Could you do an immersion experience in the US?
I'm interested to see if folks have any suggestions on places to go in the US to have a semi-immersion experience. I know it won't be the same as going to China but I think there are definitely some areas of the country with a huge chinese population that make learning it much more engaging.
When I was stationed in California, near SF, there were a bunch of signs in both english and Chinese. And it seemed every where I went there were always folks speaking chinese. Plus I was also working with an all Chinese team which was fun.