The Study Abroad Program has two options: the Standard Program and Intensive Program. The main difference between CLI’s standard and intensive Study Abroad in China program is the number of weekly hours spent with your one-on-one instructor.

• Standard – for Fall and Spring semester students, the core of CLI’s standard program is full enrollment in GXNU’s Chinese language and culture courses and three additional weekly hours of one-on-one Mandarin training.
• Intensive – for Fall and Spring semesters, in addition to full enrollment at GXNU, you will also attend ten weekly hours of one-on-one language training with CLI’s highly qualified Mandarin teachers. During the Spring and Fall Semester programs, CLI’s intensive option provides up to 25 weekly hours of Chinese language training (10 hours one-on-one, 15 hours in GXNU small group classes). During the Summer and Winter Sessions, you will attend 20 weekly hours of one-on-one intensive coursework exclusively at CLI.

GXNU issues official transcripts for all coursework completed via CLI’s Study Abroad in China program.

Program Features

• Weekly activities and monthly travel excursions designed to immerse students deeply into Chinese language and culture.
• A new level of personalized from the moment you contact CLI until your final day of coursework. This includes airport pick-up and drop-off, housing accommodations, comprehensive program orientation and introduction to Guilin, a carefully developed learning curriculum, 24-hour assistance, and much more.
• The Pengyou Program is an optional add-on to your Immersion Program at no additional tuition cost. If you choose to participate in the Pengyou Program, CLI will match you with a student from our local partner university who has also applied to join the program.

Curriculum

A conducive learning environment – with very few English-speaking locals and a small expat community, Guilin provides a perfect Chinese language learning environment.

Objectives and assessments – under the guidance of your Chinese instructors, you will pursue daily learning objectives and once achieved they will be validated and assessed. Day to day objectives may include learning new vocabulary words, grammar points, radical sets, word pronunciations, idiomatic expressions, social etiquette, and so on.

GXNU language and culture courses – all CLI semester students are fully enrolled at the official university affiliate, GXNU. Students attend up to 20 hours of weekly for-credit coursework covering subjects ranging from Chinese language, history, culture, politics and economy.

GXNU English-taught courses – all English-taught courses are created jointly by CLI and GXNU and are taught by English-speaking GXNU professors holding an MA or Ph.D. degree in the relevant subject matter. At least two English content courses will be taught each term.

One-on-One language training – in addition to your full course load at GXNU, you will additionally be enrolled in three to ten hours of one-on-one Chinese training with CLI’s carefully selected Mandarin instructors.

CLI Language Pledge Option – if you put on your CLI Language Pledge wristband, you’re “opting in” which means you must speak only Chinese while wearing your wristband. Students can “opt out” of the CLI Language Pledge program at any time simply by removing their wristband.

Start Date and Fees

Check out the complete details of the start dates of the school year 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 for the Study Abroad Program.

THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020

Combine the fall and spring semesters at GXNU as well as additional language courses at CLI to deliver a complete and well-rounded study abroad experience in China.
Dates: September 2, 2019 – May 22, 2020*
*Winter break from December 13 to February 10
Credits: 30-36 credits (18-24 Chinese language credits, 6-12 liberal arts credits)
Program Length: 30 weeks
Travel Excursions: Yangshuo, Longsheng and two other locations
Application Deadline: June 14, 2019

SUMMER SESSION 2020

Earn nine college credits in nine weeks while enjoying the summer of a lifetime in Guilin and its surrounding towns!
Dates: June 8 – August 7, 2020
Credits: 9 credits (3 International Relations credits, 6 Chinese language credits)
English-taught Course: Pacific Ties: Understanding the past, present, and future of U.S.-China-Australia Relations (course length 4 weeks; course taught by Dr. Elizabeth Ingleson, visiting professor from University of Sydney)
Chinese Course: Combination of small group and one-on-one coursework (course length 9 weeks; meets 12 hours per week during Pacific Ties and 20 hours per week for remaining 5 weeks of Summer Session term)
Program Length: 9 weeks
Travel Excursion: Longsheng
Application Deadline: May 1, 2020

FALL SEMESTER 2020

Attend GXNU while immersed within CLI’s global learning community.
Dates: September 7 – December 18, 2020
Credits: 15-18 credits (9-12 Chinese language credits, 3-6 liberal arts credits)
Program Length: 15 weeks
Travel Excursions: Yangshuo and Longsheng
Application Deadline: May 15, 2020

WINTER SESSION 2020-2021

Earn three college credits in three weeks, but more importantly, quickly improve your Chinese skills by immersing yourself in southern Chinese culture (courses at CLI only).
Dates: December 21, 2020 – January 12, 2021
Credits: 3 credits (all Chinese language)
Program Length: 3 weeks
Travel Excursion: Yangshuo
Application Deadline: November 16, 2020

SPRING SEMESTER 2021

Attend GXNU while benefiting from CLI’s immersion-based learning environment.
Dates: February 22 – June 4, 2021
Credits: 15-18 credits (9-12 Chinese language credits, 3-6 liberal arts credits)
Program Length: 15 weeks
Travel Excursions: Yangshuo and Longsheng
Application Deadline: December 15, 2020

ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-2021

Combine the fall and spring semesters at GXNU as well as additional language courses at CLI to deliver a complete and well-rounded study abroad experience in China.
Dates: September 7, 2020 – June 4, 2021*
*Winter break from December 18 to February 22
Credits: 30-36 credits (18-24 Chinese language credits, 6-12 liberal arts credits)
Program Length: 32 weeks
Travel Excursions: Yangshuo, Longsheng and two other locations
Application Deadline: May 15, 2020

SUMMER SESSION 2021

Earn nine college credits in nine weeks while enjoying the summer of a lifetime in Guilin and its surrounding towns!

Dates: June 7 – August 6, 2021
Credits: 9 credits (3 International Relations credits, 6 Chinese language credits)
English-taught Course: Pacific Ties: Understanding the past, present, and future of U.S.-China-Australia Relations (course length 4 weeks; course taught by Dr. Elizabeth Ingleson, visiting professor from University of Sydney)
Chinese Course: Combination of small group and one-on-one coursework (course length 9 weeks; meets 12 hours per week during Pacific Ties and 20 hours per week for the remaining 5 weeks of Summer Session term)
Program Length: 9 weeks
Travel Excursion: Longsheng
Application Deadline: May 1, 2021

All tuition fees are listed in US Dollars (USD) and covers your full enrollment at GXNU, housing accommodations, one-on-one language training, comprehensive orientation, support and emergency assistance, activities and travel excursions and visa assistance.

For the complete details of the fees, refer to the table below.

About the Chinese Language Institute (CLI)

Founded in 2009 by brothers Robert and Bradford Fried, CLI aims to provide students a unique path to learning Chinese and understanding Chinese culture. With a combined 20 years of experience in China, Robert and Bradford developed an individualized educational platform that will help students learn the Chinese language fast.

CLI is home to a community of local and international educators. The institute is grounded by values of trust, openness, and putting students first. Educators at CLI are passionate about sharing the Chinese language and culture. CLI provides a welcoming and warm environment for students, ensuring that you have the best possible learning experience.

Learn more about CLI here.

Complete Your Application at CLI