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12.6 Week
Based on past participants’ experiences, we’ve organized the common themes of learning, reflection, and growth by time period.
What makes this project special
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Project Introduction
Preserving the ancient charm of China as depicted in martial arts novels, Guilin is a hotspot for backpackers from around the world, earning the nickname "Global Village of China." Known for its stunning beauty, often described as "the most beautiful place under heaven," this project offers a chance to embark on a backpacking journey in Guilin while mastering Chinese conversation.
Recently, Guilin has gained popularity through various domestic broadcasts and entertainment programs. Join global backpackers in learning Chinese and making new friends while engaging in diverse activities. Improve your conversational Chinese in a fun and engaging environment!
* From beginner to advanced conversation levels, you will be placed in a suitable class based on a level test, with small-group instruction.
1.Live the dream of backpackers and learn living Chinese in the global village of Guilin, China!
The Chinese language school is located not only in Guilin but also in Yangshuo, the most popular area for backpackers across China. Each year, the number of international backpackers here exceeds the local population by more than three times. International travelers often stay for several months to enjoy the affordable cost of living and immerse themselves in nature. The area features exotic streets where Eastern and Western cultures meet, and the lively atmosphere of crowded alleyways at night offers a unique experience.
2.Travel light and affordably! Find healing in Guilin, the most beautiful place under the sky.
The reason so many backpackers flock to Guilin is its affordable cost of living! Compared to Beijing, the cost is 10-50% lower, making it a favorite among travelers. Additionally, Guilin is home to one of the world’s most surreal natural attractions: the Karst landscapes, which also inspired the scenery in the film Avatar. Unlike Zhangjiajie, which is popular for leisurely boat rides and domestic family trips, Guilin is favored by Western backpackers for its charming, peaceful areas and the opportunity to hike up Karst peaks.
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[Reference] Cost of Living in Guilin, China Bottled Water - 2-3 RMB (approx. 360-540 KRW) / Milk - 11 RMB (approx. 3,000 KRW) / McDonald's Set - 30 RMB (approx. 8,000 KRW) / Restaurant Lunch - 36 RMB (approx. 12,000 KRW)
* The cost of living in Guilin is an average estimate and may vary depending on exchange rates and local conditions. |
3.The top language school in China recommended by the travel bible 'Lonely Planet'!
Guilin, China attracts many backpackers who stay for extended periods, leading to a high interest in learning Chinese. It's a popular language school for backpackers who want to experience genuine Chinese culture and improve their Chinese conversation skills, especially since it's recommended in some of the world's most popular travel guides, often referred to as the traveler's bible.
Operating with a small group (2-4 people), this school provides focused Chinese study and features conversation classes with many foreigners. The major advantage is the variety of events such as network parties, language exchange and cultural events with local Chinese students, and monthly dinner parties, which help quickly improve Chinese conversation skills.
■ Growing with the Project
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Project Week 2 |
Project Week 6 |
Project Week 12 |
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STUDY IT! |
EXPERIENCE IT! |
BREAKTHROUGH! |
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1-1. Adapting to a New Environment 2-1. Getting a Feel for the Chinese Language! 3-1. Meeting Backpackers from Around the World! |
1-2. Grit and Courage to Adapt Anywhere 2-2. Basic Daily Conversations in Chinese are OK! 3-2. Enjoy the Thrill of Backpacking and Make Friends with Backpackers Worldwide! |
1-3. Spirit of Challenge and Increased Confidence 2-3. Ability to Freely Talk with Locals! 3-3. Transform into a Person with Proactiveness and Inclusivity Through Meeting Various People! |
* Considering the Duration of Participation? Pay Attention!
This project is designed to let you explore every corner of Guilin, China, while leisurely improving your Chinese conversation skills. We recommend short-term participation of around 8 weeks (15 lessons) to avoid burnout from intensive studying right away. If you find yourself more interested in studying Chinese after your time in Guilin, we recommend further studying in major cities like Shanghai or Beijing. ▶ Click here for the Shanghai Chinese Language Project)
Support
Details of support
■ Accommodation and Meals
- Accommodation where you can improve your Chinese skills while living with international friends (shared room for 2 people)
- Local meals with Southern Chinese characteristics (lunch and dinner on weekdays)
- Use of air conditioning, heating, desks, and access to a shared laundry room in the dormitory
■ Project Activities
- Orientation and city exploration
- Chinese language education focused on practical conversation
- Cultural activities every day to learn Chinese culture! (language exchange, sports, cultural activities, etc.)
