<p>Hi everyone!</p>
<p>Recently, I was rejected from a study abroad program in Hong Kong, and after reflecting, I realized that it wasn't the thing I wanted to do the most anyway. What I really want to do is a language-intensive classes/internship in China. </p>
<p>The problem is most university-endorsed programs require 2-4 semesters of college-level Chinese (which I don't have) and, since most Asian universities start later than the ones in the states, have end dates that conflict with the beginning of summer session (which I need to attend at my school). Not to mention the application due dates are soon, if not expired, for spring 2013.</p>
<p>So now, I'm looking into private programs, such as Hu</a> Tong School and Go</a> Abroad China, which would mean a leave of absence from my school for one semester.</p>
<p>I can still graduate on time if I do this. My parent's biggest concerns are the legitimacy of such private programs and my lack of medical insurance since I won't be a full-time student.</p>
<p>So, my questions are:
1) Are these private programs a scam for your money?
2) If they are, does anybody know of actual programs where I could learn Chinese and do an internship simultaneously?
3) If they aren't, how do I convince my parents that these programs are real and that going through this experience is worth more than having health insurance for five months?</p>