China Education Initiative

I know this application deadline has passed for this cycle, but I decided to post it so those interested can watch out for the next application date. 


My name is Ken Saathoff, and I am a US Recruiting Manager for China Education Initiative (CEI). CEI is a non-profit working to end educational inequity in China by sending recent graduates of US and Chinese universities to some of China's most under-resourced schools to work as full-time teachers for two years. I'm currently in LA trying to reach out to outstanding seniors and recent graduates from UCLA and let them know about the CEI Fellowship. I found your organization online and thought many of your members who are seniors might be interested in this opportunity!

Please let me know if you'd be interested in getting together or speaking over the phone to learn more about the Fellowship! Or feel free to check out our website, www.chinaeducationinitiative.org to learn more and apply (application deadline: March 10th). As a former Fellow myself, I can tell you that the CEI Fellowship offers an opportunity to do truly meaningful work while living in a beautiful, fascinating, and seldom visited part of China. More than anything, though, it offers you a chance to work with children that desperately need teachers and absolutely deserve better opportunities in life. Help us make those opportunities a reality for them!

All the best,
Ken

---------------------------------------------

Teach to End Educational Inequality in China

This is the chance to join the movement to end educational inequity in China. Today, less than 2% of Chinese students in low-income, rural schools will make it to college compared to 70% of their peers in affluent, urban environments. Working to provide quality educational opportunities for all children in China is no easy task, but determined and talented fellows from top universities in the U.S. and China have already shown that they are up to the challenge.

Change the Future of Sino-U.S. Relations

As President Barack Obama has said, “Today, virtually no global challenge can be solved without the United States and China cooperating.” CEI is putting a new philosophy for Sino-U.S. cooperation into practice, as the first and only organization to pair outstanding graduates from top universities in the U.S. and China in a long-term service initiative.

Become a Global Leader

Whatever path you choose to follow after your fellowship, CEI’s partnerships with employers and graduate schools, as well as a strong alumni network, provide clear opportunities for career growth. Through its connection with Teach for All, CEI has already established partnerships with Harvard University, Stanford University, Columbia University, and Princeton University.

CEI is partnered with Teach For America and the global Teach For All network. We are funded by generous support from Ford Foundation, The Henry Luce Foundation, and Goldman Sachs, among others.
Together, we are building a global movement of leaders committed to fundamentally changing the status quo. We believe that one day, all children—rich or poor, American or Chinese, urban or rural—will have access to a quality education.
Get a sense of our placement schools: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6-XmZ34nSg
Questions? recruiting@chinaeducationinitiative.org

Volunteering in China's Orphanages

Many of you may know or heard about China's (and many other parts of the world) challenge of overcrowded and understaffed orphanages. These are a vulnerable, helpless population that rely on the kindness of childcare workers to survive. Some are lucky enough to get adopted (but mostly from international adoptions - these orphanages are filled with many medical/special needs children and females.

Unfortunately China- while pushing forward into modernization- still cling to the traditional notions that male children are better and with the One Child Policy many couples rather have a son as their only child.

Studies have shown that lack of physical and emotional interactions with others in early childhood deeply affects the child in physiological ways- many literally die from loneliness. Many people wish they could volunteer at these orphanages to provide more than just basic needs, but love.

However through my research and some contacts with people who run the orphanages- China's state run orphanages usually prohibit foreigners from volunteering for fear that they are just there to "baby shop" or to spread foreign influence.

If you truly want to just lend a hand and a heart, there are ways. Many US citizens or other people from Europe have started their own private orphanages and they welcome volunteers. However, a lot of the work would be on your own - to plan where to live, what to do, how long, etc.

China Care - is an organization founded in 2000 by a young teenager who really had a heart for these children in China. Now there are "clubs" all around the US on college campus to raise awareness and support. China Care Bruins is the UCLA Chapter that does great things like a Mentorship Program for adoptees from China and fundraising for life-saving surgeries for orphans in China. They do not have an international component, but CCB show that you can help just by being on campus.

Blue Sky Healing Home in Beijing

Volunteer through IFRE

New Hope Volunteer in Xian, China

I have heard that going through a church is the easiest instead of going by yourself, but -remember- do your research and understand the dynamics of religious institutions and the Chinese government. Happy hunting!

i-to-i Volunteer and Adventure Travel

This seems to be more of those organizations that "work hard, play hard" - combining some volunteer serving with tourist activities.

They specialize in offering TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)

They offer programs by the week up to 12 weeks, but they also have some special internships every year for 2011 it's for China and Thailand.

http://www.i-to-i.com/