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China officially follows a single time zone, China Standard Time (CST), which is UTC+8:00, across the entire country, despite its vast geographical size spanning five time zones.
The official currency in China is the Renminbi (Yuan) (CNY). 1 euro equates to 7.6119 Yuans.
The volunteer programs are located in different parts of China, depending on the type of project.
The program timetables may vary, as these are subject to local climatic conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Volunteers will receive three traditional Chinese meals daily,
The arrival window is Sunday between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Volunteers will be picked up by local staff and subsequently transported to their accommodation.
The volunteer programs are located in different parts of China, depending on the type of project. These locations are:
The southern Chinese province of Guilin, renowned for its spectacular landscapes of karst limestone.
The capital city of the Chinese province of Sichuan, Chengdu, which is one of western China’s three most inhabited cities.
The rural island of Naozhou.
And the city of Zhanjiang, located on the southern coast of continental China in the Guangdong province. with a total surface area of 12,741 square kilometres and a population of more than 7 million people.
The program timetables may vary, as these are subject to local climatic conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Costs
Depending on the volunteer program:
Volunteers will receive three traditional Chinese meals daily, served in the dining room. Typically, for dinner, volunteers are offered noodles and fried rice, which has been well-received by foreign students in our experience. A vegetarian option is also available.
Just like its economy, China’s transport network has rapidly developed in recent years. The country now boasts the world’s largest road network and the most-used train system.
Flights
Despite being the most expensive method of transport, flying is by far the quickest and most convenient way to travel long distances in China.
The main international airports are located in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. However, other large cities also have airports for domestic flights.
Trains
This is the most popular method of transport in China, with most large cities having their own metro systems. Besides its vast network of standard rail lines, China also has more than 7000 km of high-speed rail lines.
Bus
For short journeys, buses are a very cheap way of getting around, representing a good alternative when it’s not possible to go by metro.
Taxi
Taxis tend to be cheap and easy to find. However, be sure to agree on a price before starting the journey.
Other alternatives
Bike-taxis and motorbikes are another way of getting around in China, representing another cheap way of getting around. Similarly, we recommend setting the price before starting the journey.
Volunteers are responsible for arranging their own transportation to China, with arrival scheduled on Sundays between 08:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Upon arrival, they will be transferred to their accommodation to rest and commence their volunteer program on the following Monday.
For the panda conservation volunteer program (Chengdu), the start dates are the following:
| 2020 | |
| January 13 | July 06, 13, 20 & 27 |
| February 03 & 17 | August 03, 10, 17 & 24 |
| March 02 & 16 | September 07 & 21 |
| April 06 & 20 | October 05 & 19 |
| May 04 & 18 | November 02 & 16 |
| June 01, 8, 15, 22 & 29 | December 07 & 21 |
There are many wonderful places to visit in China. A travel guide can give you a list of all the different things to see. However, here are some of our own recommendations:
The Li River
This 80km river, which stretches from Guilin to Yangshuo, passes by a series of magnificent hills, unique cliffs and fascinating caves. Why not take in the views from the comfort of a typical bamboo raft? Especially popular amongst Chinese tourists is a place near Yangshuo, which is pictured on the 20 yuan note.
Yangshuo
This picturesque city is renowned for its hills, rivers and bar-lined streets. Visitors can enjoy many activities such as rafting, cycling and rock climbing during the day, before watching the lights glisten on the Li River as the sun goes down. Be sure to spend at least one weekend here!
Seven Star Park
Renowned for its rock formations, this park has many different attractions such as the Flower Bridge, the Seven Stars Cave, Camel Hill and even a zoo.
The objective of the project is to train young people to be social leaders. The volunteers live in a multicultural environment, work as a team to develop tasks or institutional projects, accompany the beneficiaries in their daily lives or through workshops, and collaborate with the needs of the centers and homes.
Social Inclusion of children, young people and grandparents in situations of social risk.
Attention to Centers and Homes for the protection and restitution of rights of socially vulnerable children, adolescents and older adults.
Social Action The volunteers committed to the project will work alongside the community, involving different actors in society and allowing the full fulfillment of the rights of all people.
