China

China is an awe-inspiring, friendly, and delightful country. Discover this land of striking natural formations and centuries-old temples set amidst gleaming skyscrapers – a land where ancient traditions are being transformed every day by the rapid pace of modernization. Become part of one of the most dynamic and populated societies in the world and experience the historic transformation of the Chinese people firsthand.

Beyond catching a glimpse of the Great Wall or the famed terracotta warriors, China has a rapidly changing and excitingly different culture to anything you will have experienced in New Zealand – there couldn’t be a better time to see it for yourself!

Eligibility Requirements

You must be 16, 17 or 18.

Airfare
Airport Pick-up
Host Family Placement
Housing
Meals
School Placement
24/7 Emergency Support
Domestic Transport
Assistance with Application Process
Visa Application Assistance
Pre-Departure Orientation
Orientations during your time abroad
Access to Alumni Network
Continuous Support
Worldwide Presence
70 Years Experience

Vaccinations
Visa and Passport Fees
School Uniform

High School

In Chinese high school, the value of hierarchy is reflected by the authority of the teacher. Chinese culture places a high value on education and academic achievement. Like students in most parts of the world, high schoolers in China wear uniforms. During your study abroad in China, you’ll go to class Monday through Friday, usually starting around 7:30 or 8 am and finishing around 4 or 4:30 pm. School provides an excellent opportunity to learn Mandarin, which is spoken by 70% of China’s population. You’ll also be provided with Mandarin language courses during the first two months of your stay to help ease your transition.

You’ll probably attend the Senior 1 level with a special class schedule 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.

Many hosting schools will provide special courses for exchange students to experience Chinese culture, such as calligraphy, Chinese painting, and folk music. As a teenager in China, most of your social life will happen at school. You can also get involved in extracurricular activities like sports, martial arts, and dance, to make friends and engage with the culture.

Accommodation and lifestyle

AFSers have lived in communities all throughout China, but you will likely be in an urban area in the Eastern half of the country, such as Shaanxi, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Sichuan, Henan, Anhui, Dalian, Tianjin, or Beijing. You’ll live in your host school dormitory on weekdays and with your host family on weekends and holidays. If your host family lives in a city, you’ll most likely share an apartment in a multi-story building. You’ll get to experience the amazing sprawl and endless adventures of China’s megacities and metropolitan areas!

Like anywhere in the world, all families are different in China. But, spending time with family is usually very important. Most couples have only one child, and grandparents often live in the home. Because the well-being of the family is viewed as more important than individual success, everyone works together as a unit.

Global Prep: Bites of culture in China

Interested in a short-term immersive experience in China? Check out the Global Prep programme.

Global Prep China

Let AFS guide your intercultural adventure

Kick-start your future with AFS and discover who you really are, make new lifetime friendships and immerse yourself in a fascinating intercultural experience.

This programme begins at your home country with a pre-departure orientation and continues with orientations, other supported learning activities and facilitated conversations which will help you maximize your experience, cope with the challenges of navigating a new culture and community as well as gain knowledge, skills, and a global understanding throughout your time abroad, and as you return to your home country. AFS volunteers will be there to support and guide you and your host family the whole way through.

Find out more

The Chinese invented kites (“paper birds” or “Aeolian harps”) about 3,000 years ago. They were used to frighten the enemies in battle, and Marco Polo (1254-1324) noted that kites were also used to predict the success of a voyage. It was considered bad luck to purposely let a kite go.