Paid Internships at Fortune 500 Companies in China

When I first got to China, I was picked up from the airport by a member of the Go Abroad China staff and immediately taken to my host family. I had two host sisters, a host mom, and a playful dog named Tato. I was lucky to have a spacious room all to myself. A little later into my stay of 2 months, I also received another intern who is also arranged here by Go Abroad China in my host family, and it was so great to have another intern to bond with in my house. I met a lot of the Chinese families that were hosting other interns, and all of them were so warm and welcoming. I am so grateful for memories with them of trying traditional dishes, dancing around to typical songs, and celebrating a birthday Chinese style, which involved getting a cake in the face.
I was also very lucky because I immediately fell in love with my placements. I was placed at a great IT company. Everyone in this company is so warm and welcoming. My life is busy but I really enjoy it. However, I never felt abandoned by Go Abroad China, as I had a supervisor who came to visit me each week at my host family and ask me if everything ok for me. In addition to working in the company, I also worked in the Sports Program on some afternoons, in which I served as a recreational volleyball coach and mentor to 10 to 11 year old girls. This was such a rewarding experience, and I came to love my girls as the little sisters I had never had.
On top of all of this, Shanghai is a great area to be located in and I took part in may activities arranged by Go Abroad China, such as barbecue, KV, travelling, ect.. The other part of my experience that I am so incredibly thankful for is the amazing group of interns that I came to know and love. We were brought together by Go Abroad China in Shanghai. They were such an extraordinary group of people who became some of my closest friends and whom I continue to keep in contact with even after we have all returned to our respective home countries.
Overall China was the experience of a lifetime and if I have a second chance to choose it, I won’t hesitate to choose Go Abroad China again.

I first heard about Go Abroad China through my university. I was looking to complete an internship internationally and Go Abroad China was one of the organizations recommended to me by my Internship Coordinator. I chose to go to China because I was looking to complete my internship in a place that would enable me to improve my Chinese skills while at the same time exposing me to a culture-rich environment. It is an understatement to say that I was not let down. China was without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life, and I have Go Abroad China to thank for organizing it and being with me every step of the way (especially through all my long question-packed emails) before I even boarded the plane for China.
The moment I got off the plane, I liked the country immediately. Go Abroad China team picked me up at the airport. They took me into town and showed me where I could buy things I needed, and many times called to see if everything was going Okay. Nice follow up that I had not experienced with other agent coordinators with other internship organizations.
I have several great moments in the program, but the most heartwarming is the way the kids at the daycare all greet me with sister and come for kisses and hugs. They are so cute. I begin to miss them now. The second is a trip to a The Bund, which is a famous scenic spot, I was really attracted by the beauty. Now all of that wonderful time will stay with me in my whole lifetime.

I had a wonderful experience in China with Go Abroad China. The Go Abroad China staff was very helpful and level headed. Prior to traveling, when I unexpectedly lost my passport during the government slow down Go Abroad China staff told me to be patient and not cancel anything until about two days before I was expected to leave, just in case the new passport arrived in good time. I was glad for their advice as I was panicky that I might lose the trip and the internship experience.
It was eye-opening to realize the magnitude of the problems in Shanghai, China which have developed better in recent years. The company I interned with is an on-the-ground, activist organization fueled by passion and commitment of the founder/director. It is a great internet and media company. They need lots of help, I felt I did them a great favor. I am grateful for what they teach me not only in my working ability but also in Chinese speaking. The women I worked with were incredibly generous and grateful and really appreciate all the help that interns are giving. However, it’s good to have some idea of how you would like to help and take the bull by the horn. They need help writing, organizing, updating the website, grant writing, letter writing, etc. I look forward to following up with the work that I started there…editing the video clips into short videos that can be used for fundraising or on the website. The experience was humbling and inspiring.
It was quite difficult to leave Shanghai in the end. Even having been there for a short time, I had made friends who I know will be my lifelong pen pals and totally immersed myself in the new, exciting culture of China. I am already planning my next trip to China with Go Abroad China, but it might be more wishful thinking seeing as I am about to become a student! But my advice to those thinking of volunteering is not to think about it too much, obviously planning for your trip is important but try not to get too caught up in what might or might not happen when you're there – just go for it, you won't regret it.

