Hello! Can you please state your name and current occupation?

Hi, my name is Meike I am a University student from Germany and I’m doing my internship in Beijing, China for my gap year.

Why did you want to Study Chinese in China?

I want to study Chinese in university when I get back home, but I figured that already being in China gives you so much of an advantage to learn Chinese because you’re surrounded by Chinese people all the time. You hear Chinese everyday all the time. It just helps you a lot to always listen to it and it’s much easier to pick things up. And also having Chinese tutors, they teach you a lot more than people at home will do because they’re foreigners. They may have experience with the language, but they’re not native speakers.

Why did you want to study Chinese now?

I decided to study Chinese because I came to China, and I loved the country and the cities so much that I decided to study Chinese and experience more of the culture.

How did you begin your search to find a language program?

When I came to Beijing for the internship, I knew that I wouldn’t have a lot of time but I also thought that it might be good to study Chinese here because it makes more sense to already pick something up while I’m here and not just in university back home. So I decided to look around to find some schools that offer teaching Chinese. I found Next Step China. They just made it so easy for me with the tutoring programs because the tutors come to your home and you don’t have to worry after your job to travel a lot and come back when you’re exhausted. They come when you want them to come and that was something that was very important to me.

Why did you Choose NSC?

I started tutoring because I at least wanted to survive in China and in Beijing. And just to be able to have simple conversations with people and to be able to go to a restaurant and ask if they have something or not. I just want to talk a little. When I started with the tutoring, it was quite easy to pick up the writing and reading as well because it was interesting how fast it went and how easy it went. Right now, I can read a little and I can write a little. I’m very happy about that.

What have you gained during your stay in China?

My time in China was really the best time of my life. I’ve learned so much and I got to know people from all over the world. I’ve learned some Chinese which will help me a lot in the future. It was just an amazing experience. I learned to get around on my own to not rely on other people so much anymore. I found the confidence to do things on my own without having to rely on other people all the time, but to really do it on your own. Live on my own, study on my own but also to get to know so many new people through this and I can recommend this to anyone.

How did you feel about NSC’s accommodations?

The apartments are bright and clean. They have a lot of space. The other apartments that I’ve visited, if I compare it, they were a lot darker and smaller and the people didn’t seem to be that friendly and that was one of the main reasons why I chose them.

How did you feel about NSC’s tutoring program?

I really liked the tutoring program that Next Step China offered because the teachers were really nice and I got along with all of them. And during the tutoring, you get to talk more with your tutor on a private basis, which was nice and the atmosphere is a lot better and you enjoy it a lot more. I like the books but I also like the fact that the teachers provided lessons specifically to your needs. For example, when you’re in a restaurant, the university books don’t cover that. The teachers they really try to help you out with that and that was something that I really liked.

How do you feel about NSC’s service?

Being in China with Next Step China was an amazing experience. I really liked the service they offered. I really liked that I didn’t have to worry about anything concerning bills. The apartments were cleaned once a week, which was really nice because it just takes something off from what you would do every day. And I also really liked the people I got to know through Next Step China. The staff is really nice and I got along really great with them and I just loved hanging out with them, talking with them and they just provided a really nice time for everyone of us I think.

Did NSC meet or exceed your expectations?

The programs of Next Step China definitely exceeded my expectations. I love the housing. I love the people I got to know. I love the tutoring program as well. They really chose nice teachers and the lessons they taught you were really effective.

Would you recommend the program?

I would recommend Next Step China to anyone who wants to come to China and experience the culture.