CRCC Asia

Program Reviews

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Ellie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An amazing, unforgettable worthwhile experience

I thoroughly enjoyed my two month internship program. I felt I learnt so much about myself, my career choice as well as culturally. I cannot express the fantastic life experience you gain and the friendships you form with a variety of people from all over the world. It has definitely helped me in my job interviews upon my return to London to work in luxury fashion. It gives your CV a competitive edge and is a great starting point to use in interviews. If the opportunity arises to participate in this, I would highly recommend it. If I could do this all over again, I would do so within a heartbeat!

What would you improve about this program?
I feel more language lessons could be provided for those just doing the internship programme.
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Arian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a life time experience (do not miss it)

Through this internship I have developed business connections with the most important parts of the world with some like minded students or future prospects. The culture is factor with huge impact in terms of intarnationalization and international business, things are done differently, efficiently and under hard working conditions.

What would you improve about this program?
Job offers/positions.
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Kerry
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A New Perspective on our Western World

Downtown BeiJing... the daily metro ride with 30 million... the drive to extract every drop of knowledge during those three months. Not only is everyday filled with questioning your upbringing in the West, but also questioning where have YOU been? China is where its at!!! The growth, the passion and the bustle of people is inspiring to push your own boundaries of understanding. Anyways, that's my experience. So wonderful. What an eye-opener.

What would you improve about this program?
Really nothing is wrong with CRCC. It gets a bit hectic mid-Summer when ALL the interns come (little slower in May and August), but the staff handles it well. They're definitely on top of their game, as the staff are about our age and understand the cuture shock.
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William
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Good opportunity to explore China--why do you want to go?

I participated in a 2 month internship + 21 day trip (with The Dragon Trip), and overall enjoyed my experience. The program, like most things, is really about what you make of it. I wanted a summer abroad (I had good internship experience previously, so I wasn't as concerned with placements), and China was on my list. Shanghai is a vast and rapidly-developing city, and you could spend all of your time just picking one metro stop at a time and exploring.

The internship placement was pretty good, but depends on staff and fellow interns (I began with a good cohort, and towards the end of my internship many positions rotated, so it was less enjoyable/interesting). Accommodation, at least for China, is very adequate. The hotel is close to the Metro, and is very spacious. You're in the city center, so it's quite convenient to get to most places (via the clean Metro or cheap taxis--beware of "black taxis" and other scams, however). CRCC Asia puts on a short orientation with incoming interns, and the staff is a mixture of foreign/local young people. Most were very responsive/friendly, and called me a few times during the program. That said, I never encountered any major problems, so I cannot speak to their response in a crisis situation.

During my two months in Shanghai, I picked up a bit of Chinese, but it's very possible to get by with basic to no Chinese language ability. However, I speak Japanese, so I was able to read and remember the Chinese characters on signs and instructions more easily than someone not familiar with Chinese/Japanese. Being that Shanghai looks toward Westernization, however, the food, shopping, and retail workers are likely to cater to foreigners. In this way, Shanghai may be an easier place to adapt to than Beijing. Air pollution was fair to slightly poor--no one wore masks but I did catch a cold/respiratory cough from it. Food is generally safe, unless you go after street food (which is dicey any place).

Safety was comparable to any major city (perhaps better?). Still, there doesn't seem to be an active homeless population, and I (as a white male) never felt threatened, but was treated as a minor celebrity/spectacle (which is harmless but annoying). The people I knew traveled in groups/alone, and never had any problems/harassment.

My 21 day The Dragon Trip was, overall, very interesting, and opened China to me in a previously-locked way. However, it was very physically demanding (hiking, miles of biking, extended train rides/overnight "sleeper" trains), and our particular small group got passed between two larger groups, which meant we had to forge new relationships every couple of days, which killed some of the potential camaraderie. However, the price was competitive for the accommodation/transport/admissions, and the floating mountains in the south, the city of Xi'an (and its terra cotta warriors), and other iconic locations were breathtaking and worth it.

My advice for the program is to temper and pinpoint your expectations. If you're goal is to get advanced experience in a very specific field, that cannot be guaranteed and you may be disappointed. However, if you're using the opportunity to travel and stay for an extended period in China, meet new people, or practice your Mandarin, the program gives you a fairly simple way (and a VISA, which can be difficult to obtain) to accomplish this. The trip is a "best of," and gives a good overview of the country, but it's certainly not exhaustive (and pretty no-frills). Either way, being an experienced traveler in non-Western countries gave me an advantage coping to the usual and un-usual cultural/political/logistical differences of life in China. However, Shanghai is a good access point for Westerners to China.

Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Texas girl goes to China!

As I was on my way to China, I was very nervous to begin this first trip half way across the world. However, once I got to Shanghai I felt a sense of relief in that I had two months to work at a Chinese firm, attend a university and learn about a new culture. It was like starting all over and getting another chance in the world. My most fond experience while in China, as cliche as it sounds is visiting The Great Wall of China. I remember my mom telling me, "let me see the world through your eyes, because I never got to experience what you're experiencing." In that moment of climbing The Great Wall it was the most physical and exhausting thing I had ever done, but I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity that not very many people are fortunate enough to experience. Once I was at the top of the wall it was such an incredible feeling and I had such a huge sense of accomplishment. That day was one that I will never forget, and I am so fortunate to have been there. My overall experience in China was the most amazing thing - the people, the food, the culture, the adventure. I would do it all again in a heartbeat!

What would you improve about this program?
If I had to change one thing it would be to have more social events between CRCC and the students who are studying abroad. I feel like I did not get the opportunity to meet any other students from other states, other than the ones that attend my school and went on study abroad with me. Other than that, everything was great!
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Leonard
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

So much to do in Beijing

There was so much to learn and do in Beijing. We were there for 3 months and we still did not have enough time to do all the things we wanted. The program group was great and it was exciting to learn from everyone. I can honestly say that this was one of the best moments of my life.

What would you improve about this program?
Maybe what could be done is ask the group once within their trip what it is they would like to do together and try do plan that.
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Erik
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Shanghai

My experience overall was excellent. I do wish that my internship was a bit more involving and that I could of done a few different things which unfortunately wasn't the case. The experience of travelling, meeting new people, seeing sights and enjoying the social side of Shanghai really made the trip so enjoyable.

What would you improve about this program?
It would be nice to provide interns with a choice of internships to pick from then they would not end up with a bad experience.
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James
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Absolute must do if you get the chance!

This is an absolute must do you if have, or are able to create the chance.

China really is a thriving business hub and the skills gained from tackling a challenging internship will help you stand out from the crowd and stand you on good shape for lining up your dream job!

What would you improve about this program?
Put in contact with house mates before arrival, e.g. through Facebook etc.

Not everybody can make the pre-trip meeting in London.
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Elizabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing city, supportive program, once in a lifetime summer

My summer with CRCC in Shenzhen was not only extremely enjoyable but also transformative for me personally in my career path. I participated in the Language Study + Internship program for 2 months in Shenzhen during the summer of 2014. From my initial interview to my departure from Shenzhen at the end of the program, CRCC Asia and its staff were by my side every step of the way. I had previous experience studying abroad in China as well as studying Chinese as a second major, but I really had no idea how to convert that experience into meaningful work. CRCC really gave me guidance and an honest perspective on what opportunities there were in China for someone with my specific background and skills, and thus together, we came to the conclusion that the VC/PE space in Shenzhen would be best for me.

Fast forward to my internship and I can honestly say it was challenging but also really fun. I worked in a Chinese company so had a chance to really put my language and cultural skills to the test. My supervisor really took the time to invest his resources and network in me, and I left Shenzhen with a really strong network. Also, the programming CRCC provided, from the business seminars to networking opportunities, grew my understanding of business in China as well as my international network. Finally, the accommodations in Shenzhen were amazing and really allowed me to be comfortable, though I will say there is so much to do in Shenzhen that I was rarely home! The benefit of a program like CRCC is that you are able to be independent with the internship but it still operates almost like a study abroad program in that you have staff support and “intern-mates” that become lifelong friends.

I would highly recommend the program to any one who has interest in China. It is a really strong brand and network that will honestly propel a career path in Asia or internationally. I only have positive memories from my experience and am forever for grateful for the continued assistance CRCC provides to me even as an alumni!

What would you improve about this program?
I think something that some interns encounter (and that CRCC is actively working with companies to improve) is that international interns are still relatively rare in China which means that it can be a bit hard at first to hit the ground running with supervisors. However, I think with being proactive and reaching out to the CRCC staff for support, any initial awkwardness or confusion can be easily averted.
Jena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wild wild east!

Trip of a life time! Shenzhen is a bustling city full of the unexpected that eventually turns into familiar. Into a place you'll never want to leave. Awesome night clubs every night of the week, motorcycle taxi ride to work and the food! So cheap and delicious. I can't get back there quick enough, I'm so grateful for my time there and will remember it forever

What would you improve about this program?
It was a bit hit and miss with where you were placed to work. I could have learned much more. Loved the people I worked with.