In this volunteer program, participants will be responsible for the care of children aged between 4 and 6 years old, primarily from underprivileged local villages. These children will be excited to meet you as you may be one of the few Western individuals they have ever encountered. Similar to many nurseries worldwide, the teaching approach here is informal. Children prefer to engage with you rather than being subjected to formal instruction. If you can inspire them to attend school and teach them some basic English phrases (such as simple greetings), you will have made a significant impact. Volunteers will have the opportunity to expand the children’s horizons, encourage school attendance, and impart fundamental English language skills, which will be invaluable for their future. As a participant in the nursery and pre-school volunteering program, you’ll be able to contribute in various ways:
Participating in this volunteer program is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and engage with the local community. You will collaborate with local staff to nurture preschool children, teach them English, and coordinate their daily activities.
Accommodation: Guilin is a province in southern China. Our center is situated amid mountains on the outskirts of an authentic and rustic village, within a 260-year-old building dating back to the Qing dynasty. The surrounding areas are ideal for hiking, providing stunning vistas of the hills and local farmers diligently tending to their fields. The volunteer house is a typical Chinese building nestled in the mountains.
This conservation program is situated in the South China Sea on an island called Donghai, offering volunteers the opportunity to contribute to turtle care and learn about dolphins. The primary goals of the dolphin conservation program are to raise awareness about dolphin protection in schools, assist the local center in establishing a dolphin museum, and participate in the reconstruction of the facility following damages caused by the annual typhoon. The South China Sea is home to five turtle species. This program aims to support the breeding and care of all five of these species, which are:
The center can house approximately 20 disabled turtles at any given time, which will be released into the ocean once they have recovered. Another nerby center is home to several healthy and fit turtles. During specific times of the year, volunteers will have the opportunity to witness the hatching of turtle eggs. During this awe-inspiring experience, the newly hatched turtles are released directly into the ocean. If you are not only an animal enthusiast but also enjoy sunbathing on the beach, this program is an ideal fit for you. This conservation volunteering program offers a valuable opportunity for you to contribute to the protection of dolphins and turtles in the area. You will help maintain their habitat and participate in releasing animals back into their natural environment. Working alongside local staff, you will gain a deeper understanding of dolphins and contribute to the protection of these endangered species. By participating in this program, you are contributing to preserving their legacy in the world.
Accommodation: Our accommodation is situated in a tranquil area of Donghai Island, which is found in the south-eastern part of the Zhanjiang urban area. This is the largest island in Guangdong, and the fifth biggest island in China. The modest hostel provides all the basic amenities you’ll need during your stay on this unique and small island. Please be sure to bring your personal belongings for your stay.
In this volunteering program, participants will primarily focus on teaching English to children ranging from 6 to 18 years old. This role is particularly well-suited for applicants who are fluent in English and can share their knowledge of life beyond China. The Chinese government has recently mandated that all schools, starting from primary school and beyond, include English as a core subject in their curriculum. However, the shortage of English teachers is impeding this effort. In addition to teaching basic English, you will engage in activities such as singing songs with the students, playing educational games, and guiding children in various activities including handicrafts, sports, drawing, coloring, and writing. Through your support of the teachers and their classroom assistants, you will contribute to making English come alive in schools and help children develop an enjoyment for learning and communicating in English.
Accommodation: Guilin is a province in southern China. Our center is nestled amongst mountains on the outskirts of an authentic and rustic village, within a 260-year-old building dating back to the Qing dynasty. The surrounding areas are ideal for hiking, providing picturesque views of the hills and local farmers diligently tending to their fields. The volunteer house is a traditional Chinese building located amidst these mountains.
