There’s no better way to learn more about the inner workings of an NGO or non-profit than through an internship abroad. An aspiring NGO professional in Shanghai will have the opportunity to boost their career, soak up Chinese culture and explore a leading international city. NGO internships in Shanghai offer interns the chance to gain professional experience alongside established professionals. The city’s neon magic makes it the perfect backdrop for a competitive professional experience. An NGO internship in Shanghai is both an exciting cultural opportunity and the perfect way to gain invaluable industry experience.
Shanghai is China’s most populous city, coming in at about 24 million residents. A global financial hub, Shanghai is also home to a number of competitive and thriving industries. NGO interns in Shanghai are placed in leading organizations where they can gain valuable experience. The idea is that interns boost their employability after gaining real-world experience in a foreign country.
NGO interns in Shanghai will enjoy living in the accommodation set up through The Intern Group, located in safe, local neighborhoods. Interns live in private bedrooms in shared apartments with other students, young professionals or interns. Getting around in Shanghai is a breeze thanks to the city’s comprehensive public transportation system. It’s the most extensive in the world and it’s affordable! There are signs translated into English in the metro, making it easier for interns to get around.
An NGO intern in Shanghai will acclimate to Chinese culture while gaining professional experience. Interns looking to learn another language will have the opportunity to speak some Mandarin. This is the language spoken among most locals, especially in the private sector. Mandarin has been used much more, thanks to the city’s push to become more international, so schools are now requiring Mandarin. The regional language Shanghainese is common on the street and in other informal settings.
Shanghai tantalizes with tastes of both China’s past and future. The spectacle of the glittering Lujiazui skyline represents Chinese economic power and innovation. Meanwhile, the delights of Shanghai’s Qibao Old Town bring back the charms of a different time in Chinese history. The many iterations of Chinese culture in Shanghai will astonish interns and pique their curiosity.
Not only is Shanghai a giant of a city, but it’s also highly international. Interns in Shanghai have the chance to make friends and professional contacts with people from all over the world. Whether based in Shanghai or just passing through, the city is filled with many established professionals forming multicultural communities. Expat communities have developed over recent years, with people coming in from France, Korea and the United States, among other countries. Unsurprisingly, this has caused Shanghai to develop many more international spaces like hamburger joints and Irish pubs. As Shanghai becomes increasingly international, English has become a more prominent language, especially among the city’s younger generation.
Food in Shanghai will make an intern never want to leave. The city is a prime place to try different types of Chinese cuisine, especially when you compare the quality of the food and the price. The city is full of inexpensive, authentic restaurants that serve up delicious Chinese and regional dishes for as little as US$2. A fancy restaurant will still only put you back around US$10, so you can keep costs low while you’re interning abroad and managing expenses. Dishes like xiao long bao, a dumpling soup, and yangchun noodles cannot be missed.
Sources: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/shanghai/introduction, http://www.timeoutshanghai.com/feature/28589/Shanghais-best-markets.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghainese, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Shanghai, http://travel.cnn.com/shanghai/play/worlds-greatest-city-50-reasons-why-shanghai-no-1-590704/, http://goingawesomeplaces.com/top-10-things-to-do-in-shanghai/, http://www.phyllisonthemap.com/10-reasons-shanghai-best-place-live-china/
Photos
1. based on 20034-Shanghai, by xiquinhosilva, CC-by-2.0
2. based on 21258-Shanghai, by xiquinhosilva, CC-by-2.0
3. based on Shanghai_8, by hans-johnson, CC-by-ND 2.0