Welcome to CGY!
CGY is a pre-university gap year program for students of all Chinese proficiency levels.
We offer:
An intensive and immersive Mandarin Chinese language and culture program.
Housing options that balance safety and support with independent living.
Social and cultural immersion on campus, in the city, and around Taiwan.
Personalized attention and around-the-clock support and resources.
A CGY teacher and staff-to-student ratio of 1:2.5 or lower.
Weekly, monthly, and quarterly activities and excursions.
A safe and friendly environment for living and learning.
A memorable and meaningful gap year experience!
Eligibility Criteria
All aspects of your application are important. In general, we expect to see the following:
Proven Academic Ability & Interest in Chinese
Open to Embracing New Cultures & Experiences
Desire to Experience Life in Taiwan
Able to Live Abroad for an Extended Time
2024-2025 CGY Program
Choose one or more quarters. We recommend at least 6-9 months in order to make more friends, develop a deeper understanding of Taiwan, and learn a lot of Chinese!
(Note: CGY does not offer financial aid, but students may be eligible to apply for the Ministry of Education Huayu Enrichment Scholarship. The application deadline is March 29, 2024.)
Summer 2024
(June 17 - Aug 16)
Fall 2024
(Sep 23 - Dec 6)
Winter 2025
(Jan 2 - Mar 19)
Spring 2025
(Mar 27 - June 4)
Our Webinar Video
Additional Information
Program Calendar
Updates on Travel & Visa Restrictions
Applications are currently open for 2024-25 program year. We are delighted to confirm that all previous visa/entry restrictions, including the requirement for students to be enrolled in six months of courses for entry as of March 2022, have been lifted. Our in-person program successfully commenced from the fall of 2022, and we continue to welcome participants to join us for the current program year.
Placements & Curriculum
After being accepted, students will take an online placement test that has two parts: a video call speaking test with one of our teachers, and an online listening/reading test.
You will only be placed in classes with students who are at your language level. If there are no students are your level, then CGY will follow the ICLP policy of converting the two group + one 1-1 class period schedule into two 1-1 class periods each day.
Diversity & Inclusion
CGY cares about creating a memorable and meaningful gap year experience for students from all backgrounds. We open our doors to all students, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status.
Bullying, harassment, or hostile and exclusionary behavior toward others has no place within the Taipei community, on the National Taiwan University campus, or in our CGY program. That kind of behavior will lead to disciplinary action, including immediate dismissal from the program.
Program Fee Details & Refund Policy
Program fees are charged in New Taiwan Dollars by credit card. Exact USD amounts may change based on currency fluctuations. Housing portion is paid separately, via PayPal, in cash (NTD), or via bank transfer between Taiwanese banks. An additional NT9,000 (~US$320) will be added to the Housing payment as a deposit that will be refunded upon move out, minus PayPal charges and the cost of any damages or repairs to the room.
The program fee covers courses, textbooks/materials, and some activity costs. The program fee does not cover day-to-day living expenses, meals, or insurance. Housing is paid separately. Please refer to this page for our refund policy.
If CGY is not able to run, all accepted students will be eligible to participate in ICLP (ICLP fee schedule will apply and CGY housing may not be available. Please check ICLP's main website for housing options or look for off-campus accommodation nearby.).
Housing, Safety, & Insurance
CGY students who choose to live in Taipei Paradise will be able to select their preferred room type (single or double). We will do our best to arrange housing based on a student's selection, but cannot guarantee availability. Additionally, CGY and ICLP students may be placed in the same apartment (but will not share a room).
Your safety, health, and wellbeing matter most. If you encounter a problem - for example, with housing, health, or daily life - we will work to either help you resolve it or connect you with the appropriate resources.
All students are required to be covered by a minimum of accident insurance. CGY students can purchase their own insurance or join the group plan that CGY provides, which includes accident and basic outpatient coverage.
Please find more information about the CGY group insurance plan here.
Program Goals & Student Policies
The mission of Chinese Gap Year (CGY) in Taipei is to provide students with opportunities to improve their Mandarin Chinese, be immersed in a foreign culture and society, and grow as young people. Please read our program goals and student policies here.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
From February 1 and March 31, prospective students who meet certain criteria (including being 18 years old at the time of applying) may be able to apply for the Taiwan Ministry of Education Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (MOE HES). More information can be found here. Beyond that, CGY is not able to offer financial aid.