Volunteers will dedicate 4-to-6 hours a day working alongside professional panda keepers, assisting in the preparation of the animals’ food, including apples, panda bread, carrots and, of course, their favourite meal, bamboo! During the program, volunteers will feed them the food that they have prepared, clean their enclosures and ensure their safety. Please note panda keepers generally feed them two times per afternoon. However, this schedule may vary depending on each giant panda’s condition and other circumstances. We cannot guarantee specific feeding times, nor can we guarantee that every participant will have the opportunity to feed a panda. The assignment of feeding tasks is exclusively handled by the panda keepers. For this program, you’ll have two orientation days
. On Monday, you’ll receive a tour of the Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre, explore some of the city’s attractions, and sample local cuisine. On Tuesday, you’ll be relocated to the specific panda center to which you have been assigned. There, you’ll undergo a guided tour and receive basic training to better understand the project and the tasks you’ll be expected to perform. As a participant in this unique volunteering program, you are also free to explore the panda reserve, an opportunity that regular visitors usually have to pay for. You’ll have the chance to visit the panda nursery (typically from July to September), the animal rescue center, educational facilities, and more. For your safety and that of the pandas, please avoid venturing too far into the forest and always follow the instructions of the panda keepers. Keep in mind that pandas are naturally wild and tend to be lethargic animals, so they require some alone time to relax. During the pandas’ rest periods, we offer many Chinese classes and other cultural activities that you are welcome to participate in. Some of these activities include:
Please note that the volunteers will need to stay for a minimum period of one week.
Accommodation: Chengdu is the capital city of the Chinese province of Sichuan, and is also one of the three most inhabited cities of western China.
Chengdu is one of western China’s most important economic, financial, commercial, cultural, transportation and communication hubs.
In this program, volunteers will take on the role of teaching English as a core subject to students of primary school age and older, specifically children aged between 4 and 15 years old. Teaching English is particularly challenging in these schools due to the shortage of qualified English teachers. Your role will involve supporting teachers and their classroom assistants to make English engaging and interactive for local primary and secondary school students. These schools embrace informal teaching styles, allowing you the freedom to deviate from local teaching methods and styles. You are encouraged to bring your own teaching ideas into the classroom. Throughout the program, you will assist in teaching basic English, engaging in activities like singing songs, playing educational games, and guiding children through various activities such as handicrafts, sports, drawing, coloring, and writing. This volunteering opportunity is well-suited for applicants who are fluent in English and can share their knowledge of life outside of China with enthusiasm and dedication.
Accommodation: Zhanjiang is a charming city located on the southern coast of mainland China in the Guangdong province. You’ll stay on the campus of the
Guangdong Ocean University Cunjin College
or in one of its nearby student residences.
When volunteers arrive at the airport, the local coordinator will pick them up and transport them to their accommodation. They will spend the next few days here alongside their fellow volunteers.
At the accommodation, volunteers will receive three meals a day from Monday to Friday and two meals a day on Saturday and Sunday.
The volunteer houses consist of 4-6 person bedrooms, each separated by gender. There is also a shared bathroom and communal areas for all residents in the accommodation.
Upon arrival and settling in at the destination, there will be a welcome meeting with the local coordinators. During this meeting, volunteers will receive information about the area, standard schedules, rules, and details about the program they will be participating in.
Volunteers will enjoy typical Chinese cuisine, with most dishes accompanied by rice and noodles. Vegetarian meals are also available upon request.
In addition to noodles and rice, participants in the Zhanjiang Ocean Conservation Volunteer Program can expect to have a substantial amount of seafood, as Nhauzhnu is a fishing island.
The total cost of the volunteering programme is broken down into 2 parts. The inscription fee that is paid to book your place on the programme costs €210, with the programme fee being paid at a later date.
.
| VOLUNTEERING PROGRAMME PERIOD | PROGRAMME FEE (EUROS, €)* | PROGRAMME FEE (USD, $) |
| 1 weeks | 175€ | 197$ |
| 2 weeks | 350€ | 395$ |
| 3 weeks | 525€ | 593$ |
| 1 month (4 weeks) | 700€ | 790$ |
| 5 weeks | 875€ | 988$ |
| 6 weeks | 1050€ | 1186$ |
| 2 months (8 weeks) | 1400€ | 1581$ |
| 10 weeks | 1750€ | 1977$ |
| 3 months (12 weeks) | 2100€ | 2373$ |
*** The costs that are given in euros are estimates, owing to constant fluctuations in conversion rates.
* The Panda conservation volunteering programme (Chengdu) has a special price of €805/week (only 1-week programmes are available).
* The Zhanjiang Ocean conservation volunteering programme (Nhauzhnu Island) has a special cost of €350 for the first week and €350 for every additional week.
Visa, flights, travel insurance (obligatory), vaccines, return to the airport following the programme and other personal expenses.
