Semester of Chinese and Volunteering

Program Description

Volunteering abroad is not only a benefit to the local Chinese communities; it can also be a relaxing and meaningful way to change up your day to day routine of studying Chinese. You are already committed to learning the language, but this program is for students looking to expand their horizons and give back to China in a meaningful way. Boost your resume, increase your self-awareness, and re-assess your future goals and aspirations.

More volunteer projects on the weekends are available and optional. Each month, you will join other international students on a weekend trip to different schools in rural China to aid with volunteer work and provide extra hands for ongoing projects. With our combination study Chinese in China and volunteer in China program, students will spend one semester learning Chinese at BLCU while volunteering at a local Beijing orphanage two afternoons per month.

Highlights

Orphanage Visits:
Many of these projects focus specifically on disadvantaged children, whether they are orphaned, children of migrant workers in under-resourced communities, or kids with disabilities or learning differences. Volunteer work can include playing with children, helping with their daily routines, and basic maintenance and upkeep projects like painting. With CSA, you'll volunteer at one of China’s many orphanages, schools, and centers for kids with special needs to make a difference in a child’s life.

Children who are physically or mentally abled in different ways are marginalized in Chinese society, and CSA China's volunteers do their part to contribute and upkeep the loving, caring, and safe environment these children, ages 0-19, are living in. These organizations exist to help offset the costs for parents who cannot afford to send their child to a special school or center if their child has unique needs.

Volunteer Trips:
Once you have settled in and have a rhythm for your academic schedule, CSA will brief you on your placement, the experience and what is expected from you as a volunteer. CSA encourages our students to get familiar with their language program before taking on the responsibilities of the volunteer program. The first two weeks in Beijing will give you a chance to become familiar with your surroundings and your study commitments.

Getting to know the context of your volunteer work will enable you to maximize your impact as a volunteer. The weekends to rural Chinese towns involve an overnight train with other international students. CSA will help you prepare for the weekend in advance and let you know what is involved for each weekend away. Each volunteering experience is unique. Before you attend your program, you will provided with a brief introduction to the history and background of your placement location. Typically this will involve a basic introduction in Chinese and question and answer sessions with the students, most of whom will never have seen or certainly met a foreigner before.