Marta Wodecka, Poland

I came to China for two reasons - studying Chinese and the very interesting internship the Hutong School managed to find for me. I was supposed to stay 6 months but I liked it so much in Beijing that ten moths later I am still here.

China is a fascinating country and its capital is a fascinating city. On the one hand, it stands for tradition, history and culture - even after 10 months, there is always something new to see and something new to discover. On the other, it is full of impressive modern buildings, restaurants and clubs. It is a city that never sleeps.

Chinese classes at the Hutong School are taught by very professional teachers. Groups hardly ever consist of more than 5 people which is a great advantage, especially when studying Mandarin. It is not an easy language but teachers do their best to adjust classes to students' learning capabilities and do not get angry if you ask the same question three times in the row :)

Hutong School also organizes many activities, excursions and trips around the country for half the cost and double the fun. Everything, from the train tickets, to hotels and food, is taken care of so you basically have nothing to worry about, maybe only if the battery of your camera can handle the one thousand photos you will surely make (and then put them on Facebook - that's a no-brainer ;) Besides, such activities are a great opportunity to make friends with young people from literally all around the world.

What I find particularly important is that the School is always ready to assist you with whatever problems you might have. In my case it was a hospital, visa issue, problems with the residence, changing apartments, a key that was not working... Each time I received help within one day and it just feels good to know that there is somebody out there who will not leave you on your own.

I strongly recommend the Hutong School, I have been having a lot of fun and so will you!

Juan Carlos Rodriguez Moreno, Spain

Everything started when I decided to go to China to do an internship and get to know at first-hand how the country that will change the World in the next years is.

I wrote some emails, and what was my surprise when from all of them, I just received one answer, the answer from the Hutong School. And what an answer!!!
They offered me the possibility to go to China, to do a paid internship work in my field, to follow Chinese classes and to have my room in an apartment. The contact with them was very kind, courteous and attentive, they were really concerned in the little things
and they knew perfectly all the formalities and paperwork needed to board in the adventure. Finally I did everything what they told me and I was ready to go to Beijing. Once I was there, they came to the airport to pick me up, Lao Guo, very lovely, we took a taxi and he drove me to my apartment in a traditional Chinese neighborhood, but with all the facilities, Cooled air, TV, kitchen with everything, etc, all that was incredible, I felt very well-attended.

And all was like that, the Chinese classes, the company I worked for, the travels that Hutong School organizes around the whole country (I was in Xian, Inner Mongolia, camping at the Great Wall, the beach where the great wall ends at the sea...), the people you know there from all around the world that are studying Chinese as well, it was an extremely good decision and an unforgettable experience. It is worth it totally, they do really help you and they make you feel part of a big family.

Even though I had been to China before for two months, my experience at the
Hutong School made my entire second stay of three months so much nicer. The
friendly teachers and staff, the many new friends I immediately found
through the language classes and my flat share, and the cultural activities
we had all over the place made that summer one of the best ones ever.
Socially and with regard to learning Chinese it was an ideal place. Once I
will go back to Beijing the Hutong School will definitely be a place to
visit again!

Before coming to Beijing, I saw my impending adventure as a huge gamble. I’d never been abroad before, I’d never lived among strangers, and I’d never put my trust so wholly in an organization as I put my trust in the Hutong School.  Even before arriving in China, I depended on the Hutong School to provide me with housing, language skills, and help acclimating to life in Beijing—essentially, my whole life in Beijing was in the hands of this small school.
 After a few months in Beijing, I can now say that, while adjusting to a new culture and language have been no easy task, the Hutong School has never let me down.
The Hutong School package of housing, Chinese classes, and an international community of students laid the groundwork for an eye-opening and thoroughly enjoyable experience in Beijing.
As a participant in the H.S. Intensive Course, I take classes each day in written, spoken, and conversational Chinese and have made huge strides in each area, thanks to my extremely competent and enthusiastic teachers. Whenever discouraged by this often-frustrating language, curious about Chinese culture, or simply in the mood to chat, my Chinese teachers have always been quick to provide encouragement, guidance, and friendship.
One of the Hutong School’s greatest attributes is its ability to cultivate a real community in which I’ve found great friendships and cultural exchanges. Though it’s essential to have such a community of friends and teachers in an often-overwhelming city, the Hutong School definitely allows students to explore Beijing and experience China at their own will.
Coming to work and study in China can be a daunting experience, but my time at the Hutong School has been well worth the gamble.

