China Study Abroad (CSA)

China Study Abroad is a comprehensive, affordable, service oriented study abroad company founded on the precepts that the best way to learn Chinese is through immersion in a Chinese environment and that coming to China should be fun and exciting, not difficult.

China Study Abroad takes the uncertainty and difficulty out of coming to China. We take care of all the necessities before you arrive and continue to provide wide-ranging services after arrival, leaving you to study the language, explore the culture, and have fun interacting with local people and other foreigners living abroad.

We invite you to discover one of the oldest civilizations on earth that is currently undergoing the largest, most rapid modernization any nation has ever experienced. In this land of culture and contrasts the future meets the past with unpredictable, but always unique and exciting outcomes. Join us in China and we are certain you will enjoy an educational experience that will be profoundly rewarding and certainly unforgettable!

Beijing

Beijing is a city where history meets modernity. Students and travelers lucky enough to make the journey to Beijing will experience another milestone in a civilization’s great history. For all of these reasons and more, Beijing is also where China Study Abroad has chosen to locate its head office. We are conveniently situated in the Haidian District, nestled between China's most prestigious universities. For its grand history, world-renown schools, exciting development, and cultural heritage Beijing remains our most popular destination. Come and find out why!

Xi'an

Often considered the cradle of Chinese civilization, Xi'an is one of the oldest and most influential cities in China's grandiose history. In its more than 3,100 year history, Xi'an has been the capital of 13 dynasties, was the Eastern terminus of the great Silk Road and the earliest link between China and the West. As a city both steeped in a rich historical legacy and simultaneously making its footprint in a modern context, Xi'an may appeal to both the history buff and the techie, the scholar and the tourist, the artist and the business person. Regardless of where your interests lie, Xi'an is sure to have what you are looking for.

Qingdao

Imagine an entire afternoon spent studying Mandarin after a full morning’s worth of class. Now throw in a sandy beach, a cool ocean breeze, and an icy, fresh-brewed German Lager. Sound appealing? Well Qingdao is the place for you!

Located on the tip of the Shandong peninsula, due west of the Korean peninsula, Qingdao is northern China's premier ocean resort. The name of this fair city literally translates as "green" or "lush" (qing) "island" (dao). Students may be more familiar with its Western postal name: Tsingtao, which shares the name of the city's most famous export, Tsingtao Beer. Qingdao has come a long way since it was a small fishing port only 100 years ago. Today, the city boasts a booming economy, one of Asia's busiest seaport with daily ferry crossings to Korea and Japan, a fascinating modern history and cultural background, and lest we forget, great beaches.

Tianjin

With a long history of foreign concessions, international trade and European style architecture, it is no wonder that Tianjin was chosen as a site for many of the events at the 2008 Olympic games. Home to the first modern university in China, and the oldest newspaper, Tianjin has a thriving intellectual and cultural scene. Some of the first museums, theatres and art galleries in China were founded here, and the heavy presence of foreign embassies strongly influenced the music, art and architecture of the area. Take a stroll down Ancient Culture Street to see reconstructions of traditional Tianjin homes, or through Wudadao to look at the European villas from the turn of the century. While there are plenty of venues for shopping, the Antique market is a must see, with its Cultural Revolution relics and outdoor market sprawl.

Only an hour from Beijing, Tianjin affords access to many of the positive attributes of a big city, yet retains some of the positive qualities of a smaller one. With a small foreign presence, there are ample opportunities for immersion and language practice, and some people claim that Tianjin residents are both extremely friendly and patient with foreigners, and will openly proffer help and friendship.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang province and its financial and political center. The city is famed for its cultural heritage and natural beauty and has become one of China's most important tourist destinations. The city lies upon the Qiantang River in the Yangtze Delta of southeast China, only 180 kilometers from Shanghai. Hangzhou's famous West Lake is considered one of the most beautiful sights in all of China. There are also many places of interest including museums, temples and scenic areas. With its temperate climate, relaxing atmosphere and close proximity to Shanghai, Hangzhou is a popular choice for foreigners wishing to study in China, but who want to avoid the urban crush of its larger neighbor.

