Develop Mandarin language skills through immersive practice, including interactions with host families, local community activities, and language-focused cultural experiences.
Develop a nuanced understanding of modern China by examining the relationships between history, government, economic development, culture, and the environment.
Explore the contrasts between urban and rural life by traveling from major cities to smaller communities and engaging directly with local residents.
Strengthen leadership, resilience, and cross-cultural communication skills while navigating new environments and reflecting on personal and global perspectives.
After arriving in Beijing, we board a private bus for a rustic guesthouse near a remote section of the Great Wall, where we are welcomed with warm hospitality and homemade Northeastern Chinese cuisine. Orientation and community building take place in the first 48 hours, followed by exploration of the Great Wall and Beijing’s major landmarks, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and traditional hutong neighborhoods.
From Beijing, we fly to Kunming for a five-day homestay with Dragons host families, supporting cultural and language immersion through daily life, language study, and activities such as Chinese cuisine, kung fu, calligraphy, and traditional medicine. Students visit markets, temples, and parks while evenings are spent with host families, concluding with a farewell dinner.
We then travel to Damoyu, a Yi ethnic minority village, where life moves at a slower pace with sustainable agriculture and natural building. Students engage with villagers, participate in daily life, harvest vegetables, learn about permaculture, and prepare meals, concluding with reflection and a closing ceremony before departing from Kunming.
Arrive at Beijing Airport and travel to the Kou family guesthouse near a remote, unrestored section of the Great Wall. Begin orientation by establishing course goals and daily routines, and cultivate group culture and expectations for a safe, challenging learning environment. Opening ceremony.
Morning check-in, health and safety guidelines, and cultural briefing. Full day of village activities and a hike to a remote section of the Great Wall for journaling, goal setting, and framing key course themes. Cooking activities with the Kou family for dinner.
Transfer to Beijing. Explore Tiananmen Square and historic Hutong neighborhoods juxtaposed with massive modern development. Introduce themes of Chinese history, politics, and contemporary society through visits to the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park, along with conversations with guest speakers on government and environmental issues.
Travel to Kunming. Lunch and homestay briefing. In the afternoon, students split into homestays and join evening activities with their host families.
Focus: Tea & Community. Morning check-in at the program house. Learn about Kunming and share homestay experiences. Join community dancing at Green Lake Park and explore tea history and culture through a traditional tea ceremony.
Focus: Local Market & Chinese Cuisines. Scavenger hunt at a local market and discussion of China’s diverse regional cuisines. Help prepare dinner with homestay families.
Focus: Temple & Kung Fu. Visit Confucius Temple to learn about traditional Chinese culture. Take a basic kung fu lesson with an experienced instructor.
Focus: Traditional Chinese Medicine & Arts. Visit a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic to learn about this holistic health system. Practice a traditional art such as calligraphy, brush painting, or Chinese instruments. Farewell dinner with all host families.
Say goodbye to host families and travel by bus to Damoyu, a Yi ethnic minority village in the hills above Kunming. Tour the village to learn about its history and present-day life, speaking with both longtime Yi residents and newer arrivals who have chosen rural life. Participate in hands-on agricultural activities to better understand daily life in the village. Learn about sustainable farming, harvest fresh vegetables, and prepare a shared meal with local cooks. Conclude the program with reflection and transference activities, ending with a final closing ceremony.
Travel to Kunming Changshui International Airport for departure.
Each Custom School Program is tailored to meet your needs. Through a close, hands-on collaboration, we take the time to understand what matters most—and draw on decades of experience to create something unique, thoughtful, and authentic.
Together, we’ll design a program that’s cohesive, purposeful, and fully supported from start to finish—never a collection of tourist stops or disconnected activities. We’re ready when you are.
Our Program Components are the building blocks of your itinerary. During the customization process, these components can be dialed up or down to meet the goals and vision for the program. Each program component is thoughtfully planned to ensure that your students engage meaningfully and authentically connect with the places they visit.
Our instructors are more than guides—they’re mentors, educators, and trusted companions. Each member of our team is thoroughly vetted, background-checked, and trained in our unique pedagogy and risk management practices. With an average of over four years living abroad and fluency in local languages, our instructors serve as meaningful cross-cultural liaisons.