Top 10 FAQ's The vast majority of ThinkChina internships are unpaid. Please contact a ThinkChina Program Director at info@thinkchinagroup.com if you would like to explore paid internship opportunities.
Both the 5-week ThinkChina High School Program and College Program cost US$6,995. ThinkChina offers scholarships each worth up to US$2,000, for more information please visit our scholarship page.
For more program cost details, please click here for the ThinkChina tuition schedule.
- Guaranteed internship placement
- Modern, fully-furnished service apartment suites
- ThinkChina Seminar Series and language workshops
- Weekend excursions and events, including admission tickets and transportations
- Comprehensive meals plans
- 24-hour availability of staff and Program Directors
- Transportation to and from work
- Transportation to and from airport [*Airfare to Shanghai is NOT included]
- Practice subway runs between residences and work
- ThinkChina mobile phones with pre-programmed important numbers
- Pre-arrival Welcome Package on what to bring
As a ThinkChina intern, you’ll live in ThinkChina sponsored residence facilities located in modern serviced-apartment suites. The fully-furnished residences offer 24-hour security, key-card entry & exit, dining facility, in-room washer and dryer, along with a complete suite of modern amenities including wireless broadband Internet and central air-conditioning. Yes. ThinkChina offers a Scholarship program for up to 12 recipients. Please click here for more information about the ThinkChina Scholarship Program.
Through your application, you indicate your interests and goals. ThinkChina works closely with you to find an internship that best meets your specific needs. We screen all employers carefully to ensure that your work experience fits your goals and that you get the right amount of challenge and supervision.
No, but interest to learn is preferred (you are going to China). There are many positions available that do not require Chinese language ability. However, students who are proficient in Chinese will have more internship options available to them.
We have a rolling admissions process. This means that we evaluate applications as they come in, rather than waiting until everyone has applied to make our decisions. Upon submission of your application, we will notify all applicants within 2 weeks of our initial admission decision including scheduling a phone interview. After the phone interview, We will call you for a phone interview, and you will receive final admission notification on your admissions decision within 3 weeks.
The ThinkChina College Program and ThinkChina High School Program both offer guaranteed internships, language workshops, ThinkChina seminars and weekend tour excursions.
Although programs may run concurrently, the High School Programs and the College Programs will be conducted individually and separately to ensure the best possible experience for our students. Students in each program will also be residing in different areas of the residence facilities.
Internships
While students in both programs will work at exciting and fun internship positions, generally students in the college program will be working on more complex projects that require students to apply knowledge and skills they've learned in their university classrooms.
Seminars and workshops
While both programs would have a few seminars that share similar topics, these seminars would be held individually and separately. Moreover, ThinkChina does offer a variety of seminars and workshops that are focused exclusively on both our High School Program students and our College Program students.
Shanghai is a very safe city, and violent crimes are extremely rare even in the poorest neighborhoods. As with any metropolitan cities, petty theft and pick-pockets do exist. We recommend that students be attentive to their new surroundings.
ThinkChina has developed a comprehensive safety guideline designed to keep students safe. In addition, first-aid trained Resident Assistants will be overseeing the students.
For more information on this topic, please visit our safety page.
Admissions and FinancesWe have an admissions committee that reads through all of the applications. They will closely review your application and will then handpick the candidates they feel have the strongest credentials for our program and the best potential for placement into one of our internships. The process also involves a phone interview.
Please visit our application process page for more details.
We have a rolling admissions process. This means that we evaluate applications as they come in, rather than waiting until everyone has applied to make our decisions. Upon submission of your application, we will notify all applicants within 2 weeks of our initial admission decision including scheduling a phone interview. After the phone interview, We will call you for a phone interview, and you will receive final admission notification on your admissions decision within 3 weeks.
Once you have been admitted, our Program Directors will match you with an internship program. You will receive your specific internship assignment prior to your arrival in Shanghai.
For detail information on eligibility for both our College Program and High School Program, please check out our eligibility page.
- Completed application and medical forms
- School transcript
- Tuition balance (click here for the ThinkChina tuition schedule)
- 2 passport photos
- 2 copies of your passport
- Copy of health / travel insurance forms
- Travel itinerary
No, but interest to learn is preferred (you are going to China). There are many positions available that do not require Chinese language ability. However, students who are proficient in Chinese will have more internship options available to them.
For US citizens, you will need both a passport and a Chinese Visa. For more information, please refer to the US State travel site. Students who never had a passport require a DSP-11 passport.
For non U.S. citizens, please contact your government's office that deals with foreign travel.
Nearly all foreigners need to obtain a Visa to enter into China.
