What are the Requirements?
You must either:
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Be a native English speaker or
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Have sound English vocabulary
No prior Mandarin experience is necessary. All levels are welcome. People of all ages are accepted.
What is the Application Procedure?
There are a few stages to the application process:
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Fill in the online application form
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One of our representatives will contact you within 48 hours
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We will find a suitable host company according to your request
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You will be notified on whether your application has been successful
What is Not Included?
The following are not included in the Program fees:
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Return air ticket
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Visa fees
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Accommodation & meals (except teacher and hospitality internships)
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Travel Insurance – we recommend you purchase travel insurance from your home country prior to departure. If you are unsure what you need please ask us
What are the Ages of Others on the Program?
The majority of participants are between 21 and 30 years old. However, we do have people from 18 through to 45 joining the program.
What Nationalities are Other Participants?
Our students come from all over the world including USA, Europe, Asia, Australia and NZ.
What Visa Type is Needed?
We will issue you an invitation letter to apply for a visa in your home country. Visa fees will be incurred at your own expense. The program is a cultural exchange program, so you will enter China with an 'F' visa which is the cultural exchange visa.
What are the Program Dates?
Click here to view program dates and closing dates to apply for them.
What Happens When I Arrive in China?
Our staff will be waiting at the airport arrivals hall with a clearly recognisable sign and will take you to your accommodation. In the first couple of days we will give you a tour of some local tourist spots and markets as well as hold a welcome dinner for you. You will also be given an orientation to China on business etiquette, customs and how to get around. Your intensive Mandarin classes will commence after a few days.
Are Accommodation and Meals Provided?
They are not provided (except with hospitality and teaching internships). Your host company may take you out for the occasion meal or work function. We can help find you accommodation according to your budget. For tips on meals click here.
Do I Need Special Insurance?
You definitely need special insurance to cover personal liability, emergency, medical and repatriation expenses, loss and theft of luggage and valuables. We also advise you to be covered for the cancellation of your trip and inability to continue your course.
What Activities and Excursions are there?
We will occasionally arrange excursions during the year and other activities as a means to catch up with you and in the process, see more of China. You can also view our articles section for ideas on things to do whilst you are here.
Am I Required to do the Mandarin Course?
Unless you already speak Mandarin you will be required to do a minimum of 4 weeks intensive Mandarin prior to your internship. This will enable you to get by in daily situations as well as interact with your future colleagues.
When do Classes Start?
Classes start on the first Monday of each month.
I Speak Some Mandarin Already. Can I learn More?
If you already speak some Mandarin we can arrange a course to suit your level.
Where Will the Mandarin Classes be Held?
Your classes will either be conducted at Live The Language or iMandarin depending on the location of your internship. The teachers are experienced, extremely patient and use interactive learning and teaching methods.
What Industries are Available?
Internships are available in Beijing and Shanghai within many industries. Please specify your preferences in the application form and we will do our best to accommodate you.
What Type of Role and Work Environment will I be Working in?
The role, responsibilities and work environment will depend entirely on three factors:
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Your academic and professional level of experience: The internship is tailored to reflect and build on your existing level of experience, making the experience interesting and meaningful
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The length of your internship: Longer internships ensure a more involved role, greater responsibility and autonomy for the intern
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The type of industry you select: The work environment will differ greatly from industry to industry. We work with companies of all sizes, both Chinese and international
Is There a Stipend? What about Meals and Accommodation?
You will receive a stipend for work days at your internship. It will vary between 50-100RMB per day which is sufficient to cover transport and some meals. Meals and accommodation are not provided except for hospitality internships.
Can I Gain Permanent Employment after My Internship?
Your company may wish to hire you full time or our strategic partnership with the biggest HR recruiter in China will ensure you have job opportunities. We are the only internship program in China that can offer this.
What is Hospitality Work Experience?
This is an exciting opportunity for applicants wanting to gain international experience and as a stepping stone into the glamorous world of hospitality. Many of the hotels are looking for permanent employees as well.
Why Participate?
Participation in a Hospitality internship is a great opportunity to:
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Gain practical skills in the Chinese hospitality and customer service industry
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Have first-hand experience with some of the best in the Chinese hospitality industry
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Experience China, its traditions and culture through its people and food
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Strong possibility of permanent employment after your internship finishes
Are Accommodation and Meals Provided?
Your accommodation and meals shall be provided by your host company. You will also receive a 2000RMB monthly allowance.