- Networking parties with international friends (once a week)
- Dinner parties to conclude each month (once a month)
- Textbooks and course materials needed for classes
- International mail shipping cost for visa issuance documents (regular mail, approximately 2 weeks)
■ Care Services
- Participant dispatch procedures: Project registration and dispatch process
- Orientation provided: Various orientation information to help successfully complete the gap year
- OT materials: Guides with the planner's expertise for safe travel for first-timers abroad
- Gap Year Notebook: A notebook to reflect on oneself during the gap year (▶ More Details)
- Gap Year Mission Discount
■ Certificates and Recommendations
- Issuance of local institution certificates
- Issuance of Korea Gap Year participation certificate and activity completion certificate
* Certificates and recommendations from the local institution will be issued upon the participant's request after the project ends. The format or issuance status of the local institution certificates and recommendations may vary according to the local institution's forms.
* Certificates and recommendations will be issued after the project is completed and after submitting feedback.
Not Included
- Round-trip airfare
- Individual travel insurance
- Breakfast and weekend meals / Electricity bills
- Airport to accommodation pickup fee
- Other local expenses
Project Activities
This is a project to learn Chinese conversation with international friends in Guilin Yangshuo, a mecca for backpacking in China. The project is designed with the school’s own curriculum to enhance 'real-life' Chinese conversation skills more easily and quickly.
■ Class Features
- We focus on Chinese conversation rather than rigid grammar and reading/writing.
- Each class is limited to a maximum of 6 students, operating with a small class size. (Average number of students: 2 to 4)
- Students from various nationalities attend the classes together. (As of 2022: 20% from the USA, 44% from Europe including Germany and the UK, and 31% from other countries)
■ Activity Information
- In addition to Chinese conversation classes, various activities are provided. Participation in these activities is voluntary (some additional costs may apply).
Use this time to make international friends and improve your Chinese conversation skills!
- Weekday Afternoons (Free) : Voluntary activities include language exchange, cultural activities (tea ceremony, calligraphy, etc.), and sports (basketball, table tennis, volleyball, badminton, etc.).
| Network Party | Dinner Party |
| Every Thursday, various events such as BBQ parties, cocktails, and games are held where you can make new friends. | Once a month, all students gather for dinner at a Chinese traditional restaurant. It’s a great opportunity to experience local Chinese culture and practice Chinese in real-life situations. |
- Weekends: Activities such as rafting, visiting old villages, kayaking, and bicycle tours are available. These are optional and may incur additional costs based on the itinerary and accommodation (to be paid on-site).
■ Sample Class Schedule
- Chinese conversation classes are held 5 times a week from Monday to Friday.
You can choose between Option A (15 lessons per week) or Option B (30 lessons per week) based on your preferred study time.
- Each lesson consists of 45 minutes of class time followed by a 10-minute break.
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Option A (15 Lessons per Week) |
Option B (30 Lessons per Week) |
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09:25 ~ 12:00 |
Morning Class |
Morning Class |
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12:00 ~ 14:00 |
Lunch |
Lunch |
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14:00 ~ 16:35 |
Free Time |
Afternoon Class |
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17:00 ~ 18:00 |
Language Exchange, Cultural Activities, Sports (Optional) |
Language Exchange, Cultural Activities, Sports (Optional) |
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18:00 ~ 19:00 |
Dinner |
Dinner |
*For Option A, the schedule may be arranged with afternoon classes depending on the participant’s level and class placement.
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■ Chinese Language Need ☆☆☆☆☆ - This project is open to beginners who are encountering Chinese for the first time. The classes use various materials to make it easy for beginners to understand. Just bring your excitement and passion for learning a new language! - If you don't know any Chinese, English may be used to assist with school and daily life guidance. But basic communication skills are sufficient! |
"I participated here for 4 weeks. This was the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced in my life, but I will never regret it! The staff were incredibly kind, and I made so many friends at the language school. At first, I was very worried about going alone, but during my stay, I was always talking or hanging out with someone. I highly recommended this language school to my friends, and if I get the chance, I would love to go back!!!!"
"I spent 3 months here studying, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. I was able to learn so much, experienced many new things with people from all over the world, and the teachers were very professional and taught us well! The beautiful and amazing nature around the language school was fantastic!!!! Everything was great!!!!"
"With the basic Chinese conversation skills I learned in 3 weeks, I was able to use accommodations and transportation while traveling in China by myself and also met local Chinese friends to have everyday conversations, learning a lot about Chinese culture and the country."
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The Gap Year Planner Highly Recommends! The planner is fully responsible for and developed the project with this intention
Through various activities at the language school, even shy individuals can quickly make friends. With many backpackers from the West, the classes are conducted in a very free and fun atmosphere! Say goodbye to the stress and worries about Chinese conversation!
