Internship in China
Intern in Shanghai, inside the world's second-largest economy, where tech, trade and manufacturing move fast.
At a glance
The short answers
Updated October 2026 by the Asia Internship Program admissions team
How much does it cost?
Prices are coming soon. Talk to a career advisor to hear when it opens.
How long can I stay?
6 to 24 weeks, starting any time of year.
Do I need to speak Mandarin?
No. We look for host companies that work in English. A few words of Mandarin make daily life much easier.
What visa do I need?
Visa assistance is included in every program. We confirm your visa route before you pay the deposit and prepare the documents your embassy asks for.
Where will I live?
Traveler and Pioneer include furnished housing near your workplace. On Explorer you choose where to live.
Can I use my usual apps?
Google, WhatsApp and Instagram don't work without a VPN. Daily life runs on WeChat and Alipay, which both accept foreign cards.
Overview
What it's like to intern here
An internship in China puts you inside the companies that shape what the world buys, builds and uses. The pace is fast, the scale is huge, and you learn how business works in a culture very different from your own.
AIP places interns in fields where China leads: technology and e-commerce, marketing, supply chain and logistics, international trade, finance and business development. You work on real tasks with a local team, and we match you on your field, your goals and your dates.
Shanghai and other cities
Placements are mainly in Shanghai, China's business and finance capital. Other cities, such as Beijing, are possible too.
What daily life is like
Chinese cities are safe, efficient and open late. Metro systems are cheap and easy to use, and high-speed trains link the big cities in a few hours, so weekends can mean a new city every time. Food is a big part of life, and it changes completely from one region to the next.
What to get ready for
Many Western apps are blocked, so you live on WeChat for messages and WeChat Pay or Alipay for payments. Both now work with foreign bank cards. English is common in international companies but less so in shops and taxis, so a translation app and a few words of Mandarin go a long way.
Why go
China's companies shape what the world buys, builds and uses. Working inside one shows you how business runs at a scale you won't see anywhere else.
From mobile payments to electric cars and e-commerce, a lot of everyday technology moves faster in China. You see it from the inside, not in a case study.
Knowing how Chinese customers, suppliers and partners think is a skill employers everywhere look for. An internship here gives you first-hand experience of it.
Your internship
What the job teaches you
You learn how deals, hierarchy and relationships work in a different business culture, and how to get things done within it.
Living and working in China teaches you to explain East to West and back again. That's a valuable skill in any international team.
Things move quickly and expectations are high. Interns who lean in come home with more confidence and more to talk about in interviews.
Cities
Where you could work
Each city has its own guide. Housing, visa and prices are on this page.
Prices
How much it costs
Prices are coming soon.
Prices in USD. See what each program includes
Compare with other destinations
The same length, side by side, for every destination.
Housing
Where you'll live
Traveler and Pioneer include furnished housing near your workplace. What to expect:
FAQ
Your questions, answered
Can I intern in China if I only speak English?
Yes. We look for host companies that work in English. Mandarin is useful in daily life, but you don't need it for the job.
Where in China can I intern?
Placements are mainly in Shanghai, China's business and finance capital. Other cities, such as Beijing, are possible too.
What visa do I need for an internship in China?
Visa assistance is included in every program. We confirm your visa route before you pay the deposit and prepare the documents your embassy asks for.
How much does an internship in China cost?
Prices are coming soon. Talk to a career advisor to hear when it opens.
Which fields can I intern in?
Technology and e-commerce, marketing, supply chain and logistics, international trade, finance and business development are the strongest fields for international interns.
Can I use Google and WhatsApp in China?
Not without a VPN. People in China use WeChat for messages and WeChat Pay or Alipay to pay, and both work with foreign bank cards.
Intern stories
Hear it from our interns
China · applications open all year
Apply for an internship in China.
It's free to apply, and you only pay a deposit once you're accepted.