What Kinds of Accommodation do You Offer?
We can arrange a number of accommodation options to suit your needs and budget. These include: shared housing, hostels, hotel, home stay or your own apartment.
What are Housing Standards Like in China?
Housing is very simple in China. Most people in cities live in small high-rise apartments. The apartments vary in condition but expectations shouldn't be too high as China is still learning to adapt to western style living. Air conditioning, water and other facilities can also vary between living locations.
What is the Cost for the Types of Housing?
The prices will vary depending on the area you choose to live in. Please ask our staff and we will gladly provide you with an approximate price for the varying types of accomodation or go here for a rough guide.
Where is Housing Located?
Generally, shared housing is situated closer to the city. We will organize accommodation after the confirmation of your internship to ensure that the accommodation is within a commutable distance of the host company.
Where are the Host Families Located?
The majority of our host families are located in Beijing, with limited placements available in Shanghai and other cities. The host families will more than likely live in residential areas, however some may be located in or close to the city centre. You will have access to local transport and there will be amenities in the surrounding area.
How will I Communicate with My Host Family?
The host families' spoken English will vary, though they are required to have a basic understanding of the language. You will soon pick up everyday phrases in Chinese which can be used as a great communication tool and your family will encourage you to learn more and more Chinese throughout your stay. Our support staffs are also a point of contact, if needed.
Why do People Choose to be Host Families?
The network of host families which we work with will open their home up to foreigners for different reasons. They will either want to improve their language skills, desire foreign exposure or want to teach their own language and culture to others. Most host families will have children and will want them to be exposed to a western way of life, whilst teaching their own heritage. Often young professional couples may wish to improve their English communication skills and enjoy having a foreign friend.
Will I Live with a Family or an Individual?
Normally your host family will be a family with a child or a young professional couple. You can request which you prefer in the application process, though sometimes it is subject to availability.
Will I get to Choose My Own Family?
When applying, you can give preference if you would like to stay with a family or in a home with no children. Home stays are also chosen on location; if you are partaking in an internship, we aim to find a host family in close proximity to make travelling to and from your placement convenient.
Are the Homes Safe?
All of our host families will have a security check and interview before they can qualify to be a potential home stay. We ensure that all hosts are equipped to facilitate the participants in their home.
Are Meals Included in the Home Stay?
The home stays will usually provide two meals a day, which includes breakfast and evening meals. You will be responsible to provide your own lunch, though the home will have facilities for you to cook this yourself. Some families will provide you lunch, though bear in mind, they aren’t required to do so.
Will I have My Own Bedroom?
All participants will be given the privacy of their own bedroom, including bed, closet and basic furniture. The standard and amount of furniture will vary dependant on the home stay, but will be clean and well kept.
What Facilities Will be Available in the Home Stay?
Chinese households are a lot different from western ones and it is advisable to be prepared for this, for example, most homes are located in apartment blocks and are a lot smaller than what foreigners are used to. Chinese homes generally have western facilities such as a T.V, computer, internet, washing machine, DVD player and a western toilet, but don’t be disappointed if all of those aren’t in the house - this is perfectly normal for a Chinese house and remember you are there for the experience!
Will I have to Teach English?
You don't but the home stay rate is higher if you don't wish to teach. If you opt to teach, the home stay rate is cheaper and you will teach your host family 5 hours of conversational English a week. A big part of a host family accepting you into their home is because they are interested in foreign culture and want to learn more about it. Foreigners and local alike will benefit from cultural exchange.
Do Host Families Cater for Vegetarians?
In China, being a vegetarian is not as common as in western countries, though people are accepting of the fact and will try to cater for you. It is advisable that you state prior to coming to China that you are a vegetarian so your host family can prepare for this.
What Happens if I have Special Dietary Needs?
Any dietary needs will need to be stated prior to coming to China so that we can make the necessary arrangements for you. If you require special foods or supplements we will need to ensure this can be provided. If you have food allergies it is essential that you inform us so we can ensure the host family can cater for this, for example, dishes in China are sometimes cooked using peanut oil, so the host family will need to be informed. Our staff members can translate phrases into Chinese and write information down if you have particular allergies so that eating out in restaurants is safe and stress-free.
What Happens if I Have Pet Allergies?
Some of our home stay families may have animals, if you suffer from allergies it is advised you inform us prior to coming to China so we can make necessary arrangements.
