CRCC Asia
Programs and Reviews
CRCC Asia offers innovative internship options in a variety of internship fields in China. With our extensive network in China, you are bound to find an internship in the field of your choice. We have offices in Beijing and Shanghai, and ensure all of our interns with quality on-going support.
Interns can also enroll in Mandarin classes while completing their program. CRCC Asia provides assistance in arranging housing as well as the visa process. Browse through the reviews below and visit the CRCC Asia website for more information.
Programs Abroad
Reviews
80%Overall
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100%Overall
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In regards to the CRCC Asia internship program I would recommend it. The company is very legitimate and I had a life changing experience while in China. I would recommend any student considering this avenue go for the two month program. This is what I did and some of the other interns that I met who only were there for a month didn't get nearly as much out of it as I did. The first month you are settling in with your company, so the second month is where you really begin to form professional relationships with your colleagues. Another option to throw out there, which I think would really benefit the interns is to participate in the intensive mandarin classes the first month, then go to work the second. By doing this, the interns will be able to settle in quicker because the language barrier will not be as difficult. However, each intern is assigned an English speaking supervisor, so the intern will always be able to communicate with someone in the company.
I really enjoyed my company, but some of the other interns has mixed reviews. Some felt that they weren't utilized as much as they had hoped, but I really think you have to go into it with an open mind, and try and make the best out of each situation. Some companies are better than others, just like here in the states. Also, CRCC does an excellent job if you are not satisfied with your company, helping you find another to finish out your internship.
Overall, I do recommend going with CRCC although it is more costly then going on your own because they do a lot for you. It was nice to be picked up from the airport, and taken to the accommodations. I was assigned roommates that were also starting internships, so I instantly had friends. Also, they place all the interns in the same hotel, so it is very easy to make friends and have people to travel around with. The program also hosts dinners and events with all of the interns to help break the ice while in China. Networking events are also made available each week so that interns can network with other young professionals in China. In addition they are there at anytime of the day if you need a translator, or directions, or help planning trips such as to the Great Wall, etc. Your first day they also host an orientation which briefs you on Chinese culture and they get you set up with the subway and public transportation system as well.
I say anyone with an open mind and ability to adapt to an entirely different culture would really enjoy it. I know I certainly did, and will be going back to China very soon! In addition, since I have been home I have been contacted by several Chinese companies via linked in, interested in employing me, and I received a really great recommendation and it really helped buff up my resume. That I think in itself is a great intangible asset that I obtained from this internship.
100%Overall
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When thinking about my future I felt it's important to have exposure to the real world. In contemporary times, experience in the real world is gaining international exposure and creating great networks. This is something that the CRCC Asia program offers in abundance. A typical day at work involved me contacting CEO's of publicly listed companies to arrange buyout capital. A typical day on the weekend involved partying in Xintiandi in the same clubs as Will.I.Am and with my fellow interns. The social scene in Shanghai is brilliant and there are also plenty of networking opportunities to mix pleasure with business. I would never of had such a good quality experience without CRCC Asia.
100%Overall
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I spent two months out in Shanghai, the first month having one on one lessons in Business Mandarin. During this month I also realised that my internship was not actually in an area I wanted to gain experience in. Through personal contacts via the Shanghai staff at CRCC, I was not only able to change my internship but interviewed and won a position in a top Chinese Private Equity Firm- I was the first foreigner to work there and recieved invaluable experience in a real Chinese business environment.
Having already lived in China previously, I know the difficultis involved with finding flats, meeting people and getting to know a city by yourself. Whilst CRCC may seem a little expensive it is deffinately value for money as everything including getting a sim card is organised for you- extremley cushy.
100%Overall
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It was a really nice experience! I was very lucky to work in a big agency were I've learned a lot a could make new contacts.
Very sad it was a short period of time.
Life in Shanghai was really easy CRCC helped us with everything i can't complain of anything. Sometimes I forgot that i was living in China cause the city is full of expats and is very modern.
Choosing SH to live was the right decision! I saw some interns living in Beijing and it wasn't my style at all very messy and complicated.
Made good friends and had time to think were i wanted to focus my career.
Alumni Interviews
Staff Interview
Go Overseas recently caught up with CRCC Co-Founder and Co-Director Edward Holroyd Pearce. Edward studied Oriental Studies (Chinese) at Trinity College, Cambridge and has a Masters of Science in International Management from the University of London (SOAS). He is fluent in Mandarin, having studied at Beijing University and also in Singapore.
Edward co-founded CRCC Asia in 2006 and has been heavily involved in various M&A projects, company due diligence and strategic analysis. He has been published in print and in media such as Businessweek, The Sunday Times and the BBC.
Go Overseas: What position do you hold at CRCC Asia? What has your career path been like so far?
Edward: I am a co-founder and co-director of CRCC Asia. After graduating in Chinese from Cambridge University, I decided to pursue a Masters in International Management, part time, and gained a couple of years work experience in London too. My first job was in the London office of China Eastern Airlines - a great insight into working for a Chinese State-Owned company (along with enough dinner party stories to last a lifetime). I then worked in Asset Management for a company with about $2.5Bn under management. This really helped my understanding of the finance industry. I was tasked with finding prospective additions to the portfolios of two China-focused funds. In 2006, myself and our co-founder Daniel set up CRCC Asia, knowing that there was a demand for China related Market-entry services among European SMEs. Internships were a sideline that we were very happy to see develop, and has now become a major part of our offerings - we've now arranged over 3000 internships, and it's been great to see young people paying more attention to China in the last few years.
Go Overseas: What are the core principles CRCC Asia strives to achieve?
Edward: We are focused on people, professionalism and building a global perspective. We aim to create perfect matches between our program participants and our partner companies out in China. We want program participants to gain a deeper understanding of China in all its shapes and forms, and to be able to carry that understanding with them throughout their careers. We believe that even those who don't speak Chinese should be able to access professional development opportunities in China.
Go Overseas: What separates CRCC Asia from other internship providers?
Edward: Being one of the largest providers means we have unparalleled access to host companies in China. We also have a great infrastructure with over 20 staff members on the ground in China all year round. This means the accommodation, induction and social program are constantly developing to ensure that program participants get a really great insight into China and enjoy their time there. By providing high quality accommodation (no dorms or homestays), participants can really focus on their professional work experience. Likewise, with programs of up to 100 students in each city, each month, and past participants from over 60 countries, the networking opportunities are incredible. We proactively maintain our alumni groups, and regularly organise events, so that program participants stay in touch and continue to benefit long after their program finishes.
Go Overseas: What does the future hold for CRCC Asia?
Edward: We recognize that the single biggest barrier for most program participants is the cost of the programs. We recently sent our first group of government funded interns out to China, and we will be continuing to push for more funding to make the program accessible to those who do not have the resources to pay the program fees. We already fund ten scholarships per year, which have been welcomed by universities worldwide. We also hope to strengthen collaboration with institutions in North America, Europe and Australasia - we have already made this happen in several cases, ensuring that students can receive academic credit for our programs.
CRCC Asia is also keen to build its own portfolio of forward-thinking companies. We recently made an investment in The Dragon Trip, a leading China Backpacking company offering affordable trips to some of the best attractions in China.
CRCC Asia not only enhanced my business skills but also helped round me as a more adept and cultural individual. Spending my days in the office was a pleasure, I was surrounded by proffesionals that took me with open hands. The work was interesting and the environment as warm and friendly as could be. I couldn't have enjoyed my leasure time more, hanging with other interns from across the globe. We kicked back together at nights and went sight seeing to the most magnificant places during the days. CRCC Asia will with out a doubt be an experience you will never forget.