Individual Student Programs
This program is catered to individual students who are looking to experience China on a more personal level. Students will be paired with a Chinese student of similar age, gender, and interest so the pair may bond and exchange cross-cultural experience. English speaking students have the opportunity to live with a well-to-do Chinese family during their trip. Room and board are included. Local tours within the city are provided and up to the discretion of the host family. The goal of the program is for Western students to be exposed to real Chinese culture, improve their Chinese (if desired), and for the Chinese student to improve their oral English while learning about the western culture. All participating students will have the opportunity to exchange emails with their host brothers/sisters prior to departure to establish rapport and begin learning about one another. We are able to pair students with hosts of dissimilar age/gender/interests if requested. We are also able to help multiple students who would like to be placed in China in the same or separate host families but within the same city. This is a great opportunity to experience China with new and old friends at the same time!
- Be paired with an English speaking Chinese student
- Flexible dates and duration
- Learn Chinese
- Experience the rich Chinese culture
- Make life-long friends internationally
- Tours throughout China can be arranged upon request (extra cost)
- Students, who are native English speakers, from the following countries may apply: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa
- Families and students of both countries must undergo interviews and background checks before being admitted for the program to ensure proper and safe environments for all parties involved
- Current university students may be awarded a scholarship of 8o RMB per day to help off set the costs of the program–subject to approval by WSIEA
To Apply to the Program, Applicants are required to submit the following:
2. Resume
3. Personal statement of why you are interested in China and what you hope to gain from this exchange opportunity
4. Copy of your passport’s main page (colored)
5. 2 personal, academic, or professional reference letters
6. Copy of your academic transcript
7. Updated picture
8. Proof of international travel insurance for the duration of the program (may be submitted after placement contract is signed)
Application Fee:
An application fee of $100.00 is due with the application form. This fee is to ensure that the applicant is serious about obtaining placement through WSIEA. If accepted, upon satisfaction of the program and the completion of an acceptable Exit Interview, WSIEA will refund half of the original application fee back to the applicant. The application fee is not reusable toward another position if the applicant has already been placed through WSIEA in the past.
Application deadline is at least 90 days prior to desired departure.