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CHINA: PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION
We are very excited you have chosen
the AIDE as your program provider! AIDE is an educational
travel organization devoted to expanding the horizons of people
of all ages through experiencing another culture. Based in
Austin, Texas, AIDE offers a wide range of programs. AIDE
was launched as a not for profit sister organization of Alliance
Abroad Group (AAG), in order to expand upon the programs historically
offered by the AAG Outbound Department. As a not for profit
AIDE aims to reach a larger audience, and has more than 16
years of experience in offering programs abroad due to its
previous home in the AAG Outbound Department. Through its
affiliation with some of the world’s oldest and most
respected language schools and experiential education programs,
AIDE has helped thousands of people travel abroad. The organization
provides interesting customized programs to students and young
adults wishing to work, teach or volunteer in many countries
across the world. AIDE prides itself in being able to offer
program flexibility, support, quality placements, an easy
application process and affordable prices.
What Happens Next?
• Within 2-7 business days you
should receive an invoice, sent to you through email, from
our finance department. Your invoice is due no later than
60 days prior to your arrival date. We do not start the placement
process until full payment has been received.
** AIDE is a non-profit organization. Donations contributed
in excess of the fair market value of services you receive
from AIDE may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax adviser.
• Once the program fee is paid
in full, your application is submitted to the local coordinator
to begin matching you to a school placement. Placements are
typically confirmed 2-6 weeks prior to your arrival date.
• We will send you Pre-departure
orientation materials for your review. It is very important
that you carefully review all materials that are sent to you.
• Once your placement is found,
we will send you the details of the placement for your approval.
It is important to us that you are matched up with the best
placement so you can have the experience you are seeking.
Once you have read over the description, you will need to
send back your approval and agreement to the terms of the
placement. This can be done through email as an “electronic
signature.”
• Your school will work on providing
you the proper visa documentation. You will need to take this
documentation to the Chinese consulate in your district to
apply for your visa. Visas usually take 3-7 days to be approved
by the consulate.
• Once your visa is approved
you may purchased airline tickets. Email us your complete
itinerary. It is very important that you include details such
as airline, flight number, connecting airports, time and day
of arrival and day of departure. We use this information to
arrange for your airport pickup and insurance. IMPORTANT –
your insurance will not be activated until flight details
are sent.
Once we have received your approval
and complete flight details you are ready to start your adventure!
Meet
the staff
We are here to support you throughout your entire program.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
We are here to help. Remember, we cannot fix a problem if
we do not know about it.
AIDE
1221 S. Mopac Expressway, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78746 USA
Fax: 1- 512-857-1108
Tel: 1-866-6ABROAD
Sklyar King – Program Coordinator
Telephone: 1-866-6ABROAD or (512) 904-1137
Email: skylar@aideabroad.com
Kimberly Wied – Program Manager
Telephone: 1-866-6ABROAD or (512) 904-1147
Email: kim@aideabroad.com
Arriving
in China
We recommend purchasing
your airline ticket after your visa has been approved. Fall
semester positions start sometime around September, Spring
semester positions start around late February/early March
and Summer session placements start in early July. We will
try to get your placement details and visa documents to you
as quickly as possible to allow for plenty of time to search
for airline tickets. Upon your arrival in China, either your
local coordinator or a school representative will pick you
up from the airport and take you to your accommodations.
Visa
Documentation
For most semester or year long positions:
You will need to obtain a “Z “work visa. This
visa needs to be applied for at the appropriate Chinese Consulate
and takes approximately 4 days to process. The visa costs
an additional $130 USD for Americans, $30 USD for other citizens
for a single entry visa. You can find out complete visa information
on the Chinese Embassy’s website at:
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84245.htm
Participants on the summer
program:
You will need to apply
for a tourist visa, or an “L” visa. You will need
to go to the Chinese consulate in your district to apply.
The visa cost is associated with how many times you wish to
enter/leave the country, and for Americans the cost is $130.
For other citizens, the cost ranges from $30 - $90 USD. You
can find out complete visa information on the Chinese Embassy’s
website at: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84246.htm
AIDE does not have any authority to
grant visas and cannot be held responsible for any problems
related to obtaining a visa.
Insurance
One of the benefits of booking your trip through AIDE is that
we provide excellent travel insurance, which covers health,
accidents and prescriptions for medical issues which develop
during your program. You are also covered for emergency evacuation
related to medical necessity. Please note that pre-existing
conditions are not covered, and you also will be responsible
for a deductible. The Outbound Program Manager will give you
an insurance card with insurance carrier contact information
to have during your trip. Details of the coverage can be found
on the AIDE website.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Can I be placed in Beijing or Shanghai?
We cannot guarantee any specific location. Keep in mind that
Beijing and Shanghai are the most requested and popular locations
– for this reason, the schools in these cities are picky;
they have so many to choose from so they are very selective!!
However, we do have placement throughout China, including
the following areas: Anhui Province, Beijing, Fujian Province,
Guangdong Province, Guangxi Province, Hebei Province, Heilongjiang
Province, Henan Province, Hubei Province, Jilin Province,
Jiangsu Province, Jiangxi Province, Liaoning Province, Qinghai
Province, Shaanxi Province, Shandong Province, Shanxi Province,
Sichuan Province, Tianjin, Yunnan Province, Zhejiang Province
Can I participate in this program
if I do not have a Bachelor’s degree?
Yes. However, it is extremely difficult to find semester or
year long placements for participants who do not have a Bachelor’s
degree, but our summer session positions are a great option.
What will my salary be?
For semester and year long positions, your salary is determined
by your skills, education, and experience. The salary that
your school offers you will be agreed upon in the contract
given to you prior to your arrival in China. Most salaries
are between 3500- 4000 RMB a month plus free accommodations.
Some schools will also offer airfare reimbursement. Typically
if a school offers airfare reimbursement, they will offer
½ your airfare if you complete 1 semester and full
reimbursement if you complete a full school year. Summer
placements typically are unpaid or offer a small stipend;
however, you may be offered added benefits such as tours,
classes, or meals.
Do I need to get any immunizations
before I leave?
AIDE does not require any proof of immunizations, however
we do recommend that you research which ones are needed for
China based on your past immunization history. The Center
for Disease Control has an excellent website about health
and travel at: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationList.aspx.
You should always consult with your doctor about what immunizations
he or she recommends for China. This is important as you do
not want any medications or immunizations to conflict with
any current or past treatment. You should take care of any
immunizations 4-6 weeks prior to your arrival as many immunizations
require booster shots, or take some time to be effective.
Do I have to do anything after
the program is over?
Yes, as a part of AIDE program you are required to complete
an evaluation form at the conclusion of your program. You
will receive the form by email shortly after you
return. It is very important to us to hear about your experiences.
It helps us improve our programs, and will ultimately help
all the participants that follow you.
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