China Internship Program with CRCC Asia

I, Rick Purvis, was on a two-month internship in Beijing, China organized by CRCC Asia. I worked for Deli Solar, a subsidiary of China Solar and Clean Energy Solutions.

Firstly, the highlights as I do not have many difficulties to share. I prefer to learn from mistakes and to take experiences as they come, no regrets.

The CRCC staff were absolutely amazing. If I ever wanted advice (wedding presents), directions, or help to understand the Chinese characters on the washing machine they were always there for me. What stood out the most about the staff are their personalities and understanding. They knew we were in Beijing to work but also enjoy the city and were happy to accommodate. For me, I felt they were a fellow intern who wanted to enjoy each others company. The extra activities, school visits, and business talks (Gung Ho Pizza – is the best and most useful talk I’ve had, thank you). I lived in a Shaungjing hotel with 100+ fellow interns and roomed with the one and only Italian gentleman known as, Emanuele. The guy is a legend.

The locals I interacted with were very welcoming and especially helpful. It was good to see even with language difficulties we could laugh at the situation. Some comedic situations are universal. The social scene I found to be amazing (especially coming from little ol’ NZ). It is extremely forgiving and relaxed with rules etc. I miss the bars and restaurants scene in the Hutongs. Beijing provided a great mix between classy bars and areas where you just want to have some fun. The fun of the Sanlitun bars/clubs matches well with the vibrant food stalls in the same area. The atmosphere here is unique with so much going on, food, drinking, and with different nationalities mingling.

I thoroughly enjoyed the people I worked with at Deli Solar: Patrick (supervisor), Cisily, Serena, and Sunny. The girls were amazing and they were open to helping me understand China’s culture, people, and history. It was fun to work in a new environment to what I am accustomed to and to view different working mentalities and organizational processes. I wouldn’t say I was challenged with the workload, however, there is only so much a company can do for a 2-month intern.

On a more personal note, I could not have asked for better during my time in Beijing. I am naturally a confident person yet this trip as provided me with a greater zest for life, travel, cultures, and experiences. I always felt safe in Beijing because of my own ability to make intelligent decisions, otherwise I was aware of who could help and of emergency contacts (CRCC Asia). Personally, I choose not to be given prior information, I was in China for an experience and I believe in learning from your mistakes. It is part of my journey. I do not have regrets because I made the most of my opportunities and that is all I can ask for. However, when the doctor warns you of becoming sick from the food because your body is not used to it, listen and do take some prescribed medication with you ha. I do expect to return to China someday, it will not be through CRCC because the friends I met, experiences with them, and the ‘newbie’ situation is where I want to leave it. That was the most important time in my life and I want it kept untouched. For those I believe suitable, yes I would advise them to visit China through CRCC in a heartbeat. It was the best time in my life.

I have little to complain about, the lodgings were great, the staff incredible. I personally didn't feel like I had the most fulfilling internship. I was given little to do, and the work I was given wasn't particularly interesting. I don't know how much I'll be able to talk it up in a future interview. Talking to other interns, I don't think I stand alone in this regard. That's not to say every intern had the same experience. Some people had extremely rewarding internships, where they were given a lot of responsibilities and had the chance to develop some useful professional skills. Despite my own experience, I would absolutely recommend this to friends.

Graduation has been sneaking up on me and I was feeling the pressure from my advisors and peers to land a big kid job. I applied for the marketing internship in Beijing through CRCC Asia thinking that there was slim to no chance that a girl from small town Arkansas would be selected. Before I knew it, I was applying, interviewing, and accepting the internship.
Working in Beijing during the summer has been one of the most challenging and exciting experiences of my life. I gained knowledge, experience, and an advantage against my fellow graduates.
Take the plunge and go to China for your internship. CRCC Asia was a great program to work with. From the crash course in all things China to the social events to make friends with your fellow comrades, I always felt that the CRCC team had my best interest in mind.
My only parting advice is to opt for the longer internship because one month is just not enough to fully immerse yourself into the Beijing lifestyle.

