Omeida Chinese Academy

Program Reviews

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Clara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Very good experience in Yangshuo

I spent 3 weeks in Yangshuo taking 3 lessons a day at Omeida. I totally recommend it, from the first moment Omeida makes things super easy for you when preparing your trip. They answer any possible questions you might have coming from the other side of the world to a small town in China. The environment is amazing, surrounded by the mountains. The teachers are really kind as well as all Omeida staff so you feel at home from the beginning when you arrive. The lessons were really practical, in small groups (We were 4 to 5 people) so I improved my speaking that was one of the main reasons for going to China.

What was your funniest moment?
I had a lot of fun moments there. Talking to elder people at the Yangshuo Park early in the morning trying to understand how to play cards with them or riding a electric scooter for the first time in the middle of a big crossroad in a traffic jam.
Pros
  • Really nice location, Yangshuo is beautiful and you don't need to go far to enjoy landscapes
  • Making friends from all over the world
  • Small groups for the lessons, you can practise a lot your speaking and ask questions to your teacher
Cons
  • Accommodation is very basic, but still convenient and really close to the school
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Kim
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

May 2024

I stayed here for a month with their provided housing. Class sizes were small at the time that I went and class materials (textbooks) were all included and provided for. There are always teachers or students learning english there who can help with the content as well outside of class hours. The collaborations efforts between the chinese and the english school as well as the everyday practice exploring around are very effective in improving one's language skills.
Everyone was very friendly and one of my favourite parts were the trips that the school offers on the weekend (both the english school and the chinese school offer these so sometimes to get to pick too). Omeida's events make it very easy to make relations and so it's a good place for a solo traveller.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
You can opt in for a meal plan however most people go out together for lunch and dinner there, when you're there you could probably figure out a way to get some meal tickets for the cafeteria but have some days without so you're free to try the local cuisine and go out with friends.
I also recommend learning how to ride a moped/scooter as its very easy to get around with one, also taxis here are very affordable and most places one could walk to if need be.
Pros
  • Lots of group activities and adventures
  • Small class sizes
  • Affordable
Cons
  • No refrigerator in provided dorms
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Renato
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience to improve my chinese!

I had a lot of fun while also improving my chinese. The classes were just suited for me and got the chance to make a lot of friends in here! I could also learn a lot about the culture, the history and about the daily life of chinese people!
I would definitely come back to keep learning more and having also a lot of fun. Besides, the activities that the school organized were very fun and let me experience the beautiful and unique landscapes of Yangshuo, truly an amazing place to travel 😍 totally recommend to come and live the experience!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Many things like mold tofu, pig's ears, noodles with river snails, Durian fruit, duck and more haha. It doesn't matter if I liked them, but the experience of trying new dishes let me know more flavors and combinations of ingredients I would never dare to try at home.
Pros
  • Full immersion with new cool things to experience
  • Fun activities with very welcoming people
  • Best way to improve the language quickly
Cons
  • Depends for each the person, but for me all were pros
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Fabián
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Expectations vastly exceeded

When I told a friend I was learning Mandarin, he told me about Omeida. Another friend confirmed it being a positive experience. I wanted to see China for the first time so why not. Not only were the classes really good and the progress fast, but also the two weeks I spend in Yangshuo were also my favorite part of my 4 week trip to China. The region is full of cultural sites, entertainment and astounding nature, particularly the mountains, unlike anywhere I've been to. Besides the quality of the lessons, the school provides a really friendly, helpful and positive environment. They helped me with all sorts of chores to enjoy my stay to the max. The staff is always ready to help and they organize plenty of nice activities with all the students so you never get bored. I can't recommend it enough.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Come for as long as you can and try to book the full day intensive program, it works and it's the most cost effective way
Pros
  • Course quality
  • Friendly environment
  • Surrounding areas
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Gerhard
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Es ist nie zu früh und selten zu spät/It is never too early and rarely too late

Aufmerksam auf Omeida bin ich durch ein Werbebanner während einer Rundreise 2016 geworden. Nachdem ich schon einen Online Kurs absolviert hatte bekam ich im Frühjahr 2023 die Gelegenheit die Schule während eines Arbeitsaufenthalts zu besuchen. Das war unmittelbar nach dem Lockdown ende, der Schulbetrieb lief auf Sparflamme, aber mein Interesse war geweckt. Dieses Jahr war ich drei Wochen hier und beabsichtige auch nächstes Jahr zu kommen. Die ganze Organisation, Unterkunft, An- und Abreise, Schulbetrieb ist, klasse. Es ist IMMER jemand erreichbar.

English version:
I became aware of Omeida through an advertising banner during a tour in 2016. After I had already completed an online course, I had the opportunity to visit the school during a work trip in the spring of 2023. That was immediately after the lockdown ended, school operations were on a low budget, but my interest was piqued. I was here for three weeks this year and plan to come again next year. The whole organization, accommodation, arrival and departure, and school operations are great. There is ALWAYS someone available.