US citizens will need to obtain an L Visa (tourist). ThinkChina has made arrangements with a reputable travel agency in California to assist all students with visa and travel needs. The agency, Sun Travel, can be reached at +1 (818) 989-8740 or suntravelcal@yahoo.com. Please ask for Tina Len and mention that you are a ThinkChina student. For this program, your single-entry visa will be valid for 60 or 90 days after the date of entry (the travel agency will have a list of all program participants). If your passport/visa situation is more complicated, please contact the visa service directly. Under normal circumstances, we do not anticipate any participant of the ThinkChina Program will be denied a Chinese entry visa.
For non-US citizens, please contact ThinkChina for more information regarding obtaining a Chinese visa. Email us at info@thinkchinagroup.com
Both the 5-week ThinkChina High School Program and College Program cost US$6,995. ThinkChina offers scholarships each worth up to US$2,000, for more information please visit our scholarship page.
For more program cost details, please click here for the ThinkChina tuition schedule. Roundtrip airfare, travel supplies, meals not covered by the program, visa, and miscellaneous expenses.
We accept payment by personal checks, money orders, bank checks, credit card or PayPal (prefered). For detail information on this topic, please visit our payment process and methods page.
| Deposit |
Tuition |
Total |
| US$ 1,000 |
US$ 5,995 |
US$ 6,995 |
Application Fee of US$50 is paid when you apply to the program. It is non-refundable and allows us to process your application. You will receive an invoice with payment options upon application submission.
Deposit of USD 1,000 is used to secure your position in the program. This is paid within 7 days of acceptance into the program.
Tuition is the remaining balance after the deposit is paid. This is due sixty days before the session start date.
Please refer to our payment process and refund policy page for details.
ThinkChina Refund Policy:
|
Cancellation period
|
Refund Amount
|
| Session I |
Session II |
| Prior to April 23, 2010 |
Prior to April 23, 2010 |
Full Refund (minus application fee and deposit) |
| Between April 23, 2010 to April 30, 2010 |
Between May 23, 2010 to May 30, 2010 |
Tuition minus $2,500 |
| Post April 30, 2010 |
Post May 30, 2010 |
No Refund |
Refunds are calculated based on the above date schedule. The effective date is when the ThinkChina office receives written notification or email of the withdrawal. Please contact us should you have any questions at admissions@thinkchinagroup.com.
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For more information on this topic, please visit our payment process and methods page.
Yes. ThinkChina offers a Scholarship program that awards up to US$2000. Please click here for more information about the ThinkChina Scholarship Program.
ProgramEach ThinkChina program runs for a single 5-week session.
Session I : June 19th - July 24th, 2010
Session II: July 31st, 2009 – September 4th, 2010
Please visit our dates and deadlines page for more details.
- Guaranteed internship placement
- Modern, fully-furnished service apartment suites
- ThinkChina Seminar Series and language workshops
- Weekend excursions and events
- Comprehensive meals plans
- 24-hour availability of staff and Program Directors
- Transportation to and from airport [*Airfare to Shanghai is NOT included]
- Practice subway runs between residences and work
- ThinkChina mobile phones with pre-programmed important numbers
- Pre-arrival Welcome Package on what to bring
Orientation Day is June 20th for Session I and August 1st for Session II. You may arrive prior to this, but please inform ThinkChina of your plans so we may make arrangements for you. Note that you will be responsible for accommodation costs and any fees for any additional days outside of your program. However, students cannot arrive after orientation day. All students must participate in the program orientation activities on the first day.
The program will cover all your transportation and lodging costs for all organized activities. Additionally, we provide breakfast and dinner during the weekday and all meals during the weekend. The program will cover the cost of any entrance fees or recreational activities that we sponsor as well as any educational materials that are required for the language courses.
Internship attendance is 100% mandatory. As a ThinkChina intern, you may not miss work for any reason other than health and family emergencies. Weekend excursions, seminars and activities are included in the tuition, so we require attendance unless we receive written notice from parents / guardians.
Yes, all participants will have roommates. ThinkChina staff will assign students to roommates according to the roommate questionnaire in the application.
As a rule we typically encourage friends attending ThinkChina together to stay in separate rooms so that you may get to know other participants. Special requests will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. These arrangements must be made prior June 1st.
Single rooms are not offered in the standard package as we would like to promote team building and new friendships. However, special arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis, but will incur additional costs.
