Volunteer in Shanghai, China
China's economic boom of the past twenty years has greatly increased the need for foreign language skills. In particular, the demand for English teachers has skyrocketed. And while the booming economy has greatly improved the standard of living for millions of Chinese, there are many more millions of people living below international poverty levels.
The Program
Our program is located in Shanghai. Shanghai is China's largest commercial and financial center, it is located on the eastern seaboard near where the famous Yangtze River empties into the East China Sea. Shanghai has its own unique history, people and vitality, offering a diverse mix of old and new. Volunteers in this program teach English and other foreign languages or work with disabled children in Shanghai.
You need to arrive on the Monday of the start of your program at Pu Dong International Airport in Shanghai between 7:30 am and 7:30 pm where you will be pickup up by the coordinator in Shanghai. The program starts with an introduction week in Shanghai. You can join the program from 2 weeks up to 24 weeks.
Your accommodation the first week is in the volunteer accommodation in Shanghai. The volunteer accommodation is an apartment in Shanghai city center with very good subway connection around Shanghai. Female and male volunteers stay in a separate room so you will share a room with other volunteers of the same gender. The accommodation has air-conditioning, heating, a washing machine, modern bathrooms and shower facilities, TV, computers with internet access, and a water dispenser. Volunteer teaching at a school or kindergarten will stay at the school or kindergarten in volunteer accommodation from the second week. Volunteers working at the disabled children center will continue to stay in the same volunteer accommodation.
During the introduction week there are no meals included. Budget meals are easily available in Shanghai in the local restaurants during the first week. From the second week there are 3 meals per day included from Monday to Friday. No meals are included on the weekend.
Click here for Pictures of our program in Shanghai on Flickr
Introduction Week
The first week of the program is an orientation week which includes an introduction of the projects and life as a volunteer in China, sightseeing in Shanghai, 6 hours Mandarin Chinese lessons and a culture course. This will allow you to gain your first insights into the Chinese culture and lifestyle and will ensure that you are well-prepared to volunteer in China.
Program Location
With population of over 21 million, Shanghai has developed faster than almost any city in the world in the last 15 years. The building boom has resulted in a flood of migrant laborers arriving from the surrounding countryside and the city government has rushed to develop areas surrounding the city, resulting in a total developed area of over two thousand square miles.
The city is an ideal destination for metropolitan tourists. It has always been known as a thriving metropolis, with convenient communications, transportation systems and an intermingling of Chinese and Western cultures. There is also a great call for English Teachers in Shanghai, including many schools which cannot afford to hire native speaking English teachers.
Volunteer Projects in Shanghai
Program Requirements
The minimum age for joining the program is 18. There are no specific qualifications needed to join the program. However, volunteers are expected to be flexible and patient as well as possess a passion and love for children.
Volunteer Projects
We have several projects available in Shanghai :
Kindergarten Assistant
Primary School, English Teaching
Secondary School, English Teaching
High Schools, English Teaching
Work with Disabled Children
All the projects are available for volunteers joining for 4 weeks or more (for projects available in summer see below). For volunteers joining for 2 or 3 weeks you will be able to do volunteer in a kindergarten or working with disabled children.
Summer Time (July-August) : During the summer months in July and August because of school holidays there are only these different program options available in Shanghai:
One World Project in Kindergarten (July and Aug)
Working in disabled children center. (July and Aug)
More info on the projects click here
Shanghai Projects
Shanghai Pictures
Shanghai Prices
How to Apply
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China programs: Volunteer Shanghai > Volunteer Panda > Volunteer Fengyan > Volunteer Beijing
Jiong (Jessie) Duanmu
Country Director
The Country Director Jessie has been working with international volunteers for five years. She obtained her Master's degree in Education in the UK and has been teaching English and Mandarin in primary and secondary schools for 9 years.
volunteer testimonial
I had an amazing once in a lifetime experience here in China. My placement was perfect. Every week I taught 13 classes and additionally every lunch time I taught an English Corner. The students put extremely high effort into their studies. And they are so thankful to get the opportunity to learn. This is definitely the best way to learn more about a country by getting in touch with people. I have many unforgettable stories here I share with other volunteers, students or teachers. For some students I became a very important person in their lives. I hope they could profit from me as much as I could learn from them.
Mirjam Wietlisbach (Switzerland)
Click here for Videos of the Program