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* You can find detailed reviews from participants at Gap Year Story (Click).
* More participant reviews are available under "Participant Reviews" at the bottom of the project page.
Institution Introduction
This language school is the first private language school in Guilin accredited by the Ministry of Education and can issue official Chinese student visas. Unlike other language schools focused on academic advancement, this school is dedicated to short-term language training, providing various supports so that students can fully immerse themselves in Chinese conversation, language, culture, and life within a short period.
The teachers, who specialize in Chinese conversation education, continuously strive to meet students' learning needs and provide stimulating activities such as language exchange, cultural activities, sports activities, and networking parties. Additionally, the friendly staff actively assists students with various aspects of traveling in China, language studies, and daily life, so students can contact them anytime if they encounter any difficulties.
In recognition of these efforts, in 2011, it was recognized as having an excellent Chinese conversation program by Lonely Planet, and in 2016, by TripAdvisor . Enjoy studying Chinese conversation in a relaxed and exciting environment with an exotic and family-like atmosphere!
Accommodation Introduction
You will live in dormitories directly managed by the language school. The dormitory is located a 10-minute walk from the school building and is close to the Yangshuo city center, making it convenient for daily life. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom, air conditioning, heater, and a desk.
Lunch and dinner are provided with local Chinese cuisine at the school’s dining hall. Rooms are shared (2 people per room) and are typically assigned with Chinese or other international students, which is beneficial for improving Chinese conversational skills even in daily life.
| Shared Room (2 people)/ Wi-Fi/ Private Bathroom/ Lunch and Dinner Provided on Weekdays |
* An additional fee will apply if you wish to upgrade to a single room. (The actual cost may vary depending on room availability.)
* An additional fee of approximately 20,000 KRW will apply for check-ins between 4 PM and 8 PM. It is recommended to complete check-in before 4 PM.
* Electricity costs are paid locally based on usage. On average, expect a monthly charge of about 10,000 to 30,000 KRW.
* In China, breakfast is often resolved with options like porridge, noodles, or Chinese-style crepes at local eateries. Enjoy a variety of local foods at markets near the school for breakfast!
Location Introduction
Location : China, Guilin
Guilin, a world-renowned tourist destination, is located in Guangxi Province in southern China. It has long been praised for its exceptionally beautiful and pure nature, to the extent that there is a saying, "The landscape of Guilin is the most beautiful under heaven." With its towering peaks and winding Li River, the fragrance of the osmanthus flowers draws many visitors. Additionally, the city is a melting pot of various Chinese ethnic groups, offering glimpses into traditional and local Chinese culture. It is considered a must-visit city for Europeans and Americans traveling in China.
The thousands of peaks along the Li River are a quintessential image of Guilin. You can take a boat ride on the Li River to see the peaks up close or hike up to enjoy panoramic views of Guilin's stunning landscapes. No matter where you view it from, you can experience the exotic and beautiful nature of the area!
Top 3 Recommended Travel Destinations
Target Audience
- Adults aged 18 and over who want to learn Chinese!
- Those who have wanted to study Chinese but have been frustrated by the complexity of the language.
- People who want to learn Chinese in a fun way through daily life with backpackers from around the world.
- Individuals who want to experience Chinese culture thoroughly while traveling leisurely and enjoying delicious food at affordable prices.
- Those who are determined to master Chinese conversation this time.
Schedule and Prices
■ The minimum participation period for this project is at least 2 weeks.
■ The project includes language classes + accommodation + meals (lunch/dinner on weekdays) + activity costs in the total price.
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Option A (15 hours per week) |
Option B (30 hours per week) |
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2 weeks |
1,550,000 |
2,500,000 |
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4 weeks |
2,610,000 |
4,470,000 |
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6 weeks |
3,630,000 |
6,370,000 |
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8 weeks |
4,620,000 |
8,190,000 |
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10 weeks |
5,570,000 |
9,930,000 |
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12 weeks |
6,470,000 |
11,600,000 |
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16 weeks |
8,180,000 |
14,700,000 |
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20 weeks |
9,720,000 |
17,500,000 |
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24 weeks |
11,120,000 |
19,990,000 |
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32 weeks |
14,670,000 |
26,500,000 |
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48 weeks |
21,790,000 |
39,530,000 |
- Provided Services: Automatic application for Gap Year missions and notes / Full provision of OT materials upon confirmation / Additional personnel placement / Support for document preparation if needed, etc.
* If you have difficulty calculating dates, please refer to the Naver Date Calculator >> Naver Date Calculator
