CET Beijing was great! October 28, 2025
By A student (Lewis & Clark College) - abroad from 02/10/2025 to 05/20/2025 with
CET Beijing
It was completely worthwhile. I not only improved my Chinese dramatically but also learned how to adapt to new environments and communicate across cultures.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
CET Beijing offered one of the most immersive and transformative academic experiences I’ve ever had. The full-language pledge created an environment where my Chinese improved rapidly, both inside and outside the classroom. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site CET staff in Beijing were exceptional. They were approachable and responsive. They were organized and genuinely cared about our wellbeing. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living with a Chinese roommate was one of the highlights of the program. It gave me daily opportunities to practice Chinese and experience everyday life in Beijing authentically. The dorms were comfortable. Occasionally, the refrigerator stopped working without prior notice, and the kitchen area wasn’t always easily accessible, but overall, housing was clean, safe, and well managed. |
| * Food: |
Beijing’s food scene was incredible, and very cheap. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to get a vaccine while in Beijing, and the entire CET staff was incredibly supportive throughout the process. They helped me schedule the appointment. The medical staff at the clinic spoke English and explained everything clearly, which made the experience smooth and reassuring. I felt fully supported and confident in the care I received. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in Beijing. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Absolutely. CET Beijing offered everything I was looking for in a study abroad program. It pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best possible way and gave me both language skills and confidence. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $50-80 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
The language pledge was specially helpful. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had known how fast time would fly! |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
