Study Abroad Programs in Guilin, China

One of the best rabbit holes I’ve ever explored. I’ll explain. I’ve been living in China approximately two years, and during this time I’ve used tutoring, movies, TV, language apps and ease dropping on conversations to do my best to pick-up a bit of Chinese here and there. Some gains, but nothing great. Then, after two years of trying and looking, I came across an advertisement for Omeida while reading a WeChat article. Click, down the rabbit hole I went. After what seemed like hours of reading and watching everything available about Omeida, I thought, this is too good to be true, but it’s still worth pursuing. I contacted Omeida and my journey and relationship with them and their family of students began. The intake process is simple and efficient. First, they ask you about your background, goals and time commitment. Next, you’re scheduled for an online interview. After the interview, you’re asked to decide what program you will attend, Standard/Survival (15 hours - afternoon) or Intensive/Survival & University Course Work (30 hours - morning and afternoon). Finally, you finalize your arrangements for arrival and payment. Omeida is willing to schedule a car to pick you up, accepts cash and digital payment, are able and willing to provide a Fabio. These are notable points as all businesses do not provide them. In regards to course options, my experience and opinion is that both options are good especially together. Caveat to this for me was it didn't seem like I was able to process what I learned in time to apply it to the next lesson. This could be because my Chinese foundation was insufficient and/or too many other external commitments. Omeida Chinese Academy is exactly what you see in the videos open, student centered and accommodating. In the building, WIFI, lounge area, refrigerator, coffee, tea and mugs, restrooms with Western and Eastern style toilets, fitness room, roof top access with furniture and study rooms plus 24 hours access are provided. WHAT? That’s right, 24 hours access! Can you say commitment to success? Another small yet interestingly relaxing thing at Omeida is that instead of using bells to indicate period start/end times, they play classical music. It’s a different touch and quite nice. It further differentiates Omedia from others. Primary avenues available to greater develop your linguistic skill set can be accomplished by: taking advantage of the very low student to teacher ratio (1:2-3), language exchange (get a partner and elevate yourselves to the next level), weekly (Wednesday) cultural activities, quiz nights (Thursday), weekend excursions (Saturday), monthly dinner, interacting with locals and volunteering at Omeida English College. A word about volunteering – it’s in English. This is mentioned because if you want an all Chinese speaking environment this will not provide it, but it can provide an opportunity to help someone, make a connection and learn about Chinese culture. It can also help to offset some of your cost, such as meals etc., however, it will take at least one hour of your time, Monday-Friday from 17:00-18:00. Although it was enjoyable having conversations with English learners, it was, at times, in conflict with other interests. The accommodation I had was clean, adequate, affordable, secure and close to the academy. You can choose between a single or shared room. I chose to share a room hoping to benefit from having a roommate. A roommate can be a godsend for your sanity and language development. My roommate and I were separated by several generations, but we didn’t have any problem, just not much to converse about – different interest and priorities. The canteen doesn’t serve 5 Star meals, but it does serve meals on time. If going, go early! In the month I spent at Omeida as a false beginner, a solid foundation was created, I made improvements in pronunciation, grammar and speaking and I intend to continue my studies online. Going there wasn’t a choice for me it was chance and necessity. Omeida Chinese Language Academy is a good choice for the curious, adventurer and student. You won’t be disappointed with your choice. The administrative staff and teaching faculty are supportive, caring knowledgeable, experienced and flexible. And when your stay is up, it’s likely that the school, students, locals and enchanting picturesque Yangshuo and your experiences will have you wanting to return.

My 6 weeks of intensive Chinese in Yangshuo reminded me a lot of my time as a foreign language exchange student at Dalian University of Technology (DUT) almost 10 years ago, albeit with some notable differences. First off, the school has an absolutely terrific learning environment. Unlike DUT where the classes had between 15-20 students, the classes at Omeida are quite small, with around 1-3 students (perhaps less than usual due to COVID), which means that you get plenty of attention from your Chinese teacher. As well, the teachers are very knowledgable and willing to adapt their teaching methods to suit your needs. I came to Omeida with an already advanced level of Chinese, so I think my teachers, who were more used to teaching lower level students, had to figure out what worked and what didn't work with me as things went along. However, their willingness to try different activities and strategies is a testament to their flexibility and commitment. Omeida also has an English school which is adjacent to the newly built Chinese Academy building. Apart from your teacher(s), the Chinese students at that school will play a key role in helping you to improve your Chinese. The school has a language partner program, as well as a volunteering program which is useful in terms of meeting these students. However, even if you don't sign up to these, some of the less shy Chinese students will naturally get curious and approach you for a conversation when they see a foreign face in the canteen or during the various school events. Speaking of events, the school and students organise a range of things including class dinners, BBQ nights, quizzes , culture classes and excursions. I was doing one on one classes with no classmates, so these events were especially important in terms of meeting people and socialising. As some of the reviewers have already mentioned, the accommodation is nothing to write home about. It's acceptable, but don't go there expecting a 3-5 star hotel room. In terms of room mate, it can be hit and miss. Sometimes you will be paired up with someone with whom you have a lot in common (which was fortunately the case for me). Other times, you might end up with a room mate with whom you develop no special connection (which was sadly the case for one student that I met). But to quote a line from a certain movie: "Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you'll get." When selecting the type of program, you might also want to think about your priorities. If sightseeing is your priority or you just want to relax and socialise, then the standard or part-time course is probably best for you. If you're like me, and want to seriously improve your Chinese and don't mind staying up late in the evening to do your Chinese homework, then the intensive course is for you. Hats off to the administrative team as well for their willingness to lend you a helping hand regardless of how small your problem is. Special mention goes to Kyrie 老板 for her enthusiasm and eagerness to help! Overall, I would recommend the school to anyone who would like to learn more about Chinese language and culture. My first three weeks at the school was quite "typical" with large amounts of students coming in and a very lively atmosphere, however, by the end of week three with several COVID outbreaks in China, things started to get a little more quiet. Regardless, my experience at Omeida was largely positive, and it brought back some great memories from my days as a DUT international student.

