Recent graduates in industries from engineering to finance in both Europe and the U.S. are making their way to the country, hoping to land their first jobs faster and more easily than their competitors.

Lesmes Gutiérrez, a 23-year-old engineering graduate of Loughborough University in the U.K., who had a two-week placement with Baoshang Bank in Beijing late last year, says potential employers are more impressed with those who can demonstrate a willingness to move out of their comfort zone. “It’s quite a big step to go somewhere not knowing what to expect. The idea of going to China calls for awareness and the willingness to relocate,” which could be appealing to employers, he says.

And he’s not the only one to have spotted the competitive advantage work experience in China may bring. Applications for internships there have more than tripled over the past couple of years, according to figures released by CRCC Asia, a London-based recruitment consultancy.

In 2009, the company received about 250 applications, compared with more than 1,000 so far this year, says CRCC Asia Director Daniel Nivern. “The Chinese economy is booming and it’s very appealing for graduates to get an insight as to why that’s happening by visiting [the country]. With the job market depressed in the U.K. and the U.S., China offers a great opportunity to get a long-term career,” he says.

He says China has also come into focus for Western companies looking to grow. “A lot of businesses realize that if they want to be part of the global economy, they need to be going into China,” adds Mr. Nivern, whose company has mostly placed recent graduates from the U.K. and the U.S., but also from other European countries like Spain, in finance, marketing and legal firms in China.

“I have been told repeatedly that my work in China looks great on my résumé,” says Alexander Lesher, who recently finished a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering at the Indiana-based Purdue University and subsequently undertook a two-month internship at environmental company Nanjing Zhuangxun Tech Co. in Beijing.

He says his experience there gave him a greater awareness of cultural differences. He says he was surprised by the way business people interacted during lunches. During a working meal with a group of about eight people, a single person would buy enough food to completely fill the table and would go out of his or her way to make sure everyone ate as much as possible. “Then they would act humbly, as if they have done nothing,” he says. “That wouldn’t happen in the U.S.”

Others visiting China for the first time found the first few days disconcerting. Sophie Corcut, a former unpaid marketing intern at fair-trade company Shangrila Farms, says: “Living in Beijing and dealing with a totally foreign language was challenging. Things like crossing the road or buying things in the supermarket or counting the numbers were suddenly difficult.” But it was precisely that challenge that Ms. Corcut, who borrowed from her parents to fund her trip, was looking for. “It was brilliant. I was looking for that stimulation.”

Ms. Corcut, who now has a full-time job with management consultancy Accenture in London, says her two months’ work experience in China was more rewarding than previous internships she had done in her native England. “I have done a lot of work experience in the U.K., and they actually don’t need you. You are just there, and they are constantly trying to find you work. You are given something very menial,” she says. “But in China they were actually using me. I was lucky to be interning for a young company that needed a lot of help.”

She says initially after graduation she wasn’t sure what to do professionally with a degree in history and French, but in China she learned how to use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and started designing promotional leaflets for the company. “I tried to get a big sales push and tried to get new clients,” she says.

But some recruiters are swift to point out that China isn’t the only place that will help students stand out. Chris McCarthy, of London-based recruiter Hays PLC, says it isn’t China experience per se that employers are looking for but evidence that potential employees are willing to challenge themselves.

“If Europe and the U.S. are going to maintain their place in global business people need to be prepared to put on a back pack” and head for less familiar places, says Mr. McCarthy. “It is evidence that people are willing to challenge themselves, not specifically China, that employers are looking for. They want to see a bit of ambition and entrepreneurship,” he says.

He adds, however, that China can be of particular relevance to employers looking for people with experience in emerging markets.

But while experience in China may be invaluable, some obstacles can seem formidable. Mr. Gutiérrez, working at a microlender, struggled with Chinese. “The problem with a rural bank is that Chinese is its first language and English is not used at all. When it came to producing reports on the fluctuation of gold prices, there were no previous templates I could use so I had to rely on an intuitive process and then improve the subsequent reports based on feedback.”

Despite some barriers, the benefits run in both directions, and companies in China are profiting from the surge in interest from potential interns in the West. Thomas Cao, chief executive of Beijing-based Broad Global Venture Capital Co., says he finds real value in the work done by interns.

