Description

American journalist Charles Kuralt once said: “If you really want to learn about a country, work there.” Where There Be Dragons’ China Internship program gives students a rare opportunity to gain valuable work experience in China while attending intensive Mandarin classes, living with Chinese host families and participating in a variety of cultural activities and excursions. Our China Internship program is based in the vibrant city of Kunming, the political, economic, cultural and communications capital of China’s Yunnan Province. Students choose between a variety of volunteer and internship opportunities, such as interning with a local journalist, photographer or at a radio or television station, teaching English, working alongside development professionals on projects, assisting with the production of a local magazine, working in a Chinese law firm or learning the ins and outs of doing business in China while interning at a local business. In addition to internships this program also offers 1-2 hours of Mandarin instruction per day, plus opportunities for additional one-on-one tutoring sessions. Four weeks of home-stays with Chinese families give students additional opportunities to immerse themselves in the language and culture of China while forming close relationships with our Chinese hosts. Additionally, classes and activities at the Dragons Program House in martial arts, Traditional Chinese Medicine, cooking, ink painting, calligraphy, history, politics and economics help give students a balanced introduction to the ancient and modern traditions of China. Students who perform exceptionally well at their internships can sometimes extend their placements, while a small number of outstanding older students may be offered continued work as paid interns.

Highlights

Following is a sample itinerary for Dragons' China: Internship Summer Abroad Program. Our sample itineraries are based on past courses; in order to meet instructor team goals, as well as the goals and interests of particular student groups, future itineraries are subject to change.

Week One:
Orientation in Los Angeles. Fly to Beijing. Begin Mandarin classes. Trek and camp along a remote section of the Great Wall. Visit the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, historic hutong neighborhoods and Olympic sites. Meet with development workers and business professionals and learn about the implications that China’s economic growth has for China, the US, and the world. Sample local delicacies such as Beijing duck and Mongolian hotpot. Visit cutting-edge art galleries and attend cultural events such as acrobatics performances and Beijing Opera.

Weeks Two-Three:
Fly to Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan Province. Settle into home-stays with Chinese families. Begin internships with local businesses, NGOs, or schools. Spend approximately 3-5 hours per day—5 days per week—working with local mentors as you gain real-life work experience in China. Continue with Mandarin study. Option for intensive, one-on-one language sessions with course instructors and local mentors. Lessons with course instructors and guest lecturers in traditional arts, Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi), kung fu, Traditional Chinese Medicine, philosophical influences on Chinese culture, politics and national identity, and conceptions of mindfulness, energy and health. Introduction to regional minority cultures and on-going discussion of China’s development and emergence as a global power. Weekend outings and excursions with home-stay families.

Week Four:
Rural home-stays, travel and trekking. Overnight bus to Qiaotou. Spend two days hiking along the Yangtze River through the breathtaking Tiger Leaping Gorge. Arrive in Longwangbian, a tiny Hui minority village at the base of the 18,000-foot Haba Snow Mountain. Live with local farming families in their homes. Lessons and discussions on ethnic minority cultures and issues, development issues and rural Chinese life. Opportunities to collaborate with local villagers on a service project and help with the seasonal harvest.

Weeks Five-Six:
Return to Kunming. Continue with home-stays, internships, Mandarin study and lessons with course instructors and guest lecturers. Final banquet and end-of-program celebration.

Intern Types

Type of Programs

• High School Study Abroad
• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Language Immersion
• Cultural Exploration

Languages

• Chinese

Cost in US$:

6,700

Cost Includes:

• Travel while in host country
• Housing
• Food
• Excursions
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Written materials pre-departure
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

Tuition includes everything except international flight medical insurance and small personal expenses (personal calls home personal snacks aside from meals laundry services, email/internet cafes, etc.)

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

17-22

This Program is open to

American, European, Canadian, Australian, South African, Kiwi, Worldwide and Asian Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Written Application
• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Where There Be Dragons's Mission Statement

Dragons programs are authentic, rugged and profound learning adventures that expose the beautiful and complex realities of the countries in which we travel. Featuring extended itineraries, Dragons programs encourage deep immersion into strikingly different physical and cultural landscapes, combining the best in experiential education, travel, service learning, and physically and intellectually challenging experiences. While programs vary in their focus - with some trekking and wilderness intensive, others strong on service and development studies, and still others language-oriented - all Dragons journeys are designed above all else to be fun, safe and honest educational experiences.

Year Founded

1993