Destination: China

Your career can be an adventure: Discover China

This is your great adventure, and we want it to be perfect. You can make selections from any of the activities described in the following tabs to form your ideal schedule. We recommend a four-week trip that looks something like this:

Week 1: Cultural Immersion

Your trip begins in the Guilin Province of China. Based at our regional centre in Fengyan village, you’ll spend your first week meeting our other visitors, and learning about the people who live in Fengyan. Your time will be divided between short trips around the village, language lessons, and other sessions about the rich history, culture, and traditions of this ancient land.

*For more on Cultural Immersion click the Culture tab.

Weeks 2 and 3: Choose your project

What you experience in these weeks is up to you. You can choose to get involved in any of the projects we have to offer in China. Teachers might choose to volunteer at a local school, or orphanage for two weeks. You’ll get to experience the education system in a different country, which will be a fantastic chance for you to develop your own skills in your chosen profession. You don’t need to have any previous experience to get involved in one of our volunteer projects.

If you are passionate about wildlife, and conservation, you can choose one of our Panda programs in Chengdu. You’ll have the chance to work with other volunteers in the Panda reserve, and help to ensure the survival of these wonderful animals.

If you’re looking for a more physical trip, you can choose to enrol in the Tai Chi training program. Over the course of two weeks you’ll learn about this magical martial art, and strengthen your body and mind. You can even extend your stay for 6 months, and become a Tai Chi master.

 *For more on Cultural Immersion click the Culture tab.

Week 4: Adventure

Spend your final week trekking through rice fields; cycling through the ancient town of Yangshuo; or rock climbing in the stunning mountains of Guilin Province. This is a week to challenge yourself, and learn more about your own abilities. Whatever you choose, we’ll help make this an affordable adventure you’ll remember forever.

*For more a more detailed itinerary click the Adventure tab above.

Cultural Immersion Week

We’ll introduce you to the other Global Nomads staying with us; you’ll be able to spend some time getting to know them, and our co-ordinators. You’ll go for a short tour around the local village, and see the beautiful scenery that surrounds it. In the winter months, you can pick the fruits from the trees in the local fields. In the afternoon, we’ll give you an introduction to the language, and teach you some key words and phrases.

Below is a schedule to give you an idea of what your first week will be like. It is only intended to be a rough guide; every schedule can be customised according to your choices.

Cost

From €175 per week, all inclusive.

Schedule

The schedule below should give you an idea of what to expect on your first week in China:

Day One
We’ll introduce you to the other Global Nomads staying with us; you’ll be able to spend some getting to know them, and our co-ordinators. You’ll go for a short tour around the local village, and see the beautiful scenery that surrounds it. In the winter months, you can pick the fruits from the trees in the local fields. In the afternoon, we’ll give you an introduction to the language, and teach you some key words and phrases.

Day Two
The day begins with breakfast, and a briefing on the details of your adventure. You’ll visit Lianhua Town, and we’ll help you register at the local police station; it’s required that all foreigners explain where they intend to live during their stay in China.

You’ll visit the local fair, and we’ll show you where the convenience store is. Here, you’ll be able to buy any supplies you might need, and even pick up a SIM card to use with your mobile phone. In the evening, we’ll challenge you to a game of Mahjong, and teach you about Chinese numbers.

Day Three
Breakfast today will be a little special. We’ll provide a traditional Chinese breakfast, with Gongcheng You Cha; a special local tea. We’ll introduce you to the tea ceremony, and show you how to prepare it in the traditional way.

You’ll visit the village of Hengshan, where you can climb the amazing tower, and take in the spectacular views. There is a traditional well here too, so you’ll get an idea of how local people used to live.

In the evening, there’ll be a special cooking and language class. We’ll teach you the words and phrases you’ll need to go to the market and buy the ingredients. Once you have gathered your supplies, we’ll help you to cook your own dinner. We won’t force you to eat it!

Day Four
Your day will start with another language lesson, and a discussion about your cultural experiences so far. You’ll have the chance to do some origami, and try your hand at Chinese calligraphy.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit Hongyan Village, where you can enjoy a relaxing walk among the forest of fruit trees. You might choose to walk to the Fengyu bridge to enjoy the architecture; or row a boat along the beautiful river.

Day Five
After another language class in the morning, you’ll have lunch in Gongcheng County, where you can try the local food. You’ll visit a primary school, and be introduced to the Chinese education system. Later on, you’ll have the chance to visit a Confucian temple, and a Guangong temple in Gongcheng Town. There’s also a beautiful river here that you can walk along.

Day Six, and Seven
We’ll finish the week with some group discussions, and you’ll get a chance to share your experiences with your fellow adventurers. After that, you’re free to enjoy your weekend however you choose.

Accommodation

We want to do everything to make your stay here comfortable and exciting. Our Global Nomads will be staying together in shared dormitories at the centre in Fengyan Village. You should expect to eat traditional Chinese food, but there will be plenty of variety for you to choose from. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements, or allergies before you arrive, and we’ll make sure there is plenty for you to eat.

There is a bar at the centre, where you can relax, and enjoy food and drink in a unique Chinese atmosphere.

The centre can provide you with free internet access on our wireless network, so feel free to bring your laptop with you. You’ll be able to hand wash your clothes at no charge, or we can provide a laundry service at a small additional cost.

You’ll be expected to clean up after yourselves, and play a part in keeping the centre tidy.

Our co-ordinators are here to help you, and make you feel comfortable. They’ll be glad to share their local knowledge with you, and help you to find anything you might need during your stay, like money, or transport; all you’ll have to do is ask.

Quick Links

• Teaching
• Orphanage
   

Teaching Placements: Helping the Children of China

Whether you are a teacher, or just enjoy working with children, you should consider including this project in your adventure plans.

Our teaching placements are designed to give people who are interested in pursuing a career in education their first taste of what it might be like. We also want them to provide experienced professionals with a unique experience that will help them to develop new skills, and present new opportunities in their chosen careers.

You don’t need to have any previous teaching experience to get involved with this project.

The Project

Throughout this project, you’ll be working with students at various schools; teaching English; or coaching them in Physical Education classes. We have strong relationships with several primary, and secondary schools, whose students are between 7 and 18 years old.

Schools accept a non-formal approach to teaching; you won’t have to conform to the local teaching methods or style, and everyone will be free to bring their own ideas into class. It is important to understand that the methods of teaching are less important to us than your attitude towards the students.

The aims of this teaching placement are to help local students improve their English skills; but also to present you with the opportunity to experience a different system of education, and build partnerships with other schools, and teachers around the world.

Some of our teaching placements are only looking for unpaid volunteers, but the experiences that they offer are unique and invaluable to your career progression. New projects are cropping up all the time, so bookmark us to keep track of our future projects.

Check out our paid internships here.

Cost

€175 per week - all-inclusive

Schedule

You’ll be expected to teach up to three hours a day, from Monday to Friday. Your timetable will be flexible; it’ll include plenty of time for you to plan, and prepare lessons; reflect, and evaluate on your work so far; and compare your experiences with other members of staff.

Bringing gifts to share with students, and staff members is often a great way to break the ice on your first day. In our experience, students are less interested in toys, but pictures of your family, home, or pet are always well received.

Chinese schools break for holidays from the middle of July to the end of August; and from the middle of February until March. During such times special classes and English camps are often arranged. If your adventure is taking place at these times, we could arrange for you to be involved with some English camps, and enjoy some seasonal festivities.

Accommodation

We want to do everything to make your stay here comfortable and exciting. Our Global Nomads will be staying together in shared dormitories at the centre in Fengyan Village. You should expect to eat traditional Chinese food, but there will be plenty of variety for you to choose from. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements, or allergies before you arrive, and we’ll make sure there’s plenty for you to eat.

There is a bar at the centre, where you can relax, and enjoy food and drink in a unique Chinese atmosphere.

The centre can provide you with free internet access on our wireless network, so feel free to bring your laptop with you. You’ll be able to hand wash your clothes at no charge, or we can provide a laundry service at a small additional cost.

You’ll be expected to clean up after yourselves, and play a part in keeping the centre tidy.

Our co-ordinators are here to help you, and make you feel comfortable. They’ll be glad to share their local knowledge with you, and help you to find anything you might need during your stay, like money, or transport; all you’ll have to do is ask.

Childcare: Volunteer at an Orphanage

People interested in following a career in social work or childcare might want to consider a Careerism Project at a Chinese orphanage. Working with children can be a challenging, but hugely rewarding job. Volunteering at an orphanage offers you the chance to make a difference to the lives of children who have lost their parents, and who desperately need support and guidance. It’s a fantastic way to offer valuable to help to people who need it, while still moving forward in your chosen profession.

The Project

The Beikadun orphanage is located in Beishan Village in the Hunan Province of China. There are around one hundred children at the orphanage, between 5 and 16 years old. Most of them attend the nearby schools, where they spend most of their day. While they are at school, you’ll help clean the orphanage, and prepare meals for the children’s return.

You’ll also have the opportunity to help the children improve their English skills, and teach them important life skills. You’ll work closely with our staff, who’ll support you throughout your stay.

As well as teaching basic English when the children return from school, you’ll play games with them; help them clean their rooms; and do some gardening.

Cost

€175 per week - all-inclusive

Schedule

After spending the Cultural Immersion Week in Fengyan Village, we’ll organise a bus to bring you to the orphanage. It’s quite a long journey from there, and will take around 8 hours.

A typical day will involve cleaning the rooms in the orphanage; watering the garden; and playing games with the younger children who don’t attend school. After 3 o’clock, the children return from school. You’ll be expected to deliver some English classes; help the children with their homework; and organise other activities.

You can take two days off during the week, but it’s often better if those are weekdays, rather than weekends. Because children don’t attend school during weekends, there’s always more to get involved with.

Accommodation

During the project, you’ll share a bedroom, and bathroom with two or three members of staff. We can provide you with hot water 24 hours a day, and will cook all your meals for you. There’s a wireless network at the orphanage that you can use to access the internet and make Skype calls for free.

The orphanage also its own bus, which you can use to get into town when you need to. There are some small shops there that should provide anything that you need; for bigger shopping trips, you might want to catch a bus to the nearest city, Changsa, which takes about three hours.

Quick Links

• Trekking Tour 
• Tour & Cycle Week
   

Trekking Tour: Explore China on Foot

See an adventurous side of China!

Trek through the amazing Longsheng terraced fields, and stay with the local people in the hillside villages that are common to the province. You’ll get to experience firsthand how people live in rural China, and immerse yourself in an ancient culture.

As you travel around this spectacular landscape, you’ll be astounded by it’s beauty. You’ll get to watch the sun rise over the flooded rice terraces, and experience the unique harmony between the human, and natural landscapes. The journey will be challenging, but this is an adventure worth having.

Cost

€350 per week, all inclusive.

Schedule

Day One
Your trek begins after lunch in Guilin, and you’ll arrive in Huangluo (“Longest Hair”) Village in Longsheng at around 5 p.m. We’ll take you to an exhibition of Yao embroidery, where the locals will teach you how to embroider. You’ll stay in Huangluo Village overnight.

Day Two
In the morning, you’ll take a short tour of the village and meet the girls with the longest hair in the world! Then, we’ll trek into the mountains, heading for the Yao village. We’ll pass through Jinzhu Zhuang village, and trek part of the terraced fields in Qian Ceng Tian Ti, before watching a performance by the Yao people, and staying in their village overnight.

Day Three
We’ll spend the day trekking across the spectacular terraced hills in Jin Fo Ding, and Xishan Shaoyue, until we reach Tiantou; another Yao village. You’ll get to learn more about the Yao people as we stay with them overnight.

Day Four
A spectacular day of trekking will take you across the amazing mountainous region between Tiantou, and Zhongliu Village; where we’ll stop for lunch. The people in this village are famous for their special local food, and you’ll have the chance to enjoy a fantastic meal.

In the afternoon, the trek continues to Ping’an; a village belonging to the Zhuang minority. You’ll learn about the different cultures and traditions of the minority peoples of China as we stay with the Zhuang overnight.

Day Five
You’ll see the terraced fields known as the “Nine Dragons,” “Five Tigers,” and “Seven Stars Around the Moon” that are near Ping’an Village. We’ll make our way back to Guilin, where the Trekking Tour will end.

Days Six, and Seven
You can relax, rest, and enjoy two days of free time before you start the next part of your trip. Our co-ordinators can help you arrange transport to take you to the airport, or wherever you need to go.

Accommodation

During the trek, you’ll stay in residential hostels. These are typically traditionally styled, wooden huts with a double room, and bathroom.

There are some small shops along the way, where you’ll be able to buy daily necessities like drinks, and snacks. You won’t be able to access the internet in the mountainous regions, but you might be able to use a mobile phone. There are no ATMs outside of Longsheng County, so be sure to prepare before you leave.

Tour and Cycle Week:

The idyllic town of Yangshuo is renowned for its natural beauty, and exploring it on a bike is a spectacular way to experience it. This region has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in recent years thanks to the hospitality and warmth of the people who live here.

The Tour

This week is not just about cycling; you’ll also have the chance to meet the locals in Yangshuo during calligraphy, origami, and Tai Chi classes. We’ll even take a bamboo boat up the Li River!

You’ll get plenty of beautiful photos in this region; we’ll visit the mysterious mountain caves, pavilions, and temples in the ancient town of Huang Yao; an ancient city that was built nearly three thousand years ago!

Cost

€350 per week, all inclusive.

Schedule

During the week, we’ll explore the stunning Moon Hill; the Big Banyan; and the six hundred year old Yulong Bridge, as we cycle along the Li River. You’ll get to explore more of Yangshuo on foot, as we tour around the town and enjoy painting workshops, and do some shopping on West Street.

The final day of the trip will be spent in Huangyao; an ancient city located in a typically Chinese landscape. The town was built in 927 B.C., and was a wealthy and flourishing town then. You’ll have the chance to take some incredible photos before we return to Yangshuo in the evening.

You’ll have plenty of free time in the evenings, and at the weekend to explore the town, relax, and enjoy.

Accommodation

We want to do everything to make your stay here comfortable and exciting. Our Global Nomads will be staying together in shared dormitories at the centre in Yangshuo. You should expect to eat traditional Chinese food, and to have a wide selection to choose from. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements, or allergies before you arrive, and we’ll make sure there is plenty for you to eat.

Panda Project: Pander to Pandas

Volunteers are needed to help safeguard the future of the Giant Panda in China. The Panda is one of the most delightful and captivating of animals, yet one of the most endangered species in the world. Estimates place the total number of pandas in the world at only about 1600, most of these in Sichuan Province.

You’ll work closely with the staff at the Panda Base to prepare food and feed the pandas; clean the enclosures; and help ensure this is a safe and secure environment for the animals. We might occasionally ask some of our Global Nomads to help provide medical care to the Pandas, and assist in research projects.

You’ll have plenty of time to photograph, and observe the Pandas at the base, as you get to understand more about this rare and wonderful species.

Cost

€350 Euros per week, all inclusive.

The Project

Once you have registered at the Panda reserve, and collected your uniform and staff card, you’ll meet your trainer. You’ll work closely together during your stay, and they’ll help give you an idea of what a job in conservation is like. For your own safety, you must follow their instructions at all times. If you are having trouble following your schedule, they’ll be happy to help you with it.

We’ll provide you with orientation DVDs, to help you understand more about the project, and take you on a tour of the Panda Base.

Most of the work will involve providing basic care for the Pandas; preparing food, feeding the animals, and cleaning the enclosures. You might be asked to help the trainers to collect behavioural data on the animals; or help out with the various research, and veterinary projects at the base.

