High School Study Abroad in Chengdu, China

Volunteers are invited to assist in an exciting and meaningful program with giant pandas in China! Their survival is of high importance and time is of the essence when it comes to saving this species. The China Conversation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) is situated in Bifengxia, the branch of Woolong. For over 20 years the organization has worked for the preservation of the Panda population and has now resolved three key problems of breeding which restricted reproduction of the panda for a long time. The current panda birth and survival rates are some of the best in the world. The captive panda population of the program has risen from an initial 6 animals to over 70 pandas. In 2003 the first stage of a state of the art panda base was completed - a veritable panda paradise. It is divided into 6 sections - panda raising and breeding area, scientific study area, food preparing and animal hospital area, staff living area, bamboo base area and tourist accommodation area. Volunteer tasks include cleaning enclosures, preparing food and feeding these beautiful animals!

Travel to China this summer for a full Mandarin immersion experience and a deeper understanding of China’s cultural and ecological diversity. Begin in Beijing, where you explore iconic sites like the Great Wall and learn Mandarin through hands-on workshops and daily interactions. Strengthen your language skills and build meaningful cross-cultural connections during a multi-day homestay with a local family. Then head west to Chengdu and the Tibetan Plateau to engage with conservation experts, park rangers, and farmers working to protect the region’s biodiversity. End your journey in Shanghai, a global hub of innovation, design, and cuisine. Return home with greater fluency, newfound confidence, and a broader perspective on China’s place in the world.