Testimonials

Studying Chinese in Beijing is an unforgettable experience. After having lived in this city it is almost impossible to leave without being touched by its charm, its people and its remarkable culture. Confucius Programs strives to ensure that all students have a pleasant and special stay in Beijing. So far, every student has had a unique experience. Below, some former Confucius Programs share their story.

Jeff Meredith

Program: Mandarin Chinese University Program
Location: Beijing Language and Culture University
Duration: Summer course (16 - Jul - 2009 - 17 Aug - 2009)
Nationality: American

My summer in Beijing was without a doubt the best travel experience I
have ever had. I almost didn't go and knowing what I know now, missing
the chance would have been a huge mistake for me. By the time I got off
the fence and finally decided to go the registration for the summer
course at BLCU was already closed. Fortunately, the people at Confucius
Programs managed to finagle a spot for me anyway. The class was
difficult. The Chinese style of teaching is quite a bit different from
what I am used to seeing in the U.S. Because of the shortened time frame
(5 weeks) every class was a new lesson in the text book. Also, my
previous experience with Chinese was almost entirely spoken. I did not
know how to read characters. The courses require reading, writing as
well as spoken Chinese. I put Herculean effort into the class and
learning as much as possibly could while still leaving time to experience
everything I could from a world class Chinese city. The return was both
immediate and almost overwhelming. I learned more Chinese that I thought
was possible and it was as though an entire world previously mysterious
and completely unknown opened up just a little bit for me to see.
 
I am older. My trip was a 40th birthday gift to myself. I had been to
Beijing two times before as a tourist. I have connections to Tsing Hua
University and I have friends with friends who live in the city.
Nevertheless, navigating Chinese bureaucracy is, as near as i can tell,
like navigating a maze of twisty passages all alike. The people at
Confucius Programs are extremely competent at what they do. I tried
what I could to manage the process on my own and failed. You simply
need someone who does it all the time to help you. If you are new to
the city Confucius Programs will take care of everything including
meeting you at the airport. They got me through the maze with very
little effort on my part (I provided some passport style photos and a
copy of my Bachelor's degree). Before I knew it I was all set for the
first day of classes.
 
I found that spending a longer time in the city and trying as best I
could to live like a Beijinger was a lot of fun. I met a lot of people
and discovered friendships that I genuinely hope will last a lifetime. I
am a different person now than I was before I left. I hope, and i think
it is the case, I am a better person for the experience. I know I will
never forget it.


Rex Wierenga

Program: Language and Culture Program
Location: CUC
Duration: Spring Semester (22 - Feb - 2008 - 10 July - 2008)
Nationality: Dutch

Before writing this a small disclaimer: while mornings usually feature language classes, the content of afternoon classes vary from history (ancient and modern) to calligraphy to martial arts. Evenings and weekends are entirely up to you, but no two days are the same if you don't want them to be. I'll just write down what I did and will do today (May the 16th 2008, a Friday).

Getting up in the morning is always a problem, and this morning was no different. My flatmate and I arrived only a little late, but luckily our teacher was cool with it. Our speaking & listening class had a special feature today: learning how to sing a song in putonghua (Mandarin). After new words, reading the text for today out loud (paying special attention to the tones) and a small break the teacher handed out the lyrics and plugged in the CD player. We still require some practice, but soon I will be able to sing my first Chinese song at KTV (karaoke).

After grabbing a bite in the canteen and relaxing a little we have movie class, this time featuring a documentary about Genghis Khan. In the past we have also watched arthouse, kung fu and romantic movies. After class, I plan to go to the Beijing city center by subway and get me some summer tees in one of the many luxurious malls. I don't know where I'm going to eat yet, but I do know that I haven't cooked anything myself in months. The restaurants here are that cheap and the food is that tasty. I think I'll give the Beijing nightlife a miss this time, because my flatmate and I are planning a weekend trip to Chengde and will leave early tomorrow morning.

Lisa van Wageningen

Program: Mandarin Language Program
Location: BLCU
Duration: Spring Semester (22 Feb '06 - 06 Jul '06)
Nationality: Dutch

I went to China with Confucius Programs to learn Mandarin. I chose Confucius Programs because it seemed so convenient: everything is taken care of for you, your course and your accommodation. Believe me, without a smattering of Chinese or any cultural background it would be really difficult to book a room for six months, let alone enrol in the university. At the start it was extremely useful to have the support of Confucius Programs, although after that I didn't really have much to do with them, but that was only because I had already found my feet. It was great to know, though, that there was always someone I could ring, should anything go wrong. In addition, I would say it's important to get out and have a go at speaking Chinese! Chinese people usually love it when you at least try to speak their language, and practice makes perfect!

Yihuan Chang

Program: Mandarin Language Program
Location: BLCU
Duration: Summer (13 Jul '06 - 23 Aug '06)
Nationality: Dutch

Confucius Programs was extremely helpful with the organisation of our trip to the BLCU in Beijing. Enrolling in the university and arranging our accommodation was taken care very quickly and efficiently; we were kept informed at all times and we received fast answers to our questions. We only had to take care of the airline ticket and our visa. In China we received very helpful assistance. They were always very accessible and were more than happy to help us get started in Beijing. The modern student building at the BLCU was excellent and the course was very interesting. It was a tremendous experience and I'm going back next summer to see the Olympic Games in a city I've fallen a little in love with. As far as culture, food, entertainment and friendly people are concerned, I haven't been to many other places in the world that have impressed me quite so much.
These are my tips for future students:

• Be open to new things! Chinese culture is very different from European culture, and if you don't have an open mind it won't be a pleasant experience. If you do have an open mind, you can have an amazing time, day after day.
• Beijing and Shanghai are not the real China (insofar as it consists of so many different cultures and people). Go to the interior of the country, go travelling. There is a whole load more to discover.
• Haggle! For everything, in nightclubs, restaurants, beer, milk, rooms, taxis – you can haggle for almost anything. Don't be afraid, it's the way things are done.
• Watch out for services (in bars) and items which don't have a price tag. Check the prices or come to an agreement. Some people try to con Westerners. Also, when paying by credit card, don't just hand it over, but always go along with it to the till.
• Chinese people find it difficult to say "no". They would rather invent an excuse than say "no" to a request. This is out of politeness, but it can lead to a lot of misunderstandings and to appointments not being kept. Bear that in mind.

Serge Mbaidem

Program: Mandarin Language Program
Location: BTLI
Duration: Month (04 Oct '06 - 27 Oct '06)
Nationality: French

Great city, like no other. I really enjoy being there, to feel the warmth of its people, the grandeur of its past through its remaining palaces hutongs and gardens, and the current zeal and enthusiasm for letting the world know that China is a country like no other. Studying Chinese is then the natural consequence, Confucius Programs is for me the interface. People there helped me to feel comfortable, hospitality is not idle talk ! The programs are well adapted for all, organizing the courses according to your level and assimilation of the language. The pauses in between the courses are moments to digest the knowledge you've gained and also moments to discuss with other students from other countries sharing the same interest. Opportunities to visit sites are legion and well organized. They tell you what is there not to miss, the good restaurants even to get a ticket to see Jesse Norman! They do everything to help you and find solutions to any difficulties you could encounter. They became my friends.
 
My advice in order to make your stay perfect and increase your knowledge without difficulties: don't hesitate to ask questions to all Chinese people you meet, make the conversation of any kind, they're not shy to answer so why would you be for asking?! However the world being imperfect, beware of people selling books, articles and items very cheap for tourists outside some sites, some give the change with fake money

René Oosterlinck

Program: Mandarin Language Program
Location: BTLI
Duration: Summer (August 2006)
Nationality: Belgium

During my engineering studies I had taken Chinese lessons, but these focused on grammar, i.e. a passive knowledge. When in 2005 I was appointed co-director of an institute in Beijing, I quickly realised that I would have to take a course in Chinese to make my stay in Beijing more interesting (and more efficient). After trying a couple of courses without much success, I went looking for something better and found Confucius Programs on the Internet. My first contact with Confucius Programs went very smoothly and after a few e-mails I received a proposal for a course in Beijing which was exactly what I was looking for in terms of both content and price. Confucius Programs organised a private course with an emphasis on practical knowledge. Confucius Programs also organised my stay in Beijing. During my stay Confucius Programs maintained local contact with me to make sure that everything was going to plan. The choice of school and the methodology followed have led to me now having a practical knowledge of Chinese. Future students should make it clear exactly what they intend to do with the knowledge of Chinese they acquire, so that the program can be tailored to their needs. An emphasis should also be placed on the study method they want to follow. It is also important to indicate what type of social life they would like to have during their stay.

Kim Hoeijmakers

Program: Mandarin Language Program
Location: CUC
Duration: Fall Semester (01 Sept 06 - 10 Jan 07)
Nationality: Dutch

An unforgettable and incredibly valuable experience of becoming completely immersed, from top to toe, in an entirely different culture. This is poles apart from running around tourist attractions with your backpack and camera. Apart from studying, and meeting people from all over the world, I travelled around China for two months. All in all, an amazing collection of experiences and impressions that I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life.
The assistance provided by Confucius was very important to me. For instance, immediately after landing in faraway, unfamiliar China it was particularly pleasant to be greeted by a friendly smile. A lift to the campus was provided, and I was helped out with all sorts of paperwork. That was a big relief in an overwhelming new world full of foreign faces and sounds and incomprehensible characters. Also, one time when I was sick, Confucius was the contact point and gave me a lot of reassurance.

Making Chinese friends was easy. We exchanged experiences and knowledge of languages. But, in the first instance, Japanese and Korean classmates played a bigger role. Their Chinese vocabulary was impressive, but their knowledge of English was zero: the perfect teachers. Having a non-Western roommate is not only very pleasant, it's also good for your Mandarin!

Kayip Cheung

Program: Mandarin Language Program
Location: BLCU
Duration: Summer (26 Jul '07 - 22 Aug '07)
Nationality: Dutch

During my course Confucius Programs arranged everything perfectly. When I arrived in Beijing there was a person waiting for me with my name on a board, ready to take me to the BLCU. On the BLCU campus you can play sport, go to restaurants, go to the gym, or if you want to sit in the mess hall you can do that. There are loads of small shops on campus, so you don't need to worry about being close to supermarkets etc. I generally did my homework in the afternoon (after lunch) and then in the evening went out on the town, went to the arcades in Wang Fu Jing, played pool, went bowling, caught the latest films. Incidentally, I would advise you to take a mobile phone which doesn't have a SIM lock, as you can get a phone card there for around 20 Euro. I phoned Confucius Programs a number of times and they were a big help to me in Beijing.

These are my tips for future students:

• Change your money in Beijing, not in your own country.
• No need to take loads of stuff with you! You can get everything you need at the supermarkets on campus, so don't take a load of unnecessary things with you.
• Speak the language: try to talk with your fellow students as much as possible. The more you dare to speak the language, the faster you will learn.