We’ll offer free Chinese classes every day from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.; you don’t have to attend, but we hope they’ll help you start to feel at home in this wonderful country.

Your evenings and weekends will provided you with free time, which you can use to explore the region, or simply relax. There’s a regular bus service from the nearby Ya’an City that will take you to Chengdu, if you wish to tour the city, and do some shopping.

The forests in the area are extremely dense and wild; walking into them alone can be dangerous, as you can easily get lost. If you want to explore, we suggest that you find a group with an experienced guide, or ask someone at the Panda Base; we’ll be happy to help organise an excursion.

Accommodation

During your visit, you’ll stay in the hotel within the nature reserve next to the Panda Base. It’s run by local people, and serves local, spicy food. You’ll share a room with two to four other people, but every room has a bathroom attached to it, and can provide hot water 24 hours a day. All your meals will be provided for you.

There are a few small shops in and around the Panda base; and a bar and common room opposite the hotel, where you can relax, watch TV, and share your experiences with other adventurers.

The Panda Base can provide free internet access during working hours; but when you need money, or wish to use an internet cafe, you’ll have to make the short trip into Ya’an City. If you need medical assistance at any time, there’s a clinic at the base, and several good hospitals in Ya’an.

Climate

Weather in the mountains can be very changeable, and often wet. The winter months are cold, so you’ll need to bring warm clothes if you’re planning to travel during these times. It tends to be a few degrees colder, and wetter at the Panda Base than it is in Chengdu.

Tai Chi Training: Become a Master

The origins of Tai Chi are unclear, but the first book to refer to chi was the I Ching, and it was written almost five thousand years ago. In it, you can find a quote which virtually defines the core principles behind this ancient martial art. Tai Chi wasn’t formalised until the 13th Century, after a monk saw a crane fighting with a snake, but the principles have been in China for millennia:

“Yield and overcome. Bend and be straight. He who stands on tiptoe is not steady. He who strides cannot maintain the pace.”

In the twentieth-century, Tai Chi finally reached the Western world where its popularity has been growing ever since. It combines martial arts with medical practices, and represents a holistic system that attends to the health of both body and mind.

Our Tai Chi training project offers Global Nomads the chance to become a Tai Chi master, and to gain from the benefits this mystical art has to offer. It can take six months for a very dedicated student to master the standard styles and weapon techniques, but you are very welcome to extend your trip to attain whatever level of skill you choose.

Cost

€350 Euros per week, all-inclusive.

Schedule

After spending your first week in Yangshuo completing the Cultural Immersion Week, we’ll organise transport to take you to the training school, also in Yangshuo. Here you’ll begin your personal program, which will last at least one week, but can be extended each week if you wish to continue learning.

You’ll have the chance to learn a variety of styles during your stay; Chen style, Tai Chi Quan, and Yang style are among a few. No previous experience is required; we can offer classes to beginners, and those with higher levels of expertise. It’s really up to you to decide how much, or how little you get from this experience.

Accommodation

You’ll stay at the Tai Chi Training centre in Yangshuo during your training. Adventurers share rooms with two to three other visitors. Each room has a bathroom attached to it and can supply hot water 24 hours a day. We’ll provide you with three meals each day from a large variety of traditional dishes. The centre can also provide laundry facilities at no extra cost.

We want to do everything we can to make you feel welcome at the centre; all you have to do is ask, and we’ll be happy to help you. We want your adventure to be as fantastic and memorable as you do.

Fee:

Volunteer / Culture - €175 per week
Adventure / Pandas / Tai Chi - €350 per week

* Places are secured with a 20% deposit. Balance is due 4 weeks prior to your departure.

What's Included:

Project Fee includes all food, accommodation, airport pickup, orientation, 24 hour support and project activities.
 

What's not included:

Flights, transport between Guilin and Chengdu (if applicable), insurance, visas  and vaccinations. Full assistance will be provided in getting all these arranged.

* 50% discount available for 5-14 year olds. Under 5's are free. Under 18 year olds can attend with letter of permission from your guardian.