JM8879

So this summer, my parents are sort of forcing me to go to China to visit my family and learn Chinese. However, the trip is a whopping 45 days, and with a late graduation in my district (June 21). It basically leaves no room for any internship or program in the United States. So, I was wondering if there was anything I can apart from learning Chinese in those 45 days that would help me obtain finance or business internships in college (UChicago). I have an aunt who works at the commerce bank in my hometown, and she said she would allow me to visit and help her out. Would this count as a foreign job? And if so, how good will it look on the resume?

savedbythebell7

I think they have 3 week summer courses (taught in English) at some of the chinese universities. Use the university study abroad website to find out.

SergioValencia

If you are Chinese, then something like that is next to worthless. There's tons of Asian Americans using their home connections to land opportunities in China, Korea, etc and the employers know this. Usually these connections are really high too, because the kids came from wealthy families in Asia in the first place. Now if you were American, it'd show you have initiative and the independence to live and work in a foreign country. I would spend your summer mastering the language, and get to know the culture better if you're planning to work there later, and even enjoy it. It is vacation after all and you're in a prime destination. Spend some time preparing for your applications to REAL internships in the US in the upcoming year.

UCLAri

I would just enjoy yourself. It's not every day that you get to enjoy a great trip like that. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

kfc4u

not exactly sure where you'll be in china, but if it's in a bigger city, then perhaps teach english to make money on the side while slowly building up your network of local contacts. a good place to do this would be at the university.

but do enjoy yourself. your international experience (even if it is "just" exposure) will be valuable regardless of your ethnic background. and learn chinese cuz that can be a valuable investment too.

best thing u can do to prepare for the business world is to go buy knockoff dress shirts (bargain them down to around $5) and get a tailor-made suit (bargain it down to around $60).

JM8879

lol kfc4u is right. I am chinese and I haven't been back since I immigrated in 1995. While this is mostly a vacation, I was hoping I could use some time to prepare for a "real" U.S internship.

live-

I'd be much more impressed with someone who spent 45 days in China than with a prefrosh who did an "internship" (which everyone in the real world realizes was part-time clerical duties at a company in their field of interest). I mean much, much more impressed. Just enjoy it.