I was at Omeida for three weeks in March 2021. Had an fantatic time! Would highly recommend this school for anyone wanting to learn or improve their Chinese. I took the intensive course option and had a lot of progress over the two weeks. That said, it was a lot of work and didn't have a lot of time to explore the town / country side. If I were to do it again I'd probably choose the standard course. My teachers were excellent and friendly. The school administrators were also incredibly friendly and helpful. I plan to come back again. You definitely study at Omeida!

I was truly impressed by how well organized the entire experience at CLI was. Airport pick up, welcome dinner, orientation, my Chinese classes, cultural activities, new friends, and on and on. I had an incredible experience and highly recommend CLI.

I extremely enjoyed my experience at CLI. All of the teachers are so friendly yet so professional. I learnt so much whilst studying there and felt my Chinese improved considerably. I really enjoyed the weekly and weekend activities I especially enjoyed going to Yangshuo. The lunchtime meals were delicious and there were many dishes to choose from. I would recommend CLI it to anyone who truly wants to immerse themselves in the Chinese language and culture.

I came for three weeks. Liaising with the school admin before I arrived was very straight forward. They were very helpful . The team at Omeida are very dedicated, friendly and make learning a pleasure. I booked the school hotel which is only 1 minute from the school. I also ate all my meals in the school cafeteria. The menu was excellent and you share your meals with the Chinese students learning English. It's a lovely cultural experience. Yangshuo is a nice small town. You can be in the amazing countryside in ten minutes. The scenery is stunning. These guys provide a great learning opportunity. Book with them Sent from ProtonMail mobile

I spent six weeks at Omeida learning Chinese last summer and it was a great experience! Wonderful landscapes, kind people, professional teachers and a good vibe. Back home I tried the Chinese online course offered by Omeida and I was surprised by the quality of the lessons, I learned even faster! I suggest it to everyone

It is very fast paced without making you feel overcome. I was able to learn more Chinese in a month then I did in two semesters of college Chinese. I saw so many beautiful and historical sights. The food was always great and I never got sick. I did not hear any complaints from anybody, while I was there.

