<p>S in HS was thinking of applying to a summer internship program in China called ThinkChina. I had not heard of them so wondering if anyone else has? Program website looks professional and they seem to have an interesting focus.</p>
<p>I am well aware of the feelings of a few here about international or paid summer programs - I will most certainly be taking all of those issues into consideration before making any decisions. In the meantime, please no comments on those issues. I just want to hear if others have come across this program.</p>
<p>S has good language skills and has always wanted to visit China and this seemed like a good way to spend his junior summer. Thanks all.</p>
<p>I don't know anything about ThinkChina, but both my sons spent considerable time in China during high school. Both spent an entire summer in Beijing and other cities on multiple occasions. They loved it and love China. S1 speaks Mandarin, S2 does not, but it didn't seem to matter. S2 (at age 14) lived in a dorm with 6 to a room, used Chinese toilets, and lived on noodles and spicy lamb sticks. He trained with top Chinese athletes 4 to 6 hours per day and half a day on Saturday. Even so, he got to know Beijing very well. When we all returned for a conference a couple of months later the entire back aisle of Silk Alley started waiving and calling his name (he got a little side business going reselling Rolex knock-offs, ...I know, I know). S1 trained a couple of summers and also spent a month volunteering in a hospital in northern China. Be sure to include the meningitis vaccine with your travel shots, if dorm life is part of the deal.</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing that idad. I've experienced the Rolex "ground distribution model" in China first hand so completely understand what you're talking about. Wonderful story and something S2 will remember I am sure. My S really wants to visit China - we've been sending him to Chinese schools on weekends for over 7 years and he's itching to finally test it.</p>
<p>As for the internship part, D did an internship with a local semiconductor company prior to MIT and she loved it. She's definitely not studying EE now (hopefully not because of the internship) but if anything, it helped her gain insight into the working world and the summer experience became her main essay topic. </p>
<p>When S mentioned the program, I was a bit intrigued I have to say ... seems to combine a lot of good things. Anyone heard of ThinkChina or anything similar? References would be nice.</p>
<p>CAcoolDad - did you ever decide on this? I’d be curious to see how this compares with the other summer programs that’ve been through the ringer here at CC. This one does seem to be unique in its internships and concentration on Asia. </p>
<p>As a general question, what are your high schoolers doing this summer? Would be interesting to start a list for reference. I gather most people have made decisions given its mid-April.</p>