Written by Emily Peng (Yale University), Student Correspondent for CET Beijing, Spring 2026
I knew that after graduating this past December, I would have a period of time that couldn’t be filled with classes that worked towards a degree, but also a period of time where I didn’t particularly want to work either. I wanted a break, but a productive one.
I always knew I wanted to study abroad but I never felt like I had the time to do so during college. Some study abroad programs unfortunately don’t accept post-grad students, but some CET programs do with prior approval! Because of this, applying to CET seemed like a no-brainer.
I’d like to say that after three months of being in Beijing, coming to China through CET was a great decision. This program has a great way of balancing rigorous academics with free-time to explore Greater Beijing and neighboring cities, and sometimes even provinces on the weekends. I already know my Chinese proficiency has improved leaps and bounds, but I’m also happy to report that I’ve truly been able to enjoy time outside the classroom enjoying and experiencing China’s cities and culture.
Better yet, many of my experiences outside of the classroom exploring China have been facilitated through CET Beijing. I know many post-grads like to travel during the time between graduation and starting work or graduate school, and CET Beijing conveniently combines this desire to travel with a great program to cultivate Chinese language proficiency. Here are some of the ways I’ve been enjoying post-grad life with CET!
Traveling Seminar to Chengdu (成都)!
Last week, we went to Chengdu (成都), a beautiful city in Sichuan Province (四川). Chengdu has recently become quite popular online, especially on TikTok and Instagram, because of its beautiful scenery and vibrant atmosphere. It’s also known for its pandas (大熊猫, dàxióngmāo) and spicy hotpot (麻辣火锅, málà huǒguō).
The five days we spent in Chengdu were packed full of activities. We spent the week before reviewing different aspects of Chengdu’s culture and scenic spots, so I already knew what I was looking forward to: pandas and visiting the Yulin District (玉林社区, yùlín shèqū).
The pandas truly were adorable. Many of them were partaking in their favorite pastime, sleeping, and their second favorite pastime, eating bamboo.
The Yulin District was beautiful. A distinguishing feature of this part of Chengdu is that there is a distinct juxtaposition of old and new. There are many modern coffee shops and shops that young adults are drawn to, but there are also countless restaurants and benches where the elderly like to play cards and gossip.
Climbing the Great Wall (长城, chángchéng)
We climbed the Great Wall! CET Beijing arranged for a bus to get us there and back, which was incredibly convenient. Once we got to the base of the Great Wall, I’ll be honest, it was a trek. There were a crazy amount of stairs. However, it was worth it for the view once we reached the actual Great Wall.
Bonus: Traveling During Breaks and Holidays
There are quite a few opportunities to travel during the semester. I’ve been able to visit a few places on my own and with other classmates: Xiamen (厦门, xiàmén), Shanghai (上海, shànghǎi), and Xi’an (西安, xī’ān). It’s a great opportunity to freely travel around Mainland China outside of the classroom, and it was a wonderful way to test my Chinese in an organic environment.
But outside of traveling, I can’t overlook the academic portion of CET. Even though I just graduated, I still find going to class everyday to be something I want to do instead of a requirement. This is because the teachers and classmates at CET are truly wonderful people! The people here are half the reason why this program has been so enjoyable. Of course, there’s a reason why this program is called an intensive language program—we put in a considerable amount of work each week through homework and preparing for mini daily quizzes. But to me, it’s worth it. I get to improve my Chinese at a rapid rate but also put it to use when I travel. So, if you’re about to graduate but not quite ready to catapult into real adult life just yet, consider studying abroad with CET. I know that when I go back home in three weeks and start working my post-grad job, I’ll not only have better Chinese skills, but also new friends and memories that will stick with me for a lifetime.
It’s been real. I’m looking forward to savoring the last few weeks of being in Beijing! Getting to write blog posts encouraged me to regularly reflect on my time here in China, and I hope these blogs have allowed you to glean insights into my experience in Beijing. Of course, I hope to see you in Beijing soon, through CET. Until next time!