Your Pre-Departure
To-Do List

Utilize the link below to submit your $300 USD deposit via CLI's secure payment system (secured by Stripe). Be sure to select your chosen program: China Study Abroad (Standard) or China Study Abroad (Intensive). Within one week of securing your space at CLI, your Admissions Manager will follow up with instructions for the remaining tuition balance.

Please use CLI's secure Passport Form to submit a clear scan of your passport's main information page. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date.

Schedule a health examination with your family physician using GXNU's official Health Examination Form. Email the completed form to your Admissions Manager at mira@studycli.org.

Deadline: Submit the completed form by the application deadline communicated by CLI for your term. CLI generally sets its deadline approximately two weeks before GXNU's official application deadline so there is time to review and submit your materials.

Please complete GXNU's Application Form and arrange a passport-style ID photo. If helpful, feel free to consult these photo guidelines for assistance.

Deadline: Submit all required materials by the application deadline communicated by CLI for your term. Because GXNU publishes a new international-student application guide each year, do not rely on a permanently fixed calendar date.

Please note that the GXNU application is simply required documentation that we need to submit to the university on your behalf. Once your $300 USD deposit is submitted via the above step, your spot at CLI and GXNU is secured!

Once your GXNU application and ID photo are ready, click the button below to upload your materials. If you have any questions, please email Mira at mira@studycli.org.

Summer/Winter students: After submitting your required materials, complete CLI's Invitation Letter Form. CLI will prepare the invitation letter and supporting documents needed for your X2 visa application. Submit the form no later than 45 days before your program start date, then follow CLI's summer/winter visa guide (X2).

Fall/Spring and Academic-Year students: Do not complete CLI's Invitation Letter Form. About one month before your program begins, you will receive your GXNU admission notice from Susan, CLI's Administrative Coordinator, and instructions from CSCSE for downloading your DQ form (semester programs) or JW202 form (academic-year programs). Apply promptly after receiving these GXNU-issued materials.

Fall/Spring Semester: Consult CLI's fall/spring visa guide (X2).
Academic Year: Consult CLI's academic year visa guide (X1).

Academic-Year students after arrival: Your X1 visa must be converted to a residence permit within 30 days of entering China. Begin the process immediately after arrival, including police registration, the required health check, payment of applicable GXNU tuition, and submission of your visa materials.

Students are responsible for all visa, residence-permit, visa-extension, and visa-change fees. Required Chinese accident insurance and book costs are also student-paid. For summer/winter students, $45 USD shipping from Guilin may apply if physical CLI invitation materials are required.

Please complete this form as soon as possible. It's important that we have information regarding any medical allergies or considerations, as well as any dietary restrictions you may have.

CLI provides complimentary airport, train station, or bus station pickup and drop-off for all students. Complete this form so we know exactly where and when to meet you.

Plan to arrive in Guilin approximately 2–3 days before your first day of classes. CLI will confirm your exact schedule; orientation and the language placement test normally take place 1–2 days before the term begins. From early September through April, if a guest room is available, you may arrive before Saturday for an additional 150 RMB per night.

Deadline: At least 2 weeks prior to your program start date.

Within one week of submitting your $300 deposit, you'll receive an email from your Admissions Manager with instructions for your remaining tuition balance.

Deadline: Full tuition is due 3 weeks prior to program start.

Please complete this introduction form so your CLI homestay family can learn about their guest before you arrive. This form requires you to upload a doctor's note demonstrating you are in good health and fit to live with a Chinese family.

You may use CLI's health certificate template or one recommended by your doctor. Please allow adequate time to schedule your appointment.

We also recommend reading our practical guide to living with a Chinese host family to familiarize yourself with daily routines, cultural expectations, dining etiquette, and useful phrases that will help you settle in.

Complete CLI's pre-departure questionnaire about your Chinese language journey and future goals. Your three rotating teachers will use this to tailor your curriculum. Answer in Chinese to the best of your ability — but if you're just beginning, English is perfectly fine!

CLI has put together a comprehensive pre-departure packet covering everything from what to pack to daily life in Guilin. Please review all information carefully and reach out to mira@studycli.org with any questions.

CLI is a close-knit international community built on respect, trust, and clear professional boundaries. Please read the Student Community Standards before you arrive so you know what CLI expects of all students — and what support is available to you.

The standards cover respect and inclusion, professional boundaries with teachers and staff, privacy, class participation, housing, local laws, and how to raise concerns.

CLI offers one English-taught course on Chinese history, economics, culture, literature, or a related topic during summer, fall, and spring terms. No English-taught content course is offered during the winter term.

Summer students should complete the Study Abroad in China Course Interest Form as directed. For fall and spring students, the English-taught course is optional; complete the form if you plan to take it or if CLI asks your cohort to rank course interests.

Deadline: Follow the cohort-specific deadline provided by your Admissions Manager for your term.

A great selection of free Mandarin learning resources is available online. Take time to review and familiarize yourself with each — the more Chinese you practice before arriving, the smoother your transition will be.

If you want a local Chinese number, CLI can help you get a physical SIM during your first few days in Guilin. Just email Mira (mira@studycli.org) in advance or let the CLI team member who leads your orientation know during orientation (held on the first Monday of your program). Available providers are China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom.

If you prefer an eSIM, make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible. Travel eSIMs are usually data-only, so if you go this route, you will not have a Chinese number. Reliable options used by students include Holafly, Airalo, and Saily. Choose a plan specifically for Mainland China and be sure to install it before departure.