Gap Year Programs in Shanghai,China

Study Mandarin in China’s most Westernized city. Live and learn in bustling Shanghai, the fast-paced global hub known for its futuristic skyscrapers and fascinating mix of multicultural influences. Spend class time in intensive, college-level Mandarin classes, studying the language with native-speaking instructors. Practice your language skills in your dorm, while shopping, relaxing, and learning local customs as you learn to live like a local. Outside the classroom, you’ll participate in organized activities with other students, like calligraphy, dumpling-making, and Chinese trivia nights. Your group excursions include visits to historic sites like Zhujiajiao, a preserved water town, and the peaceful Chongming Island. Foster new friendships and improve your Mandarin in an authentic setting, creating a life-changing experience you’ll remember forever!

Taking a long break from school? Use this period to travel the world and boost your résumé with international experience. At That’s Mandarin, we have a range of programs you can incorporate into your gap year in China! No matter the Chinese language course you choose, we make sure it caters to your individual needs. Studying Chinese with us is generally easy! Pick from any of our schools in Shanghai or Beijing, or study online. Enroll in a program that suits your learning needs and interests: Part-Time, Intensive, Small Group, 1-to-1, etc. Choose a course and we’ll tailor it to your specifications. While on a Chinese Gap Year, you will stay in a comfortable home environment in homestays or Western-style apartments. Plus, you will take part in activities and events that immerse you in China’s cultural and social aspects. Throughout the program, you will get to know other gappers and That’s Mandarin students as well as staff. You will also gain new insights into the Eastern world.

Are you dreaming of immersing yourself in Chinese culture? Join ‌Chuanyue Cultural Exchange‌, a ‌professional Chinese Au Pair agency with 10+ years of placement experience‌! Our program offers a transformative gap year experience, blending independence, language learning, cultural exchange, and adventure across China. ‌Live with a welcoming Chinese host family‌. You stay in a private room and receive a monthly stipend. You also participate in their daily activities—laughing together, cooking meals, and even traveling as a family unit. In return, share your language, traditions, and skills with their children aged 3–12, assisting with educational activities for up to ‌30 hours per week‌. Your weekly English teaching role will not only enhance the kids’ language abilities but also foster meaningful cross-cultural connections through shared learning moments. Chuanyue provides 24/7 assistance, orientation sessions, and access to a community of fellow participants. Together with your new friends, explore China in your free time, discover iconic landmarks—from the Great Wall to Shanghai’s skyline, and experience local festivals.

Enjoy the combination of unique work experience and travel in this international internship in Shanghai. Explore the vibrant epicenter of China's growth whilst gaining valuable professional skills undertaking a full-time placement in your industry of choice. Work in one of 30 industry options, including Business, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Non-Profit, and Marketing/PR. Our company visits, career workshops, and career speaker events are designed to improve your professional profile. Discover Shanghai and China through a selection of cultural activities, day trips, and weekend excursions. This is an all-inclusive program, including high-quality housing centrally located near the French Concession, cultural activities, group dinners, visa application assistance, and 24/7 on-site support. Absolute Internship has been featured in the New York Times, BBC News, Bloomberg, and Forbes Magazine. We have placed 4000+ interns at over 800 companies worldwide.

Choose our Intensive Course in Shanghai to immerse yourself deeply in Chinese learning and start speaking! This program also includes visa support. 1. Types of Groups: a) Small: Intensive 30 (6 lessons/day - 5 times/week) Intensive 20 (4 lessons/day - 5 times/week) Flexible 12 (4 lessons/day - 3 times/week) b) Private: Private 12 (12 lessons/week)* 2. Program Duration: a) Standard Semester duration - 20 weeks b) Flexible: Minimum 2 weeks Maximum 1 year 3. 2025 Semester Dates for Group Classes: - March 24, 2025 – August 8, 2025 - April 7, 2025 – August 29, 2025 - June 9, 2025 – October 24, 2025 - July 14, 2025 – November 28, 2025 - September 8, 2025 – January 23, 2026 - November 3, 2025 – March 20, 2026 - December 15, 2025 – April 30, 2026 - March 9, 2026 – July 24, 2026 *Private Program students can join at any time. *Non-beginners can join any Monday, except holidays, if there is a group of similar level.

