Why Do The Immerqi China Internship Program?| 6 min read

You are probably wondering why undertake an internship program? After all, you may already have a degree and you would be getting little to no pay in an internship.

However, in today’s economic climate, an increasing number of graduates looking for entry levels and employers looking for people with experience, it can be very difficult to get that foot in the door.

Maybe you can relate to applying for job after job and only get rejection after rejection. Even having great marks isn’t good enough these days.

Employers want you to have relevant experience but how is that possible for an entry level job when you are coming out of college? With such a large pool of quality candidates it can be hard to stick out from the crowd.

And that’s why an increasing number of undergraduates or recent graduates are undertaking international internships.

These are a few advantages to doing your internship in China:

1. China is a booming market with a completely different business environment that will open your eyes and give you a more rounded perspective on international business
2. Mandarin is already the most spoken language in the world so your employability will increase by gaining exposure to this language. Learn and use this important skill on a daily basis.
3. You are gaining international experience in a country that the West knows little about. Telling prospective employers in future you worked in China will be seen as a major bonus to them.
4. Opportunities, opportunities. People from all around the world are coming to China and for different reasons. Build an international network and in the process find yourself coming across business or job opportunities for the future.

There are 2 ways you can get an internship in China:

I. Find one yourself. As many people in China still don’t speak fluent English, it can be very difficult to arrange the internship you seek. You will be writing countless numbers of emails/letters hoping to get in touch with the right person at the company you hope to do your internship.

This can be a very time-consuming process and there is no guarantee the internship will be anything more than doing menial tasks such as photocopying and making coffee for your boss. You also wouldn’t receive the support that a program provider can offer.

II. Undertake an internship program. You may be asking why should you pay to go on a program to work for nothing. If that’s what your thinking is then you need to look at the bigger picture.

Think of it as an investment in your future and not an expense.

• By undertaking an internship program you take out a lot of the hassles involved with arranging the logistics for your internship as well as having that added support from professionals.
• The majority of companies that offer internship programs in addition to the internship placement will offer services such as visa handling, accommodation placement and some support services.
• Do your research beforehand to see what’s included as some programs offer more than others and program pricing varies greatly between companies.

See below for the support services you can get doing the China Internship Program:

• Airport pickup. Be greeted in Beijing or Shanghai through our qualified staff members. We will then take you to your accommodation.
• Host company placement. Make sure you are clear about what you want out of the internship when you provide your CV and cover letter. That way you get to work in a company and role you are happy with. Internships are done in Beijing or Shanghai. We only ensure the best internships are available by pre-screening host companies, conducting interviews where necessary and making sure both the host company and you are happy throughout the process.
• Orientation and a tour of the area. If the company doesn’t offer these things then they clearly don’t care for you. We’ll give you the ins and outs of getting by in China, pass on useful resources, share our personal experiences and answer any questions you may have.
• Welcome pack and welcome dinner. Most likely you’ve come over by yourself so being provided with practical resources such as maps, brochures and things to do whilst also meeting some friends right away will put you at ease.
• Communication between you and your host company. We want to make sure you are getting the most out of your internship and that the host company is happy too. If there are any questions or problems along the way we are there to help.
• Support throughout the duration of the program. Most providers will be in regular contact with you to ensure your well-being. ImmerQi offers 24/7 support in case of emergencies and staff will be contactable across a range of methods. We will also invite you out to any events or the odd night out!
• Mandarin studies. If you haven’t studied any Mandarin before you will most likely be required to undertake a 4 week intensive course prior to your internship. If you wish to study longer you are always welcome to do so.
• Accommodation placement. Arranging a place to stay during your visit can be very daunting and we will arrange accommodation to suit your time frame, budget and needs.
• Visa support. You would be entering China on an ‘F’ visa, which is for business and cultural exchange. We will arrange the necessary documentation for you to obtain this visa prior as well as arrange any extension within China if required.
• Mobile phone & SIM card. If you’re looking to call home and start building up your network of friends in China asap then we can arrange that. It’s also a lot easier to get around as you can then call us whenever you need!

If you have any questions regarding doing an internship in China or have an interest in China then don’t hesitate to contact us! Just fill out the inquiry form.

In the meantime, if you actually want to apply or hear from past participants then you may do so.