Life starts at the end of one’s comfort zone. And nowhere is further from one’s comfort zone than China. New culture, new experience, new people. Everything is staggeringly unexpected.

Some things you will like, others not as much, but you will always learn. Life is not perfect – neither at home, nor in China. But travelling makes you a better person.

I took the Intensive Chinese Language Program and then completed the Internship in Beijing, China, working at UTS WorldWide. Both experiences were amazing.

And, don’t forget, the whole reason for going abroad is exploring. Do the travelling. Embrace the local culture as odd as it may seem. Be part of it. Contribute.

My internship in Beijing with CRCC Asia was a truly exciting and rewarding experience. Having previously travelled extensively through Europe and Asia, the Joint Intensive Language and Internship program satiated my desire for travel and cultural exploration, whilst also providing me with the professional development that I wanted to help me begin my career.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the social side of the program, with many cultural events and nights out in Beijing’s thriving social scene. I made great friends with fellow interns and CRCC staff members, and thoroughly enjoyed living life as a Beijing expat. The connections I made throughout my time in Beijing not only resulted in many new friends, but also a new job! I now work for CRCC in the newly opened Sydney office.

Having spent one month studying Mandarin intensively and interning in Shanghai with CRCC Asia I can safely say interning there was one of the greatest experiences of my life. The language teaching at Mandarin House was highly effective, and myself and my classmate learnt very quickly as a result of the well run school and organised teaching schedule.

Now I have made friends from different cultures, explored a great Asian megacity and I have something special to write on my CV. Definitely a program I would recommend to anyone interested in learning Mandarin and gaining a true cultural experience.

My Internship in Shanghai can only be described as unbelievably rewarding, inspiring, eye-opening, and … fast. Everything was so fast! It wasn’t just the length of the internship; it was the language, the businesses, the people, the trains, the cars! It was a bit of a change from the good ol’ Brisbane life that was for sure and I loved it. It was great to be able to combine work and travel in such a way that it satisfied cultural curiosity whilst providing the professional development that will hopefully give me a leg-up in my career.

My Internship in Shanghai through CRCC Asia was absolutely fantastic. I worked with Shanghai Expat, Ringier China where I had the ability to work in teams as well as independently in this international workplace. I have gained a greater understanding of China and how they have dealt with global changes and trends across many international markets.

I would definitely recommend this internship program. I know I will easily be able to apply all the skills and knowledge I learnt to any future positions that may arise. Shanghai is a fascinating city that I plan on visiting in the near future.

After a disappointing test result in my Mandarin at University before we left for our Christmas holidays, I informed my family of my worry about doing a four year course with such a difficult language. Fortunately a relative knew of CRCC Asia and how they offer an Intensive Chinese Language Program in Shanghai. Plus, what better way to further my knowledge by spending it in the home of Mandarin.

Before I knew it the plane tickets were booked and friends and family couldn’t believe I was going to China alone at 18! It dawned on me how large this trip was; however CRCC Asia were a massive part of my first experience visiting and interning in China and put me at ease.

I am now more than happy to attend my Mandarin lectures!

It has been a few months since I have returned home from Shanghai after completing my internship; the experience was that unforgettable that I hope I can translate into text the amazing experience I had. I have always wanted to do an internship in Shanghai and I came across the CRCC Asia Shanghai program which was advertised at my University. After reading about the program and the testimonials and some information search on Shanghai, I decided this was something I really wanted to do to tie up my degree. The application process was simple and CRCC Asia took care of all the hard work trying to match my internship preferences and organizing the appropriate paper work.

The company that I interned for was more than what I expected. The staff were wonderful and taught me more than I ever thought I could learn. I was always told you will get what you put into the internship and that is very much how it is. If you approach your internship with the right attitude and willingness to learn, you will take

My internship in Beijing in 2011 was a great experience and definitely enhanced my C.V. helping me secure a job after University. Not only did my time in China give me experience of working in a professional environment, I also developed my personal skills throughout the internship. A great educational background isn’t enough to secure a top job in the current climate, having an internship in China certainly makes you stand out from the crowd.

I would definitely recommend the CRCC Asia, not only did it enhance my CV and experience of working abroad; I had a great time doing it too. Many of the qualities I gained and developed are essential for my current role on the Finance Graduate Scheme with Tesco, without the internship with CRCC Asia it would be much harder to get a job with such excellent prospects. Although it is a big decision to make, don’t be afraid to take it, it truly is an excellent opportunity that will stand you in good stead for the future.

It has almost been a year since I had my two months internship in Shanghai with CRCC Asia. I strongly believe that joining the program was a positive life changing experience for me. Not only did I meet great contacts and friends that I still meet up with in different parts of the world, but it also gave me an opportunity to develop myself as a person and lead me to a career path I never expected.

Overall, I had an amazing time in Shanghai! If it weren’t for CRCC Asia, I would not have realised my interest in the start-up scene and I would not have met SeedAsia’s CEO in the Longemont Hotel. Many thanks to CRCC Asia for two months well spent and for opening my door to amazing opportunities!

In the absence of anything better to do over the summer holidays (well, not really a holiday now that I’m graduating from my MA programme and definitively and conclusively leaving the world of education behind!), I applied for CRCC Asia’s inaugural scholarship for a student with a disability on a whim over the Christmas break. Although being accepted onto the programme was a complete shock, it’s definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done.

CRCC Asia supported me throughout this whole experience, and I can honestly say that I felt completely safe in Shanghai. They made everything so simple: visa processing, airport pick-up and accommodation. I would definitely recommend an internship in Shanghai, China!