Yes, we encourage family members and friends to join you on this experience. Given the short-timeframe of summer internship, we recommend extended stays be arranged before the program begins or after your program ends. If your family or friends arrive on the weekend, prior notice must be made if they would like to accompany you on the weekend excursion or during our weekly seminars. We cannot guarantee space but will make best efforts to accommodate. Please note that per person costs will be charged for the trips. Guests to the apartment residence must sign in and obey all ThinkChina program rules which includes curfew. Guests may not stay overnight in ThinkChina residential halls.
As a ThinkChina intern, you’ll live in ThinkChina sponsored residence facilities located in modern serviced-apartment suites. The fully-furnished residences offer 24-hour security, key-card entry & exit, dining facility, in-room washer and dryer, along with a complete suite of modern amenities including wireless broadband Internet and central air-conditioning.
ThinkChina will host approximately 30 to 40 students during each session of the program.
We offer a wide selection of food at every meal. Our goal is to allow our students to experience life in China which includes cuisines commonly found throughout China. Menus are varied enough to accommodate vegetarian and other diets. But please note that you are in a foreign country and there may be foods that are not available here. If you have food allergies or need a special diet for medical reasons, please note this on your Medical Form. You will buy your own lunch on weekdays. This is an opportunity to explore the area around your internship, to mingle with co-workers or to meet other ThinkChina interns who work in the same neighborhood. Breakfast and dinner will be provided.
Safety and HealthShanghai is a very safe city, and violent crimes are extremely rare even in the poorest neighborhoods. As with any metropolitan cities, petty theft and pick-pockets do exist. We recommend that students be attentive to their new surroundings.
ThinkChina has developed a comprehensive safety guideline designed to keep students safe. In addition, first-aid trained Resident Assistants will be overseeing the students.
For more information on this topic, please visit our safety page.
ThinkChina has a staff of Resident Assistants who live in the residentials with the students, supervise their activities and maintain their overall welfare and safety. ThinkChina Staff is comprised of qualified and caring individuals with extensive experience working with teenagers.
ThinkChina sponsored residence are shared by professional expats from other western countries and therefore have very good security. Visitors are screened 24 hours a day by security personnel at the entrance to the residence halls. No one may enter the hall without an access card.
When moving to a new city, let alone a foreign country, it takes time to get accustomed to your surroundings. In order to assure you make the most of your free time, students will sign out in groups with a Resident Assistant during city trips to go shopping, check out sights, sample local delicacies at corner shops, and soak in the culture.
Participants are not allowed to leave the dorm alone under any circumstances.
All students must check-in at the residence by 11:00 pm Sunday to Thursday, and midnight on Friday and Saturday. Students who are late for curfew will be sent home after one warning. There are no exceptions or extensions to the curfew.
ThinkChina has developed a comprehensive set of safety rules and guidelines that will be strictly enforced. The use of tobacco, illegal drugs, drug-related paraphernalia, inhalants, alcoholic beverages, fireworks, firearms, other explosives and weapons are strictly prohibited at ThinkChina. If participants are found using or possessing any of these, it will be considered a major violation of the rules, and no warning need be issued before removing the participant from the program. Parents are responsible for the cost of dismissed student’s travel home, and no refund will be given.
ThinkChina will provide basic health coverage of up to $100,000 for each student. Students are encouraged to purchase their own insurance if additional coverage is needed.
Students, unless other arrangements are requested, will be responsible for administering their own medications. ThinkChina staff must be informed of pre-existing medical conditions and medications taken prior to the program start date.
Yes. Huashan Worldwide Medical Center, a division of Huashan Hospital and one of the premier medical facilities in Shanghai, is located very close to the ThinkChina residential facilities. Other hospitals such as Parkway Health has experienced medical and dental professionals from the best hospitals and universities around the world, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, Japan and Singapore. Shanghai East International Medical Center is a U.S.-China joint venture hospital. United Family Hospital in another popular hospital for foreigners in China.
InternshipThrough your application, you indicate your interests and goals. ThinkChina works closely with you to find an internship that best meets your specific needs. We screen all employers carefully to ensure that your work experience fits your goals and that you get the right amount of challenge and supervision.
Hours vary depending upon the company or organization, but most interns will work from 9am to 5pm. Specific program details will be sent to you before the onset of the program.
Weekends and evening hours will include Chinese language workshops and seminars relevant to our students. Please visit our seminars and speakers list for more detail.
You will be working in a professional environment, so expect to dress accordingly. Prior to beginning your internship, you will be in contact with ThinkChina staff who will provide guidelines for appropriate attire and answer other questions about your placement.
Outside of the office, dress is casual. Summer in Shanghai is hot and very humid, so be prepared. Sneakers, comfortable sandals or walking shoes are a must.