“We look for graduates to come and do real work. We have asked our interns, for example, to help us analyze the chances of companies going public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange,” he says.

Ultimately, says Mr. Lesher, going to China was about turning a personal fascination into a tangible benefit for his career. “The country was just a point of personal fascination. I wasn’t sure how it would work out.”

Source: http://online.wsj.com/

All the 6 large luxury ro-ro passenger ships with total investment of 2 billion RMB by Bohai Ferry Co. Ltd. have been launched into use. “BO HAI FEI ZHU”, worth 350 million RMB, is the last one of the 6 luxury vessels, and also the largest ro-ro passenger ship in China at present, according to the general manager of Bohai Ferry Co. Ltd.

“BO HAI FEI ZHU” is 163.95m long and 25m wide with the gross tonnage of over 20,000 tons. It can admit 260 vehicles and 1,630 passengers. There are 2 sets of stabilizing fin, which enable the rolling angle of the vessel not more than 3 degree even when the wind reaches 9 class and the wave is as high as 4 meters.

The vessel has adopted the whole-ship video monitoring system, LAN, remote video monitoring and data collecting system, which can ensure the navigation safety. The evacuation system can make sure 1630 passengers and about 50 crew members can be evacuated within half an hour. Recreational facilities include a satellite TV System and wireless Internet.

The museum, located in Ganjingzi Yingchengzi Sand village, covers an area of 4,600 square meters, including a main building that is 2,600 square meters in size. The property includes restored sites, exhibition halls for cultural relics, temporary exhibitions and a tourist service sector.

The museum is dedicated to the culture of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) and Eastern Han Dynasty (AD25-220). The main items in the museum collection were unearthed in the Yingchengzi Han Tombs during the past seven years.

By restoring the tomb sites and displaying the excavated relics, the museum presents Dalian’s political, economic, and cultural development during the two dynasties. Dalian in those years was a prosperous city that played an important role in connecting China’s central plains region with northeastern Asia.

So far, archaeologists have restored about 300 tombs and discovered more than 3,000 cultural relics in the city.

- National pavilions
- Regionally recognized overseas schools, colleges, and universities
- Regionally recognized overseas vocational education schools
- Regionally recognized overseas language training schools and institutions
- Governmental organizations
- Embassies and consulates
- Student services providers (banking, accommodations & airlines, etc.)

So if you looking for some good schools this is the perfect time with 6 cities spread all over China.

16-17 October – Beijing, China World Exhibition Hall, Beijing

19 October – Dalian , Furama Hotel Dalian

21 October – Xi’an, Shangri-La Hotel Xi’an

23-24 October – Shanghai, Shanghai East Asia Exhibition Hall

27 October – Chengdu, Kempinski Hotel Chengdu

30 October – Kunming, Empark Grand Hotel Kunming

If you wish to get more information please check the brochure below which should cover most, or visit their website at: http://www.chinaeducationexpo.com/english/index.shtml

China Education Expo

International School Of Chongqing

QSI International School of Chongqing is a non-profit institution that opened in August 2006.

The school is offering high-quality education in English language for students from the age of three (3) years, through secondary school, until highschool graduation, at the age of 17.

This is a newly built school located in Shapingba District in University Town. It contains 10 classrooms, a library, a computer lab, a science lab, a large outdoor play area with a running track and soccer field, and an indoor gymnasium with basketball, tennis, and badminton courts. This unique facility is located conveniently for international families. Many foreign companies are locating in this exciting development. Busing is available for families as well.

The school’s educational philosophy includes a performance-based personalized approach to instruction leading to mastery learning. We believe 1) All students can succeed, 2) Success breeds success, and 3) It is the responsibility of the school to provide the positive conditions for success.

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE of the school is to meet the needs of children with foreign passports in Chongqing who require this type of education with a view to continuing their education in their home countries with a minimum of adjustment problems. In addition to its scholastic goals, the school endeavors to provide its students with knowledge of China.