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Mads
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great for both beginners and more advanced students

I had a fantastic experience at Omeida Yangshuo during the summer of 2024. I spent a couple of months in China, initially exploring various cultural sights. However, when I arrived in Yangshuo and enrolled at Omeida, I ended up staying in one place. Although I originally booked the course for just one week, I enjoyed it so much that I extended my stay to a full month.

The experience at Omeida was exceptional, not only because of the high-quality instruction and small class sizes—qualities you might find at other language schools—but because of the unique language environment and the rich cultural experiences they offer. What truly sets Omeida apart is its integration with the adjacent Omeida English school, creating a vibrant community where students from both schools can connect. There are numerous opportunities to interact with native Chinese speakers, whether it's playing mahjong, sharing meals at local restaurants, or participating in the school's cultural nights and weekend activities. These events often bring together native speakers and Chinese language learners, providing ample opportunities to immerse oneself in a Chinese-speaking environment.

There's never a dull moment at Omeida. I spent four weeks there and hope to return in the near future.

Also, If you enjoy rock climbing, you'll find that Yangshuo is one of the best places in China for this.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I was i Yangzhou on my only with the main purpose of learning Chinese. Next time, I hope to bring my partner, to let her also experience this wonderful place. Even though, she does not speak any Chinese, Yangzhou has the benefit of having a large international community, which makes it easier for a non-Chinese speaker to make friends.
Pros
  • Lots of language practice with native speakers
  • Many activities on all days of the week
  • Beautiful environment - suitable for climbing, hiking and exploring nature
Cons
  • Price - I do find the price step compared to public institutions, however it is also worthwhile
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Jovell
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Jovell's Yanshuo Review

If you are going to come to get a proper walk through of Chinese, then Yangshuo is definitely the best place to learn. It is filled with friendly people that are willing to communicate and a relaxed environment to enjoy your time. Personally, I wanted to practice speaking more and with the option of doing 1-on-1 class, really helped with my williness to communicate and has really motivated me to continue self-studying and pursue the language much more!

The language partner program is a really great addition to the school especially if you are motivated to practice speaking much like I was. I would do it again and perhaps stay longer!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would definitely stay longer and have more free time to practice.
Pros
  • Cultural Activities
  • Language Partner Program
  • Weekend adventures
Cons
  • Book vocabulary words can be hit or miss
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Valerie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience

It was my first trip to China and I wanted to improve my Chinese skills. I booked this 2 weeks class and it was a great choice. Not only the city itself is beautiful, but the school is amazing. My only regret is that I haven’t booked a longer class. I took mandarin classes in the morning and Taichi classes in the afternoon, I had a language partner to practice with everyday. I improved my Chinese and discovered the culture too. I met tons of new people from everywhere. All the staff members I met were helpful and I felt home everyday. Thanks for these beautiful two weeks!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would plan to stay longer than 2 weeks.
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Riho
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience!

My 3 kids joined the summer camp for 2 weeks. Through this camp they learned not only Chinese but also learned a life skill. Such as communication skill,self management skill and being considerate for others. They shared a room and spend 24 hours together with friends.
They could mix with friends from different countries and different ages.
Omeida provided Chinese lessons in the morning and exciting activities afternoon like cave exploring,kayaking and cooking classes etc.
What I appreciated a lot was they kept phones away most of the time. So that kids could connect well with each others,became very close friends such a short period.
Thank you to all the dedicated and friendly teachers and very helpful staffs! Thank youuuu

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MOISES
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience learning Chinese at Omeida!

Hello everyone! One week now that I came back home! The trip to China was wonderful!
I study Chinese at the Official Language School in Valencia (Spain) and wanted to visit China for my first time. My colleagues will travel to Omeida next September, I couldn't do it in September, so I decided to go by myself now in July. Great idea!

Omeida English and Chinese schools are very well organised. Besides the classes, having a language partner (50/50 English/ Chinese) was great! Mine even took me to make some tourism around and helped me shopping too! Volunteering to speak English with Chinese people studying English was fun too!! (Doing that Omeida provides hosting!)

My main purpose was to learn practical chinese and improve general fluency. I only stayed two weeks, but I could see how it improved. Not only because of the classes, but also thanks to the language partner and speaking at local shops and restaurants!
Yangshuo, with its spectacular lanscape, is the perfect small-medium size location for that! Omeida also favor meeting people from all the world, with the nice common lounge and their cultural activities. Omeida staff are all very nice people, always trying to help you.

Overall a fantastic trip! 👍

What was your funniest moment?
Trying to understand and make myself understood at local shops.
Pros
  • Affordable academy and city
  • Omeida nice staff
  • Beautiful landscape
Cons
  • The hot and humidity in July
  • Housing (in general under western standards)