CCS China:

Volunteering in Xi’an

Agenda

• Introductions

• Xi’an

• Volunteer Placements

• Home-Base

• Cultural & Learning Activities and Free

Time

• Q&A

Introductions

Pete Bryan- Xi’an July ‘09 Alex Brandt- December ’09

Program Manager

Jerome Dong-

Country Director

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

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.

Placements in Xi’an

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.

• 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!

The Xi’an Home-Base

The Xi’an Home-Base

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

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

Questions?