Volunteer in China and discover the Middle Kingdom from a completely different point of view. The massive country offers almost too many incredible sights to explore: from the megacities of Shanghai and Bejing to ancient temples, the Great Wall and the most spectacular natural sights, China will leave you absolutely stunned. A unique opportunity for volunteers in China is working with pandas. Even though the fluffy black-and-white giants are China's trademark wildlife, their numbers are declining and make conservation volunteering all the more necessary.

Join any of our immersion homestay programs, choosing between fixed and tailored options that last from 1 week to 4 weeks. Our professional teachers deliver lessons in various subjects, including General Chinese, Business Chinese, and HSK examinations. They also offer cultural lessons in calligraphy, paper cutting, ink painting, Chinese music instruments, and other hobbies. We have a teacher who is a freelance photographer, a published writer, and a great home cook, which means you’ll learn a lot from them. You will be spoiled by their rich local knowledge and delicious home cooking. Experience everyday Chinese life while staying in your teacher’s comfortable home and immersing yourself in a completely Mandarin-speaking environment. Lessons are tailored to meet your needs and objectives, and you’ll practice through guided hobby activities and excursions. If you're 18 plus and planning a study, internship, or gap year in China, our homestay program is perfect for you. It comes with a cozy single or double room with a half or full board meal at a reasonable price. This is a great way to learn Chinese!

We are excited to introduce to you an exceptional opportunity for American and European students: a government-sponsored study tour program in China, designed to enrich their academic and cultural experiences while fostering global competencies. This unique program, backed by the Chinese government, is tailored specifically for American and UK students who are eager to delve into Chinese language, culture, and contemporary society. Eligibility and Benefits: - Students who have completed at least one semester of post-secondary education and are in good academic standing are encouraged to apply. - The program particularly welcomes students with a strong interest in Chinese language and culture and a willingness to promote educational exchange between China and the U.S. . We are confident that this government-sponsored study tour program will provide an unparalleled opportunity for American and UK students to gain a deeper understanding of China's society, economy, and technological advancements. It is our hope that through this program, we can contribute to building a new generation of global leaders who are well-versed in international affairs and cultural competencies.

Immerse yourself in a new language, intern abroad, or explore a different part of the world. CET’s gap programs offer the opportunity to join college-level courses overseas or online. Whether you're mastering Chinese in Beijing, volunteering while living with a host family in Siena, or creating art in a studio in Osaka, CET blends academics with real-world experience. Designed around experiential learning, deep cultural engagement, and academic rigor, CET programs turn education into something more than just earning college credit.

Pursue your 120-hour TEFL course for 5 months in Shanghai, where you will study the usual modules and lessons and train with an expert instructor. You will also gain actual hands-on one-to-one tutoring and in-class teaching experience to practice what you have learned. The course includes an internship with 20 working hours weekly (substitute teacher working hours are between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm at a kindergarten, primary, middle, or high school, which will be equivalent to 4 working hours). You will intern five days a week and enjoy 2 days off on weekdays. Plus, enjoy amazing benefits (included in the program)!

Join our au pair programme in China and enjoy an unforgettable cultural experience. Program Benefits: • Free round-trip flights for placements longer than 3 months • Homestay accommodation and insurance included • 3–6 hours of free Chinese lessons per week • Choose from top cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and others across China • Participate in local trips and cultural activities • Tutor English and help with light housework in return Requirements: • Must be a foreigner with fluent English • Currently a university student or a recent graduate • Aged 18–28 on your expected arrival date • Experience in childcare, au pair work, or tutoring is preferred