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Study Abroad in China

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Academic Year Programs

During your time in China, you will live with a host family and attend a local Chinese high school.

2027 Fall Year
$21,195Age Eligibility Born July 30, 2010 – Jul 30, 2012
  • ✈️Depart: Mid August
  • ✈️Return: Late June
  • ✓Host family placement
  • ✓Orientations
  • ✓School placement
  • ✓1 week Chinese culture & language course
  • ✓Airport transfers
  • ✓Domestic & international travel
  • ✓YFU China on-program support
  • ✓Comprehensive insurance
  • ⏰ Application deadline: Mar 15, 2027
Apply

Academic Year Program Details

School

YFU USA students to China will be typically be placed in grade 10 in either a regular high school or a technical and vocational high school, depending on their Chinese ability. Chinese schools typically have strict rules for their students, and they have requirements for students’ physical appearance (no piercings, no long hair for boys, and no perm for girls). Physical education is highly encouraged. In many subjects, contests are organized annually at all levels to encourage students’ study. Examinations are designed separately for science and arts students.

Orientations

All students applying for the year program must be available for a mandatory National Pre-Departure Orientation which takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.

Upon arrival in China, students will attend a 3-day arrival orientation and cultural tour in Beijing. After the orientation, you will travel to stay with your permanent host family and have an intensive 1-week Chinese language and culture course. During your mid-year orientation, you will stay at a local hotel or with a host family and enjoy a cultural and historical tour of the area. Your year will be capped off with a re-entry orientation before your return to the US. All orientation costs are included in the program tuition.

Optional Excursions

Students will have the option to participate in one or two self-paid trips during their time in China. These trips usually take place in October and June, and it typically lasts about 5 days. The trips may include museum tours, a visit to a famous site in Beijing, and visits to the provincial capital of Kunming to learn about the local minority group. Trips are subject to change.

Language

Mandarin Chinese and English. Applicants should have a minimum of 160 hours of Chinese language study before their arrival. We strongly recommend that students start to learn Chinese with an online language program as soon as they apply for the exchange. There will also be a compulsory one-week Chinese language and culture course for year and semester students. This course is included in the program tuition.

Semester Programs

During your time in China, you will live with a host family and attend a local Chinese high school.

2027 Fall Semester
$17,995Age Eligibility Born July 30, 2010 – Jul 30, 2012
  • ✈️Depart: Mid August
  • ✈️Return: Late June
  • ✓Host family placement
  • ✓School placement
  • ✓Orientations
  • ✓1 week culture & language course
  • ✓Airport transfers
  • ✓Domestic & international travel
  • ✓YFU Latvia on-program support
  • ✓Comprehensive insurance
  • ⏰ Application deadline: Mar 15, 2027
Apply

Semester Program Details

School

YFU USA students to China will be typically be placed in grade 10 in either a regular high school or a technical and vocational high school, depending on their Chinese ability. Chinese schools typically have strict rules for their students, and they have requirements for students’ physical appearance (no piercings, no long hair for boys, and no perm for girls). Physical education is highly encouraged. In many subjects, contests are organized annually at all levels to encourage students’ study. Examinations are designed separately for science and arts students.

Orientations

All students applying for the year program must be available for a mandatory National Pre-Departure Orientation which takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.

Upon arrival in China, students will attend a 3-day arrival orientation and cultural tour in Beijing. After the orientation, you will travel to stay with your permanent host family and have an intensive 1-week Chinese language and culture course. During your mid-year orientation, you will stay at a local hotel or with a host family and enjoy a cultural and historical tour of the area. Your year will be capped off with a re-entry orientation before your return to the US. All orientation costs are included in the program tuition.

Optional Excursions

Students will have the option to participate in one or two self-paid trips during their time in China. These trips usually take place in October and June, and it typically lasts about 5 days. The trips may include museum tours, a visit to a famous site in Beijing, and visits to the provincial capital of Kunming to learn about the local minority group. Trips are subject to change.

Language

Mandarin Chinese and English. Applicants should have a minimum of 160 hours of Chinese language study before their arrival. We strongly recommend that students start to learn Chinese with an online language program as soon as they apply for the exchange. There will also be a compulsory one-week Chinese language and culture course for year and semester students. This course is included in the program tuition.

Study Abroad Participants
What to Expect

Travel to the magnificent country of China, one of the largest and oldest civilizations in the world!

For centuries, China has intrigued the world with its magnificent architecture, booming economy, and serene traditions. The Yangtze River (Chiangjiang) and the Yellow River (Huanghe) are windows to China’s engaging past. Historical artifacts fill more than 50 museums in Beijing alone, and the massive Great Wall still snakes through thousands of miles of breathtaking countryside. The time spent with your host family will teach you about Chinese culture as you attend many celebrations, such as the Spring Festival and the Feast of Excited Insects, which are celebrated with vibrant carnivals, amazing dragon dances, and relaxing family gatherings. During these family gatherings, you will be presented with a huge variety of delicious Chinese dishes such as tofu, noodles, maize meal, and even duck!

School is taken very seriously in China, and the country has recently made huge leaps and expansions in education. After school, you may participate in one of the many exciting activities China has to offer you, such as Majiang, Xiangqi (Chinese Chess), poker, and Go, which are popular Chinese table games. Sports and outdoor activities such as swimming, table tennis, basketball, soccer, badminton, and martial arts are also popular.

YFU USA is proud to send over 200 American students on cultural exchange with a full or partial scholarship each year. Financial assistance may be in the form of a merit-based scholarship, need-based financial aid, or Legacy Grant for students previously involved in the YFU Community. Scholarships may vary in deadline, requirements, and eligibility. To learn more, please visit our Scholarships Page to find details on the following scholarships eligible for China:

YFU Legacy Grant
YFU Financial Aid Fund

Visa Information
Information regarding visas and other immigration processes will be provided upon enrollment.

Please note: Chinese nationals or students who have Chinese National parents are not eligible for a Chinese visa

Additional Costs
Program tuition does not include visa fees and related costs, personal spending money, or school-related costs such as lunch fees, books, uniforms, and school trips.

Discover China and get an in-depth view of the amazing history, culture, and society of this ancient civilization!

Have questions or want to learn more about YFU Study Abroad Programs?

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After 6 and half months, I started to meet more friends. I went to the gym frequently, met many new friends and we play and exercise together. In school, I began to attend more of the class activities such as singing, playing football, hosting events, planning gatherings. All of these helped me and gave me the chance to show people what I can do.

– Jasper