Taking up an internship abroad is a great opportunity to gain international working experience and get a glimpse into another culture and lifestyle. What is it like to be an intern in China? And how to find and apply for an internship? Find out in this article.
Why take up an internship in China?
China is not the easiest choice for your internship program. From the country's remote geographical location to the language barrier and cultural differences, there is definitely a lot to consider before committing.
With that, there are a lot of benefits to interning in China.
First, if you commit to getting to know the country and learning the language during your stay, you will be adding an extra set of skills to what you will be getting professionally. As the world's second economy, China is a very important market for international companies worldwide, and those who know and understand the local culture, language and consumer habits are sure to be in high demand.
You will be getting your work experience in a very fast-paced environment, with new rules, new people, new food, and a new way of life. If you believe in the benefits of getting out of your comfort zone, then China definitely offers that in abundance.
An internship in China definitely stands out on one's resume. These days, having work experience upon graduation is almost a requirement for a large number of employers. Having work experience in the world's second-largest economy is taking a strong step forward towards the job of your dreams.
How to find an internship in China?
There are several ways in which you can go about finding an internship in China.
The easiest way to approach this would be to contact a placement agency that will take you on as a client and look for an internship that suits your requirements and available time. Most agencies will also make sure you have a comfortable transition into the new environment by picking you up at the airport, helping with renting accommodation, offering introductory language and cultural courses, etc. This is definitely a convenient way to explore opportunities in the country, but it comes at a price as you will need to pay agency fees.
Alternatively, you can look for an internship on your own. You can do that by contacting Chinese universities that have internship programs, getting in touch with local and international companies in your field in China, or simply looking for short-term work in the country. The latter may not qualify as an internship exactly, but it will still help you in acquiring work experience and new skills.
Which are the most promising internship fields in China?
As you look for an internship in China, you will most likely be guided by your professional ambitions in a specific field. However, there are some areas where you may have more opportunities than others.
China is known as the world's manufacturing base. This means that if your job is related to any stage of the manufacturing process (industrial design, project management, factory management, etc.), you may be able to find an internship spot with one of the many local or international manufacturers.
With a lot of tech companies moving their manufacturing bases to China, there are also a lot of opportunities for jobs related to technology. There are over 40,000 companies in the software industry alone. And this means that if you work in IT and related industries, you will have more chances to intern in China.
If you work in hospitality, you may find a position with one of the international hotels or large local hotel chains in China. Hospitality companies are often on the lookout for foreign talent for seasonal and long-term contracts.
Education (especially language teaching), marketing, sales and translation are also promising areas to specialize in.
Do you need to apply for a visa for an internship in China?
If you intend to take an internship in a Chinese company for less than six months, you can apply for an F visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country.
The F visa is described as a business visa 'issued to an alien who is invited to China for a visit, an investigation, a lecture, to do business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges, short-term advanced studies or internship for no more than six months:
The documents needed for an F visa include:
- an invitation letter issued by the Chinese company and certified by the Chinese government;
- an internship agreement signed with the company;
- your original passport;
- a completed visa application;
- JW 201/ JW 202 forms issued by the Chinese ministry of education; and
- several passport-sized photos
Please note that fees apply.
Upon your arrival in China, contact your host institution to register and obtain information about how to apply for a temporary residence permit.
If you plan to take a gap year or, for any other reason, plan to work in China for a more extended period, you will need to apply for a work visa (Z visa), which is the only way to work in China legally long-term.
Important:
Currently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can only travel to China if you have a valid residence permit. Getting an internship offer during this time may be more complicated — and you will have limited visa options for arranging your stay.
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