Eligibility Requirements
- Age: You must be between 15.6 and 17.6 years old
- Language: Chinese language is welcome
- School Enrolment Status: Enrolled students and graduates are eligible
- Vaccinations: Hep A + B Vaccinations recommended
What's included in your experience
- Airfare
- Airport Pick-up
- Host Family Placement
- Housing
- Meals
- School Placement
- Individual Contact Person
- Medical Insurance
- 24/7 Emergency Support
- School Transport
- Assistance with Application Process
- Visa Application Assistance
- Pre-Departure Orientation
- Orientations during your time abroad
- Continuous Support
- Worldwide Presence
- 70 Years Experience
What you are responsible for
- Vaccinations
- Cultural Tours
- Visa and Passport Fees
- Stipend
- School Uniform
What's it really like?
Instagram Takeovers!
Check out our Instagram Highlights to Talie’s everyday life in China. She has answered heaps of questions and shared lots of photos 📸
Host Family & Community
You will most likely live in east or south China. Some exchange students live in big cities like Shanghai, Tianjin and Beijing, but most are in small cities, such as Jiangsu, Sichuan, Anhui, Heilongjiang and Guangdong.
Families in cities tend to live in apartments. Often both parents work, and it is common for grandparents to live with the family. Spending time with family is expected. Chinese people respect hierarchy and appreciate proper social relations, full of harmony and with minimal conflict.
Language
China has 55 different ethnic groups, each with its own language or dialect. Mandarin Chinese is spoken by more than 70% of people in China (and in most schools). However, you may also be placed with a family who speaks Cantonese. AFS volunteers and/or your school will provide Chinese language classes during the first three months of your stay. Some basic language knowledge before your exchange will be a great help!
School
School and studying takes centre stage in the life of Chinese teenagers. Parents are very involved in their children’s lives and education. School commitments and study take precedence over recreational activities.
You will probably attend the Senior 1 level in a high school with a special class schedule for you as an exchange student. This means that you’ll focus on learning the Chinese language, culture, history, art, and music with other AFSers in the first half of your day. The rest of your day will be dedicated to taking classes with other Chinese students. School in China runs from Monday to Friday (7.30 am to 4.30 pm), and students usually wear uniforms.
Food
Chinese cuisine is varied and delicious with a wide spectrum of textures and tastes, ranging from the fiery kick of Sichuan dishes to the delicate art of Cantonese dim sum to the world-renowned Peking Duck. Chinese family meals usually consist of vegetables, rice, noodles, and a meat dish, served with delicious teas. Have fun perfecting your chopsticks skills!
Following a vegetarian diet can be challenging, as meat is often used as a flavor enhancer, even when it is not directly in the dish.
Culture
China is an exciting blend of tradition and modernity, where 5,000 years of history meet futuristic mega cities and tomorrow’s tech innovation.
The country’s rich cultural heritage extends beyond the Great Wall and the Forbidden City into every part of China and mingles with cutting edge urban design and ultramodern architecture in global hubs like Beijing and Shanghai.
From the snowy landscapes of the North to the tropical rhythms of the South, each region of China has its own unique ethnic traditions and festivals – each telling their own story.
Talie's Life-Changing Semester in China
Read about how Talie stepped out of her comfort zone as she talks about lessons learned, culture shocks, and an overall memorable experience in China.
Ready to Start your Chinese Adventure?
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Let AFS guide your intercultural adventure
With over 75 years of experience in student exchanges, we know what we’re doing when it comes to support and education! AFS provides comprehensive orientation for all students and families before, during and after your exchange – AFS volunteers and staff will be there to support and guide you the whole way through. In-person orientation camps in New Zealand and your host country are supplemented by our world-leading online Student Learning Journey, an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to develop essential global skills, learn intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact.