Volunteer Program | Omeida Chinese Academy

OMEIDA CHINESE ACADEMY

Volunteer in China

If you are an English-speaker, you can help support students at our partner English Academy by engaging in conversation session. Sounds simple on your end, but to English-language students in small-town Yangshuo where there are not many foreigners, 1-2 hours of conversation practice is a rare treat that helps in abundance with their education. You will be giving them an opportunity to practice what they can only learn from a classroom and through media.

Best of Both Worlds

Since this is a language exchange, you may learn quite a bit more about Chinese language and culture that is not written in books, and instead through native Chinese-speakers. Especially combined with taking Chinese lessons, being a volunteer in China is a great supplement to your studies, which we can support even further by offering discounted tuition fees, free accommodation and free meals!

You will find many language partners, also life-long friends.

An Opportunity of a Lifetime

Volunteering in China is an opportunity of a lifetime! This volunteer program provides you with a chance to experience ‘real’ China and get some international work experience. You will also meet many Chinese students who are learning English, so you can ask any burning questions like “What is the translation of Coca-Cola in Chinese?” and “Does the Government really make it rain?”

What is Omeida’s Volunteer Program about?

Omeida’s Volunteer in China Program is an unpaid language and cultural exchange program in Yangshuo.

Omeida owns Chinese Academy and English College which are two independent but closely cooperated and located schools. Every year we have more than 1,000 native Chinese students (including kids, teens and adults) study English at Omeida and recruiting lots of foreign volunteers to practice English conversation with Chinese students.

Volunteers are requested to work in average 2 hours a day Monday to Friday in exchange of free shared accommodation and food at school. Typical work is to do 1 hour a day free conversation in English with the students who are studying in English College. The conversation is usually one on one, sometimes in small group English corner. The other hour is more flexible with tasks for your choice, e.g. write blogs or stories to post on Facebook, or simply do more English conversation with students.

Native English speakers or speakers fluent to native level are welcome to apply for the volunteer positions all year round, while in low season the volunteer position is relatively limited. However, we always give priority to our foreign students to do volunteer work. On top of providing free room and/or food, we also offer a discount for volunteer students to attend our Chinese courses.

If you are interested in the volunteer position, please feel free to contact us.

Can I do other volunteer work except English conversation at Omeida?

Yes, depending on your interest and expertise, we are also in need of marketing volunteers, blog writers, vlog makers, event photographers, video editors, website developers, activity leaders, and others.

Marketing work including SEO, social media management, Google ads optimization, photo or video editing, blog writing, etc.

Just send us your CV and tell us what your talents are. Volunteering will be a great opportunity for you to do what you love and enrich your experience in China!

How much do I need to pay if I do volunteer work and study Chinese with Omeida?

By doing volunteer work you can exchange for free room and/or food at Omeida, and attend our small group comprehensive Chinese class at a discounted price.

The minimum volunteer period preferred is two weeks. A 150RMB/week discount will be applied based on the Standard Chinese course price. e.g. the discounted tuition is 3,502RMB (about 525 USD) for a 2 week, or 6,850RMB (about 1,027USD) for a 4 week Standard Chinese course with 15 lessons per week. While the non-volunteer price for the same package is 4382RMB (about 657USD) or 8,610RMB (about 1,291USD).

If you are interested in Intensive course or other courses, please contact us.

What time should I do volunteer work?

If you do English exchange in Omeida Language College, then usually the working hours are 5-6 pm and/or 7-8 pm Monday to Friday.

If you do other volunteering, it will be during our business hours along with other team member(s), i.e. 9 am-12 noon, 2-6 pm Monday to Friday.

Can I work in China with a student visa?

It’s illegal to work in China without a work visa. University degree students can do an internship if approved by their university and with its help adding an “intern” note to their study residence permit. All other paid jobs are not allowed for foreign students in China.

What are the requirements to be a volunteer?

—Must be a native English speaker or have a near-native level of fluency

—You must be at least 16 years of age

—Willing to share, give of yourself and help others

—Have a serving attitude

—A sense of fun and adventure

If you have these qualities, you may be the perfect candidate to volunteer in China!

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