Semester Programme in China

Embark on your study abroad experience in China—one of the most awe-inspiring, friendly and delightful countries. Discover its blend of traditional and modern: centuries-old temples surrounded by gleaming skyscrapers, colourful street food and imperial palaces, striking natural formations and ancient pagodas.

Country Language: Chinese

Imagine all that you can learn and experience by spending a semester living and studying in China. Become part of one of the most complex societies in the world by living with your host family and attending an academically elite school.

You will stay in a typical Chinese home, sharing meals together and having real homemade steamed bread, dumplings, spring rolls and many other delicious local foods.

At your new high school, uniforms are required and classes are lecture-style, with compulsory courses in Mandarin, the primary dialect spoken in China, as well as maths, chemistry and physics. At school you will join the group in doing their everyday exercises including the traditional eye massage. Though the school day is intense, after-school activities are rich and colourful. Do you want to join the Kung Fu community or the handicraft art community? As you become friends with your Chinese classmates, you will develop a deep understanding of today’s Chinese society. Feel hesitant to spend a whole year? Try the semester!

This programme is a combination of language learning, cultural experience and family life.

Stay with a Host Family

You will be placed with a vetted, experienced Chinese host family. Usually participants will be placed with a host family near their host school, in a middle-sized city. Supported by dedicated volunteers and staff, families help students navigate their new school and community, make friends, learn the language and enjoy their year abroad. Sharing culture and traditions helps families bond, creating lifelong friendships.

High School Experience

Study at a high school in a new country, during an academic year, semester or trimester. Make new friends, learn a new language, live with a global family, and become an active global citizen! Whilst no experience in the Chinese language is required, you will still be placed in a local high school. Separate Chinese language classes will be arranged for you, as well as having the chance to be immersed in a regular Chinese student’s classes like art, music and PE.

Learn a New Language

China has 55 different ethnic groups, each with its own language or dialect. However, Mandarin Chinese is spoken by more than 70% people in China (and in most schools), however, you may also be placed with a family who speaks Cantonese. AFS volunteers and your school will provide Chinese language classes during the first three months of your stay. You should have a basic knowledge of English before the exchange, and some experience with Chinese will help.

Participant Eligibility

Participants’ birthdays must be between 22 Feb 2008 and 22 Feb 2010.

Upon arrival, participants will be from 15 years and 6 months old to 17 years and 6 months old.

Participants must have at least a B1 level of English. No prior knowledge of Chinese is necessary.

A strong academic background is preferred.

Please see the attached AFS China Handbook, which will answer most of your questions about living in China.

Any other questions? Contact us at wales@afs.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

What will I study in school?

You will likely attend the Senior 1 level in a high school with a special class schedule for you as an exchange student. This means that you’ll focus on learning the Chinese language, culture, history, art, and music with other AFSers in the first half of your day. The rest of your day will be dedicated to taking classes with other Chinese students. School in China runs from Monday to Friday (7.30 am to 4.30 pm), and students usually wear uniforms. School commitments and study take precedence over recreational activities.

It will not be possible to follow British curriculums whilst in China, so you will not be able to take any exams that you would have taken back home. Upon completion of the programme, you will receive a certificate from AFS China.

Where in China will I stay?

What's it like living with a Chinese family?

Spending time with family is expected. Chinese people respect hierarchy and appreciate proper social relations, full of harmony and with minimal conflict. Parents are very involved in their children’s lives and education.

Normally, the high school is in charge of the host family vetting, conducting interviews with prospective families. You will go to the same school as your host siblings.

Can I travel independently?

You need to request permission from AFS China to take any trips whilst you’re on the programme, whether they’re with or without your family. AFS China’s Participants’ Travel Policy is designed to maintain the integrity of AFS programmes, help participants better understand Chinese culture and history, and fully adapt to their lives in China. Please ask to see the full policy if you’d like to learn more.

