If you are a British student looking to come and undertake an internship placement in China then finding funding is not as easy as in some other countries. I have been looking into how best to go about it and have come up with a few possibilities:
1) Ask your university – Some universities will provide you with financial support for your internship placement. At universities where a work placement is compulsory, the university often pays the mediation fee for you. You won’t know if you don’t ask!
2) Scholarships – There are also a few travel scholarships around, again often related to universities. The best overview of such scholarships is available here: https://www.csc.edu.cn/laihua/scholarshipen.aspx. You may have to apply, expressing how your trip will be a benefit to your future studies (you will have a very strong application if it is to carry out a work experience placement in China!). Again, these are often advertised through university channels.
3) Confucious Scholarship – Although this is a scholarship to come and study in China, it is definitely worth a look if you are a student here! Main catch is you have to have done an HSK exam, so try and do one nice and early to give you time for your application.
4) Trust funds – Look online and in your local newspaper for funds to support young locals. Although quite hard to find, they can be great if you do apply to one for some money – could help you with part of the trip.
5) Get a job! With a couple of weeks of holiday work in England, you could happily live in China for months.
Remember, once you get out to China living costs are very low. Pints are 20p instead of £2, a big dinner out is £3, a taxi is £1, a bus is 10p. Set up costs may seem quite high, but once you are here you will get on fine with very little money!
If you are interested in coming to China and do an internship, then apply now via email info@internchina.com or through our website www.internchina.com.
by James