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Our volunteers will be able to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.
What does volunteering focused on university practices involve?
At Cooperating Volunteers, we make agreements with different universities to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.
The specialties we work with are extensive: medical volunteering, nursing, education, social work, psychology, physiotherapy, engineering, architecture…
The practices can be carried out in our designated destinations for this purpose, as well as in Spain.
If you choose an international destination, it’s a unique way to live an unforgettable and enriching experience, as you will have the opportunity to continue your education in another country, with a completely different culture.
Stepping out of our comfort zone and being part of the various projects at the destination will allow us to grow both personally and professionally, creating a more extensive curriculum.
And we are fully convinced that this experience will accompany you throughout your life.
You will be able to visit hospitals, schools, centers, orphanages, and participate directly and actively in the daily lives of all those people at the destination, always accompanied by other professionals willing to collaborate hand in hand with you and guide you in daily tasks.
If your university is not part of the agreement with Cooperating Volunteers, you can contact cristina@cooperatingvolunteers.com so that we can get in touch and make this experience a reality.
Corporate volunteering consists of tailored programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills.
It is proven that teamwork directly impacts productivity.
Collective effort surpasses individual capabilities, promotes diversity of skills, stimulates creativity, and facilitates problem-solving in the face of various challenges.
Therefore, it not only maximizes efficiency but also enriches the work environment.
We conduct corporate volunteering programs that consist of customized programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills, improve performance, and foster unity among employees.
We tailor projects to the corporate identity and size of the company, and we can adjust them to any destination and time of the year.
The advantages of corporate volunteering include:
The future is aligned with a more responsible society, and participating in social projects positions our company among the list of revolutionary businesses that want to be part of the change.
If you resonate with this message, corporate volunteering is a unique experience both individually and collectively, and at Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the process to make it a unique journey.
Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members.
Spending quality time with family and being able to disconnect from our hectic routines is not only enriching but also necessary.
Sometimes we forget to communicate, connect, and dedicate time to each other. Each one of us lives focused on our jobs, schools… And it’s necessary to find the opportunity to pause and take care of ourselves.
Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. And of course, it creates lifelong positive memories.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we suggest moving away from those ‘more superficial’ trips (which can also be fantastic), but we invite you to live this experience to bring out our most empathetic and humanitarian side.
Family volunteering gives us the opportunity to be part of a positive impact, promoting values of solidarity and social responsibility.
There are many families who choose to experience these trips focused on cooperation and direct involvement with different communities around the world, where living conditions are very different and sometimes entirely precarious.
Projects are tailored to different ages, allowing us to work together.
An incredible way to fill our suitcase with memories, learning, and knowledge.
And although stepping out of our comfort zone often feels daunting, we assure you firsthand that it’s worth it.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the entire experience, from start to finish, to make it unforgettable.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we believe it’s never too late for anything, especially for volunteering and living a unique and unforgettable experience.
There are many people, increasingly so, who opt for responsible travel that involves social work.
Accustomed to organized and mostly touristic trips, at Cooperating Volunteers, we want to advocate for a more enriching experience, one that transforms us from within and allows us to be part of the change the world needs to see.
We can adapt both the destination and the duration of our projects to fit your needs.
It’s an opportunity full of emotions that allows us to significantly contribute to different communities and their evolution. And you can participate in different areas such as education, social support, or assistance in different centers.
Some of the benefits include:
Living this experience will undoubtedly be a before and after.
A volunteering initiative with leadership and impact through the educational action program.
When we talk about social volunteering, we refer to all those actions and activities carried out altruistically, selflessly, and with the aim of addressing multiple problems and needs of different communities, always focused on education and self-sufficiency.
Education is essential because it provides the tools and knowledge necessary for personal, social, and economic development.
Our goal is to create self-sufficient communities and provide opportunities for the future personal development of each member. The message is not to ‘give’, but to accompany in the process of training for self-managed provision.
At Cooperating Volunteers, many of our destinations and projects embrace this type of volunteering. Some of our projects include: community programs, education, women’s empowerment…
And although they are completely different from each other, they share a single objective: progress towards a society that can embrace us all in the same way.
If you are someone who is restless, who needs to see a change in the future, volunteering is an experience tailor-made for you.