Dalian

When it comes to Dalian, take every stereotype you have about China and throw it out the window. This is
Dalian – the cleanest, friendliest, most comfortable city in all of China. Don’t just take our word for it; every year, Dalian is voted as China’s number one most “livable city” in the China Daily News. Often called the “Hong Kong of the North,” Dalian is widely considered an exemplar of quality city-planning. Many cities throughout China have used Dalian’s “city model” to make over their own cities with the newfound wealth and investment in infrastructure resultant of China’s explosive economic growth. With Dalian’s urban population of only 3 million, reputation for cleanliness, sky-rocketing economy, clear blue skies, and the friendliest and safest city traffic you’ll find this side of Tokyo, we’re sure you’ll agree.

Nanjing

Modern buildings overlooking ancient ruins provide a startling and thoughtful juxtaposition in the historical city of Nanjing. The capital of Jiangsu, Nanjing is home to 5.29 million people but yet still manages to provide a sense of openness and space with its many parks and lakes. The city's balmy weather and chic neighborhoods make it perfect to explore on foot.

The de jure capital, Nanjing is one of the largest cities in the East China Region, second only to neighboring Shanghai. A hub for academic and artistic pursuits, this popular city is also a popular tourist destination and has a growing financial district. The numerous universities and large student body encourage a lively night life, but its three hour proximity to Shanghai allow for convenient weekend getaways if looking for a change of venue. For the culturally inclined, the government hosts a series of festivals throughout the year, the most famous being the International Plum Blossom Festival, to which thousands of tourists flock each year to see the largest collection of plum blossoms in the world.

Guilin

Please contact us for more information about opportunities to study in Guilin, Guangzhou, Urumqi, or Lhasa, Tibet.

Shanghai

Shanghai is the center of commerce and finance in mainland China. One need only look at the prolific skyscrapers of the Pudong district with its Oriental Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Tower, two of the world’s tallest manmade structures, or Donghai Bridge, the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world, to know that Shanghai is among the world’s most modern cities.

To live and study in Shanghai is to have your fingers at the pulse of modern China. More than anything, one comes away with a greater understanding of the nation’s recent past and bright future. As Shanghai races into the 21st century, the rest of the country is hitching along on her coattails. We hope you come along for the ride. Don’t blink or you might miss it!

Kunming

Kunming is very popular with students looking to study in an environment with very little Western influence. While Kunming does boast a large international population, most foreign students studying at Yunnan are actually from the Indian Sub-continent and Southeast Asia. Students hoping to mingle with mostly Chinese-speakers are encouraged to study in Kunming. Moreover, Kunming’s status as a smaller city distanced from more developed areas means that the cost of living is significantly lower than in big cities such as Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing. Because of its beautiful scenery, fantastic weather, and small Western expatriate community, Kunming is actually our third most popular destination behind Shanghai and Beijing. Students looking for something more adventurous should consider studying in Yunnan Province, China’s original “Wild West.”

Guangzhou

Please contact us for more information about opportunities to study in Guilin, Guangzhou, Urumqi, or Lhasa, Tibet.

Tibet

Please contact us for more information about opportunities to study in Guilin, Guangzhou, Urumqi, or Lhasa, Tibet.

Urumqi

Please contact us for more information about opportunities to study in Guilin, Guangzhou, Urumqi, or Lhasa, Tibet.

CSA World

The mission of CSA World is to facilitate online Mandarin learning and, in conjunction with China Study Abroad, increase accessibility to diverse opportunities in China. Basically, this means that if you want to intern at a business in Shanghai, volunteer in the countryside, study Mandarin at a University in Beijing, or do all three, we can help make it possible. CSA World is currently under construction, but you can still find information on our volunteer programs, competitions, internships, and universities throughout China.

Through our forums and competitions we hope to gain feedback from our program participants on their experiences and observations while in China. Our free tutoring is a place to give everyone a taste of the Mandarin language and entice them to learn more. Our online shop will enable people to buy language learning tools and other goods directly from China. Our volunteer programs are our way to give back; they are all based on the Chinese mainland with goal of bringing education and cultural exchange to the poorer areas of China and also with an aim to help certain NGO’s working here in the fields of environment, conservation and education.