THE CURRICULUM includes English (reading, grammar, composition, and spelling), Mathematics, Cultural Studies (history, geography), Science (physical, life, and earth), Art, Music, and Physical Education. The school seeks to provide students with an appreciation for the rich culture and history of China. Materials and equipment are up to date and of high quality. Class sizes are small. Native English speaking experienced teachers are employed. This curriculum ensures mastery of specific skills and knowledge involving both individual and group instruction. Intensive English is provided for students who need additional help with English. Mandarin is taught as a second language.

Link: http://www.qsi.org/chq_home/chq_home.htm

Also see their newly launched image video here.

The Centre offers Mind-Mapping® training courses and English enrichment programs to primary and secondary students; and the world renowned Montessori early childhood program to young children. The lessons are taught by qualified Buzan teachers and certified Montessori teachers.

Tony Buzan is the world’s leading author, lecturer and advisor to governments, business and the professions on the brain, learning and thinking skills. For the last 40 years he has travelled to all five continents, lecturing on the brain, the mind and learning, at the world’s top schools and universities, including Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard, as well as to the Fortune 500 companies, including Microsoft, IBM, Walt Disney, BP, British Telecomm and Goldman Sachs. To date, Tony has authored and co-authored more than 90 books on the brain, learning and creativity which have achieved massive success in more than 100 countries and 30 languages.

Visiting Buzan Montessori in Chongqing: The Buzan Montessori Centre here in Chongqing is lead by Mr. Pang from Singapore, where he has already been working for many years for the Montessori School. Asking about the main reasons for choosing China, and particularly Chongqing, as the next location for a Buzan Montessori Centre in Asia, he stated that it was, among others, Toy Buzan’s intention to bring the unique teaching principles of Buzan Montessori to this place, since he felt a school like this has been urgently needed in the area.

Some Facts about Buzan Montessori Chongqing: The curriculum is divided into six main areas, i.e., Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language (English and Mandarin), Cultural Studies and Science, Art and Creativity. At this time, the teachers are Singaporean, so they are able to provide both English as well as Mandarin classes. In the near the future, the centre is additionally going to hire native English speaking teachers though.

Daily Routine: Since the ability of a child to focus and learn  is at its peak during the first half of the day,  the learning periods are before lunch. In the afternoon the children will have the opportunity to play on the outside premises, where the teachers will usually prepare for a little picknick as well as different sportive activities. If the weather doesn’t allow for outside activities, there’s is plenty of indoor alternatives to choose from: cooking classes, crafting or simply making use of the great variety of toys the centre provides.

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 08.15 am-05.30 pm.

Classes are held from Monday to Friday, 09.00 am-04.30 pm.

Monthly Fees: RMB 2500 month/child

Contact:
Unit 306, Longfor Window, Long Hu Garden,
No. 6, Xin Nan Road,
Yu Bei District,
40117 Chongqing, China
(重庆市渝北区新南路6号龙湖花园未来窗306)
+86-23-86834400
+86-23-86834411
Website:www.buzancentres.cn
E-mail: info@buzancentres.cn

Maxxelli-blog: Name,Sex,Position?

Les D.: Les Dukowski, male, Principal of the Wuhan Maple Leaf International School and the Wuhan Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School

Maxxelli-blog: How and when was your school created?

Les D.: Our schools are part of the Maple Leaf Educational System of Schools which operates schools in Dalian, Tianjin, and Chongqing.

Our schools are each certified by the British Columbia, Canada Ministry of Education and all instruction in English is given by teachers certified in British Columbia.

I believe that Maple Leaf schools are an attractive option for expatriates with children and the International School is an excellent option for Chinese students who wish to continue post-secondary studies abroad.

The Foreign Nationals School offers a Canadian curriculum, in English, to foreign national students from Kindergarten to Grade 9 (five years old to 14 years old).  Additional English language support is given to students whose first language is not English.  The enrolment in the Foreign Nationals School is 21.

The International School offers the B.C. Graduation program curriculum, in English, to students in Grades 10, 11 and 12.  We also offer a year of preparatory English Language development for those students who need additional English instruction prior to entering Grade 10.  The enrolment in the International School is approximately 710.

Students who successfully complete the Grade 12 program receive a diploma for graduation from the British Columbia Ministry of Education – the “Dogwood Certificate”, and Chinese national students may receive their Chinese graduation diploma as well.

Maxxelli-blog: Who are your customers?

