High School in Beijing (Full Year) // Once a in Lifetime Experience

HIGH SCHOOL IN BEIJING

An experience at a high school in Beijing is all about learning Mandarin, experiencing Beijing from a local’s perspective and making friends for life.

You can even join the high school year program with only basic Mandarin skills and by doing a course at our Mandarin language school in central Beijing before the first semester starts.

Together with other international students you will first improve your language skills before joining the Chinese education system.

Our team will be there to support your every need and will be always be right on the end of a call or message.

Once you get to your high school, classes will be taught in both Chinese and English and your Mandarin language skills will improve very quickly.

A year at a high school in Beijing
24/7 service and support
Live with a homestay family

Learn Mandarin
Experience China’s culture
Safe & fully organised

Adventure

Friends: Meet Chinese high school & international students
Culture: Experience 5,000 years of history first hand
Explore: Get to know this incredible country
Travel: Trips to Xi’an, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Chengdu etc.

The Homestay Family

Modern Apartments: Choose between private room or shared
Great food: Home cooked Chinese food is a daily treat
Immersive: Become part of a Chinese family

Safe

Support: We’re available for questions or advice 24/7
Multi-lingual: We speak English, German, French and more
24/7: Emergency support in Beijing available 24/7
Experienced: Organising programs in China since 2007

Learn Chinese

Chinese classes: Study Mandarin before or during your program
Speak: Practice and use your Chinese skills every day
Fluent: Speak fluent Mandarin after just one year

High School Year in Beijing

Spending a year at a high school in Beijing, China is probably one of the most exciting choices a young, motivated and curious future leader can make today. You will experience a world so different to your own that sometimes it might feel a bit like space travel.

At the same time however Beijing is one of the world’s safest cities, and you’ll have access to a multi-lingual support network available for you around the clock.

Together with other international students from around the world you will discover an ancient culture, learn Kong Fu, practice Tai Qi, climb the Great Wall of China, eat strange food, meet even stranger people and make friends for life.

Students doing Tai Qi in Beijing

Safety and Support

Beijing is probably the world’s safest capital city.

Wherever you are from, Beijing will most probably be one of the safest cities you have ever lived in. At the same time we have a very strong local support team that is available for advice and support at any time. You will have a personal guardian that will be the main point of contact for you and your parents during your year in China.

In addition, your homestay family will be providing you with a home and become your “Chinese parents” during your time here.

High School in Beijing Choices

You can choose to either come to China for a whole academic year or just one semester. Accommodation will be with a Chinese homestay family in Beijing while you are attending high school, and you can choose the shared or single room option. There’s also an option to book an intensive Mandarin course in China before you start high school and you can sign up for additional Chinese lessons during your high school year.

The first step is to send us a message telling us a bit more about your plans and ask any questions you might have. You will have a reply in your inbox within less than one working day (check your Spam folder if not). We will then organise a phone call with you and your parents to discuss the different options together.

Once you’ve decided which program you want, you will be asked to fill out a registration form so we can organise your high school registration and choose the right homestay family for you. You will then get your Chinese visa invitation documents and pre-arrival information. And that is about it – you are ready to fly to China and let the adventure begin!

Charlotte’s Chinese Class Photo

Your High School in Beijing

You will be studying at Beijing Southwest High School, along with around 1200 students between the ages of 12 and 18. The school was founded in 1934 – which is a long time ago for a school in modern China – and is today considered one of China’s best schools.

You will be joining the international school track, where students prepare to go to university abroad after graduation. That’s why many classes are taught according to the US Advanced Placement curriculum and mathematics and science are taught bilingually in both English and Chinese.

Your classmates will be mainly Chinese, but you might also have a few other international students in your class. The school is a 15 minute walk away from the nearest subway station and about 40 minutes to the city centre. It has great sports facilities including a full size football pitch, running track, swimming pool, a gym and a very tasty canteen serving both Chinese and western food.

Inside Beijing Southwest High School

High School Program in Beijing – What They Said

Play

Options

Single room

As a standard default option you will share your room with the child of the homestay family you are living in, i.e. your homestay brother or sister. If you want to have your own single room, just book the single room upgrade.

Chinese language preparation

The program is open for students of all Chinese language levels, including beginners.

As many classes are taught bilingually, many of your classmates will be able to speak at least some English too and your Mandarin will improve rapidly while studying at a Chinese high school.

As an introduction however, it can be a good idea to first spend a month studying Mandarin at our language school in downtown Beijing. It is also an easier way to get accustomed to China and the Chinese education system, as you will spend the first month learning Mandarin with other foreign students before moving to the Chinese high school.

Part-time Chinese language classes

To further improve your Chinese while studying at high school you can take additional Mandarin lessons after class or on the weekends.

