Getin2China and Southern Methodist University Partnership: New Ways to Experience China

In early 2011 Getin2China company established its partnership with Southern Methodist University (SMU) of the US.

The partnership opened the door for SMU to China Internship Program, under the auspicies of which a group of students from the United States visitied China in June this year. The purpose of this visit was participation in a 3-week long program, whereby students were given an opportunity to get both professional and cultural experience being involved into an internship with one of the Beijing-based companies. For most of the students this was their first time in China and undoubtedly one of the most unique experiences they ever got.

According to the students themselves, who participated this year in China Internship Program, it benefited them in several different ways. Firstly, from the professional point of view, working in a company enabled them to learn first-hand about the pecularities of business in China. In the light of the China’s fast economic growth and its increasing role in global affairs this knowledge should have good practical application for those who want to be involved into international business in the future. Besides, the students were placed for an internship according to their educational background, what gave them an additional advantage of acquiring professional experience valuable for future career.

Secondly, the program participants were offered full linguistic and cultural immersion through taking Chinese Mandarin language and calligraphy classes, various social networking events and sightseeing tours in Beijing. Chinese classes were specifically tailored for the English native speakers studying Chinese language back at their home country and being currently at the intermediate level. The language instructing was carried out by the experienced Chinese teachers who have spent years of teaching Chinese to foreigners. The intensive language course combined with daily communications with local Chinese people allowed the students to significantly improve their language skills. Practicing language was also available for the visitors during calligraphy and kung fu classes designed for the purpose of deeper understanding of the Chinese culture. During these classes the American students used the possibility of interacting with their Chinese counterparts thus learning about local traditions, customs and mentality. Cultural interaction also provided both parties with the chance to enlarge their international network of contacts, what becomes increasingly important in a modern globalized world and might be of great use for the future.

Thirdly, to get profound understanding and knoweldge of China’s history and culture the students were welcomed to explore Beijing to the fullest extent. The political and cultural capital of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing offers a lot to see and to learn. The trips organized by Getin2China team included round-the-city sightseeing tour (Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Ming Tombs) and the Great Wall climbing tour. To enrich the cross-cultural communication experience the visitors were invited for local food after each tour. Few visitors of Beijing leave the city without trying the favoured and famous local dish - Peking duck, and it was also vastly enjoyed by the SMU students. Other extracurricular activities envisaged by the China Internship Program included visiting Beijing opera theaters and acrobats show - two most popular entertainments in China.

Needless to say that the short stay in China this year provided the students from SMU with deep impressions about the country and incredibly rich experience covering such aspects as working in an international business environment, exercising Chinese language with native speakers, embracing local culture, traditions and customs, travelling and sightseeing, meeting new people and making new friends. Such partnership forms of collaboration as China Internship Program allow for a great opportunity to lay the corner stone of the successful future career. Following the total approval of the program by students this year both Getin2China and Southern Methodist University agreed to further collaborate in 2012 to let more people enjoy their summer days in China.