Every night before I went to sleep (in my enormous king-size bed) I would send emails to my friends and loved ones back home in New York. I told them about my day and what I saw and I can honestly say there is no more surreal feeling than what I experienced in telling people I had been to either the Great Wall or the Forbidden City. It was almost as if it weren't real until I wrote it down and told them. I found it very difficult to believe that I was not only in China but actually living there and working for RenRen, the facebook of China. Awake by 7am, I looked forward to work every day. My job provided me with the experience, that has made my transgression into my current internship at Morgan Stanley infinitely easier. I felt prepared and confident on my first day. After a long day of work I hopped on the subway and made my way back home where I was greeted by friends and quickly ushered to leave for dinner. "Family dinner" as we liked to call it managed to make my time in Beijing that much more enjoyable. The night life in Beijing was like nothing I had ever seen and I will leave it at that...but if you like clubs "Banana Baby Face" will be your second home. If you're questioning whether or not this program is for you, contact an alumni and try to set up a time where you can talk with them. That's where you'll get the most valuable information. Good Luck and Zai Jian!

If you are looking for a unique experience then look no further. CRCC Asia will offer you a complete package in regards to real world experience. Looking at the current global market, it is safe to realize that future employers look to hire future leaders with international exposure.

CRCC Asia - Beijing Experience Intern Program offered day to day work experience in current leading job markets and professions. The additional focus of one-on-one mentoring and performance presentations, your internship adviser will provide the necessary coaching in order for your complete success.

The additional focus on the cultural aspects of Beijing and the Chinese people will provide insight to their thoughts and mannerisms. This is provided by the great and interactive CRCC Asia Staff. The programs and workshops provided by them would allow you to succeed in any workplace you choose to intern with.

One of the great highlights of your experience is the amount of contact, networks, and friends you will make. These people will impact your day to day experience and will continue long after your internship has ended.

The backdrop of the city is an additional highlight. Living within this mega metropolis, Beijing's attractions in and outside of the city walls would fill anybody's photo collection.

CRCC Asia - Beijing experience is an experience of a lifetime. No other experience can compare.

The entire experience was a ton of fun and a great learning and growth experience. I learned a ton of chinese culture and the other interns on the program were great to learn from because they came from a variety of backgrounds. Some internships were better than others but everyone was placed with an internship that suited their skills

The work was tough, but worth it! I made a lot of good friends from all over the world and had the time of my life. I wish we could have all stayed longer!

Witnessing the economic recession in the United States I knew that I needed something to set me apart from all of the other soon to be college graduates looking for a job. Learning about China from the news and from my dad's business experiences there I knew that it would be the perfect location. I heard about CRCC Asia through my university's careerlink, I did some research, and decided to apply on the spot. Within days I was called for a phone interview, and my parents were able to get in contact with the US CRCC Asia representative to discuss safety concerns.

The excitement began as soon as I was met in Beijing airport by a CRCC Asia representative and taken to the bus to meet the other interns! We were taken to our accomodations which were far nicer than anything I had expected, and all of the interns were quick to start getting to know eachother and our new home.

Work was amazing. I had an accounting internship with a Taxation Agents organisation and they were quick to welcome me with open arms. I met with several different department heads and even got to have a long and very informative meeting with the Chief Partner, who welcomed me back to China in the future with a job opportunity. They were very interested in giving me the full Chinese experience when it came to business and sightseeing, with my mentor taking me and some of my CRCC Asia intern friends to the Great Wall.

My month long experience in China was definitely too short. The people I met, the memories I made, and the knowledge I gained will never be forgotten. I am still in contact with several other CRCC Asia interns now that we have been home for a little while, and I fully intend on coming back to China hopefully within the near future.
My university, the University of Arkansas, has a recent partnership with CRCC Asia and I am excited to be able to work with them to help expand the campus' awareness about this amazing opportunity. In return for funding the trip I am going to be recording some podcasts for the Walton College of Business website. Being able to share this experience with as many people as possible is something that I've wanted to do since the second I boarded the plane home.

I would recommend CRCC Asia to anyone looking for a complete cultural experience. It will be a decision you will not regret and an experience with memories to last a lifetime.