Projects Abroad in China - arrival and induction procedure for new volunteers

Projects Abroad in China - Arrival Procedure in Shanghai

Hanging Out in China Most volunteers fly into the brand-new Pudong airport in Shanghai at around 11am and it will be midday before you walk out of the airport. Volunteers are met, either by our British Assistant Manager or by Tommy Zhang, our Chinese Assistant Manager. If you are based in Shanghai itself you will then have the chance to change some money before being whisked away by taxi to our office and then to your accommodation to settle in. If you are based in Wujiang, after changing some money, you will be taken directly by car to your host-family, which will take about 3 hours.

Our office is in Pudong, a business district East of the Huang Pu River (a part of the Yangtze Kiang) in Shanghai. This area has grown up on marshland in the last ten years and is currently seeing the arrival of many new foreign firms, as well as shopping malls and restaurants. The area West of the River is called 'Puxi' and is where most of the markets, shops and bars are located.

Volunteering in China: Orientation and Induction

Whether you are living in Wujiang or Shanghai, the day after your arrival Kay, our Director for China, will take you on a tour to help you get your bearings. As well as a view of the main landmarks, she will also show you the post office, banks, doctors, e-mail, and other useful services. Our Welcome Pack provides information about Shanghai or Wujiang and includes comprehensive maps of the cities, as well as the telephone numbers of other volunteers in your area. You'll also have the chance to have lunch and maybe meet up with some other volunteers.

Volunteers based in Wu Jiang will be shown how to take a bus while volunteers in Shanghai will be shown how to get to their nearest subway station, which is normally a 10 minute walk from the accommodation. In the case of Shanghai you'll also find out where the best shops are and even where to find the most popular nightspots! The following day, Kay our Director in China takes volunteers to their placement to receive a formal introduction with their project supervisor.

 

Regular trips to 'JJs Disco' were always a laugh, as were late night meals at the noodle houses."
Kate Merry, Teaching in China

 

Accommodation in China is a little different from other destinations. Volunteers in Wujiang mainly live with local families. However, because of Chinese regulations, in Shanghai it is complicated for us to place all our volunteers with local families, so we also rent flats in the city. In a flat you are very likely to be sharing with between one and three other volunteers. These flats are heated, air-conditioned and of a good standard, with washing facilities and basic cooking facilities. We set up an account for you at a local restaurant where you are free to eat when you wish. Weekday lunches are provided at your placement. The quality of food in China is excellent - meals are a real focal point of the day. You may even be lucky enough to be invited to one of the numerous banquets!

There was a real sense of family in the house I shared with other volunteers - it was nice to all eat together and discuss what everyone had done each day."
Emma Bugden, Medicine in China