Visa Information
Please be aware of current entry/visa restrictions. Prior to Covid, CGY students would generally enter Taiwan with a Taiwanese passport, visitor visa for the purpose of studying Chinese, or working holiday visa. Visa policies differ by country and individual TEC(R)O office. You may also contact your nearest TEC(R)O office for more information.
FAQs
Can I do an internship? What kind of insurance will I need to have? How will I get a visa? Click here for answers to those questions and more. Remember that you can always contact us directly with additional questions.
Additional Information
Program Calendar
Updates on Travel & Visa Restrictions
Applications are currently open for 2024-25 program year. We are delighted to confirm that all previous visa/entry restrictions, including the requirement for students to be enrolled in six months of courses for entry as of March 2022, have been lifted. Our in-person program successfully commenced from the fall of 2022, and we continue to welcome participants to join us for the current program year.
Placements & Curriculum
After being accepted, students will take an online placement test that has two parts: a video call speaking test with one of our teachers, and an online listening/reading test.
You will only be placed in classes with students who are at your language level. If there are no students are your level, then CGY will follow the ICLP policy of converting the two group + one 1-1 class period schedule into two 1-1 class periods each day.
Diversity & Inclusion
CGY cares about creating a memorable and meaningful gap year experience for students from all backgrounds. We open our doors to all students, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status.
Bullying, harassment, or hostile and exclusionary behavior toward others has no place within the Taipei community, on the National Taiwan University campus, or in our CGY program. That kind of behavior will lead to disciplinary action, including immediate dismissal from the program.
Program Fee Details & Refund Policy
Program fees are charged in New Taiwan Dollars by credit card. Exact USD amounts may change based on currency fluctuations. Housing portion is paid separately, via PayPal, in cash (NTD), or via bank transfer between Taiwanese banks. An additional NT9,000 (~US$320) will be added to the Housing payment as a deposit that will be refunded upon move out, minus PayPal charges and the cost of any damages or repairs to the room.
The program fee covers courses, textbooks/materials, and some activity costs. The program fee does not cover day-to-day living expenses, meals, or insurance. Housing is paid separately. Please refer to this page for our refund policy.
If CGY is not able to run, all accepted students will be eligible to participate in ICLP (ICLP fee schedule will apply and CGY housing may not be available. Please check ICLP's main website for housing options or look for off-campus accommodation nearby.).
Housing, Safety, & Insurance
CGY students who choose to live in Taipei Paradise will be able to select their preferred room type (single or double). We will do our best to arrange housing based on a student's selection, but cannot guarantee availability. Additionally, CGY and ICLP students may be placed in the same apartment (but will not share a room).
Your safety, health, and wellbeing matter most. If you encounter a problem - for example, with housing, health, or daily life - we will work to either help you resolve it or connect you with the appropriate resources.
All students are required to be covered by a minimum of accident insurance. CGY students can purchase their own insurance or join the group plan that CGY provides, which includes accident and basic outpatient coverage.
Please find more information about the CGY group insurance plan here.
Program Goals & Student Policies
The mission of Chinese Gap Year (CGY) in Taipei is to provide students with opportunities to improve their Mandarin Chinese, be immersed in a foreign culture and society, and grow as young people. Please read our program goals and student policies here.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
From February 1 and March 31, prospective students who meet certain criteria (including being 18 years old at the time of applying) may be able to apply for the Taiwan Ministry of Education Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (MOE HES). More information can be found here. Beyond that, CGY is not able to offer financial aid.
Visa Information
Please be aware of current entry/visa restrictions. Prior to Covid, CGY students would generally enter Taiwan with a Taiwanese passport, visitor visa for the purpose of studying Chinese, or working holiday visa. Visa policies differ by country and individual TEC(R)O office. You may also contact your nearest TEC(R)O office for more information.
FAQs
Can I do an internship? What kind of insurance will I need to have? How will I get a visa? Click here for answers to those questions and more. Remember that you can always contact us directly with additional questions.