Having initially tried and failed to secure an internship in the UK, I decided to apply to CRCC Asia for an internship in Beijing. It may well be one of the best decisions I will ever make in my entire career. The working and social experience far surpass anything I could have hoped to have gained back in the UK.

Many students are posed with the tricky decisions of either traveling or working during their summer, CRCC Asia offers both. Spending your week gaining experience and enhancing your CV and your weekends at the likes of the Great Wall, is not a bad way to spend your summer.

I was placed at an energy based company, which is an English based company with a branch in Beijing. I was given the project of conducting research into how to make China’s buildings more energy efficient. I found my project enjoyable and incredibly insightful. I had two meetings every week with my supervisor, where we would discuss my research and I could ask for help and discuss any concerns. I was also lucky enough to be able to attend business meetings with other companies, where I was able to ask questions about my project and find out more about this industry in China.

Another great aspect of CRCC Asia was the social life. You are placed in apartments with all other CRCC Asia Interns, so there is no shortage of people wanting to go out and see what China has to offer. I met some great people, many of whom I am still very much in contact with.

So if you are reading this and haven’t made up your mind, my advice is DO IT!

If you had asked 3 months ago which country I would want to work in, China would have been the last thing on my mind. If you ask me the same question right now, China is top of my list. The China Internship experience has given me a much better perspective on my career.
I graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Electronics. It is a really wide ranging subject so I was not sure which part of the engineering sector I wanted to work in. I came across CRCC Asia’s website offering internships in China and thought I would try something out of my comfort zone.

I completed a 3 month internship in Shanghai in a green technology company. The company I worked for specialized in LED lights. Apart from engineering related work, I got involved in marketing, sales, client consultation and even more. These are skills and experiences you don’t get from university and working in the Chinese environment adds a real unique experience to your CV. Interning in China gave me the experience of working in a fast-paced and rapidly changing economy and market. The contacts you make here are unbelievable. I got to meet CEOs and build business relationships. I also had the chance to meet and talk with a veteran CNN reporter.

Getting a taste of what the green technology sector and China has to offer has inspired me to pursue my engineering career in the renewable energy sector.

As I travel to the company factory in Hang Zhou, let me tell you about the past 2 months in China. On the career side, work has been demanding but equally rewarding. The batch of interns from CRCC Asia have been like a family, as we discover the fascinating city of Shanghai and try to explore this vast country. The food is delicious; enough to make me think that going home will lead to some serious withdrawals. Am I glad I did this internship in Shanghai? Absolutely.

I recently graduated from a double degree from The University of Technology, Sydney. I studied a Bachelor of Science in Physics (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (Japan).

I am working at a green technology company that manufactures LED light fittings to distribute internationally. The first day at work was as expected. It took some time to settle in and establish what the boss needs and what I can offer in terms of skills. Having had some experience in coding, I began to write some JavaScript for an application that would be interactive for the clients. They could input any combination of light fittings and learn how much money/energy/CO2 they would save.

I also discovered that there was a website that needed a serious overhaul. It was the perfect medium to place my Java application, so I was eager to do it. We brainstormed ideas about content for the site, and began to piece it all together. We have been working on branding material, blogs, interactive applications and other educational material for our clients. Not only am I learning new skills having this very real task of web development, but I am also making something substantial that I can show to future employers. The work has been rewarding, but it took some initiative on my part.

Living in the same building as all of the other interns, we get along like a house on fire. Going out with a typical entourage of at least 10 is definitely a great way to fend off homesickness. We usually head out to new bars/clubs every weekend and every month we have a KTV (Karaoke) party to welcome in the new interns, and near the end of the month we have farewell drinks for those that are leaving. We all tripped it out to Beijing on one of the long weekends, which is such a great place to see culturally significant monuments. I have made some great friends amongst these fellow interns, and it will be sad to see many of them leave.

CRCC Asia Internship via the Generation UK scheme

During my internship in Shenzhen, China, I was provided the opportunity to grow, learn, and develop as well as getting a taste for a real time working environment. I got an idea for what office life would be like, starting with the daily commute to completing the tasks an intern would. I met some amazing people and went on some unbelievable adventures, all thanks to CRCC Asia. I would definitely recommend this chance for other students who, like myself, are uncertain of what the future may hold.

Having a placement abroad was the best choice I have ever made, as I had an interest in Asia, particularly China. My internship in Shenzhen was with a green technology company, Eco Built Systems, which provided me with experience of working within this sector, as it is an area I would like to work with in the future. Since there has been a large focus on the environmental movement within China, I thought it would be best to undertake a placement in Shenzhen, known as a hotspot for green technology. I feel as if my time in China will have helped me gain an edge over others in my applications, and I have managed to narrow what part of green tech I’d like to work in in the future (marketing), due to the fact that this was my main role at my company.

I think after this entire journey, I have come out being more confident, more independent, and sure of what it is that I want in a job. I realised now that I would prefer to be in an international placement, preferably back in Shenzhen.

Years ago I spent some time travelling through China, witnessing first-hand the definition of a nation of superlatives, as the raw majesty of this country battled against aggressive industrialisation. I saw the middle kingdom rapidly approaching a crossroads as increasing coal consumption and consequential pollution levels threatened to destroy not only the natural environment, but the people’s way of life. I thought about how I could make a positive impact on this challenge in the future, and found CRCC Asia to be the enabler of this action.

The advantages of international work placements for those looking at gaining experience in a prospective field are immeasurable, and undertaking this internship in Beijing has been one of the most beneficial experiences of my life, both for my career and as a person. I now have a clear vocation in mind for my future, a strengthened moral compass, and a stronger grasp of mandarin, whilst further developing my cultural understanding and abilities to adapt.

Beyond the internship in Beijing, I made friends for life which span the globe and got to experience a culture that was completely new to me. I fell in love with China, and its wonderful quirks and contradictions over my two months in Beijing. I am convinced I will not only return to Beijing, but pave my career there having received a graduate job offer from my host company.

For anyone considering an internship with CRCC Asia, I cannot recommend the service enough. You will enhance your CV in ways unimaginable, whilst simultaneously embarking on one of the best experiences of your life.

Two months was not enough! I wanted to stay longer! I was left inspired by culture, motivated by work and addicted to travelling.

The CRCC Asia China programme has given me a positive impact on my professional and personal development. I have a positive view of China and an interest to return. I have made life- long friends and new connections. I have visited many places and learnt a new language. This internship in Shanghai was an experience that I cannot forget and would highly recommend to anyone.