CLI is hard to describe in a review. In short, I have found my time at CLI so far to exceed my expectations and would recommend. If you want to read my longer take on the school, read below. CLI has a truly unique environment as you live in or near the school and are encouraged to fully immerse yourself. Many teachers live, work, and play in and near the institute and you're encouraged to join them and immerse yourself outside of the classroom setting. Every now and again you can take your class to a different location (museum, art gallery, coffee shop, etc.) and use that setting to further your studies. For example, I am a renewable energy engineer, and one of my classes we went to go see a wind farm. Although wind farms themselves are not that exciting, it was a great way to kick start conversation and learning. In term of teaching style, since there are so many teachers here it is somewhat hard to pin down an 'exact' teaching style CLI has. Overall though there are some common themes. I feel the technique is very effective, yet not for the faint of heart. Fully engaging in the institute and the countless activities is tiring and challenging. Many students experience fatigue. In addition the teachers nudge you to give it your all. Despite the challenge, I'm impressed with my own progress and that of other students. Don't come here pretending it will be easy, you absolutely will be putting in a lot of work outside of the class if you want to progress at the rate CLI encourages you to. CLI also offers lots of travelling and cultural activities at a extra cost each week. Guilin truly is an amazing city, and the chance to see all it has to offer while practicing Mandarin is a great opportunity. The activities are at a reasonable extra cost (at least from my perspective), and I would definitely recommended budgeting some cash to go on the excursions as a lot of students take part. How much cash you ask? No weekend activity has ever cost more than $100 USD once converted to RMB. The most expensive trips will include private transport, food, entry fees, hotel nights, and most everything else you will need. I found these experience to be quite fun, although at times a little 'fast' and wish we had a bit more time. Yet, after all, this isn't a vacation school, and we you will be back at a reasonable time in order to study and prepare for class Monday. As far as course materials, you are welcome to use their textbooks which are standard university textbooks, bring your own material, or ask them to recommend other material. Many students have unique textbooks which they are learning from, and the tutors will adapt to whatever you want to learn. Want to focus on speaking? They will adapt. Want to learn more how to write? The tutors will tailor it to your needs. Like movies? Let them know. Into renewable energy (--> This guy <--)...let them know. To cap it all off, the community and spirit of CLI is truly energetic. The teachers are enthusiastic, the students come from all walks of life, and it is overall a very welcoming and encouraging atmosphere. I've seen kids as young as 6 (with their parents, whom often are also learning Mandarin) and adults older than 60 from all over the world set foot and learn Mandarin here. CLI is truly unique, wonderful, and has an incredibly spirit of learning. One of my favorite questions to ask is, "Why are you learning Mandarin?" There will be some similar answers, yet many have surprised me. If anything, the people at CLI are simple interesting and amazing both the students and teachers. This is almost a reason alone to at least visit the school. The only down side is I believe a student should commit to at least a month to really get a solid learning experience. I will be here for 3.5 months (this is currently month 3 as I write this review), and I honestly felt it took me about 2 to 3 solid weeks to really get into the swing. Yes it is a commitment, but as I mentioned before I believe this school excels at pushing you and is not for the faint of heart. If you honestly can't commit to any longer, that's fine, come anyway. You will have a good experience, but might leave with a feeling of cutting it a bit short. It's not a matter of if I will come back to CLI, but more like when. I look forward to continuing my long journey of learning Mandarin and I'm glad CLI has been a part of that journey. As anyone who is serious about learning Mandarin already knows, it is a long journey, wrought with pitfalls and moments of discouragement. Meeting the people, engaging with the teachers, and being a part of the culture has allowed my inner fire and passion to learn to continue to burn. CLI has been fundamental in that journey. Come and experience it for yourself. Come with a heart ready to challenge yourself, mentally and culturally. Above all though, have courage despite your age, level, status, or whatever and just come, you won't regret it. James

CLI has two very big things going for it. 1) Four hours of 1on1 classes with phenomenal and lovely teachers every day. This makes the learning completely personalised and the pace of it very high. 2) CLI is a big house with a warm, open, happy and immersive community of teachers, learners and friends living and working in it.

I stayed in guilin for about 4 months and can confidently say there is no better Chinese immersion experience out there. The teachers are experienced and well tenured to students of different ethnicities. The curriculum is flexible and the environment is perfect for learning Mandarin. Clis weekend activities are also extremely convenient and well planned out. Going into this program with a small knowledge of the language I can proudly say that now, 8 months later, I can hold a conversation with almost every Chinese speaker I come across with little to no conversation gaps.

I attend CLI every year and this past summer took my youngest son for a month. The teachers, administrative and building service staff, as well as the interns are all excellent. It is impossible for me to speak highly enough about CLI. However, I do return each year for assistance in advancing my Chinese studies for work. It is also a goal to teach English in Guilin and Chinese in the United States. The best part is that I have made lasting friendships and stay in touch with many teachers, interns and other students. The immersive program and outreach of CLI is such that I have volunteered to help represent CLI in the United States. This is a school that inspires its students to forge lasting friendships, continue with their Chinese studies, and support its mission of building cultural ties throughout the world.

I was a local student with CLI last semester, meaning I took classes but I was already living in Guilin, honestly the one on one classes helped me get my Chinese level very high, very fast as the classes are focused on your own goals, so if grammar, vocabulary, speaking or anything is your main issue you can tell your teacher and you can work on that. I highly recommend CLI if your goal is to improve your Chinese, it will mostly give you the confidence to speak, one of the main barriers when learning a new language. Friendly, english speaking staff (if you arrive here without even knowing how to say hello, that won't be a problem) that helps you in whatever you need, that being Chinese language itself or where to eat.

