Intern Reviews
So why China? Why Beijing? The summer of 2008 seems a good place to start, for that was when Beijing took global centre stage at the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. With the whole world watching, China, and more specifically Beijing, put on a phenomenal spectacle featuring breathtaking opening and closing ceremonies, a staggering number of world records and also had the fortune of being the scene of the extraordinary exploits of one Usain Bolt. This was the opportunity for the biggest growing economy and most populated country in the world to grab the attention of the international community and let them know in impressive terms that they mean business. They certainly didn’t pass it up.
When I saw on my university’s careers website an advert from CRCC Asia for an internship in Beijing it instantly captured my imagination. Internships were available in a variety of sectors but with my legal academic background, and intending to practice in the future, a law firm particularly interested me. I applied to the company, explaining my enthusiasm for China and my desire to intern at a Chinese law firm and all of a sudden I was on my way to Beijing.
I was placed with one of the largest domestic law firms in China. On the first morning at the firm I remember looking in their brochure (the English version, obviously) and being impressed at their position in various performance league tables. The work itself presented many significant challenges. I was given the significant responsibility of updating and revising the English language version of the firm’s website and brochure, as part of its strategy to open up to international markets. This was hard work because Mandarin has a completely different linguistic basis and it’s not uncommon for a translation to result in a piece of barely intelligible “Chinglish” (a good example of this is a sign outside the Olympic stadium which instead of saying “Keep off the grass” states rather more poetically “Tender fragrant grass. How hard-hearted to trample them”). It was rewarding though, both metaphorically and literally, as I was taken for a delicious banquet as an appreciation of my efforts.
Living and working in Beijing was a fantastic challenge that I believe has contributed greatly to my development on both a personal and professional level. In a country where the language, culture and way of life are so different, operating there required an open mind, excellent communication skills and adaptability. It will involve leaving your comfort zone and being a little adventurous, so if that’s something that interests you then I would definitely recommend an internship in Beijing.
I chose to take a legal internship in Beijing to gain insight into the Chinese legal system as well as to develop my professional skills in China, as it has become the 2nd largest economy in the world, overtaking the UK, France and Germany, and now Japan. I had obtained a Food Business Degree, Law Degree & LLM in Criminal Justice at University College Cork in Ireland, and I had previously completed an internship with Deutsche Bank in London where I gained international work experience and this internship proved invaluable when I went to Beijing. In Beijing I completed a two-month legal internship with a legal consultancy company. I decided to complete a legal internship in order to compare and contrast the Irish legal system with the Chinese legal system.
On the first day of my internship, Li Jing from the CRCC Asia team introduced me to my supervisor, who then introduced me to the CEO. During my internship I was given a number of projects to work on. The first was to compare and contrast Intellectual Property Rights in China with Intellectual Property Rights in the United Kingdom. The project was challenging as I knew virtually nothing about Patents, Trademark and Copyright Law before I started my research, but I felt a great sense of achievement when I completed the project before the deadline and I had learned a vast amount about this complex area of law.
My internship was quite diverse and varied and I was even presented with the opportunity to lecture Chinese lawyers at 8 am every morning! At first this was very daunting, as I had no previous lecturing experience. I briefed Chinese lawyers on English contract law and English company law. I gained a vast amount of legal experience as a result of this project. I was given a certain amount of freedom when preparing my lecture notes and so I decided to incorporate my business degree into my lecture notes. I taught the lawyers a Harvard Management Course, which explained the meaning of business terminology concepts, used by businesses in the west. I explained how businesses currently operate in Europe. I was also tasked with preparing a marketing strategy exam for Chinese lawyers. There was a great sense of achievement on my behalf when the Chinese lawyers provided excellent academic answers as it became apparent to me that the lawyers understood all of the business concepts. I had learned the theory of business and the theory of law at university and as a result of the lecturing I got to experience how Chinese law operates in practice.
As a result of participating in the CRCC Asia Internship Program I have made contacts that will help in my pursuit of fulfilling long-term career goals. I would definitely recommend the CRCC Asia Beijing Internship Program, especially if you like challenges and you would like to work in an interesting, diverse and cultural environment.
