Frequently Asked Questions
The Internship
How long is the internship?
What is the internship like?
How will I take care of lodgings and food?
Will there be other volunteers with me at the orphanage?
I can't volunteer during the summer. How about other times during the year?
How many people volunteered last year and for how long?
What are the requirements for participating in HCC's internships?
Applying
What qualities are you looking for in a volunteer?
Do I have to know Chinese to apply?
I'm currently on a leave of absence. Can I still apply?
I'm graduating. Can I still apply?
I'm a graduate student. Can I still apply?
I'm an alum. Can I still apply?
I'm not a Harvard student. Can I still apply?
When is the application deadline?
When will I find out if I've been accepted?
Preparation
I have never been to China before. How should I prepare myself?
Finance
What is the total cost involved?
I need to earn money over the summer. Can I do that and volunteer?
More questions? Email Adam Xianpeng Sang.
The Internship
How long is the internship?
Volunteers typically spend between 4 to 8 weeks at the site, depending on individual preferences and time constraints.
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The experience is different for everyone, given each person’s personal background and the uniqueness of each site. Sites range from small care centers for less than forty children to model state-run orphanages with hundreds of kids. Some are situated in major cities; others are not. Some have English-speaking staff; a few do not. We try our best to match you to an orphanage which suits your language skills and past experiences working with children.
It is important to remember that the internship does not always happen in a structured setting. This is what makes it both challenging and exciting. While you may be asked to teach English lessons, for example, you may also help out with menial chores. You may find that the staff is too busy to attend to some kids, so you may go play with them. You may find yourself helping to spoon feed the younger children during meal times; in leisure time, you may even find yourself playing guitar to the staff or teaching the kids an English song. We prepare you for the trip and arrange for your stay; once there, however, it is up to you to make the most out of your summer.
In summer 2006, we are pioneering the HCC-South China Program, which will send 4 volunteers to work at Saiqi Orphanage in Fujian after a week of preparation and exchange with students in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Volunteers are expected to provide care to children of various disabilities and keep a journal and write evaluations at the end. If you are interested in this program (approx. dates July 24 – August 28), please check the appropriate box on the application.
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In most cases, we have arranged for volunteers to lodge / eat meals at the orphanage. If lodging at the orphanage is not possible, you will be lodged close by.
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It’s likely. It depends on when and where you go.
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We warmly welcome term-time and year-long volunteers. Please get in touch with us to make specific arrangements.
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Between the summers of 2004 and 2005, 16 Harvard students volunteered at orphanages in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi and Henan. Some volunteered for half the summer; others spent the entire three months.
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Applying
What qualities are you looking for in volunteers?
We are looking for volunteers who love children, who work well with other people, who are willing to adapt to the challenges of living in a different culture, and who are enthusiastic and perseverant in what they do (as it takes a good deal of patience to get to know a new place and new people!).
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Knowledge of Chinese is helpful. We won’t lie: it can be frustrating when you can’t convey something you really need to. But remember that many of our past volunteers had very little or no language experience whatsoever prior to their internship, and still had very rewarding experiences.
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Yes.
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Yes.
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Yes.
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Yes. Keep in mind, however, that priority will be given to currently enrolled Harvard students.
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We are always glad to see those willing to make a difference, but priority is given to currently enrolled Harvard students and Harvard affiliates. However, the China Care Foundation also offers volunteering opportunities open to everyone.
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The deadline for submitting the online application for summer 2006 is Feb. 1, 2006.
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We will hold interviews in early February, and you will be notified by March at the latest.
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Preparation
I have never been to China before. How should I prepare myself? Will you be running workshops?
Yes. As past volunteers, we understand the stress which comes with international travel, and will try our best to help prepare you for the trip. We will hold discussion sessions and workshops late in the spring semester dealing with topics such as visas, health issues, language, safety awareness. We will brainstorm ideas together which you might be able to implement at your orphanage, and also discuss working with disabled children, which many of you may be facing for the first time. We will also give you some background on the history of international adoptions in China, the social situation and current conditions at the orphanages, and general advocacy issues.
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Finance and Fundraising
What is the total cost involved?
You will be responsible for the cost of your flight to China (~ US$600-1000, depending on how early you purchase your ticket) and some minimal costs associated with room and board. We can offer tips on how to find the cheapest airfares to China. If cost will be an issue, we suggest that you look into the many Harvard's grants and fellowships for undergraduate travel and public service work.
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Of course. If you will be a returning student, you may be interested in being considered to work for Jenzabar, a Cambridge-based Internet start-up company. If selected by the company, you will work there during the first half of the summer in order to fund your trip to later trip to China in the latter part of the summer. If you are interested, please check the appropriate box on the application.
Otherwise, you may want to consider finding a job on your own for part of the summer and volunteering in China for the rest of the time.
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We ask that you commit to attending the workshops and all other internship related activities in the spring. You are also expected to participate in at least one HCC fundraising event. Returning students are asked to share their experiences with each other and with future volunteers in the 2006-2007 school year. In the past, volunteers have organized a toy/book drive in the spring and brought donated items to the orphanages in China. In addition, they have been asked to raise money prior to the China trip, to be allocated as they see fit upon completion of the internship (for example, to sponsor a child’s surgery, contribute to building renovations, or to purchase school supplies). While it is optional this year, it is highly encouraged.
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