8-Week Internships In Guangzhou, China
Get genuine experience working for a global drinks manufacturer
This is way more than work experience – this is life experience. Develop your skills, meet new people and take a giant step closer to your dream career with an internship.
Open to New Zealand Citizens & Permanent Residence Holders studying at The University of Auckland.
Undertake an 9-week internship with Chinese drinks manufacturing giant, Wang Lao Ji 王老吉.
Having delivered our first successful programme in 2019, funding is available to support students who have an interest in China for hybrid internships across an nine week period in 2025.
What's Included?
Internship
Accommodation
Orientation
Support
Skills Courses
Activities
Careers Advice
Alumni Network
Funding
This programme is partly funded by Wang Lao Ji.
The WLJ funding covers:
- Pagoda Programme Fees
- Accommodation in Guangzhou
- Chinese Language classes (10 hours)
- Flight Allowance (via a rebate)
You will need to pay for:
- Living costs in Guangzhou (approx. $250-$500 NZD per week)
- $200 NZD deposit, refunded post-programme
Application Process
This programme is open to all New Zealand Citizens and Permanent Residents.
You must be studying at the University of Auckland, and not having graduated before the end of the programme (1st October 2025).
Pagoda will be accepting applications from NOW to 11th June 2025.
1. SUBMIT YOUR 2-MIN APPLICATION
Record a quick video or complete a phone interview (your choice!) so we can assess your application as part of our selection process. Once submitted, we’ll be in touch within 24 hours.
2. INTERNSHIP SELECTION
If selected, our friendly team will be in contact to discuss your preferences, a recommend you for an interview with Wang Lao Ji. Pagoda team will introduce you t Wang Lao Ji to make the relevant interview arrangements.
3. ONBOARDING
You’ve confirmed your internship – congratulations! Next we’ll be in touch about booking flights. You’ll gain access to the Pagoda Portal to start your onboarding and we’ll organise a live information session with you to answer any questions.
Pagoda Portal
All programmes are managed on the Pagoda Portal - a digital hub for our student community. This is where you can track your progress, register for events, access skills courses, network with other interns and request additional support.
About Pagoda Projects
Pagoda Projects is a leading provider of internships and sustainable global experiences. We work with universities and companies around the world to provide quality internships that enhance students’ international employability.
Programme Details
9-Week Internship with a Leading Herbal Tea Manufacturer in China
Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of tea at Wang Lao Ji (王老吉), a global manufacturer of herbal tea with a near 200-year legacy. During this 9-week internship, you’ll gain valuable professional experience in the ‘new’ hybrid way of working. You’ll commence your internship online before heading to Guangzhou, China to gain some valuable onsite experience, before wrapping up your programme and research online.
- Accommodation: Your housing will be funded by Wanglaoji, ensuring a comfortable and convenient stay.
- Support: Pagoda will provide ongoing support throughout your internship period.
- Internship: Gain hands-on experience while contributing to real-world projects at a leading herbal tea company.
- Chinese Language Classes (10 hours): Enhance your understanding of Chinese culture and communication.
- High-Level Meetings: Gain business insights from an exclusive session with New Zealand Consulate, Education New Zealand, and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
- Cultural Activities: Participate in a variety of optional activities designed to immerse you in the vibrant city of Guangzhou and China.
The Internships
Public Relations Department Internship
Responsibilities:
- Assist in planning, developing and implementing Marketing & PR activities to support brand building.
- Assist in developing and preparing social media materials to support brand communication. (e.g. Facebook, IG, WeChat…etc).
- Content creation and modification, such as drafting proposals, reports, press releases and speeches.
- Develop and prepare marketing materials (e.g. leaflets, posters and brochures…).
Requirements：
- Degree in Marketing, Communications or related area.
- Strong theoretical foundations for public relations communications, with media strategy, media planning, development and executional capabilities. Familiar with various marketing strategies.
- Excellent command of both written and spoken English.
- Outgoing, self-motivated, proactive and approachable. Strong in communicating with people at all levels, strong team awareness.
- Experience in Photo editing / Video editing is a plus.
International Business Internship
Responsibilities:
- Under the guidance of the regional manager, assist in the investigation and evaluation of the regional market and customers, and provide market information for screening agent customers.
- Under the guidance of the regional manager, complete the examination and evaluation of the trade market and customers under its jurisdiction, and contribute to the implementation of and feedback for the customer management policy.
- Assist in collecting and summarizing overseas market information and data, setting up data files.
- Responsible for coordinating with relevant departments within the company to complete export order follow-ups and maintain customer relationships.
Requirements:
- International trade, marketing or related majors.
- Proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English.
- Sociable personality, strong interpersonal skills, good initiative, creative and eager, enterprising, ambitious, works well in a team.
Corporate Culture Department Internship
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the daily reception, explanation and mission of Wang Lao Ji herbal tea museum.
- Handling of daily administrative affairs in Wang lao ji herbal tea museums and offices.
- Have a strong interest in Chinese traditional culture and are committed to the protection of intangible heritage.
Requirements:
- Excellent in communication and engagement, with strong people skills.
- Positive, enthusiastic and good interpersonal skills.
- Well-presented and maintain a good personal image.
- Proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in both English and Chinese.
Living Expenses in China
For a better idea of how much to budget for your time in China, please review our summary of standard living expenses!
NOTE: All expenses are in Chinese Yuan (¥). Daily conversion rates can be found here.
| Expense Type | Cost (approx.) | Description |
| Transport | 2.09 ¥ / 0.50 NZD | One-way ticket; Local Transport – Bus and Subway |
| 156.37 ¥ / 36 NZD | Monthly pass – regular price; Local Transport – Bus and Subway | |
| 12 ¥ / 2.7 NZD | Taxi price for 1 km – Normal Tariff | |
| 45.87 ¥ / 10.4 NZD | Taxi price for 1 hour Waiting – Normal Tariff | |
| 2.70 ¥ / 0.6 NZD | Taxi price every 1 additional kilometer | |
| 3 ¥ / 0.7 NZD | Bike rent – free for the first hour. Each hour after that costs 3 ¥ | |
| 30 ¥ / 6.8 NZD | Bike rent for over 12 hrs but not more than 24 hrs | |
| Food | 20 ¥ / 4.5 NZD | Meal in inexpensive restaurant (around 10 to 40 yuan) |
| 160 ¥ / 36 NZD | Middle-class restaurant, three-course meal for two people (around 115 to 450 yuan) | |
| 35 ¥ / 7.9 NZD | McMeal at McDonalds or Alternative Combo Meal | |
| Treats | 150 ¥ / 34 NZD | Karaoke Night Out (small room and 1 hour rent) – weeknight |
| 175 ¥ / 40 NZD | Karaoke Night Out – weekends (small room and 1 hour rent) | |
| 7 ¥ / 1.6 NZD | Domestic Beer | |
| 14.93 ¥ / 3.4 NZD | Imported Beer – 0.33 liter Bottle | |
| 57.35 ¥ / 13 NZD | Wine Bottle – Mid-range price | |
| Extras | 62.55 ¥ / 14 NZD | 1 Cinema Seat |
| 247.16 ¥ / 55.6 NZD | Gym for adult monthly fee | |
| 101.79 ¥ / 23 NZD | Tennis court rent for 1 hour |
