Harvard China Student Internship Program—
Summer 2008
The Harvard China Fund launched the Harvard China Student Internship Program (HCSIP) in summer 2008, a collaborative effort involving Harvard's Office of Career Services (OCS) and Office of International Programs (OIP) together with Chinese corporations and US companies in China. The program aims to create transformational experiences for Harvard College students as they prepare for a lifelong engagement with China. Students are able to experience modern China through their internship placements, as well as gain an introduction to Chinese history and culture, and learn how Harvard alumni live and work in the region. The structure of the 2008 program included a 10-week internship and two field trips to rural areas of China and visits to several Chinese corporations. The Harvard College Fund selected 20 Harvard College students to intern at these nine host companies from June 9 - August 15, 2008:
Accounting: PricewaterhouseCoopers
Fund/Investment Management: China Universal Asset Management
Information Technology: CDC Software
Management Consulting: McKinsey, Hay Group
Manufacturing: Huiyuan Juice
Media: China Central Television (CCTV), Shanghai Television (STV)
Real estate: Vanke
Given their diverse academic backgrounds, the 2008 student interns performed various job functions such as sales and marketing support, news editing, merger and acquisitions research, management consulting, and English teaching. Their host companies provided them with job descriptions and assigned mentors from within the organization to assist the students throughout the summer. The majority of the host companies also provided support in the form of round trip airfare, a monthly stipend, and housing arrangements for the Harvard interns. Each host company accommodated 2-4 students.
2008 HCSIP Interns visiting the Great Wall.
Student testimonials from participants on the 2008 Harvard China Student Internship Program:
“I got a real business internship at a company working for both government run enterprises and multinational corporations… I learned appreciation and a deeper respect for different cultures, especially Chinese culture. But I most of all learned responsibility and more about myself...”
“I believe that the ten weeks I spent in China were a major milestone in my life... Participating in HCSIP allowed me a very unique learning experience that I do not believe is possible through any other program…”
“This summer has definitely been one of the most transformative experiences that I’ve had…This internship allowed me to enhance my appreciation for working, living, and learning in China. It gave me the chance to experience both the corporate atmosphere as well as the daily lives of ordinary people...”
“Given this experience, I am no longer hesitant to consider the prospect of working and living in China sometime in the future…This summer has also led me to be more open and creative about my future.”
“My two-and-a-half months abroad have opened my eyes to the incredible depth and vibrancy of Chinese culture and living…Overall, my internship experience has opened up a whole new world of discovery and future.”
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