Beijing Study Abroad: A Couple's Mandarin Journey

LIVING IN BEIJING, CHINA (as a Foreigner) πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ First Week Studying Chinese!

Destination:ChinaCity:BeijingPopulation:21.5 million
LIVING IN BEIJING, CHINA (as a Foreigner) πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ First Week Studying Chinese!
Matt and Julia2024-11-1623 min

We are a British / Russian couple living in Beijing, China whilst studying Chinese at LTL Mandarin School. This is our daily life as foreigners studying in Beijing! Settling in to our new life in Beijing, and this routine of studying Chinese in a language school every day has been so interesting. Chinese is a difficult language to learn, but we have a fantastic teacher, and we are determined to get there, and share our progress along the way! Living somewhere for a month is something we haven't done for a long time, but we are so glad to be here in the capital of China! Lets gooo!

--- Matt and Julia
November 16, 2024, Autumn in China

Video Chapters

  1. 0:00Arrival in Beijing
  2. 0:35Commute to school
  3. 2:06Mandarin class begins
  4. 4:31Lunch break
  5. 6:01Evening study session
  6. 9:39Dinner plans
  7. 10:07Taxi to dinner
  8. 13:53End of first week
  9. 14:35Forbidden City visit
  10. 18:25Inside Forbidden City
  11. 22:05Reflecting on the week

Matt and Julia's Beijing adventure: Studying Mandarin, exploring Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, and embracing life in China's vibrant capital. An unforgettable experience!

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

  1. Tip 1Navigating rush hour in Beijing can take around 45 minutes, so plan your commute accordingly. Leaving earlier than you think is necessary will save you stress. (0:35)
  2. Tip 2Beijing's weather in October is unpredictable. Pack layers to adjust to temperature changes throughout the day, ranging from warm and sunny to cool and misty. (1:11)
  3. Tip 3If you're planning to study Mandarin in Beijing, check out LTL Mandarin School. They offer discounts for new students and flexible online classes. (3:51)
  4. Tip 4Explore local malls for a quick and convenient lunch option. Many malls offer a variety of food choices and provide a comfortable setting for a break. (5:45)
  5. Tip 5Consider working out at home or finding affordable gyms, as some gym memberships in Beijing can be expensive. Look for alternatives to save money. (9:24)
  6. Tip 6Plan your visit to the Forbidden City in advance. Allow ample time for security checks and exploring the vast complex. It's a truly impressive site. (14:35)
  7. Tip 7Security checks at popular tourist sites like Tiananmen Square can be lengthy. Be prepared for potential delays and allow extra time in your schedule. (16:00)
  8. Tip 8The language school offers social opportunities. Participate in student-organized activities to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures. (22:12)

Matt and Julia, a British-Russian couple, share their captivating first week living and studying in Beijing, China. Their daily routine, from navigating rush hour to immersing themselves in Mandarin classes at LTL Mandarin School, is documented. They share their unique experiences, from the autumnal weather to the challenges and triumphs of learning Chinese. A highlight is their visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, a year after their first visit, showing the progression of their journey. The video offers a glimpse into their daily life, study challenges, and cultural discoveries, making it an engaging watch.

More about the current video:( 11 / 18 )

LIVING IN BEIJING, CHINA (as a Foreigner) πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ First Week Studying Chinese!

This vlog follows Matt and Julia, a British/Russian couple, during their first week of studying Mandarin in Beijing, China. Their daily life unfolds, from the 45-minute commute to LTL Mandarin School, where they describe the challenges and rewards of learning Chinese. The video captures the changing autumnal weather, highlighting the contrast between warm sunny days and cooler, misty ones. Their classes are shown to be engaging and fast-paced, leaving them feeling exhausted yet fulfilled by the rapid progress. The couple shares details about their school, offering a discount code for online classes. Their lunch break involves a trip to a nearby mall. Evenings are spent working on exercises and preparing for outings. A significant portion of the vlog showcases their visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, reflecting on their previous visit a year prior. They highlight the scale and historical significance of the Forbidden City, mentioning the 99,999 rooms. Matt and Julia also mention the social aspect of their language school, highlighting the diverse student body and the opportunity to participate in student-organized activities. The vlog concludes with their anticipation for the weekend and a humorous anecdote about their desire to try durian pizza. Throughout the video, Matt and Julia's enthusiasm for learning and exploring is evident, offering viewers a relatable and engaging perspective on life as foreign students in Beijing. Their experiences are presented with a conversational tone, emphasizing personal insights and emotional moments.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: How was the experience of learning Mandarin?
A: It's amazing, but also exhausting! So much information in just four hours, but I'm learning a lot already. I'm getting used to it, but it's a lot to take in all at once. It's hard to pronounce the words, even though I can write them in pinyin.
Q: What's the social scene like at the language school?
A: It's really social! You can keep to yourself if you want, but there are also lots of activities. There are people of all ages and from all over the world – Germans, Italians, Russians, British, Americans, and more.
Q: What was the most memorable part of the trip?
A: Visiting Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City again was amazing. It was almost a year to the day since we were there last, and it's just as impressive. It's incredible to think about how much we've done since then.

Beijing Study Abroad: A Couple's Mandarin Journey

Matt & Julia's Beijing adventure: Learning Mandarin, embracing daily life, and loving their first week in China's capital!

Beijing Study Abroad: Mandarin Immersion & Forbidden City Exploration

A British-Russian couple, Matt and Julia, share their experience of living and studying Chinese in Beijing for their first week. They detail their daily life as foreigners navigating the challenges and rewards of learning Mandarin in a language school. Despite the difficulty, their enthusiasm and supportive teacher fuel their determination to master the language, promising to document their journey. They express immense joy at immersing themselves in the Chinese capital for an extended period.

Attractions in this video: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City