Summer Study Abroad China: Mixing Learning and Relaxation

For looking to study Chinese over the period of a summer, the process can be exciting and eye-opening, but also potentially stressful and intense as you adapt to a new language and new surroundings. This is why when you engage in a summer study abroad China program, you need to combine your learning with relaxation. This way you will learn more, and you will also feel refreshed rather than stressed. However, it can be difficult to find the right ways to relax in a new environment, so here are some tips that can help you to take find the right balance in China when you are learning Mandarin Chinese over the summer. rnWhen you have had a particularly tough day going back and forth between campus and your apartment, then there is nothing better to take away all those post-class aches and pains than a trip to a spa or reputable massage centre. Going for spa treatments is extremely popular in China, and even better is the fact that most treatments are relatively cheap. Taking an hour or so to enjoy a relaxing massage, sauna treatment or even swim will leave you feeling refreshed. Then you might even have time to study more in the evening, or at least feel ready for another day of new phrases. rnKeeping fit in China is also important, as you don’t want to let your health deteriorate whilst you are studying hard. There are plenty of cheap gyms in most big cities in China, but if you don’t want to join a gym then running or cycling are great ways to stay fit. Just make sure you dress appropriately for the weather and mind the pollution if you are study Chinese in Beijing or Shanghai in particular. If you want to make your time more productive, then you can always listen to some podcasts on Chinese language. This allows you to stay healthy, take time away from the classroom but also learn Mandarin Chinese in a different way at the same time. Another great way to combine relaxation and learning in China is to visit Karaoke (KTV) venues. There are a lot of great chains of KTV in China’s big cities, and even smaller cities have a number of good venues. Having your own room, ordering food and drinks and socialising and singing with friends is a fun and relatively inexpensive way to spend 3 or 4 hours in an evening. There are usually a variety of new and old western songs to choose from, but it can be fun to learn some Chinese songs as well. Choose a couple when you go and then learn them for next time you go back. That way you have a new learning goal and can interact more with the local culture, giving you even more opportunities to learn Chinese. rnYour summer study abroad China program can take a lot of work, but if you find the right work-life balance, then you will have more fun and learn more quickly than if you just spend all your time studying and not enjoying your time in China.