As a Dutch-born Chinese I was already able to speak a bit Mandarin, but it had never been very fluent. In the past I have participated in several language schools/summer camps, but they never were really a success. I still wanted to give learning Mandarin a second try, so this year I decided to take the gamble and go to CLI. The 1-on-1 private lessons were a new experience to me, but I quickly discovered how efficient this learning method is for learning Mandarin, probably even any language. Can't really explain why it works so well, but I guess you should just give it a shot if education in a big group of 10+ people doesn't suit your learning style. The community at CLI is also very kind and they organise a lot of activities during the week and excursion trips during the weekends. The atmosphere at CLI is just very informal and relaxed, it feels a bit like high school where you just go to class and have some fun afterwards. Personally I have improved my Mandarin a lot in just 2 months, therefore I can highly recommend the CLI. A nice bonus is that there is a lot to do in the city of Guilin and the surroundings, so you can also enjoy your time in China while learning Mandarin at the same time! Kind regards, Mike

I enrolled in CLI's immersion program not knowing what to expect. However, all of my worries went away as time went on, and I began to understand the culture and language more. With CLI's hardworking staff (teachers, administrators, ayi), I felt safe and welcomed into the community. The teachers at CLI are very understanding and friendly, so it made learning a lot easier. The staff was also very accommodating when it came to working out class schedules and personal assistance. Along with them, meeting students with unique stories from all over the world was truly inspiring, as everyone was of different ages and from different countries. The learning at CLI is very well-paced and can be adjusted accordingly to the student's pace and goals. My goal was to learn as much as I could within the five months I was there, and I believe that I exceeded my expectations starting from zero Chinese to being able to have full conversations. With my three amazing teachers, who motivated me to keep working hard and not give up, I was able to complete the Integrated Chinese series and leave with a few chapters into HSK 5. The flexibility of the courses provided is definitely a huge plus at CLI. I am very glad I was able to find CLI and to participate in the activities that were introduced during the duration of my stay. I highly recommend going to CLI if you are interested in intensive (but fun) Chinese learning at a school with flexibility, great teachers and staff, and international students. Guilin is also a very beautiful city with great landscapes and opportunities to explore.

My experience at CLI, as everyone else who’s had the pleasure of going, was of the life altering level. From the second you arrive at the school you feel welcomed and are given a sense of belonging from the friendly faces in administration, the other students, and the interns who are always ready and willing to help. The school offers almost daily activities and outings that add to the immersive experience and provide opportunities to use the mandarin you’ve learnt and learn more about the culture and the language. The school is beautiful and kept in order. It can be intimidating going to a country where you don’t speak the lanaguage, but attending CLI gives you the experience to make connections with locals (interns) who want to help out, other students who will also help out and who have wicked diverse stories to keep you entertained throughout the whole stay. Towards the end you’ll be ordering food and talking with the locals all by yourself! I went not speaking a lick of mandarin and I now actively try to find opportunities in my own country to immerse myself in the language and, as much as I can, the culture. I’m excited to go back, and hopefully it won’t be my last time either.

I went to CLI for the first time about 3 years ago and stayed there for 4.5months. It was my first time to China and I knew zero Mandarin. The school was supportive and helpful in getting me to the school. The Teachers/staff at CLI were friendly and always extremely helpful. But what I enjoyed most about CLI was the supportive and happy culture, they became more like an extended family for me as opposed to just a school. I have gone back to that school every year since then. If you ever go to CLI you will find that a huge part of the students there are returning students, which just goes to show that they are definitely doing something right.

When we go to study abroad, we all have our goals in mind. For me, it was to grow as an individual. What I found was much more than that, I found a place that I call home and people that I can family. CLI's staff is what makes it the best option out there, people care and you can feel it. I have done the immersion program twice now (2 summers, both approx. 4 months) and I feel like I have pretty good grasp on CLI and what it offers and I can say without doubt that wholeheartely support it. I consider those two summers as the best times of my life and I wish they are the same for you!

I had such a great time in Guilin. I wouldn’t exchange the experiences I got for anything. It was amazing to be able to study such a fantastic language and culture from locals. It was cool to be surrounded by an entirely different culture and still feel so comfortable and at home. My reading improved tremendously in China, and I also became a more confident speaker. I am sad I could not stay longer than I did, but I hope to return in the near/distant future to continue my studies and exploration of this beautiful place.

I could say so much about my time at CLI, but I'll just say this. Studying at CLI was one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. It was filled with people and novelty that I didn't know my life was missing. And my Chinese improved more in the ten weeks I was there than in 6 years of trying. The one-on-one teaching was fast paced and personable, and the people you meet, students, teachers, interns, locals of Guilin, are all irreplaceable. I came in ~HSK2+ but couldn't speak, and left working on HSK4 after 10 weeks, capable of having conversations about life, friends, and dreams. Some people were tricked into thinking I was ~fluent, but I just knew enough other words to describe things I didn't know and to understand people's explanation of words I didn't know. Besides my initial purpose of language acquisition, which I progressed on through class and many, many encounters befriending locals, the best part of my experience was wholeheartedly the sense of community within CLI. Everyone is super open and inclusive. There's always someone in the activity room to get to know or to work on homework next to, and there's always people down to get a quick bite or to explore downtown. It is super important in life to feel connected and fully accepted for who you are, no questions asked, and CLI taught me to settle for nothing less. I hope to carry my friends and memories in my heart, always.