Projects Abroad in China

  China

• Shanghai: 
Shanghai
• All Other Areas in China: 
Wujiang

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: All Year Round

Description: China is an ideal place to complete a volunteer internship overseas. China is a unique destination: a hybrid of strong Eastern identity with marked Western influences, a fusion of different sounds, smells and dialects and a vast sprawling country with an incredibly rich and varied cultural history dating back thousands of years. It is a truly spectacular place, full of friendly people who are cosmopolitan and lively in the cities, and relaxed and welcoming in the villages.

Our projects are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a college summer break, gap year, career break or volunteer vacation.

Volunteering on a Placement Overseas in China

Projects Abroad offers a taste of this contradictory, flourishing culture. Our Business, Medicine, Journalism and Law projects are based in the super-growth city of Shanghai. Our Teaching project is based in the idyllic country towns of Wu Jiang, about two and a half hours journey inland from Shanghai. In the summer months - from June to September - this too moves to Language Schools in Shanghai.

Teaching - Working in Secondary schools in Wujiang - a group of towns within the Jiangsu province around 3 hours from Shanghai - Projects Abroad volunteers are needed to improve the conversational skills of students. Traditional values are still important in China, so teachers are well respected and your pupils will be excited to learn. Class sizes vary between 30 and 40 students, aged from 12 to 18 years.

Business - In Shanghai we organize work experience programs in a number of sectors. These include areas such as marketing, PR, interior design and property development. Our partner firms include Sunnybund Consulting and PR as well as major international players like Lehman Lee & Xu to local property development companies such as Shui-On. Other areas may be possible - just ask.

Law - Our Law placements in China are based in the center of Shanghai . This ever-changing city has more and more western companies arriving every week, most needing legal assistance. Your placement will undoubtedly reflect this modern, fast moving society. New companies arriving in China need to adapt not only to a new society but a different legal system.

Day-to-day you'll work alongside English speaking local lawyers, one of whom will also act as your supervisor. Your language abilities and understanding of Western culture and law are interesting and useful to Chinese Law firms.

Please note: To apply for one of our Law in China placements you must have some experience if law; most of our volunteers are part way through a law course or have completed their studies and are interested in gaining practical work experience in a law firm abroad.

Medicine - Our volunteers work in major city hospitals in WuJaing and Shanghai. Both towns are large enough to enable volunteers wishing to broaden their medical experience in different areas all in one hospital. While the hospitals are modern, each city hospital has a department devoted to traditional medicine, which runs in conjunction with western medical practices in China. You may find that you want to concentrate your time in one area or simply learn about the interplay of both types and the holistic approach that is taken to medicine.

Please note: All medical volunteers in China must have completed at least one year of medical related studies or training by the time they join this project.

Journalism - Based in the vibrant city of Shanghai, you'll work alongside local journalists on an English-language newspaper or modern full color magazine. Depending on your areas of interest, you will have the opportunity to participate in a range of journalistic activities that include researching, interviewing, feature writing, events reviews, and proof-reading. You will be given the scope and opportunity to write articles on a continuous basis; interviewing leading business leaders, consulate generals, as well as giving your personal insight into Shanghai culture, from news, to restaurants to clubs.

We also offer 2-week summer specials for high school students at our law placement.

Highlights: China is a country of staggering contradictions. A hybrid of western influence and a strong Eastern identity. There are skyscrapers that dwarf traditional noodle-houses, old tramlines run past new metro stations. The Chinese economy is flowing at breakneck speed leaving billionaires and the destitute in its wake. It is a new dawn in China, and exciting time to live and work there.

For those living in Shanghai, you will be housed in private apartments rented by Projects Abroad. You will usually share with other volunteers, with anywhere from one other to 4 others in an apartment. If you are placed in Wujiang, you will be living with a host family, which will allow you to fully experience a culture that is different from your own.

In Shanghai you will gain first hand experience of how quickly business is growing and adapting to western influence. In this city you will be able to sample local dishes and Shanghainese entertainment or dance at the newest nightclub - the choice is yours.

The lakeshore of Hangzhou, the gardens of Suzhou, the beaches of Putuoshan - all of these offer a break from the pace of the city. Further a field you can visit Beijing or go off the beaten track along the silk route or even spend some time in a Buddhist monastery. The possibilities are as wide ranging as the country itself!

In addition, become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: Volunteers must be 16 years old and submit 1 letter of recommendation

All medical volunteers in China must have completed at least one year of medical related studies or training by the time they join this project.

To apply for one of our Law in China placements you must have some experience of law; most of our volunteers are part way through a law course or have completed their studies and are interested in gaining practical work experience in a law firm abroad.

Cost in US$: From US$3,145 up

Experience Required: yes

Only on our Medical and Law placements is experience required.

Typical Volunteer: Anyone with an open mind and a desire to travel

Age Range: 16-80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to China Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992