Yes. The Catalai China Programme is open to all nationalities. Most applications tend to come from students and recent graduates from the word’s leading American and European universities.

No. The Catalai progromme is open to:

• Undergraduate students
• Postgraduate students
• Recent graduates

No. Having Chinese language ability is not a requirement. Approximately half of all successful applicants start the Chinese language course at Beginner level.

However the Catalai programme does attract a significant number of applicants who can speak Chinese already. Those that have studied Chinese language before normally take the language part of the programme at Intermediate or Advanced level. A language assessment is carried out in China to assess which level to study the language course.

For the internship part of the programme, you will intern with one of Catalai’s partner employers.

Catalai works closely with a large range of foreign and Chinese companies and organisations across all major industries. To see the different internship sectors click here.

Yes. When you apply to the Catalai programme you are asked to state 3 preferred industry sectors for the internship part of the programme.

If your application is successful you will be able to intern in one of your preferred industry sectors.

No. Allowing applicants to choose which company they work for is impossible.

For the internship part of the Catalai programme, Catalai consults with its partner employers in the same way that headhunting and recruitment firms operate. Unlike other programmes, we don’t find or arrange internships for students – that approach doesn’t work for the benefit of the intern or the company.

Catalai values its long-standing relationships with partner employers, and works hard to ensure that each internship is beneficial for both the company and the intern. Catalai works closely with its partner employers to select suitable internship candidates. Our partner employers are able to benefit from our specialized search and selection process for the world’s best graduate talent.

No. The internship part of the Catalai programme is unpaid. In some cases there may be a stipend or daily allowance available but that depends on the partner employer involved.

Yes. You will usually be informed at least 2 months before departure.

In many cases the company may ask you to carry out some project work or research before your internship starts in China. Catalai ensures that sufficient communication from your internship supervisor is given well in advance of the internship starting. This way you will be well prepared for the internship and you will know what to expect when you start.

The second foundation of the Catalai China Programme is language. Students are given 20 taught hours of Mandarin classes each programme month.

Yes. The language course combines traditional and modern teaching methods. Students focus on oral and written Chinese, and there is a strong practical emphasis at all levels, allowing a student to communicate in real world situations in China.

Yes. The classes are taught in small teaching groups allowing for a constructive and interactive learning environment.

Yes. Catalai partners with leading online Chinese language specialist ChinesePod, and all students on the programme are given access to a ChinesePod online account. Students can use MP3 and PDF transcripts before, during and after there time on the Catalai programme.

We find that the ChinesePod language resource allows students to make practical progress with their oral Chinese ability in particaular. The ChinesePod lessons are designed to be relevant to real-life situations that you will encounter in China when speaking with Chinese people.

The Catalai language course is delivered on 3 different levels:

Level 1: Beginner

Level 2: Intermediate

Level 3: Advanced

A language assessment is used where necessary to allow Catalai to allocate you to the correct level.

Yes.  All students on the programme will be given Chinese language textbooks for the language course. Catalai uses traditional academic and modern practical teaching resources.

In addition to the internship and language course, one of the benefits of the Catalai programme is the cultural activities and trips section of the programme.

Typically during the weekends, the Catalai cultural activities and trips allow you to see the best of Beijing, Shanghai or surrounding areas. Whether it be the Great Wall trip in Beijing or seeing the Bund in Shanghai, students are able to to see the main tourist attractions but also see the parts that tourists normally don’t.

The cultural activities and trips are a great way to relax and bond with other students in the group, after an intense week of work and study.

Yes. Each week you will attend business networking and guest speaker events with Catalai.

In addition to the internship, Catalai organises guest speaker and company visits. The Catalai guest speaker series provides Catalai students with valuable China insight and industry-specific knowledge. Students are able to gain knowledge about the practicalities of doing business in China and can absorb the advice and messages from senior business leaders working in Beijing and Shanghai.

Students and recent graduates on the Catalai programme also take part in business and social networking events. The events allow students to meet industry leaders and young professionals in Beijing or Shanghai. For graduates that are interested in working in China after the Catalai programme, the networking events are a great way to make contacts and discover new career opportunities.

Catalai offers visa application support and provides you with the required documentation so so that you can apply for the correct visa. Once your Catalai programme application has been secured you will be given specific details and information about the China visa application process.

We suggest that you book flights as early as possible after your programme details have been confirmed.

Yes. You will I be met by a Catalai representative at the airport on arrival. You will then be taken to the Catalai accommodation where you will meet other Catalai participants.

Yes. You will be taken to the airport when you finish the programme. This means that you won’t have to worry about how to get to the airport, and you can be rest assured that you will arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare.

You will stay in the Catalai accommodation with the other Catalai participants in modern serviced apartments. In both Beijing and Shanghai the accommodation is modern, clean and conveniently located.

The apartments have:

• Wireless internet
• Air conditioning
• Cooking facilitues
• Washing facilities
• TV and lounge area

*Gym and swimming pool access is also available for a discounted price.

Accommodation is based on two students of the same gender sharing a private room in a shared apartment.

Yes. If you already have accommodation arranged in Beijing or Shanghai you can choose not to stay in the Catalai accommodation.

The Catalai China Programme is the leading China internship programme for students and recent graduates from the world’s leading universities. The main benefits of the Catalai China Programme are:

• Catalai provides a comprehensive programme based on Catalai’s ‘Total-China-Immersion’ philosophy
• Selective approach – only outstanding high-calibre students and recent graduates will be accepted
• Catalai has an extensive corporate network of partner employers in Beijing and Shanghai
• Catalai doesn’t find or arrange internships for students – that approach doesn’t work
• Catalai works closely with its partner employers to select suitable internship candidates
• The Catalai language course is an integral part of the programme
• Cultural trips and activities are included in the programme
• Learn from industry leaders in China – the guest speaker series provide invaluable China insight
• Get connected in China –  business and social networking events are included in the programme
• Outstanding value – click here to see what is included in the programme fee

We could list many more reasons, but we suggest that you listen to what previous Catalai participants said about their experiences with Catalai. Click here to watch testimonial videos.