On accepting my Certificate of Graduation, sweeping my tassle to the other side of my cap and passing from under-grad to graduate I found myself left with a lingering sense of unease. My three years spent at Exeter University had been amongst the most fulfilling and contented of my life. I was settled; I was comfortable. Dressed in my cap and gown and surrounded by proud parents and elated professors, stepping up to accept my Certificate I was stepping into the unknown.
I set about finding something worthwhile to fill my summer before applying to graduate jobs and vacation schemes in the fall. Recommended by a friend I contacted CRCC Asia in search of an internship abroad. If there is one thing I have learnt from copious presentation evenings, employment fairs and meet and greets it is to be desirable you must set yourself apart from the rest. There must be something different, something distinct about your application. CRCC provided me with the perfect opportunity to set about becoming that elusively unique candidate.The once coined ‘sleeping giant’ has awoken. China is a progressive, innovative, youthful nation at the forefront of global advancement. Beijing is a vibrant city with boundless prospects. It exudes excellence and as a young student there could be no better place to get acquainted with the working world.
Sitting amongst the bustle of my hectic Chinese Law Firm offices, I could not be happier with my decision. CRCC offers more than just internships abroad; it couples first-class employment experience with an adventure in a truly exciting city. Coached in Chinese business etiquette and armed with enough Mandarin to make my colleagues smile, I have settled comfortably into my month long placement. Life as a CRCC Asia intern will exceed your expectations and transcend whatever forecasts you may have of living and working in the Far East. Whilst unprecedented downturns in the international market meant doors were closing, CRCC have helped me find an alternate path into the employment sector.
If you’re looking for a great program to have fun, get good work experience, meet new people, and go somewhere new, you should definitely consider CRCC Asia. Whether you’re still an undergraduate (university for non-Americans), in a graduate program, or in a working career with some time off, CRCC Asia can tailor their program to fit your needs.
One of my biggest regrets in college was not doing a semester abroad. While I’m currently in law school getting my JD, I also decided to get my masters in Chinese Law as as well, and when I saw this opportunity to work at a Chinese law firm, I jumped on it. Finding a place to live, emailing random law firms looking for work, getting your cell phone to work, and finding a good Chinese school is such a hassle, but I saw that CRCC Asia was a highly touted, internationally recognized company that offered to handle all of these things for you.
I was in Shanghai for three months, and I spent the first month learning Chinese and the next two months working at a Chinese law firm. The first month was great as it allowed me to explore Shanghai, and my Chinese also improved markedly. My teachers were very friendly and helpful, and I received a recording word document of every lesson. The next two months, I was busy working at a law firm, but still took 4-6 hours of Chinese lessons every week because I didn’t want to waste the opportunity to learn Chinese seeing as how I had such an excellent rapport with my teachers.
The CRCC Asia experience is what you make of it, if you are like me and really want to work, learn Chinese, and secure a job or future internship in Shanghai, then this will be a good experience for you, but if you want to have fun, get some work experience, go to trendy bars, and experience a different culture, then CRCC Asia is still the right company for you as well. I had some great roommates from Australia, Argentina, and South Africa, and while we all came in with different goals and experiences, I feel pretty safe in saying that we all thoroughly enjoyed our experience.
Overall, I’d say this experience worked out great for me. I wanted to see if working in China was something I would be interested in, and it turns out that it definitely is. Because of this, I’m working in Shanghai again this summer for one of the top Chinese law firms. I’ll be going back to the same Chinese teachers I was with before, and now that I know which places are good to live, it’ll be much easier for me to find an apartment for the summer.If you’re interested in working abroad but don’t know how to do it, or which program to choose from, I highly recommend CRCC Asia.
Going to Beijing via the CRCC Asia program did not only give a great cultural experience but also gave me a great social experience, I met so many wonderful people in China and also other interns on the programs. Thus far, it was one of the best holidays and internship in Beijing I’ve ever had. CRCC Asia was recommended by a friend of mine, going to China was very important for me because I am a Law with Chinese student at the University of Portsmouth I thought I’d broaden and polish my experience and language skills in China.
