Hong Kong?

Anonymous wrote:Phone taps for tourists as well as students?

Everyone.

Phone taps for tourists as well as students?

I lived in China for many years and I'll say that right now, post-COVID, is probably the worst time to be in China since after the opening post-Tiananmen Square. The number of other Americans studying China is at an all time low of about 200 and the government crackdown is real. While it might not directly affect your child, i.e. they aren't going to get locked up, there is definitely a 'cold shoulder' to foreigners right now. English is being phased out, centralized education is being emphasized, expat teachers are being sent home. On top of that, there are tremendous practical problems such as difficulty in getting local SIM cards (which are needed for using some Chinese apps, such as the payment apps that everyone uses) along with a lack of access to Western communication systems and social media.

Hong Kong is slightly better, but getting worse, but still a little easier for a foreign to get by than the mainland.

OP, my niece did two stints there (one study abroad, one as an au pair) to become fluent in Mandarin.

She loved it, but this was pre-pandemic, and things are less stable there now. PPs are correct that electronics will be tapped (I have colleagues working there now).

Well, OP, if objective is attempting to reach”fluency”u might want to look first at immersion “contract”(zero English) summer progs with multiple levels a la Midd or Indiana
your kid needs to test with them or have HSK or other recognized assessment done

Anonymous wrote:OP - Taiwan program doesn't deliver the same. Child has been to China before and loved it so really wants to return and become fluent in Chinese. Would definitely buy electronics to trash before returning. This is a low-key and responsible kid who doesn't drink much or do other things. There are other options but this would be a unique opportunity. But yes - the fear of government crackdown is real.

With the caveat that I don't know of any, for a kid who is fascinated by the country and wants to become fluent in the language, I'd look around for a summer program. A summer would be more flexible than needing academics in the country.

So for example, my kid had a summer service opportunity in a relatively unstable central american country. Got sick in the middle and had to come home. That was harrowing enough without throwing away a semester of academics.

Anonymous wrote:OP - Taiwan program doesn't deliver the same. Child has been to China before and loved it so really wants to return and become fluent in Chinese. Would definitely buy electronics to trash before returning. This is a low-key and responsible kid who doesn't drink much or do other things. There are other options but this would be a unique opportunity. But yes - the fear of government crackdown is real.

For a kid who truly understands that they'll be living in a xenophobic autocracy and is willing to adhere to its norms and rules while there, it should be safe.

OP - Taiwan program doesn't deliver the same. Child has been to China before and loved it so really wants to return and become fluent in Chinese. Would definitely buy electronics to trash before returning. This is a low-key and responsible kid who doesn't drink much or do other things. There are other options but this would be a unique opportunity. But yes - the fear of government crackdown is real.

Same. Govt crackdown there is real, with risk of detention. I wouldn't risk that for anything

If you do it, do not bring any of your normal electronics because the government will install spyware on them (without you knowing).

Bring a burner phone and a cheap laptop that you throw away at the end.

Not joking.

Terrible move. One ill-advised joke or social media post and your kid could be in a world of trouble. The CCP is nothing to F with. Why risk it? Stick to Western first-world countries. I don't know of a kid who's studied abroad in Spain and hasn't loved it.

I haven't heard of any college students denied exit. That would be HIGHLY unlikely. I'm not sure the government would go through with another COVID type lockdown at the moment but who knows. The academics might be a little squiffy right now, as in they'll need to stay well within the lines. Propaganda is a bit intense currently.

Generally, Taiwan might be a better option at the moment.

I would not send my child to China. What about Taiwan?

State Department has it at a Level 3 due to arbitrariness of government denying exits. My bigger fear would be another COVID type lockdown. How would you advise your child?