China Long Term Program

  China

• Beijing: 
Beijing
• Hangzhou: 
Hangzhou
• All Other Areas in China: 
Guangzhou,  Nanjing,  Xining,  Zhuzhou,  Sichuan
• Rural Areas: 
Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 years
Dates: July 2010-July 2011

Description: All of VIA's posts in China involve teaching English at either a middle school or university. Many of these posts are combined with English resource work where volunteers spend 6-8 hours each week working for a Chinese non-profit organization. In 2009-10, VIA will be cooperating with 6-7 different local NGOs in China which specialize in areas such as mental and physical disability and the empowerment of ethnic minorities and women. Two of those positions require the volunteer to have at least intermediate Chinese language skills, while others require no Chinese language skills at all. VIA also offers a four week summer program in Hangzhou, China on Traditional Chinese Medicine in conjunction with Stanford University.

A likely roster of posts for next year is as follows:

Beijing (urban):

* University of Science and Technology/Beijing Huiling (community organization promoting the rights of mentally disabled)

* University of Science and Technology/Rural Women (local non profit organization serving to empower women in the countryside through trainings and workshops)

Xining, Qinghai (urban, but poor and surrounded by rural areas):

* Qinghai Normal University/Shem Women's Group (local organization serving to empower Tibetan women by allowing them to identify needs in their hometowns and design projects to alleviate those needs).

Yushu, Qinghai (rural)

* Snowland Service Group/English Training Program (working with a local organization which focuses on community development and intensive--highly successful--English instruction for Tibetans

Chungba, Sichuan (rural)

* Chungba Valley Middle School (innovative successful new school which has been hailed as a model for rural education in western China)

Zhongdian, Yunnan (semi-rural/town)

* Eastern Tibetan Training Institute (vocational training center primarily focused on developing the job skills needed for the rising tourist industry in Zhongdian; area is mostly populated with Chinese ethnic minorities)

Guangzhou, Guangdong (urban)

* Guangzhou English Training Center for the Handicapped (3 year school exclusively for young adults with physical disabilities; small school of 60 students who focus primarily on learning English so as to position themselves for jobs after they leave)

Xintang Town, Hunan (semi-rural)

* Ouyang Yu Experimental School (this fellowship opportunity is exclusively for Stanford Graduates)

Nanjing, Jiangsu (urban)

* Hehai University/Amity Foundation (local non profit organization which focuses on social welfare, rural development and education in China)

Highlights: The small size of our organization, including the low volunteer to program director ratio, enable VIA staff to provide comprehensive hands-on training and support to volunteers throughout the year. VIA operates under a consensus process, whereby volunteers play an active role in shaping the future direction of their respective country program. Because of this, VIA alumni tend to be fiercely loyal to the organization and continue to be active in various ways well after their years of service, from helping to interview prospective applicants to financial support. We are also a non-governmental organization, which has historically enabled us to send volunteers to areas we otherwise might not be able to.

Other highlights pertaining to the China program include:
    * VIA China volunteers receive 3 hours of private Chinese language tutoring each week
    * The VIA China program will open several exciting new posts in western China next year that are focused almost entirely on Tibetan populations
    * VIA China offers an exciting post exchange opportunity, enabling China volunteers to switch posts for one week and experience what it's like at a different VIA post in China
    * China volunteers meet for four days every January to evaluate their posts, make recommendations about their post, share and discuss challenges/successes with respect to working and living in China, etc.
    * VIA China volunteers have done countless worthwhile things during their time abroad. The opportunities are endless, especially since all of VIA's posts target communities that are under served or underrepresented.

Volunteers also receive a monthly stipend, living accommodation, a modest travel allowance, TESL and cross-cultural training, and in-country and home office support.

Qualifications: To be eligible for VIA's long term volunteer program in China, you must be a college graduate by summer 2009, speak English with native fluency, and be a US resident. To be eligible for VIA's Traditional Chinese Medicine summer program, you must be at least 18 years of age and have a strong interest in medicine and health. While knowledge of the area and language skills are a plus, they are not a determining factor for acceptance in either program. The CJ Huang Fellowship post in Hunan, which covers the program fee, round trip airfare, USD 1000 in service project money and a USD 1000 readjustment allowance, is available exclusively for Stanford graduates.

Some posts need volunteers with a particular skill set or background (such as language, training, project management) while others are open to anyone who meets the basic qualifications of a VIA volunteer.

Cost in US$: USD 2000

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Some of the most important qualities we look for when accepting applicants include flexibility, patience, adaptability and someone who will be a good representative of VIA. Knowledge of the area and language skills are a plus, but not a determining factor for acceptance. Interest and ability in immersing into the local community.

Age Range: 22-80

This Program is open to American Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to China in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

VIA (Volunteers in Asia)'s Mission Statement: VIA-Volunteers In Asia is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization dedicated to increasing understanding between the United States and Asia through cross-cultural exchange and service programs. Since 1963, our Asia Programs have provided US residents with the opportunity to work and live within an Asian culture while meeting the needs of Asian host institutions. Our Stanford Programs offer a wide range of short-term, international study programs between Stanford University and various Asian universities. The goal of all of our programs is to enhance cross-cultural understanding through the exchange of people. Our deep commitment to service and education drives our work and motivates students, volunteers and staff. We envision a world where people on both sides of the Pacific are appropriately equipped to build durable solutions to global problems through mutual understanding and cooperation. VIA programs have given thousands of Americans and Asians the tools and cultural literacy to help achieve this vision.

Year Founded: 1963