Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Great Experience August 08, 2025

By (High School) - abroad from 07/18/2025 to 08/03/2025 with

Go Abroad China: Teen Mandarin Study Tour & Cultural Immersion in China

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about the culture than I could online. It was very worthwhile to get to see new things and meet new people.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My education experience with go abroad china was very enlightening. I learned more about the culture and got more natural exposure to the language. The courses are quite easy to follow and the teachers are very attentive. Though, I will say that starting these classes was a bit rough for me personally.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The bedroom I was given to stay in was very spacious and very accommodating to my needs as a student and traveler.

* Food:

My host Nora made food for me each night and was very generous with the serving of it.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

As always its quite hard to adjust to a new place especially as a person of color. Though not an absolutely terrible experience.. Many strangers were very kind to me.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

They were addressed very quickly. A lot of people were getting pretty tired after our traveling. So they made sure we had the supplements such as electrolytes to put in our water and many breaks.

* Safety:

Way safer than America. My escorts always messaged me to make sure I made it home safe. Also, I never felt unsafe or like my things were gonna be stolen on any form of public transportation, so thats a plus.

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

They're very accommodating and kind. I don't know much more I could want from a program.

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)

Its very easy at most you will probably need 150 dollars in cash. I just love spending money on useless things that make me happy so I personally spent 200..

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Snacks for myself were quite cheap only being close to maybe 10-15 dollars a week? I also just brought a bunch of stuff to take home so do expect to be spending less than I did.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I have no general money saving tips. I am admittedly not good at frugal spending the moment I see something new..

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

They did their best to speak with us in Chinese in casual situations and teach us new words when asked.

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Chinese 4 high-school level
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Always ask how to say things in the language you're trying to learn and its ok to ask about the same few things multiple times. Repetition is important and the people in the program are here to help you learn. Never feel like you're being annoying when asking questions or making mistakes when speaking. They appreciate that you're trying your best.. Not just the people in the program but the locals aswell.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • My host family
  • Lunch
  • Making friends
* What could be improved?
  • Break times
  • Days off
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Im not sure, I was very well prepared and did research. Make sure you dress for the season summer is incredibly hot and winter is incredibly cold pack accordingly and modest.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.