LEAP
LEAP is a voluntourism, cross-cultural, developmental experience. Ascend International and her Chinese partner seek to develop people by connecting people. We believe that tomorrow’s best leaders will be those who can adapt and flourish both in their home country and abroad.
Knowing U.S collegians and recent graduates are often short on money, but high on energy and ambition, AI and her partner have created this low cost, progressive, educational opportunity.
Where? Nanjing, China. China’s rich history, fascinating culture and burgeoning economy make it an ideal location to experience what it means to live (and thrive) in a foreign culture while positioning yourself for your future.
What? You will experience China culture from the inside. You will have an opportunity to conduct an internship/practicum in an international school/company. Through informal interaction and, sometimes, through a prepared curriculum, you will help a Chinese family’s child learn English ten hours each week. In addition, you will:
- Fulfill: Internship/practicum requirements for your U.S university. You may also fulfill community service mandates.
- Explore: You will have ample time to explore China and local places of interest
- Engage: With ample “free” time each week, you will have time to interact with Chinese culture in a way that is meaningful for you.
How? If selected for participation, you will travel to Nanjing, China, and reside in a k-12 international boarding school with other team members. On this campus you will have access to meals and lodging. For education majors, this is where you will fulfill your internship, four hours/day, five days/week. Furthermore, Monday-Friday, two hours/day, five days each week, you will tutor a child in English. You will use a curriculum prepared for the student. In total, this is 30 hours of volunteer service each week.
Cost? You will pay for your RT flight and visa costs. Scholarships will be provided that will offset all meals and lodging at the k-12 school. You will be responsible for snacks, entertainment and any domestic travel (AI recommends you allow 500.00 USD for this purpose). If you stay over 30 days, you will need to make an excursion over a border (likely Hong Kong) and return the next day. This expense will also be covered under your scholarship.
When? We prefer you start your program in one of the following windows of time:
- Your summer break. Plan to spend two months in the program.
- Fall semester. Arrive late in August and stay for the fall.
- Spring semester. Arrive the middle of February and plan to stay until the end of June.
*You may stay longer than a semester if you desire.
Why? Learning to relate, live and serve with people unlike you is a necessary characteristic of tomorrow’s best global citizens. Developmental international experience is a noteworthy prerequisite to being hired by globally minded employers. AI, in partnership with our Chinese partner, has made this opportunity available and affordable for most U.S young people.
Options:
LEAP 1:
- 60-day experience
- Pay your flight and visa costs
- Fulfill a volunteer experience at a k-12 school or company in the city (4 hours/day/5 days/week)
- Tutor a young, Chinese student 10 hours/week
- Ample free time engaging and learning about Chinese culture
- Room and board provided
- Scholarship provided trip to Hong Kong
- International insurance provided
LEAP 2:
- 3 months- 1 year
- Pay your flight and visa costs
- Fulfill a volunteer experience at a k-12 school or company in the city (4 hours/day/5 days/week)
- Tutor a young, Chinese student 10 hours/week
- Ample free time engaging and learning about Chinese culture
- Room and board provided
- Scholarship provided trip over the boarder to renew your visa every 30 days
- International insurance provided
LEAP Sample Weekly Schedule: Weekly Schedule
LEAP FAQS: Coming soon
LEAP application: application
LEAP marketing flyer:
For more info write LEAP@ascend-international.com