The level 3 intensive Chinese course was very helpful as it helped me practice my Chinese whilst communicating with the locals. The teachers were very friendly and the environment was comfortable to work in.
On the other hand, working in a Law firm gave me a lot of exposure, I met a lot of big international clients I wouldn’t have even thought I would meet in my life time. I attended meetings, ran errands and had to do a lot of research for the firm which made me more curious about Investments and Finance in the legal sector.
Aside from learning and working, I visited a lot of tourist attractions in Beijing which was extremely mind blowing. I also traveled to Shanghai and Qingdao which was also mind blowing.
The CRCC Asia apartments were very convenient and spacious with amazing views overlooking Guomao, where you find the most beautiful skyscrapers in the world such as the world trade centre, CCTV building etc. The area we lived in was also tourist friendly, the food was amazing and affordable.
Overall, I had an amazing experience and plan on having another trip to China.
Having achieved the best of my academic abilities so far, I felt that in order to compliment my academic pursuits that I should also undertake practical working experience to maximize everything I have learned. In today’s job market it is not only academia but also putting theory into practice which appeals to employers therefore I had made the decision of making myself more intriguing to future employers by working and living abroad. And where else could this adventure better begin than in China?
It was natural to feel anxious at first but at the prospect of living and working in Shanghai and the realisation that it can really become your reality made it all the more worthwhile. The moment you check-in your luggage at the airport and you then receive your boarding pass to Shanghai, there is no turning back: you are finally on board your own extraordinary voyage.
Part of my voyage was an internship in Shanghai at a Chinese law firm which gave me the opportunity to use the skills I had been taught at university and apply them confidently despite being in a completely different environment. There was nothing to be stressed about as the people in the firm were very welcoming and were interested in my background.
This has definitely been a memorable experience where I have gained a profound insight into Chinese business culture and has made me even more aware of the significance of respecting, appreciating and embracing other cultures. I have thoroughly enjoyed living and working in Shanghai and I would deeply recommend to everyone who wish to submerge themselves into this exciting and innovative world.
Going to China was the best decision I have ever made in my life. I was so nervous but the CRCC Asia staff made me feel so welcome and helped me with any queries I had, no matter how small!
China is a country with the most diverse culture. It is a massive shock when you get there. But after you meet all the CRCC staff and other CRCC interns you settle in straight away.
After returning to Australia, many employers have asked me about my experience in China during job interviews. I think it is fantastic for my resume. My only regret about the internship in Beijing was that I only did it for one month. The time flies and if I had my time again I would go for 2-3 months!!!
I really had no clue of what to expect from the program and China in general. But as it turns out interning in Shanghai was by far the best experience so far!
My one month internship in Shanghai was not just about expanding career prospects or improving my resume – it was about challenging myself. I got to do some amazing things – things that I wouldn’t have imagined of doing like eating a deep-fried scorpion or trying snake or even camping on the Great Wall of China!
The Chinese are amazing people and always ready to help – I had a lady leave her bread shop to walk me to the nearest bus stop which wasn’t that close!
The company which I interned with was just what I wanted. The people were incredible and every day was a great learning experience. I really recommend CRCC Asia to anyone interested in doing an internship in China – you’ll walk away with so many good memories and a wealth of knowledge and experience!!
I was always an internationally, or even globally, oriented individual that wanted to work in a leading international law firm. This aspirations is rooted in my interest in different cultures, languages, visiting new places and meeting new people. This is the reason why I chose to study a unique International Law degree at Lancaster University with an ERASMUS Year Abroad in the Netherlands. My international background and interest in travelling and learning about new cultures always spurred me to find ways to travel and work at the same time. Specifically, I was always interested in China, its unique culture, language and legal system, which is due to my international law studies at Lancaster University.
In conclusion, the CRCC Asia Internship in Shanghai Program is a fantastic opportunity that allowed me to gain amazing experience of practising law in China, learn about Chinese culture and accomplish my underlying aim of travelling and meeting new people.