Hutong School Internships in China

I ended up doing an internship in Beijing totally randomly. I didn't know a thing about China, or the working conditions there, or even how to say Hi in Chinese. Well, Hutong School destroyed all my fears, crashed the doubts you can have when moving in another country, and welcomed me as part of a big family.

I LOVED the apartment provided, the proximity of everything. The teachers are amazing and friendly, and the school staff is always there to help you. I am 100% satisfied with Hutong School. I would recommend Hutong School without hesitation.

Overall, my experience with Hutong School was amazing. The apartment was more than adequate right in central Beijing, the teachers were all super enthusiastic, flexible, and supportive. The staff were willing to go the extra mile to help students with any issues they may have. I know people had very different experiences with their internships, some were very happy whereas others did not feel challenged. My personal experience was a great one, working for an environmental and community awareness NGO. I gained experience I would not have had otherwise and got a good idea of what it is like working in Beijing. I have recommended this program to many people interested in working in China, and will continue to do so. Thank you Hutong School!

I am completely positive about my internship program with Hutong School.

They are available if you need any support. The teachers are really good and they know how to convey their passion for the Chinese language in an amazing atmosphere.
Meeting people from all around the around is always rewarding as it allows you to see things differently, share everyone experiences and discover other cultures. To cut a long story short, it enables you to progress !
It might be a challenge, but it's absolutely worth it, that's for sure! It would be a pleasure to go back to Beijing (or Shanghai now) next summer =).

I finished my internship 2 months ago. The idea of leaving your home and country it's always a bit scary and a big challenge, specially when you decide to move to a country as different as China. Anyway from the first time I put my feet at Beijing International Airport I got the support of the school. Now looking back in time it has been a great decision. I have grown up professionaly but personally too and I've met a lot of friends which I hope I will meet again soon somewhere in the world.

Although the program was a little pricey, Hutong School truly can hold your hand during the entire process of moving over to China. It's a hard place to live and you absolutely need someone to help!

The 6-month internship they found for me was not useful in and of itself. However, because of that internship, I made some connections at the company that landed me a much better job later on.

The Chinese teachers they had at the time I was there (2006) were excellent. And they had plenty of opportunities for socializing which is very nice when you're new.

Enrolling at Hutong School looking for a Chinese learning course is not just about that, but about getting a profound Chinese culture and language experience while living in a multicultural environment. Every day you'll learn a little bit more about China and Chinese people in the language courses and you'll think it's amazing or will disagree, but then when you get to take the bus, or subway, or -even better- ride your bicycle to get to the internship or just sightseeing, you'll find out that everything you learn at class is so useful that you start looking at everything and learning while doing. Then your get to your job (internship) and start building a unique relationship with your Chinese colleagues: you work with them, eat with them, talk with them and then you'll start getting to know them better and learn a lot with them.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend very interesting cultural activities that the school organize such as Chinese painting or calligraphy and get to understand a little bit more about the way your host country deals with aesthetics, while in the meantime you met new friends.
And you'll also have the opportunity to share your joy with others, specially with less privilege children, through volunteering.
So as every day goes by you find out you're having a great experience!

I had six hours a week of Chinese lessons at an intermediate level. My placement in the class was evaluated when I arrived and most of my classes were either one-on-one or with only one other student. The teacher was energetic and helpful. The staff was all very supportive. The volunteering part consisted of an internship at the Jane Goodall Institute China, where I worked 30 hours a week on English publications for the program. The Hutong School provides weekend outings and cultural events weekly. The Hutong School chose my internship for me, and they could have kept looking if I was not interested in JGI.

Going to Beijing and joining Hutong School was the best decision I've made. I don't regret it at all, and enjoyed everyday of my 6 months there.

At first I was definitely hesitant, since I've never traveled outside Canada. It was my first trip abroad and by myself too. Hutong School made me feel right at home. From the second I stepped into Beijing, there was a staff member waiting to take me from the airport, right to the pre-arranged accommodations. They didn't just drop me off, but made sure I was comfortable and took me on a mini tour around the neighborhood of my apartment. The staff have been helpful from day one and were always quick to respond when in need.

The Chinese classes were small, which made it easier to learn. It is amazing how much Chinese you can learn within the first couple months. Teachers were always very encouraging and taught at a pace that was right for you.

I also did an internship program while at Hutong School. The 6 months has really helped me gain a lot of experience and helped me with my career. I had a true advantage and I have this experience and Hutong School to thank.

One of the best things about Hutong School was that all the students were friendly and you never felt lonely. I had the opportunity to make really good friendships, and even though I've left Beijing for 1 year now, I still keep in touch with many of them. I was especially lucky to have met one friend who is from the same country and now we are now great friends.

I have gained a lot from Hutong School, and would highly recommend the program to anyone looking for a chance to explore, understand and live within China's rich culture.