Jacqueline Kok, France

If you are looking for an interesting working experience linked with real Chinese lifestyle AND lots of fun and adventures…what do you do? You go to China in Beijing to do your internship. Also, if you don't have the slightest idea about how to organize everything and mostly if you just don't have the time to do so, you join the Hutong School family.
That's what I did, and what I found was a great, easy-going and friendly staff over there as well as really good and unique Chinese teachers. My internship was really interesting and made all the more easier since Chinese colleagues are always eager to offer their help. The apartments provided by HS are really cosy and the cost of life is quite low (that is if you don't spend every night in bars or clubs).
I never really encountered any major difficulties over there. You have a mouth; just use it to ask for help ;) Since I have Chinese origins I was particularly interested in improving a language that is suppose to be mine. It was my real first time in China and HS really made things easier for me. I was able to just focus on the Chinese classes, the internship, exploring and networking without having to care about broken toilets or any other logistical stuff.
The trap to avoid would be to only hang around with foreigners. Don't forget to meet as much Chinese people as possible!

Julien Beaufreton, France

My experience with the Hutong School will maybe stay in my mind as one of the greatest I have had since a long time. I mean that I had experienced some amazing moments in China, and I shall suggest everyone to go and see what is happening there.
Before my arrival in Beijing, i didn't know anything in Chinese, except some basic words and expressions. To be honest, I couldn't imagine that at the end of my stay, I would have been able to understand and pronounce so much Chinese. I had a very good and close relation with the Chinese teacher of the Hutong School, and he taught me a lot in less than three months.
I also had so fun with the other students of the Hutong School. They were coming from different countries in Europe. Some of them were my roommates, and we have been out discovering Beijing, and Beijing by night. I should also say that my internship was a great one for my CV: It was an international company, hired as financial analyst, in a both Chinese and French American surrounding.
During these three months I learned a lot of Chinese, and I am convinced that my Chinese colleagues also taught me a lot. I have really enjoyed my time in Beijing, but I think nothing would have been possible without the help of the Hutong School. The offer was quite convenient for me, I mean, I wouldn't have been able to find anything by myself from my country : the Hutong School provided me accommodation in a modern flat with nice roommates, Chinese lessons with a good teacher, and helped me to find a good internship in Beijing.
What’s better? For someone who wants to discover China’s culture, Beijing life and Chinese people, I am convinced that Hutong School is one of the best offers. By the way, now, I definitely want to go back China asap.

Ellen Klein Gunnewiek, The Netherlands

After spending my whole life living in a western culture, I decided I was ready for a change. My dream was to go to China to do my third-year internship and to experience a new language, a new culture. I’ve spend three months on contacting company’s within China to search for a suitable place to do my internship. Finally, I ended up on a German website where I found information about the Hutong School. I contacted them and within a week they’d found me an interesting internship in a small Chinese company. I didn’t hesitate for any moment and took this opportunity Hutong School offered me. Without any knowledge of the language and without any expectations I took off for China.
My decision to come to China and join the Hutong School has been life changing! It’s been the best decision I’ve made so far and I hope I’ll be able to come back to this great city! Thanks Hutong School for all the support, classes, activities, adventures and for making a difference!

Aljoscha Utermark, Germany

As a participant of the first Intensive Chinese Program with a length of three months I can make the following comments.

The Hutong School provides as a start-up-company an modern approach to teaching the “difficult” language Chinese. Following the methodology to start at the same time with character recognition and speaking they are able to increase quickly the knowledge. After teaching the most important radicals and related words they go forward to teach reading with parallel classes for speaking. In comparison to similar courses in Singapore and Germany I prefer the approach of the Hutong School. The learning group has a size of 5-6 students. That causes a really intensive character of teaching and learning. The workload is high. The teachers are Native Speakers. The knowledge about the language is combined with useful cultural information.

The friendly staff provides helps in all concerns. The housing area is located near to the city. The surrounding provides everything for daily life at a short distance. The whole package is value for money.

To make a long story short I can recommend the Intensive Chinese Course.