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  • China
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Program Details

Housing
Hostel
Language
Chinese

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Price Details
Tuition and Application Fee is included. Lodging is for free. Applicant will need to secure their own tickets and food.
Feb 08, 2017
Jul 09, 2014
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About Program

Guizhou Forerunner College is the first and only non-profit college in China. It is founded under faith-love-hope foundation under VIA technologies. The school aims to provide quality higher education to underprivileged Chinese rural students in Guizhou, the province with the lowest per capita GDP.

Since the beginning of the school in 2011, we have emphasized on broadening the students’ worldviews. Every year we have around 30 volunteers from all over the world on campus to help these students.

In the summer we offer the special opportunity of a combined internship/study abroad opportunity. You can come here spend several weeks as a full time intern and join our 1-week, 2-week or 4-week summer study programs. You will get to teach and help the local students, assist in the admin work of the college and enjoy splendid ethnic culture of Guizhou, and learn Chinese language and take courses on Chinese culture in English.

This program is no longer offered. View more programs from Guizhou Forerunner College.

Video and Photos

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GFC Volunteer Interns and students
International Student Processing Tea
GFC Campus
International Intern in Costume
International Student with his Ethnic Chinese Craftwork

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Program Highlights

  • Non-profit organization helping the poor students in need, transforming their lives
  • Set in a scenic area in rural China, beautiful environment and CLEAN AIR
  • splendid ethnic minority culture in the region, and COURSES IN ENGLISH about them
  • Chinese Culture in English (Ex. history, philosophy, westernization and modernization, country and city, heritage cites in China, etc.)
  • Volunteers are provided with round-trip tickets, free lodging and monthly stipend. Study Abroad Students tuition is designated to be used as scholarship for the Chinese students in need.

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Program Reviews

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Chris
31
Male
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A good way to both study and contribute

Jul 9, 2014

The program is quite interesting. Our time is separated into two parts. First, we are full-time volunteer interns, teaching the Chinese students English, having fun with them, mingle with them, it's awesome. Then the second part, we study in the summer camp, learning Chinese and some really interesting local things, such as tea arts and production, we went to the tea plantation and picked some tea leaves ourselves, we also tried the local Batik art, it's one of China's intangible cultural heritage. The surrounding area is great for hiking, exploring rural China, the locals are very friendly. Overall, this is something worth experiencing.

What would you improve about this program?
The schedule got changed up several times during our stay there, the staff were trying to figure things out as it goes. This is the first year they are hosting the summer camp. So it's understandable, the staff are very friendly, and they did their best to make our stay as meaningful and comfortable as possible.
15 people found this review helpful.
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Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Chris Wu

Program
Guizhou Forerunner College: Internship/Study Abroad Program
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Chris Wu is from California, he immigrated to the United States when he was 15 from Shanghai, China. He is now 24 years old with bachelor degrees in Physics and Asian Studies from UC Berkeley. He enjoys volunteering, Chinese and Mexican food and badminton.

Why did you decide to enroll with Guizhou Forerunner College in China?

It was March, 2012. I was turned down from a reserch internship position in Germany which they had previously admitted me. Thus, I was in a panic and summer starts in May. I went on our college’s job and internship online database for UC Berkeley, the Calisto.

I searched for internship position and typed saw Guizhou Forerunner College’s post. I’m a Chinese immigrant to the States, thus I found it attractive to go back and see a different place in China.

I was especially interested in the school’s aim in helping out the local underprivileged, especially the minority girls. Therefore, I decided to apply and go there.

Tell me about one person you met.

One of my student, Louis, whom I tutored after class is a very interesting student. He is of Tujia minority and came from a mountain village, he’s in fact the descendent of the village chief.

He told me many interesting stories of their local customs and the sad fact that he and other younger generation does not see the need or benefit of learning their own language and script which differs from Mandarin Chinese.

He also shared a lot of folktales and stories with me. Many of them are fascinating in that you can tell that there is some superstition involved. But at the same time they reflected real life problems such as urbanization and corporations forcing farmers out and the retaliations from the farmer community, etc.

If you could go back and do something differently, what would it be?

If I could go back, I would love to teach more in classes and spend more time with the Chinese students, listen to their stories, the folk tales from their villages, and I should record them down.

What was the best moment of the entire trip?

The best moment of the trip was the day when I left. On the same day several other volunteer interns were leaving too. Students came to see us off in tears, and we were all very moved by their sincerity and love.

How has this experience impacted your future?

Personally, I met my girlfriend here. Professionally, I went back to GFC after I graduated from UC Berkeley to work for them and try to start an international student program there. I will probably be here for two years so I can gain valuable teaching and administration experiences that will help me in the future.

Location

Location:
China
Currency:
Chinese Yuan
Weather:
Jan-Mar
57 F / 37 F
Apr-Jun
82 F / 52 F
Jul-Sep
90 F / 72 F
Oct-Dec
73 F / 50 F
Airports:
Beijing Capital International Airport
( PEK )
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
( PVG )
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport CAN
( CAN )

China is the most populous country in the world and has one of the fastest-growing economies. China's landscape is vast and diverse, ranging from the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts in the arid north to subtropical forests in the wetter south. China has over 34,687 species of animals and vascular plants, making it the third-most biodiverse country in the world, after Brazil and Colombia.

About Guizhou Forerunner College

Guizhou Forerunner College (GFC) is a non-profit college in China, founded to bestow practical, high quality education for under-served students in Guizhou Province. We provide three years of low-to-no-cost higher education for students in vocational fields. Our mission is to educate and support poor, outstanding students in acquiring employment...

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