Program Details

Internship Network Asia’s goal is to provide our participants with a well-rounded, comprehensive experience in Shanghai – we are not just interested in finding you an internship; we give you everything you need to ensure your comfort, safety, and satisfaction. Below you will find the services offered in our Basic, Comprehensive and Deluxe packages.


Description of Services

Free Internship placement

international internship
Internship Network Asia will place participants in an internship in Shanghai, based on their interests and qualifications. We not only find your internship; but once placed, we coordinate with you and your host company to ensure your satisfaction. To start, you simply choose the field, and we will offer the best match for your level of education, desired working experience and company. See our Sectors page to chose which field you’d like pursue.
 
Housing
Internship Network Asia interns are housed in our centrally located apartments equipped with all amenities. Our apartments are spacious and ideally located within walking distance to metro/bus lines that can take you throughout the city. Participants enjoy individual rooms, in apartment shared with 2-3 other INA Interns. Basic and Comprehensive participants will share a bathrooom with one other participant. Deluxe participants will enjoy the largest room with an en-suite bathroom.
 
Monthly Living Stipend
Every month interns will receive a living stipend given to them in cash (Chinese RMB currency). This is meant to cover transportation and daily expenses. (Some companies may also offer monthly stipends to interns depending on their qualifications, however we cannot guarantee paid placements in each sector)
 

Monthly Events
Internship Network Asia presents monthly guest speakers and events around Shanghai. Our goal is to introduce our participants to inspiring individuals in various fields with different backgrounds so that our interns can see possibilities in China as well as different routes one can take to make it to the top of their game. We also hope to expose our participants to a variety of cultural events and activities around Shanghai. These will include local festivals (depending on time of year), meals with Chinese businessmen and other activities like KTV that offer glimpses into business and life in China. We also will offer invitations to networking events around Shanghai.

Progress Meeting w/ INA Advisor
Participants will meet with successful and qualified Internship Network Asia Advisors once a month to discuss how their internship placement, living arrangement, Chinese lessons and overall experience and adjustment to China are going. We want to insure our participants’ satisfaction, as well as give you the opportunity to voice comments, requests, or seek advice from our staff. We also provide career advice for graduates looking to extend their stay in China beyond their INA placements. See Our Team page for more information on our staff and advisors.

Airport Pick-up & Drop-off
Internship Network Asia ensures our interns’ safe arrival at Pudong International Airport (PVG) with an Internship Network Asia team-member there to greet participants upon their arrival. We then escort interns to their apartment, introduce them to staff and other participants, before their official orientation. At the end of the program we also arrange to drop off our participants at the Departures Terminal for your flight home.

Mobile Phone
Interns will receive a mobile phone (Nokia or equivalent) upon arrival in Shanghai. Before you arrive, you will be provided with your Chinese phone number so that loved ones may reach you as soon as you land and get settled. Important numbers such as INA office, 24-hr Concierge, Foreign Infoline, Consulates, etc. will be pre-programmed in each phone. The phone will also be pre-charged with 100rmb (payment after 100rmb will be the responsibility of the participant).

Survival Guide w/ Map of Shanghai
We want all of our participants to find their way in Shanghai, and INA’s way of ensuring that is by providing our interns with everything they need get oriented! We took the time to create and customize our own Internship Network Asia Survival Guide with everything you need from important phone numbers & addresses, must-see tourist sites, nightlife and restaurant recommendations, to street & metro maps, as well as other useful information.

24-hour Concierge
Internship Network Asia provides our participants with day-time and night-time phone numbers to call for assistance, with any problems, inquiries or advice about the city or activities.

intern china

Chinese Lessons
Internship Network Asia interns will get 4 hours of Chinese Instruction per week, by our Mandarin Teachers with experience teaching basic Chinese to foreigners. Our interns will have up to 4, 1-hour lessons per week. See Learning a New Language page for more information.

Travel & Emergency Insurance  (personal accident)
Participants are automatically provided with Insurance that includes re-imbursement for missed flights, lost baggage or personal items, for the duration of the trip as well as an emergency insurance package that covers interns in the event of an accident in China. We have teamed up with one of the biggest insurance companies to ensure every participant’s safety while in our program. Please see our Individual Services page to see further details of provided insurance as well as the option to choose other more comprehensive packages.

Pre-Charged Transportation Card
Every intern will receive a pre-charged Transportation Card good to use in taxis as well as for public transportation (metro and buses). Each card will already be charged with 100rmb for your convenience.

Opening a Bank Account
A member of Internship Network Asia staff will accompany you to a Chinese bank's branch closest to your appartment. Filling in the forms can be tricky, especially when few banks offer service in English. Having a Chinese bank account and a local debit card are useful for everyday expenses as most local shops will only take Chinese cards for payment.

Trip to Beijing
Interns will get the chance to experience a long-weekend in Beijing (China) with travel included. See China’s historical wonder, while enjoying the sights with friends! Visit the famed Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Summer Palace, Olympic Bird’s Nest and other cultural sites. Try authentic Peking duck, watch a Chinese Tea Ceremony and experience China’s capital city! See our Trips page for more information about your Beijing experience!

Orientation Weekend
Upon arriving in Shanghai, Interns will be introduced to the city by our staff. We will offer excursions around Shanghai, and demonstrate how to take the metro. Participants will also enjoy a special welcome dinner.

Weekly Fieldtrips
Every Sunday Internship Network Asia offers weekly transportation via van for fieldtrips around Shanghai. For your convenience we organize trips to IKEA, Carrefour, as well as to the Fabric Market, and Yu Yuan (Gardens) etc. Participants are welcome to request destinations in advance for our consideration.

Activity Coordination
At Internship Network Asia we hope to satisfy the needs and ambitions of our participants in every aspect, therefore we are happy to provide assistance in activity coordination in Shanghai. Want to join an expat soccer team? How about yoga or Tai-Qi? Or try a Chinese cooking class! Let us know what you’re interested in, and we will help arrange activities and events!

Era Acrobatic Show*
Internship Network Asia is excited to include tickets to the acclaimed Era Acrobatic Show – “Intercession of Time”. Often compared to Cirque de Soleil, Era is a spectacular multi-million dollar show we are happy to have our participants experience while in Shanghai. Take a look at their site and write-up on SmartShanghai.com to catch a glimpse of an unforgettable night:

ERA Acrobatics (smartshanghai.com)

 

Visa Extension Services
INA offers visa extension services that help our participants stay in China with 3-6 month visas. This allows Participants to avoid unnecessary hassle and trips to government offices. For more information please see our visa extension page.

Weekend Trip to Sanya or Xi’an
Deluxe package participants will have to choice of extra trips to Sanya or Xi’an – two of China’s most popular destinations. Enjoy the beach and sun of Hainan’s coast in Sanya while discovering China's tropical destination. Or indulge in a glimpse of history in Xi’an as you see the un-earthed pits of Terracotta Warriors. Visit our Trips page for more information about these destinations.