I trusted Go Abroad China to place me in reliable and honest organizations that are 100% committed to making a difference in my country. Go Abroad China brought me to Beijing in 2012. The trip was my own without any friends or family traveling accompanying me. But with Go Abroad China I honestly never felt alone. The best example of how much I trust this organization is that I went back to Go Abroad China for my next trip to Shanghai in 2013. They fit me with an organization as passionate as I am and knowledgeable as I hoped to be. My placement was incredible and I couldn't have imagined a better fit for me. I was working with at least four other interns at a time but we all worked in different areas.
Besides I was arranged to stay with a local family, which is my favorite moment in China. When I asked my "mum" if I could go to dance lessons during my time in Shanghai and she was like "dance lessons? Of course! Tonight we'll put on some music and I teach you how to dance.". And so we did and it was so much fun! :) ....At work it was simply every morning when I arrived and everybody screamed "good morning" and hugged me. I felt loved.Along with the time spent with Chinese people, my Chinese skills are improved much.
In addition to all of this, I met some other dedicated intern from around the world. In total, we were a group of 10 from 9 countries. The best part of this organization is that you can choose what part of the year you want to go on your trip, so people in the group came and left for various lengths of time. I still keep in touch with my friends overseas today to see how they're doing.

A number of things contributed to making my internship such a fantastic experience. First of all, as I chose the home stay option, I was living with a Chinese family in a typical Beijing apartment. The family was very kind and provided assistance to me where they could. Secondly, the internship position itself and the company I worked for were excellent. For the first time since starting my studies I was able to get real-world, hands-on experience applying my knowledge, and I got to learn a lot of new stuff along the way. Thirdly, the other employees at my work were great people who really enriched my experience.
I initially discovered GAC simply because they were one of the few overseas agencies to offer an internship program in my discipline. After browsing their website for an hour or so it became apparent to me that GAC was an extremely professional organization that has a clear understanding of student needs. Then I proceeded to contact a representative of the company. All of my questions were promptly answered, and the process for applying for the internship program was clearly explained.
Prior to coming to China I did not speak any Chinese at all, and naturally this makes life a little bit difficult, especially when trying to get directions or order food at restaurants. However, the program coordinator's service was extremely good. They were extremely friendly and helpful, and made the transition to Beijing life much easier than it would otherwise have been. I will recommend this program as it provides a very unique and rewarding experience, and is provided by a very professional and helpful organization. Choosing GAC for my internship has been an excellent decision, and I have not regretted it for a moment.

I have been working in a consulting firm established already four years ago, so it’s quite fresh and its project it’s focusing on a sort of human capital base project in north China, primarily brand strategy. My team was very small and I was in a very intimate office so I was working right with the founder of the company so it was a great experience to take and learn from someone who has gone through starting his own company as well as having his previous professional career.
Thanks to this experience not only have I gain knowledge on a professional life in China but also my eyes have really been open to the cultural sides as well and also how these cultural aspects affects work and businesses on daily basis here; so besides that I had a fantastic time, every single day, I explored the city, I have seen many cultural sides, I’ve eaten a lot of good food, I’ve made lots of friends.

I started study Business Management last year and I wanted to find an internship for this summer.
During my internship in China I worked for a company focused on Urban planning, that provides consulting and designig of different projects. Our projects were very broad, we look at for example business parks or sports cities. Our clients required our help with planning what they wanted to build or wanted to do with the land they have.
The first thing I really liked about my internship were my colleagues, they were really nice, they speak English they were very kind to me when I arrived, I also liked my boss, he is very friendly, he actually pays attention to his employees, we had the chance to discuss our work with him.
This internship made me realize how my future career will be, what I like most and what I want to pursue.
I went to a networking event where I met a lot of interesting people, it was very nice to network with people from GAC and also with some other people outside of GAC. It was an open event to foreigners or event to local beijingers.

As for the place, Beijing is a really nice place to go out, to have a drink and to meet different people. It was a lifetime experience.
For the first time to come to China Go Abroad China was a good choice.

I studied Construction and Sustainable Engineering. and I would like to be an Engineer working as a technician or a manager.
My internship in China was at the company PGCD and this was a very good experience. My colleagues are very cool, the boss is very cool, the job itself it’s really interesting. I have been working as a designer, which is not exactly my field, but I use nearly the same software and it was really interesting. Besides I have done some researches for the company. Thanks to this job I could know something about Chinese culture. The best aspects of the internship is actually that I learnt how China works in the construction field.
I think I have learned a lot from this experience.
As for my social life in Beijing, I have been in a lot of places, Houhai, Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Summer Palace, I have been a lot in Sanlitun, which is a great place!
Every time I went out I discovered something new.
The first week was quite difficult, but then I met some people, some neighbors, we went outside and then the social network became broader and broader. I met so many people at the end!