CCS webinar presentation on what it's like to volunteer in China with Cross-Cultural Solutions

1. CCS China:
Volunteering in Xi’an

2. Agenda
• Introductions
• Xi’an
• Volunteer Placements
• Home-Base
• Cultural & Learning Activities and Free
Time
• Q&A

3. Introductions
Pete Bryan- Xi’an July ‘09 Alex Brandt- December ’09
Program Manager
Jerome Dong-
Country Director

4. Xi’an China
• Xi’an (pronounced Shee-han)
• City of 8 million people
• Located in the Shaanxi Province
• Xi'an is one of the four Great Capitals
of China because it has been the
capital (under various names) of 13
dynasties, including the Zhou, Qin,
Han the Sui dynasty, and the Tang.
• Beginning of the Silk Road
• Home of Terra Cotta Warriors

5. Placements in Xi’an
Most popular placement types:
• Teaching English to Children (schools
and summer camps)
• Teaching English to Adults (College
students, teachers, medical school,
museums, pizza parlor)
• Working with children with disabilities
What do partner programs see as the
benefits of our volunteers’ service?
• Unique access to English speakers.
• More individual attention to children.
• Motivation for staff and local volunteers
to participate.
• Cultural exchange.

6. Placements in Xi’an

7. Placements in Xi’an
Placement Requirements: Are there any age,
schooling, professional certification requirements for
each type of placement?
• Some English teaching placements will prefer older volunteers or
volunteers with previous teaching experience.
• Some English teaching placements prefer volunteers who are in-country
for one month or longer.

8. The Xi’an Home-Base
• Accommodations are dorm-style. You will be
rooming with 4-6 people.
• All apartments have air conditioning and
lamps, as well as wardrobes and storage
bins. Each also has an en-suite bathroom.
• Large, open common room with
 TV/DVD player and/or a computer
 Water coolers
 Small refrigerator, mugs, toaster
• Wireless Internet
• Washing machine in the Home-Base
• Do not drink the tap water – CCS will
provide you with unlimited filtered water. Be
sure to use this when brushing your teeth!

9. The Xi’an Home-Base

10. Cultural & Learning
Activities
Field Trips:
• Terra Cotta Warriors
• Countryside
• TCM Hospital and Market
• Muslim Quarter
• Museums
• Temples and parks
• Traditional Chinese opera
Guest speakers:
• Calligraphy
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Chinese History
Activities:
• Mahjong
• Badminton
• Tai Chi
• Dumpling making
• Paper cutting

11. Free-Time Activities
Weekend Destinations:
• Beijing (Great Wall, Forbidden City)
• Shanghai, Hong Kong
• Day trips to nearby mountain ranges
Free-Time:
• Visit temples
• Bike the city wall
• Sports (Badminton, Basketball,
Swimming)
• Shopping
• Arcades
• Karaoke
• Massages
• Movies

12. Questions?