Why Minds Abroad?

Normally 2-4 Students Per Class, With A Max of 7

Students are given a prior placement test and placed in classes suiting their language level. Our class sizes are small – to ensure maximum student-teacher interaction we have small class sizes, normally 2-4 students but with a maximum of 7 students, which allows for group interaction as well as students get the kind of one-on-one attention they need to develop language skills easily.

Experienced University Faculty

Having several years of experience in teaching international students, all of our teachers are faculties with our accredited partner university. They prepare curriculum and teaching materials for individual students based on individual language level. The curriculum consists of three courses: reading and writing, listening and speaking and a third course that focuses on developing these four essential Chinese skills through discussing and learning about Chinese culture.

Educational Afternoon Activities

Minds Abroad's philosophy is about 'learning by doing' so in addition to studying Mandarin, we encourage students to participate in either volunteering, language exchange or cultural pursuits like painting and dance in the afternoons.

Afternoon Option-1- Volunteering and Cultural Activities

In Kunming, students can choose to volunteer in various non-profit organizations that work for children of disadvantaged, migrant families and poor, homeless children. Volunteers can give English lessons to these children or help them with homework or other vocational training arranged for by the centers.

Afternoon Option-2- Language Exchange Sessions

There is simply no better way to practice one's listening and speaking skills than by having regular conversations with a native speaker; so Minds Abroad arranges for language exchange programs with students from local schools and communities. Students who choose to participate in our afternoon language exchange sessions will get a personal in-depth understanding of Chinese culture and Kunming’s local customs.

Evening Cultural Activities

During the trip, students participate in cultural activities to get an in-depth understanding of the ways of life of the local people. These activities include attending performances from local ethnic musicians and dancers, visiting local museums, and going to sites of local interest.

Excursions in China and India

Through some of our program, students will visit fast growing metropolises, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and participate in rural homestays. We believe this not only gives students a balanced perspective into the rapidly modernizing urban China, but also into rural society where the majority of people in China still live. With some of our summer programs we arrange for trips to the large coastal cities of Beijing, Hong Kong and Guangzhou as well as some of Yunnan province's gorgeous countryside. We try to give students a balanced perspective of both the countries that includes immersion to typical Chinese and Indian cities, as well as some rural areas of the country where the majority of people in both these countries still live. We shall not only conduct trips in China but also in India. In India we will take students to Delhi, Calcutta and Sikkim ( a beautiful Himalayan state in Eastern India). We try to give students a balanced perspective of both the countries that includes immersion to typical Chinese and Indian cities as well as some rural areas of the country that the majority of people in both these countries still live in.

Transfer Academic Credit

In Kunming, Chinese language classes are generally held in the morning for 3 hours 45 minutes everyday from Mon-Thurs totaling to 15 hours of class every week. With every week (15 hours of class) students may be able to transfer the equivalent of one credit from our partner universities who arrange for the teachers as well as the curriculum depending on the student's Mandarin level. For this reason all students are imbibed into our program after a placement test. 

Spacious Apartments Nearby

All our apartments are located within a short commute from our offices. You will have convenience stores and supermarkets like Walmart or Spencer'snearby for anything that you need.  Additionally, there are also amenities like urban parks where you can go for morning exercise and fantastic restaurants to try some local delicacies as well as some of your favorite foods from back home. Our apartments are in exclusive residential complexes in Kunming, equipped with all modern amenities like the following:

• Housekeeping twice a week
• 24 Hours Security Guard and Entry
• Fully furnished
• Unlimited internet (Wifi)
• 24H Hot Water
• TV
• DVD Player
• Fridge
• Washing Machine
• Western Toilet 
• Kitchen
  

Meals

We provide Chinese style lunch and dinner at our office from Mon-Fri. Students are welcome to join these meals with our staff.  In India too we introduce students to different regional cuisines which are famous for their flavors and cooking techniques. Quite simply, both India and China have some of the most versatile and diverse culinary delights to offer people from all kind of food habits.

Special Programs for School and College Students 

In addition to our year-round language classes there are other programs to suit your schedule better. Study and travel in your summer break with Minds Abroad's summer programs between May and August. Check out our Study+Travel pages to know more about these options. We also offer customized programs for participating school and college groups year round. Learn more about this program on our Customized Programs page. 

We help in Promoting Cultural Interactions 

Many universities and private educational enterprises in the US and Europe are interested in arranging educational and cultural trips for their students to China and India. This calls for institutional collaboration between educational enterprises in China and the pertinent institution in the US or Europe. Minds Abroad collaborates with schools and universities in designing immersion programs for student groups that promote cultural understanding and facilitate interaction between the people of two nations. In India we collaborate with a variety of non-profits.