The vast majority of ThinkChina internships are unpaid. Please contact a ThinkChina Program Director at info@thinkchinagroup.com if you would like to explore paid internship opportunities.
Shanghai has an extremely well-built public transportation which is efficient, clean and reliable. A typical commute time is approximately 30-45 minutes.
Information regarding the internship will be distributed prior hand and our Program Director will be going over the requirements with you. We expect students to act in a professional manner when they attend the internships.
Traveling AbroadThinkChina will provide each admitted student a packet of information that includes a list of useful items to make you comfortable living in the residence as well as getting you acquainted to life in Shanghai and China. This packet will answer questions about laundry, bedding, housekeeping etc. Do not worry if you left something behind, almost all personal items can be found in Shanghai. Feel free to contact ThinkChina staff should you have any questions or concerns.
Yes. Interns are strongly encouraged to bring their own laptops. While students may bring their own cell phones, ThinkChina will provide each student with a ThinkChina cell phone that is pre-programmed with all necessary important contact information. We strongly recommend that students use program provided phones. Should you choose to bring your own cell phone, please note China mainly uses the GSM standard, though there are some CDMA phones. For GSM, you need the GSM 900 and 1800 frequencies. The phone must accept sim cards.
You will need money for lunch, and occasional late night snacks. Most interns have found $80 to $100 per week to be more than sufficient.
The following vaccinations and applicable frequencies are recommended for students coming to China: Hepatitis A (within previous 10 years); Hepatitis B (within previous 5 to 10 years), Japanese B Encephalitis (within previous 3 years); Tetanus (within previous 10 years); Polio (within previous 10 years); and Typhoid (once in lifetime).
*Please note these are only suggestions, professional medical advice MUST be sought before arrival in China. For health-related safety information, including which vaccines are required for visiting a specific country see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site.
China is still mainly a cash economy. You may bring money with you, either in the form of cash or traveler's checks; traveler's checks can be cashed at Bank of China only. For students with Bank of America accounts, cash may be drawn from China Construction ATM machines without transaction fees. Most ATM machines that accept foreign ATM cards are available in the down town areas; cash advances can be drawn over the counter at most large banks - a transaction charge may apply. Major hotels and most fine restaurants and stores now accept credit cards. ATM cards are probably the most convenient option for accessing money while in China.
All suites in the ThinkChina sponsored residence include in-house washer and dryer that students can use at no additional cost.
With the exception of lunches during the weekdays, all meals are provided by ThinkChina. In case a student wants to go out to eat, the cost of meals in China can vary greatly depending on the type and quality of food. Chinese restaurants offer meals for 10 - 40 RMB (~US$1-5) per person. Western restaurants cost between 50 and 200 RMB (~US$5 - 30) per person per meal.
China uses 220 volts (U.S. uses 110 volts). Converters and power strips may be purchased locally if needed. Please refer to the user manual for any electronic device you bring and confirm what kind of electrical voltage it is compatible with.
The U.S. State Department offers free information on safety services for travel overseas at their website.
And for country-specific safety information, visit their webpage here.
Additionally, travel books such as “Lonely Planet” offer information regarding places to visit, culture and some historical background. It is highly suggested that interns bring a travel book of some kind to China.
ThinkChina staff will be picking up students at arrival so there is no need to exchange money prior to leaving. Although, there is no harm in bringing some cash.
OtherEnglish is not widely used in China ; however English speakers are more prevalent in the major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Shanghai is a city that is more accommodating for individuals with little or no Chinese language ability. Participants are advised to bring a Mandarin phrase book.
With its entrance to the WTO, hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and hosting of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China is becoming an increasingly attractive place for citizens from all countries. With 1.3 billion people, China is the most populous country in the world, and its role in world affairs has become increasingly important. The Chinese economy continues to grow at a robust pace, and China is now considered a "must play" for multinational companies.
Shanghai is a dynamic and cosmopolitan metropolis. It has a total area of 2,448 square miles and a population of more than 13 million. It is one of the world's biggest, most booming urban areas. Although approximately 1% of China's population lives in Shanghai, the city contributes more than 11% to the country's total income. Its port ranks 3rd in the world in volume of cargo. Shanghai is quickly becoming the center of attraction for Asia.
ThinkChina will facilitate a forum where program members will have a chance to meet each other over the Internet prior to their departure. Group flight along with relevant discounts may also be available. Please contact ThinkChina staff for more information for group flights.
The bilingual on-site administration team consists of the Program Director, Resident Assistants, and of course the Program Administrators, all of who live locally. All program administrators will carry a cell phone and can respond to emergency situations.
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