Dates and fees

Arrival: 22 Aug 2025

Departure: 22 Dec 2025

Programme fees: £11,950 inc. flights

Deadline for application: 1st March 2025. Contact wales@afs.org to discuss application requirements.

Check here exactly what’s covered by the programme and travel fees.

What's included?

Return flights.
AFS Medical and Travel Insurance (Please ensure to view the 2025 Medical Pamphlet for a detailed explanation of your coverage).
You will not only be supported by our staff at AFS Wales, but by the broader network of AFS International. AFS has 75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programmes through a worldwide network of 32,000 dedicated volunteers. You will gave access to worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance, an in-country support team and network, as well as support from AFS Wales whilst you’re in China.
Transfers within China.
All flight taxes and oil surcharges.
Luggage allowance will be made clear to you following international flight bookings. If you will need to take a domestic flight in China, one checked bag of 20kg max will be booked for you. If you need additional luggage, you will be responsible for the extra fee. It will cost about 40-70 RMB per every kg over the limit. NB. On some domestic routes it is not possible to pre-book luggage so students may have to pay this fee at the airport. This will be made clear to you at the time of booking.
Airport meeting on arrival by your host family or the host organisation.
Transport to and from your host family home.
Accommodation in a host family home.
Typically, breakfast and dinner will be provided by the host family.
Enrolment in a local school.
Most school books and teaching materials.
One set of a school uniform.
Normally your host family will take you and collect you from school. If this is not possible, the high school will provide some allowance for the student to take the bus. Bus fares are very cheap in China; around 2-5RMB each time.
Information on how to apply for your visa (if required).
Arrival, mid-term and end of programme orientations in China.
Assistance from staff in AFS China and from AFS Wales.
24 hour emergency phone in AFS China.

What's not included?

One checked bag will be booked for you. If you need additional luggage, you will be responsible for the extra fee.
Lunch at school canteen (if you choose not to bring lunch). But for quite a lot of high schools in China, students need to take evening self-study classes, during which students will have dinner at school too.
Fees for extra curricular activities and trips.
Spending money
If you want to take the HSK examination, you may need to buy the relevant books and materials. This is typically around 200-400RMB.
School uniform where required.
Transport to and from school. Most students travel by public transport and are rarely driven to and from school. Amounts vary.
Visa application fee and any required trip to a Consulate.
- You must apply for a visa online (at least 3 months before arrival in China) and then go in person to a visa for China application centre. Officials will take a scan of your fingerprints as part of your application. There are visa application centres in London, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh. Walk in services may be available with no appointments needed.
Costs for signatures, translations, notaries that may be required for the application.
Medical expenses and any required vaccinations.
Any required vaccinations. Currently there’s no regulations regarding Covid-19 vaccinations when entering China. But AFS China strongly recommends that students get vaccinated.
Possible overweight baggage fees and any fees for a missed flight. *Students should bring only one suitcase of less than 20 kg
Field trips. These are additional trips offered by the host organisation and are completely optional.
Guarantee to satisfy regional requests. We recommend applying early if you wish to be placed in a certain area.

What’s not included in AFS Travel and Medical Insurance:

Participant Third Party Liability Coverage: When a participant causes damage to someone else’s property or to another person, by some action or inaction, either accidentally or through alleged negligence, the participant is responsible for any damages.
Loss of Baggage/Theft of personal property of participants: Personal property is the responsibility of the participant even if lost or stolen during the AFS programme. AFS does not provide any insurance coverage for participants’ property and personal belongings.
AFS Participant Medical Plan Exclusions: The AFS Medical Plan has a variety of items that are not insured and which are the responsibility of the participant and their natural families. Please refer to the AFS Medical Plan for the list of exclusions.
Additional Benefits Exclusions: The Additional Benefits of the AFS Medical Plan has some different exclusions which are more restrictive than the AFS Medical Plan. Please refer to the actual policy contract wording for a detailed listing and explanation of policy terms and conditions.

Please ensure to view the 2025 Medical Pamphlet for a detailed explanation of your coverage.