Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learning Chinese: A Fun and Challenging Journey October 23, 2025

By (Chinese Language, Literature, Duke University) - abroad from 03/23/2025 to 06/23/2025 with

Go Abroad China: GAC Chinese Language Immersion Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I’ve started my initial journey of learning Chinese, and I know I’ll keep going with it. Besides, I’ve tried lots of delicious food and visited the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing—this is truly a remarkable country.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You can download many useful apps that help international students save money in China

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • Chinese Language
  • food
  • Great Wall
* What could be improved?
  • None
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The entire GAC team has arranged all my itineraries for me, and I really appreciate this—it saves me from a lot of confusion. You know, traveling to a foreign country can be quite difficult, especially when you don’t speak the local language. Thanks to GAC’s full support throughout the process, everything has been smooth. I’m truly grateful to GAC.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Chinese language
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: Learning Chinese is quite challenging, but I’m deeply drawn to Chinese Language and Literature. I love challenges, and my Chinese teacher is fantastic—so humorous that the class always ends before I know it.
Credit Transfer Issues: None