subject: Staying In Touch With Internships In China [print this page] A huge number of students are realizing the value of internships in China. The first hand experience mixed with a highlighted resume, is in its self worth the time and cost. Staying in contact with friends and loved ones is a prime concern for those who embark on this adventure. Listed are just a few of the many ways Study Chinese in China students or Internships in China participants can keep in touch with the people that matter.
Internet:
Internet cafs can be found in most towns and cities, and Wi-Fi is increasingly available at hotels and cafs especially for Study Chinese in Shanghai and Study Chinese in Beijing students. Access is cheap and usually reliable. The state does however routinely blocks access to sites deemed inappropriate, such as a few media sites and Facebook etc. This can be overcome by those purchase a VPN however.
Telephone:
As you do an internship in China or study in China a mobile phone will be provided for you with a local number. Public telephones are becoming harder to locate for obvious reason. They are outdated. The cheapest way to call internationally is to buy a pre-paid calling card, available from most convenience stores and in hotels in units of 20, 50, 100 and 200. Skype is a further option.
Post:
When you do an internship in China or a Study abroad in China course, the Post will usually be used depending on your time. Service to Europe takes from between two days and one week. Tourist hotels usually have their own post offices. All postal communications to China should be addressed 'People's Republic of China'.
Post office hours:
Mon-Fri 0800-1900.
Media:
China's media is tightly controlled by the country's leadership. The industry has been opened up in the areas of distribution and advertising but not in editorial content. Access to foreign news providers is limited and re-broadcasting and the use of satellite receivers is restricted; shortwave radio broadcasts are jammed and websites are blocked. In general, the press report on corruption and inefficiency among officials, but the media avoids criticism of the Communist Party's monopoly on power. Hong Kong so far has largely retained an editoriall free media. Each city has its own newspaper, usually published by the local government, as well as a local Communist Party daily. All foreign-made TV programmes are subject to approval before broadcast.
To travel to China in pursuit of an internship in China or Learn Chinese in China programme does not mean you will be cut of from the rest of the world. On the contrary, just by turning on your normal news channel within China usually covers more international news than countries such as the USA.
