and the traveling experiences are ONCE IN A LIFETIME!

Studying at Beijing Language and Culture University was an incredible experience. The campus was lively and full of international students, so there was always someone to connect with. The courses were structured but engaging, and I found myself improving quickly because we were constantly encouraged to use Mandarin outside class. Beijing itself was like a living classroom—every interaction became a chance to learn. By the time I finished, I felt both academically stronger and personally more confident."

Go Abroad China Ltd. responded to this reviewSeptember 02, 2025

Dear Chloe, We're thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed your time at BLCU! It’s wonderful that you embraced both the academic challenges and the vibrant campus life—and that you left feeling more confident and connected to the language and culture. We wish you continued success as you carry these skills and memories forward! —GAC Team

Truly the best experience of my life. I easily fell in love with the city and everything it has to offer. Clean, safe, incredibly easy to get around. Shanghai is very much an international city so if you’re only just beginning to study the language it’s a good place to start. Beyond Shanghai, I also had the opportunity to travel across the country, visiting Beijing, Hunan, and Guangzhou.

When I completed Semester At Sea in the fall of 2024, it was my first time traveling over seas. Growing up going on cruise’s I was super excited to start this new journey on the floating campus. Going in knowing no one else I was nervous but soon felt so welcomed, the community on the ship is amazing. Getting to travel the world with other college kids that have the same interest as you is such a wonderful experience. The professors and other staff members are there to make your learning come to life and it was magical to watch that happen, exploring your learning in each country was eye opening. Not only getting to explore a country but 10 countries allowed for a broad variety of cultures that we get to dive into and explore was so rewarding. I would 1000% go on Semester At Sea again and would recommend it to everyone if you’re deciding to study abroad.

I don’t even know where to begin! Semester at Sea was truly a life-changing experience. There’s no other program where you can see so many different places in a single semester. For example, I visited 10 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, experiencing diverse cultures and meeting people from all over the world. Semester at Sea also gives you incredible freedom: while docked, you can join field programs or explore each country independently. Through this journey, I not only learned about the world but also about myself. I became more independent, more confident, and gained a global perspective that has completely changed the way I see the world.