Program Reviews

Certainly, for discovering China (it was the first time for me) and immersing yourself in it's deep and ancient culture, a good guide is required.
After reading a few reviews and wondering wether this would be the right option or not, I just decided to place my trust in Hutong school. Good choice.
To make a long story short, I spent 4 beautiful months with the school, its friendly personal and the people I met there. Teaching, activities, receptionists and co-workers are all helpful and kind, and the atmosphere good. You'll always find somebody to help you, to share a meal with or just to talk to. It was as well really quick to meet new people and make friends.
The lessons are efficient: their limited number of persons and their schedule (that you can change in case of need) allow you to practice and learn chinese in the right way according to your capacities. I highly recommend it.
I'll always have good souvenirs, and maybe to the next time!
Thank's to you guys.

Jonathan

I have studied Chinese at the Hutong School twice: my first time there was in 2009-2010, when I began learning Chinese and participated in the Intensive Chinese program for 6 months. I successfully took the HSK test at level 4 after those 6 months. My second time at the Hutong School was last year, when I took 2 months of private classes after work. I lived in Hutong School housing during both periods. My experience with Hutong School has been fantastic both times: particularly when I first came to China at age 18 in 2009, they offered the best support and social environment I could have hoped for as a teenager moving to a unknown foreign city. Through their classes, activities and community, I was introduced to China and slowly but surely, Beijing became like a second home - which is still is to me today (I live and work in Beijing these days - which I don't think would have been the case if I hadn't had such a great time at the Hutong School the first time I came here). Having also studied Chinese at a well-known Chinese university (Peking University) for a year, I can also testify to the fact that their classes are of a very high standard. Studying Chinese in relatively small groups, my Chinese progressed much faster at the Hutong School than at university here. I therefore wholeheartedly recommend the Hutong School to anyone wanting to come to China to learn Chinese.

I've arrived more than 2 months ago in Shanghai. It's my first time in China and my first challenge with the Chinese language. I'm really glad of living this opportunity, Shanghai is amazing and you could find everything you are looking for. Speaking mandarin adds positive point at this experience, as it is important to understand better the real life and the culture of Chinese people, if you'd like to live here. During my Chinese class I learn not just a language, but lots of important tips about the city and life here, given from my teachers. The welcome party organized by the school are a great opportunity to meet other students and to have fun. The apartment where I live is located in a really well connected district, just 3 subway stops from the school. Everything is comfortable and easy to reach. I love Shanghai and I would not come back home!

Studying at Hutong school in Beijing was not only about studying the chinese language and culture, but also about meeting students from all over the world where you can learn very much from each other! It made my experience unforgettable!

The good points about the intensive program is that you're focusing only on your chinese studies and you're learning in small groups (4-5 students) which help you to improve and learn very fast! My chinese improved very quickly( communication+writting) : within 3 months! I would highly recommend the chinese intensive course!
The teachers in Beijing are hard workers, are always willing to help you for anything and they are very fun!
Overall it was a really great experience and I'm still learning chinese!
And don't worry about having no friends, it's very easy over there to make friends as long as you're willing to meet people and the staff is always there to help you!

Très bonne école où vous pouvez apprendre assez rapidement, en travaillant aussi beaucoup par vous même, j'ai eu une excellente professeur qui était vraiment à mon écoute, étant débutante ce n'était pas évident ! J'y suis restée 4 mois, et je retourne 2 mois à Shanghai. Beijing est une ville magnifique, tellement de chose à voir, et la cuisine est fantastique ! Je m'y trouvais en plein hiver, il y fait très froid, mais je ne regrette pas !

TRANSLATION:
Very good school where you can learn fast enough, also working a lot by yourself, I had an excellent teacher who was really listening to me, being a beginner it was not obvious! I stayed there for 4 months, and I returned to Shanghai for 2 months. Beijing is a beautiful city, so much to see, and the food is fantastic! I was there in the middle of winter, it is very cold, but I do not regret!

