Upon the completion of their program, students are given the opportunity to share their thoughts about CLI's programs with the CLI community. The following is a collection of some testimonials from the 2011 calendar year!

Gregory Wenham | Spring 2011
Chinese Level (upon entry):  Beginner I
Schedule:  Immersion Program (Feb 22 - Mar 28)

"CLI’s teaching methods and the services they provide are world class. My overall training experience at CLI far exceeded my expectations and I would recommend anyone coming to China to learn more about this wonderful country through CLI."
- Greg Wenham


Andreas Becker | Spring 2011
Chinese Level (upon entry):  Beginner I
Schedule:  Immersion Program (Apr 4 - May 13)

"CLI is not only a language school; it is a huge family where everyone enjoys teaching and sharing time with each other.  Whatever need you have while studying, the entire staff will do whatever they can to help you."
- Andreas Becker


Zach Brown | Spring 2011
University:  Arizona State University, Supply Chain Management
Chinese Level (upon entry):  Beginner II
Program Dates: April 4 - June 24

“CLI's teachers are its most important asset. Each teacher has their own style, so having a mix helps me as the student to discover which methods I best respond to. The program is copmletely tairlored to my needs.”
- Zach Brown


Joshua Lee | Spring 2011
University:  Virginia Tech, International Studies
Chinese Level (upon entry):  Intermediate I
Schedule:  College Study Abroad (Intensive)

"When eating lunch or when hanging out at CLI in between classes, I really felt like CLI was a family, one that keeps getting bigger. Of course the education was important, but more than that, the sense of community and friendship had a larger impact on me. The teachers were always willing to help me with anything outside the classrooms whether it was sending postcards, how to talk to the taxi driver, or going to buy things at a local store. I was also able to meet many people through the teachers and by the time I left CLI, I had become friends with many of their friends. This is the beauty of CLI. Relationship building while learning Chinese."
- Josh Lee


Lea Parizot | Spring 2011
University:  High School Student
Chinese Level (upon entry):  Beginner II
Schedule: Immersion Program (February 14 - June 10)

“CLI is like a big family, supporting you with great effort from the moment you arrive. CLI’s staff not only gives you an education by teaching and generously sharing their knowledge, but also makes you feel like you’re at home by their warm presence.”
- Lea Parizot


Bryan Shadron | Summer 2011
Chinese Level (upon entry):  Beginner I
Sponsor: U.S. Government's Intelligence Community Centers of Academic Excellence
Program Dates: May 20 - June 19

"One of the biggest things that makes CLI unique is the way all of the teachers seem like a family, and bring all of the students in and accept them regardless of language level. The teachers really care that we learn the language well."
- Bryan Shadron


Joseph Walsh | Summer 2011
Chinese Level (upon entry):  Beginner I
Sponsor: U.S. Government's Intelligence Community Centers of Academic Excellence
Program Dates: May 20 - June 19

"The individual attention I received through CLI helped me pinpoint my weaknesses and improve my Chinese proficiency as a result. Guilin is a great city that challenged me to utilize my lessons every day."
- Joe Walsh

Craig Wainner | Summer 2011
Chinese Level (upon entry):  Beginner I
Sponsor: U.S. Government's Intelligence Community Centers of Academic Excellence
Program Dates: May 20 - June 19

"I like that CLI is located in Guilin rather than a larger city because it forces you to use Chinese in daily experiences. I also like the diversity and youth of CLI's teachers. They each brought their own unique perspectives of China."
- Craig Wainner


Allison Riggs | Summer 2011
Chinese Level (upon entry):  Beginner I
Sponsor: U.S. Government's Intelligence Community Centers of Academic Excellence
Program Dates: May 20 - June 19

"The way that CLI operates has got to be the best way to learn Chinese. My time here has been more productive in this month than a whole year of coursework in a normal college class."
- Allie Riggs


William Bradley | Summer 2011
Chinese Level (upon entry):  Beginner I
Sponsor: U.S. Government's Intelligence Community Centers of Academic Excellence
Program Dates: May 20 - June 19

"CLI's directors run the program very well. They really know how we learn best because they can relate; they have experienced the same process of learning."
- Bill Bradley


Mai Lan Rodgers | Summer 2011
Chinese Level (upon entry):  Beginner I
Sponsor: U.S. Government's Intelligence Community Centers of Academic Excellence
Program Dates: May 20 - June 19

"CLI was unique in that it combined an immersion learning environment with unforgettable recreational activities. Being in Guilin promoted an immersion atmosphere that forced me to develop my own Chinese skills."
- Mai Lan Rodgers


Joel Smith | Summer 2011
University:  University of Virginia, Psychology & Philosophy
Chinese Level (upon entry):  Intermediate II
Program Dates: May 25 - June 28

“What makes the CLI experience truly priceless is the diversity of opportunity it affords its students. The combination of classes and simply living in China came together to form a total immersion experience.”
- Joel Smith


Nick S. | Summer 2011
University:  Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Masters of Business Adminstration
Chinese Level (upon entry):  Beginner III
Program Dates: July 4 - August 12

“I learned a tremendous amount of Mandarin while I was at CLI. I'll definitely be back for more!”
- Nick S.