The Full Immersion Gap Year
You start the first half of your year abroad in Shanghai with its amazing nightlife, international community and endless opportunities for doing pretty much anything you could possibly think of.
After exploring this mega city, you will then spend the second half in China’s old summer capital Chengde (not to be confused with Chengdu) and experience the “real China”.
No more expats, no international community, no English spoken, but only Chinese culture and Mandarin 24/7.
While there is no better way to learn Chinese in China than complete immersion in the city where Mandarin originated, this is of course culturally a lot more challenging than living in an international city like Shanghai. While Shanghai is a bit of a “dream world” that is very different to the rest of China. In Chengde you will see and experience how real life in China actually happens today.
The City: Chengde
![Three people eating dumplings with chopsticks]()
Chengde (not Chengdu) was where the emperor and his court went to escape the summer heat of the capital during the Qing dynasty.
It’s home to the original Qing Summer Palace, eight temples and the world’s largest wooden Buddha.
Today it’s recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site. The city is located in the mountains north of Beijing, right next to the Great Wall.
With 500,000 inhabitants it’s pretty small – by Chinese standards at least. Chengde is also the birthplace of modern Mandarin, since the standard Chinese pronunciation we teach today was based on the language of school children in Chengde.
The city has three universities, is very safe, easy to navigate and has a much slower pace of life than other larger cities in China. At the same time there are no foreigners living here and you will be living with a Mandarin-only homestay family – so you will be completely immersed into Chinese culture and language day and night. All classes are taught 1-on-1 too, to make sure you don’t speak English with your classmates. This is the real China!
When Can I Start?
Speak to us and we will find a date between us. If you have some knowledge of Mandarin already you can start on any Monday of the year!
3 Months Full Immersion Program Prices (Chinese Yuan)
- 6 weeks in Shanghai studying Chinese in a small group (20hrs/wk)
- 6 weeks in Chengde studying Chinese 1-on-1 (20hrs/wk)
- Transport costs between the cities included
- Shanghai and Chengde survival kit, including airport pickup, SIM card with data plan, maps, rental bike, bank account and much more.
Price = 35,730 CNY
Accommodation Prices
6 weeks in Shanghai in a Shared Apartment (small room) and 6 weeks in a Chengde homestay* = 25,967 CNY
6 weeks in a Shanghai homestay* and 6 weeks in a Chengde homestay* = 31,054 CNY
* Homestays in Beijing include breakfast and dinner, and in Chengde include full board. Options for vegetarians, vegans and those with special dietary requirements can be arranged.
6 Months Full Immersion Program Prices (Chinese Yuan)
- 12 weeks in Shanghai studying Chinese in a small group (20hrs/wk)
- 12 weeks in Chengde studying Chinese 1-on-1 (20hrs/wk)
- Transport costs between the cities included
- Shanghai and Chengde survival kit, including airport pickup, SIM card with data plan, maps, rental bike, bank account and much more.
Price = 67,830 CNY
Accommodation Prices
12 weeks in Shanghai in a shared apartment and 12 weeks in a Chengde homestay* = 47,160 CNY
12 weeks in a Shanghai homestay* and 12 weeks in a Chengde homestay* = 52,560 CNY
*Homestays in Beijing include breakfast and dinner, and in Chengde include full board. Options for vegetarians, vegans and those with special dietary requirements can be arranged.
For more information, have a look at our complete Chinese immersion program page.
During my studies, I had three teachers, all of whom were very good. One of them was definitely my favorite, as I felt she really understood me and my individual interests. For example, I really enjoy politics, and knowing that, the teacher personalized the course and content to this interest. It was truly tailored to what I know and how I learn. It wasn’t just practicing from the textbook. Later that teacher became one of my closest friends in Shanghai. In class, we were very professional and she helped me not to get sidetracked from the course, but outside of it, we were hanging out as friends.