I think most of the people who start to think about going to China for some time face the same problems and fears I did in the beginning: Will I like the food? How will my internship be? How are the people in China? Can I find friends? Can I learn the language?

Yes, I had the same questions. And thats why I decided to choose Hutong School for doing my internship in Shanghai, because I thought I could need some help in China. Right after I applied on the website, I got contacted by a program coordinator from the school and she guided me through every step on the way and she will continue to do so until I return back home.

I decided to do an internship from March 2017 to July/August 2017. After I applied to the school, I got had an interview with the school and with my CV, I got matched with an internship which matches my interest and my skillset.
A couple of weeks after that I had the interview with the boss of my internship company. As soon I got accepted, the school helped me with the preperatiion fort he trip + the application form my visa. Everything went through very smooth and soon after that I started my trip to Shanghai.

I arrived Sunday evening and had to work on Monday… Not only because oft hat, but also because of the culture, the food and the city itself, my first week was truly awful. I felt like quitting many times, was always tired, did not want to eat anything, and could not really get work done.
After I survived the first week though, things just got better every week. Not only because I got used to everything, but also because the school is one of the best communities I ever was a part of. The weekly events are a great way too meet new people, and I have not found a single person in the school I don‘t like. Everybody gets included very fast and the people make your stay in China more enjoyable.

If you have any problems or concerns, you can also contact people from the school – it really does not matter what kind of problems – and you will get help very fast. Chinese problems? Problems in the apartment? Problems in the job? Everything will get sorted out.
In the internship program, you get 2x2h chinese lessons every week. I feel like I already learnt a lot and can get a good understanding of the basics of chinese, so I can continue studying after my time here and maybe master this difficult language in the future.
Regarding the internship: It really depends on your luck and on yourself. It definetly takes time to adapt to the chinese working mentality, but it really can benefit you as a person for the future. I can only recommend you to do an internship here!
So there is nothing more to say than that i have the best time of my life here and everybody here tries to make the time as good as possible. If you are not sure if you should come to China with the Hutong School: Just do it!

I had a positive experience at Hutong Beijing. The school has clear communication, open to questions and assists when needed. Staff is friendly and open.
Two/three times a week they organize events for their members where you can participate in, focussing on Chinese culture, cultural trips or just social events. During my time I followed group lessons and had a nice group. The teacher is open to hear where the group wants to focus on, while still staying close to what is useful to learn. A downside is that the apartments provided are not always of quality as expected. You are in China so it will be different for sure, but to me this was a downside. Next to that, if something goes wrong or you need help there is almost always someone available to help (Saturday midnight water issue, Sunday 09.00 help).

I found hutong from Google, even though the webpage is pretty well done, I was still hesistant until I met the people at hutong. First, it was great that I could communicate in English and get answers to my questions (believe it or not, not many people speak English in china). Second, all the people at hutong school are very friendly. And, don't worry about having no friends in china, cause they organize fabulous activities in which you can participate and make connections and friends. Last but not the least, teachers here at hutong are pretty good. They are prepared for the class. As long as you are willing to follow their instructions you will catch Chinese    pretty quickly. I am planning on staying in shanghai for a year until next March, and I am definitely sticking with hutong.

The best thing about Hutong School is the events they organized. My life in Beijing became interesting and more fun because of this events. Another great is the staff of the school as well. They are friendly, approachable and accommodating.
With regards to learning Chinese, I can't compare with other institution but my life becomes easier after a month of attending the class. I can have a simple conversation in restaurants and taxi drivers.
The rate of Hutong school is comparable to others as well

My experience with Hutong school overall was great! The best thing about Hutong School for me was the community, it's crazy when you visit a country where hardly anyone speaks English and you don't know the language (yet). The staff at Hutong School as well as the other students made me feel welcome and at home so quick and easily that the language/culture border with China seemed not so much of a big deal anymore. Hutong School organizes a lot of fun activities which make life in China even more fun than it already is.

I do think that Hutong School is a bit overpriced, especially the housing. Also the pictures of the housing on the website don't match the apartment you will get, the apartment is perfectly fine just nothing like the pictures.