Job Discussion Forums

lumberjackej

Hi everybody,

I was wondering if anyone knew of any volunteer opportunities in China (preferably in the north, but anywhere is ok) for the summer. I would love to help out in some way or form, as I will be in China for 5-6 weeks this summer.

My only stipulation is that the volunteer position offer some sort of housing and/or board. I don't need to receive a salary, because I'm still receiving summer paychecks from my teaching job, but having housing/food taken care of would really make my trip more affordable.

If you have heard of any short-term gigs, I'd love to hear about them.

Thank you!

EJ

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

If you are REALLY serious, I can arrange to have you stay in my wife's village or the town nearby. The village is in Jilin province but the town is in Liaoning due to the village's location. There are children of all ages who'd love to learn some English from a foreigner. Don't expect Club Med -- it'll be old, OLD China you'll be living in and it will make the living conditions on Survivor look like paradise. I spent a couple days there last summer and I was so happy to be back in the city. On the plus side, the people were very friendly and I was shown the warm Dongbei hospitality one wouldn't find in many parts of China. Again, the living condition wasn't ideal, but man, talk about experiencing OLD China.

If you think you have a very adventurous spirit and can hack it for a week or two, PM me.

lumberjackej · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 5:09 am Post subject:

I just did some checking online and most of the websites want me to pay them $2000 to volunteer. Huh? That sounds like a pretty lousy deal. Can't I just work somewhere for a while in exchange for room and board? Maybe I'm not searching with the right keywords... Confused

SheZook · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 187

You don't have to pay anything for VET and I just checked the meals thing - ALL meals can be provided at no charge but most choose to have breakfast and lunch and then find their own dinner. The rooms are fairly basic but comfortable and are based in Yangshuo.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

I won't charge you one single RMB. Laughing

You just need to arrange for your own L visa, your own plane ticket to get into a northern or northeastern international airport like Beijing, Shenyang or Changchun/Jilin, enough money for your stay in China, and I'll tell you how to get there by train and bus. My wife's parents are building a new house right now and it should be ready in less than a month. You will have a place to sleep but sorry, the indoor washroom will be only good for #1 and you'd have to go into the outhouse for #2. As for taking a shower, you can take a bath in the river, go into town and take a shower in one of the hostel's bathrooms, or use the outdoor shower stall.

I do hope you can handle baijiu -- the beverage of choice there. Wink

upchuckles · Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 111

What does the $2000 include? Airfare? My sister just got airfare from New York, $1790. Depends on what those programs offer, touring, etc.. If you're already in China or been before, just find a school and go there.. You should be able to negotiate food & accomodation no problem and a marginal salary. It won't be "gainful" employment but you won't have to be so charitable.

cheers

danswayne · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 237

Why not go to Red Horse Lake and get paid some sor your hard work.

boubou · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 61

I would trust TW if I were you, he's a real good guy Smile

BTW you might want to know that Chinese Law says it's illegal to make a foreigner pay for volonteering, so *beep* the agencies. And most agencies make from 50 to 150 yuan per hour for YOUR volonterering.... If you REALLY want to pass by an agency, I can hook you up with an American buddy who has an agency with a Chinese business partner, he places volonteers in the country side.... but... trust TW I say!

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

For the record, the above poster didn't get paid to endorse me. Embarassed

boubou · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 61

ahahaha, no I didn't. TW is just a guy I met in the plane and when I told him I was passing by New Times agency, gave me his phone number... here is what he told me: ''get in any trouble, call me..." hehehe It's why I say to trust him Smile

upchuckles · Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 111

sheltron5000 · Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 4 Location: USA

Um, I think the point tw and boubou are trying to make is that they both have places that the OP can volunteer at, without paying. Paying to volunteer has always seemed a little sketchy to me anyway...

Katja84 · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 165

SheZook · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 187

Katja,

I work with V.E.T and I love it! Laurie (the founder) is a real sweetheart and takes good care of all the volunteers - the first time I worked for the project I fell in love with the village and the students and can't wait to get back there every summer!

lumberjackej · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:29 am Post subject:

I'm hoping to spend time in a Beijing at a Baha'i summer institute on education in China, and the VET will be a great second choice if the first doesn't work out.

Kadja, in reference to the link you listed, I actually applied for that program back in April. It seemed really great, and I got a phone interview with the organizers, but I got rejected. This group expects you to be FLUENT in Chinese, as you will be attending education seminars led in Mandarin. I obviously don't have that command of Chinese, which is partly why I'm going to study this summer. Wink

EJ