High School in Beijing – Starting Dates

2024-2025	Start Dates	End Dates
Fall Term 2024	Sep 9 2024	Jan 3 2025
Spring Break	Jan 4 2025	Feb 2 2025
Spring Term 2025	Feb 3 2025	Jul 6 2025

2025-2026	Start Dates	End Dates
Fall Term 2025	Sep 15 2025	Jan 23 2026
Spring Break	Jan 24 2026	Feb 22 2026
Spring Term 2026	Feb 23 2026	Jun 26 2026

2026-2027	Start Dates	End Dates
Fall Term 2026	Sep 14 2026	Jan 15 2027
Spring Break	Jan 16 2027	Feb 14 2027
Spring Term 2027	Feb 15 2027	Jun 18 2027

These dates are approximate and subject to change

PLEASE NOTE: There is the possibility small changes in the dates. The Education Ministry sometimes adjusts school starting dates by a few days, you will be informed of this.

Prices for the High School in Beijing

Packages	Price (in Chinese Yuan)
One Semester	110,621 CNY
Two Semesters	208,985 CNY

Other Add-Ons

Here are a list of further add-on’s which include additional Chinese courses and customised accommodation options.

Do contact us if you have any questions about the following:

Add-On	Description	Price (in Chinese Yuan)
Preparation Chinese Month	4 weeks of Chinese lessons (20 hours a week)	11,974 CNY
Preparation Chinese Homestay Month	Private Bedroom at a Homestay	13,245 CNY
1-on-1 Weekend Chinese Classes	40 hours	12,581 CNY
1-on-1 Weekend Chinese Classes	80 hours	23,949 CNY
Single Room Upgrade	(subject to availability)	17,500 CNY per Semester

The high school in China program includes the following benefits, you can also add-on additional extras if you so wish.

Includes

High School Tuition and placement (international department)
Homestay Accommodation half board – Breakfast & dinner
- Please note: Standard accommodation can be shared
24/7 Support from the LTL team
Legal Guardian Program for the duration of the stay
Visa invitations
Orientation Day at LTL Mandarin School Beijing
DHL Service for Visa Letters from LTL
Survival Kit (includes Airport Pick up)
Airport Drop off

Additional Costs

School uniform: approx 1,100 CNY
Books: approx. 250 CNY
Spring Festival Break accommodation
School Trips to Xian, the Great Wall and other locations: 1,000 – 3,000 CNY
Insurance
Flight
Pocket Money

Accommodation Options

Accommodation is included the price. You will live with a Chinese host family in a shared room. Travel will be a maximum 45 minutes to the Chinese high school. WIFI, air-con, heating and all other bills are also included in the price.

Single room upgrade: 17,500 CNY/semester net

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I travel during the program?

Yes, of course. We organise regular weekend trips to other cities in China and the high school usually organises two trips per semester. Your homestay family will also take you on weekend trips around Beijing and you can use the Chinese New Year break for traveling around China too.

What if I get homesick?

China is far away and very different. No two students are exactly the same, but in our experience usually the first week is the hardest. Once students settle into China homesickness is not usually a problem anymore, because China is not only a very fascinating country, but the homestay family and school also provide our students with a very welcoming and supportive environment. If you feel like you want to experience a bit of the “western world” then you can of course also head to Beijing’s international/diplomatic areas, which are home to plenty of western restaurants, English-speaking staff and international nightlife. It’s not the real China, but it can be a nice break if needed.

Will I be able to make friends?

Definitely. If you choose the language course option first you will be meeting a lot of other international students learning Mandarin in Beijing and you’ll participate in the weekly school dinners and weekend trips. Our Chinese language school in Beijing feels a lot less like a school and more like a home-away-from-home for explorers from all over the world.

At your high school your classmates will be very interested in you, as most of them will never have had a foreign friend. There is usually a bit of competition to do with who will be allowed to sit next to you – usually it ends up being the best English speakers – and you will have a personal high school counsellor at the school to help you with settling in. You will be having lunch together with your classmates every day at the school canteen and will be asked to join one of the school sports, arts, music or acting clubs.

What else do I need?

Insurance, flights, clothes and a bit of pocket money, though you will not need much, as most day-to-day expenses are already included in the program – and of course, you’ll also need a will to explore China’s culture and meet its people.

Can my parents or friends visit me?

Of course they can. If you are coming for a whole year, the Chinese New Year break in January/February is a good time to travel around China with your family, but visitors are welcome all year round.

What is life in a Chinese family like?

In Chinese culture family and children are very important. To look after and care for your children is the foremost duty of any adult – just like it is the duty of children to look after their parents in old age. Your family and host brother or sister will be very excited to have a new international family member. The main focus point of Chinese life in general is food though. Your family will be cooking delicious meals daily and you will notice that a lot of conversation in China is about where to find the best food, your favourite dishes, what you had to eat yesterday, what you want to eat tomorrow and so forth. Food will definitely be plentiful.

Can I continue to pursue my hobbies and interests in China?

Yes of course. Please let us know what you are interested in and we will organise for you to join a club related to what you enjoy doing.