Why Learn Chinese with Lotus Educational Foundation?

When beginning to learn Chinese language, culture and business of China, it's hard to get far without having contact with the local people. Our unique program
gives you a great opportunity to live with a Chinese family, and have close contact with their culture, while studying at reputable universities in China. By staying with your host family, you will not only get a "home-away-from-home" feeling, but will also have an opportunity to participate in a unique inter-cultural experience that you just can't get from staying in campus dormitories.That's why our unique program stands out from many other companies that provide study Abroad in China programs.

See what our previous students have to say:

“Lotus Study is an excellent program for anyone who would like to learn Chinese- the correct way. While classes provide students with the necessary grammar background, family life gives homestay participants constant listening and oral practice that any native speaker receives when learning a language. This combination intensifies your language study giving you an unbelievable advantage over the rest of the class. Living with a family also educates you in everything from Chinese history and culture to common idioms and cooking.”

-- Katherine Michonski, from Chicago University, USA, joined Lotus 6 weeks Summer program at BLCU in 2005.

	“I speak several languages, each of which took several years to learn and master. However, one month in China was more helpful for me to learn Chinese than two years of class for any of my other languages. Lotus' program is invaluable to my education in Chinese and I could not be able to thank them more!
-- Meagan Smith, from the University of Michigan, USA, joined Lotus 5 weeks One on One program in summer 2005.

“After speaking with other foreign students studying Mandarin in China, the difference between living on a campus surrounded by foreign students and living with a Chinese family is extremely evident when comparing the level of Chinese language ability (especially comfort when speaking) and also cultural understanding.”

-- Nicole Figley, from Strayer University, USA, joined Lotus Free Homestay program for 12 weeks in 2005.

“I'm glad I signed up with Lotus and would recommend them to anyone in the beginning to intermediate stage of Chinese language ability. (That is anyone who can't yet read a Chinese newspaper without using a dictionary.) I had a wonderful time with the Lis and studying at the University and wandering around Beijing. Lotus made it possible for me to get the most out of my time in China. Some of the other students in my class at BLCU, most of whom were living in the dorms, were a bit jealous of how quickly I progressed. Upon returning to the US, I have spoken with a number of native Chinese speakers who did not believe that I had only spent one month studying Chinese. They didn't believe, because I speak so well. (I still do not speak fluently, but am able to carry on a slow conversation) I attribute my rapid progression to the fact that I signed up for home stay and didn't just attend classes 4 hours a day, then spend the rest of the day hanging out with other English speakers, as some of my classmates did. By placing me with an interesting, interested, and incredibly gracious family, Lotus enabled me to get the most out of my month in Beijing.

-- Isaac Harley, from University of Oklahoma, USA, joined Lotus 5 weeks Winter program at BLCU in 2004.

“Living with a host-family is the best path to improving one's Chinese. When you learn Chinese in a classroom, class begins and you speak Chinese and when class ends, you speak your native tongue. And that's about all the Chinese you can muster for that day. With a family, you often speak Chinese, and depending on your speaking ability, you may never speak your native tongue at all. This technique is beneficial to not only your speaking, but to your listening ability, knowledge of the usage of idioms, spoken Chinese, and slang. And importantly constantly hearing "authentic" Chinese alters your Chinese to the way in which Chinese people speak and away from the way foreigners speak Chinese. Soon you might even find that your ability to speak your native tongue suffers and that you are not only speaking good Chinese and listening with a full understanding of what is being said, but what you are actually thinking just in Chinese, rather than first in your native tongue and then in Chinese. That level of Chinese, I have heard, is what is called "fluency".”

-- Randy Baum, from Kansas University, USA, joined Lotus Homestay program in 2003 and Spring Semester program at Beijing University in 2004.

	“I would say that my experience in Beijing was a very educational one. I learnt so much in just 4 weeks. When I arrived home from Beijing, friends and family were surprised that I was able to speak quite fluently, read and write many Chinese characters because I was only there for 4 weeks.”
-- Genevieve Chew, from London School of Economics, joined Lotus 4 weeks Summer intensive program in 2005(4 hours in the morning at BLCU and 4 hours One on One tutorial in the afternoon).

“Would I recommend homestay? Definitely. Compared with friends who stayed in dorms at BLCU with other international students, my Chinese is better. Plus, there is far more incentive to learn of you get to practice it every day.”

-- Richard Hickey, from York University, UK, joined Lotus 8 weeks Winter program in 2005 (3 weeks One on One plus 5 weeks at BLCU).

As the top study-abroad organization facilitating homestay in China, we provide quality programs at the lowest possible cost. Participants in our programs are afforded a great opportunity to discover China and Chinese culture through our unique homestay program. Our program offers:

n	High quality language programs at universities with a high reputation.
n	One on One Chinese tutoring program offers participants the opportunity to learn Chinese what, when, where and how they desire.
n	Program prices are some of the lowest in the field.
n	Free Homestay Package available if you would be willing to teach the family members English one hour a day.
n	Teach English in China program offers students a unique and affordable opportunity to study and live in China.
n	The Lotus staff is very caring and provides prompt, professional assistance.
n	Resident director and staff are on site to assist students, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
n	Lotus also provides a " travel China in homestay" package to students, a unique way to discover China.
n	Lotus programs are open to all adults. No minimum GPA required.
n	College credit is earned. Transcripts are provided by each university.