CHinese (mandarin)
Summer Jobs, Internships, and Fellowships
Huang Yi Cong Foundation
Location: Shanghai, China
Opportunity Found Through: Handshake/BrownConnect
Paid: Yes
Language Requirement: Mandarin Chinese, English
Application Process: I had a brief chat with them through WeChat, then did a face-to-face interview onsite. I got the job opportunity at the end of the interview.
Position: Summer Camp Instructor
Description: Taught 22 rural Chinese high schoolers programming (Scratch) and English language. Led entrepreneurship workshops and field trips. Designed all camp publicity materials with Photoshop and InDesign.
Language Use: used Chinese on a daily basis for the camp activities, and taught them English in workshops and classes.
Impact on Language Skills: I was able to help the students with English, and show them that the two cultures can blend.
Contact Information: Miranda Mo '22 (man_hei_miranda_mo@brown.edu)
Princeton in Asia (PiA)
Location: Asia
Position: various fellowships and internships
Link: https://piaweb.princeton.edu/
Recommended by: Yang Wang (yang_wang@brown.edu)
Active Kids Hong Kong
Location: Hong Kong and Beijing, China (you get to go on company-sponsored travel!)
Position: Business Development Intern
Description: A lot of it was teaching after-school enrichment courses for elementary school students including chess, sciences, and physics (but this can depend on individual expertise!). In addition, I gained experience doing market research, competitive advantage analysis, and other business development opportunities!
Language Requirement: Mandarin Chinese
Language Use: There is a two-week company-paid trip where you chaperone a trip to Beijing, Chinese for Hong Kong local students to learn Mandarin Chinese. On the trip, you use your Chinese skills to communicate and help manage the logistics of the trip.
Impact on Language Skills: In China, you use a lot of spoken Mandarin and your ability to communicate in important day-to-day interactions is greatly enhanced.
Opportunity Found Through: Handshake/BrownConnect
Paid: Yes (local housing included)
Application Process: A resume and a cover letter - they are open to a variety of academic backgrounds and want people who are passionate about education!
Contact Information: Michael Wang '22 (michael_wang3@brown.edu)
Academic Year Jobs, Internships, and Fellowships
Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition
Location: Boston, MA
Position: AmeriCorps Member
Description: Service-oriented; provide help with citizenship classes, education/career advising, and ESOL classes
Language Requirement: Chinese (Mandarin and/or Cantonese)
Language Use: Interacting with immigrants and their kids
Opportunity Found Through: peer recommendation
Paid: Yes
Application Process: Apply through the MIRA Coalition
Contact Information:
LANGUAGE SCHOOLS
NCKU Mandarin Studies Program
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Position: Student
Description: Learned Mandarin.
Language Requirement: none
Language Use: Full immersion. Classes in Mandarin.
Impact on Language Skills: Developed fluency.
Opportunity Found Through: found the opportunity themselves
Paid: No
Application Process: Applied to the school.
Princeton in Beijing
Location: Beijing
Description: PiB is an immersive language school where students gain Chinese language skills in addition to cultural knowledge.
Link: https://pib.princeton.edu/admissions
Recommended by: Lulei Su (lulei_su@brown.edu)
Harvard Summer Program in Beijing, China
Location: Beijing
Description: an immersive cultural and language experience in Beijing, China.
Link: https://summer.harvard.edu/study-abroad/beijing-china/#courses
Recommended by: Lulei Su (lulei_su@brown.edu)
Chinese Center at Tsinghua University
Location: Beijing
Description: an intensive year-long program which providence ample opportunities to build connections with the target community.
Link: http://iupchinesecenter.org/
Recommended by: Lulei Su (lulei_su@brown.edu)
EF Language Schools – Singapore Campus
Location: Singapore
Description: Singapore is a fascinating destination rich in culture, art and cuisine. This Asian metropolis combines the best of East and West and is an inspiring place to learn English or Mandarin. After class, browse the shops of Orchard Road or relax at a trendy café in Clarke Quay. The program offers daily language classes and living with a host family.
Funding: I funded this experience with a Watson language study grant, which a friend told me about. I found the specific program through a recommendation from another friend.
Feedback: I definitely improved my oral communication skills.
Link: https://www.ef.com/wwen/ils/destinations/singapore/singapore-mandarin/
Recommended by: Jessica Simon (jessica_simon1@brown.edu)