Volunteer Application Process

How to apply for a volunteer position in China:

FIRST: Complete step 1 below: Preliminary Application Form.

SECOND: Wait to be contacted by a China Horizons representative to schedule an interview.

THIRD: After the interview, complete steps 2-10 below to finish the application process.

1. Preliminary Application Form (Wait for a CH representative to contact you before proceeding to steps 2-10 below).
2. Cover Letter. Describe your interest in living in China and the skills and traits you possess that qualify you for the position. Direct the letter to “To Whom It May Concern.” Sign, scan, and e-mail the letter to China Horizons.
3. Current Resume. Your resume should contain two current references. Please phrase any reference to religion, church, or missionary work in a secular format. This item MUST be e-mailed in a Microsoft Word file format.
4. Two Letters of Recommendation. Past employers, teachers, or professors are all acceptable references. These letters should NOT be written by a relative or clergy (church) contact. Please have the letters typed, printed on professional letterhead, and then signed. The signed letters must be scanned and e-mailed to China Horizons. Either the writer or the applicant may e-mail these to China Horizons.
5. Copy of Signed Valid Passport (picture page only). The passport should contain at least six months’ validity from the time you return from China to the U.S. The passport you submit must be the exact passport you will use for China. For example, if you are married or engaged and plan on applying for a new passport with your new last name, you will need to submit your new passport with your application, not your current passport. View the Passport and Visa page for more information. Scan and e-mail the passport copy to China Horizons.
6. Passport/Visa Photograph and Drivers License.  This must be a professional passport/visa style photo  and does not need to match the photo on your passport. A convenient place to take the photo is at a Walgreens Photo Lab. We also need a scan of the front of your Drivers License. You can scan and e-mail the photo to us.
7. Copies of College Degrees and/or Teaching Certificates (not required, but welcomed). Scan and e-mail these documents.
8. Signed Terms and Conditions Agreement Form. Please print, sign, scan, and e-mail it back to China Horizons.
9. Signed Teacher Code of Conduct Agreement form. This form is signed digitally and does NOT need to be printed, signed, scanned, or e-mailed back.
10. Application Deposit. The application deposit must be submitted with the above materials. The deposit is deducted from the program cost and is NOT an additional fee. If you are not accepted or placed, ALL fees (including the deposit) are 100% refunded. However, if you choose to withdraw your application, the deposit is not refunded. The application deposit may be mailed to the P.O. Box listed below. You can also use the PayPal option below.
    
    
    

    Application Fee

    Volunteer Application Fee – Single Applicant $150.00 USDVolunteer Application Fee – Married Couple $250.00 USD

    Applicant’s Name

    
    
    

     

    How to Submit Application Materials #2-8

    E-mail all attachments together in one email to: Applications@ChinaHorizons.org and retain all original hard copies for future reference.

    When saving your attachments, please follow the following guidelines:

    1. All documents should be attached to your e-mail in the form of a Microsoft Word document (.DOC), PDF file, or J-PEG file. Your application will be sent to China online, so please prepare all documents in an appropriate file size. Each attachment should not exceed 2MB.
    2. Please name the file using this format: “last name application item.” For example, if you are attaching your passport as a PDF file and your last name is Rogers, the file would be named “Rogers Passport.”  Application items may be abbreviated when naming the file. For example, “Terms and Conditions” may be named  “Rogers Terms.”

    If you do not have access to a scanner or e-mail, please contact China Horizons to make arrangements for submitting your application.

    Regarding Final Program Payment.  The final program payment should be made within two weeks of acceptance into the program unless an alternative payment plan has been arranged. This payment, in the form of check or money order, must be mailed to China Horizons at the address listed below.  All program fees are non-refundable unless an applicant is not accepted into the program or China Horizons is unable to arrange a placement for the semester indicated by the applicant.

     

    Application Dates

    Spring Semester 2015

    Nov 30, 2014 (Early Application – Oct 1)

    Fall Semester 2015

    March 31, 2015 (Early Application – March 15)

     

    Please Consider:

    Your decision to teach in China is a serious commitment. Please weigh all the factors and issues surrounding your decision to be certain this is right for you. Outline a plan for the next year detailing how a China experience will affect your future. We are here to answer all your questions and concerns to assist in this important decision.

    Frequently Asked Application Questions

    1. Do I need a degree to participate?
       • No.
    2. What are my chances of being accepted as a teacher?
       • Available positions vary each semester. As long as you have a strong application and you submit it before the deadline, your chances are very high for teaching in China.
    3. Are there any age restrictions?
       • All applicants must be 18 at the time of applying. Some schools require that participants be at least 20 years old, while other schools are flexible.
    4. How soon after applying will I know that I am accepted?
       • You will be notified within 2 weeks of completing the application process whether you are accepted or not. However, your exact teaching location may not be known until one month prior to your departure.
    5. Can I request to be placed with my friends if they apply.
       • Absolutely! We can typically accommodate a group of 3-5 teachers within the same school or area.
    6. Will I receive a refund if I am not accepted?
       • If you are not accepted as a teacher you will receive 100% of all China Horizons fees paid up to that point. Refunds are not available for teachers who withdraw their applications for any reason.  Fees can, however, be deferred to a future semester of teaching.