Les D.: We have two sets of customers.  For the Foreign Nationals School we enroll the children of expatriates in China in Kindergarten (age 5) to Grade 9 (approximately age 14).  For the International School we enrol students of all nationalities, including Chinese nationals in Grades 10 (age 15) to Grade 12.

Maxxelli-blog: How many foreign students do you have in Wuhan now?

Les D.: We enrol 21 foreign students in the Foreign Nationals School and 5 foreign students in the International School.

Maxxelli-blog: What kind of services and products you propose to your customers?

Les D.: The service that we offer to customers is an excellent international-calibre education, in English that is certified by the Province of British Columbia, Canada.   Students who graduate from our program are well prepared to enter post-secondary institutions abroad and have excellent credentials to make application to western universities.

Maxxelli-blog: What is the difference between your school and other schools?

Les D.: Our schools are unique in that they are certified British Columbia, Canada Offshore Schools.  The B.C. Education system is recognized as a world-class system and students at Maple Leaf receive instruction by B.C. Certified teachers and, at graduation, receive a B.C. “Dogwood Certificate” – the same diploma they would receive had they been studying in Canada.  Maple Leaf students are recognized around the world as being well prepared for Western post-secondary colleges and universities.

Contact Information

Address: 1016 Minzu Road, East Lake Hi-Tech Development Zone, Wuchang, Wuhan, P.R.C.  430074

Tel: 027 8192 5888 or 027 8192 5777

E-mail: wuhanmapleleafint@hotmail.com

Website: http://www.mapleleaf.net.cn/

The mission of Dalian American International School is to cultivate future leaders and productive citizens by challenging our students with high academic standards and enriching extracurricular programs that cultivate their intellect, individual talents, and social-emotional well being.

DAIS is committed to providing a positive and nurturing environment that promotes learning and discovery. We want to expand students` horizons and encourage them to reach for their potential in academics, the arts, and physical activities. Also, through a comprehensive balanced curriculum, students ‘  individual talents are developed. Our graduates are prepared to maneuver intelligently and successfully in a fast paced, globalized society.

Statement of Philosophy

Dalian American International School values learning and high achievement; thus our programs represent the very best academic and extracurricular standards. Together, as teachers and parents, we are committed to providing fine pastoral care that enhances students’ personal development and encourages them to respect each other’s strengths and differences. Individual and cooperative achievements are fostered through inspiration, success and friendly competition. Our school’s teaching style is a constructive blend of the old and the new. We neither abandon traditional methods in favor of the latest trend, nor do we ignore advances in our understanding of child psychology, technology and science.

Message from the Head of School

Welcome to Dalian American International School!

Whether you are a current member of our school community, a prospective parent or student, a teacher interested in employment opportunities, or a visitor seeking to learn more about our school, this web site is meant to provide key information for you. As you navigate through our menu of topics, you will note our mission and philosophy that describe the ideals important to our school community.

In many ways, Dalian American International School reflects the vibrancy and dynamic progress of our host country of China. Three short years ago, our school began with 11 students and then grew to 60 and 200 students in the next two years of existence. As we open our doors to the new school year of 2009-2010, nearly 300 students are enrolled. The ideals of our mission and philosophy have served as our compass throughout this period of rapid expansion. This clarity of purpose combined with our quality programming are primary reasons that the Council of International Schools, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Chinese Government’s National Center for School Curriculum and Textbook Development have each granted us candidate status for accreditation. We anticipate full accreditation status in 2011.

Dalian American International School plays a central role in the life of the community. It touches the lives of each of the families we serve. We set as our mission to cultivate future leaders and productive citizens by challenging our students with high academic standards and stimulating extracurricular opportunities. We aim to develop each student’s intellect, individual talents, and social-emotional well being. To achieve these goals, we recognize the importance of all members of our school community collaborating closely with one another.

I encourage you to visit our school, offer suggestions, seek answers to your questions, and work closely with us to ensure each student’s success. With close cooperation among all members of our community, our students will surely reach their potential.

Warm regards,

Kurt Nordness, Ed.D

Head of School

Contact

Dalian American International School
No. 2 Dianchi Road
Golden Pebble Beach National Resort
Dalian Development Area
P. R. China; P. C. 116650

www.daischina.org