Volunteer in China

China is a huge country with the world's largest population. It is a land rich in culture, traditions, and technological advances dating back more than 40 centuries. An early producer of paper, gunpowder and silk, China has brought its modern economy forward by leaps and bounds. With increased foreign investment, a growing middle class and globalization at its door, both urban and rural populations have a strong desire to interact with foreign volunteers to learn to speak English. In settings throughout the country, volunteers will have opportunities to teach English and learn Chinese, and learn about China from the inside.

Arrival and Orientation - Project Overview - Program Fees

Arrival and Orientation

Volunteers will be met at Pu Dong International Airport, Shanghai and transferred to a flat or hotel in the city centre for the 5 day orientation program. During the orientation, you will take a few hours of basic Mandarin to help you communicate at your project. There will be time for sight seeing sightseeing as well as a short exposure to a culture course, such as making dumplings, Chinese calligraphy or painting. The mandarin classes and culture courses can be extended for an additional cost, depending on the length of your stay. On day 5, you will be transported to your project site.

Project Overview

Volunteers will teach 11 to 15 lessons (35 or 40 minutes per lesson) on weekdays and can extend their time at school by taking part in different activities. Weekends are free and time for shorter trips can normally be arranged. When you work in schools, you will share your teaching experience with local English teachers. We organize a monthly Discussion Forum in which all volunteers share their teaching method and experience with VIP staff.

Though most schools provide teaching materials, any additional materials that you can bring will be welcome. We also encourage volunteers to bring photos of their country, hometown, house, family etc. Students are curious about that kind of information and it is helpful to stimulate conversation.

If you work in schools in Sichuan Province, you will have your own room or share one room with other volunteers. Some of the school accommodations have air volunteers in the classroom conditioning, washing machines, TV, computers and Internet, though these options vary. If you work on one of the islands or in rural areas of Shanghai, you will live in your own room or a shared room in the school accommodation or our flat in the town. The flat has air conditioning, a washing machine and shower. Some of the school's accommodations have TV and computers. If you work on one of the Islands, you can spend your weekend in Shanghai and stay in our volunteer flat in town.

2009 Program Fees and Payment Schedule*

5 weeks: USD 1466

9 weeks: USD 1904

13 weeks: USD 2340

What is included:

Airport pickup
5 Day Orientation ( Includes 6 hours Madarin lessons, 1 hour culture course, sightseeing, hotel. Meals not included)
Introduction to Chinese culture
24 hour support
Accommodations
Transportation between projects (Shanghai only)
Teaching introduction
Regular assessment meetings
Meals during teaching project from Monday through Friday
Donation to poor schools in Sichuan Province

Not included:

International travel
Personal spending money
Visa and extended visa fees (see below)
Extra culture courses -Cost for additional culture course: 10 Euros per hour
Meals during orientation
Meals during the weekends
Medical and accident insurance

A deposit of 20% of the total program fee is required with your application. It is non-refundable upon notification of acceptance and is applied to the total program fee. The balance of the program fee is required 30 days prior to departure.

Cancellation policy:

Cancellation after acceptance and prior to placement confirmation - the deposit is forfeited
Cancellation after confirmation of placement - 50% of the program fee is forfeited
No Show or Early Departure from Program - 100% of the program fee is forfeited

*Note: Published prices remain subject to change in case of major currency fluctuations. Contact your sending office.

Visa

You should obtain a 30 to 90 day class L Toursit Visa in order to enter the country. On arrival in Shanghai, we will help you to either transfer your visa into a 3 month class F Business Visa, or help with extending the L visa. Extended visa fees are currently around 16 Euros.

Volunteer in China

Arrival and Orientation

Project Overview

2009 Program Fees and Payment Schedule*

Visa

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