Students who choose an academic year or semester program in China will live with a host family and attend a local public high school.

Learn

Full immersion into the Chinese language provides invaluable experience and knowledge about Chinese culture and customs.  Academic year and semester students attend a local Chinese high school from September through June, while staying with a host family in either Beijing or Tianjin. Ayusa programs enhance your education by making a high school study abroad program in China a reality. Classroom teaching is conducted entirely in Chinese with a variety of courses including: Chinese, Math, Physics, Biology, Geography, English, Art, History, Politics, P.E., and Music.  North American students may find the Chinese school system more rigorous than what they are accustomed, but hard work and cultural sensitivity will meet the transition with ease.
 
One year of Chinese is required, though more is encouraged to quicken the adjustment to your host family and school life.
 
Why learn Chinese? Mandarin Chinese is the world’s most widely-spoken language, and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations!

Experience

China is brimming with history and modernity; it is the mixing pot of ancient traditions and innovative technological advancement.  While living in China, you will experience this dichotomy in an authentic way.  Family life tends to be close-knit and you will be encouraged to assimilate to your host family’s customs and cultural practices.  Attending school with local Chinese students gives you the chance to experience life from China’s youngest generation and future leaders’ perspective.  Chinese students pride themselves in academic success and an appreciation for education is strongly encouraged.  On your Ayusa program, you will experience Chinese culture through a variety of activities including: learning Chinese Calligraphy, traveling to Shanghai, or learning Chinese Wu Shu!  
  

Program Details

  • Ayusa high school study abroad students who choose to study in China are placed with carefully selected host families throughout Beijing, Tianjin, and the surrounding region. Adjustment to host family life and Chinese culture will be assisted by a local representative.  
  • Ayusa academic year and semester high school students arrive in China for a 2-day orientation in Beijing. 
  • Please keep in mind additional costs that may accompany this program including: uniforms, textbooks, optional school day-trips, lunch money, and daily transportation.  One hundred U.S. dollars is a suggested monthly budget.

Requirements 

  • One year of formal Chinese study is required
  • 15-18 years old 
  • 2.5 GPA or higher (4.0 scale); Minimum grade of C in all subjects over the past year
  • Flexible and mature personality; desire to be challenged, ability to remain open-minded and tolerant of cultural differences 
  • This program is not advised for students with behavior or maturity issues

Factors to consider

Be prepared to experience fascinating cultural differences in family and school life.  International exchange is relatively uncommon in China. North American students who study abroad in China should anticipate the exciting opportunity to become true cultural ambassadors in their host school and community.  
 

Next Step: Start Your Application