The Country
China has an ancient history and a rich cultural tradition. The country has fascinated Westerners since the days of Marco Polo. However, in recent times, access to its rich culture and diverse people has been limited. Through Cross-Cultural Solutions, volunteers have the unique opportunity to work with local organisations previously inaccessible to most Westerners. As a volunteer in China, you will have a rare inside view of one of the world’s largest and most ancient cultures.
China has a vivid and distinct history, artistic tradition, cuisine, and social structure. The culture is strong and complex, and dates back to ancient times. Despite its past isolation from other countries of the world, China has a great diversity of races, religions and philosophies. While there, you will have the opportunity to explore this diversity, from Confucianism, to Buddhism, to Taoism, to Islam.

The Community
Xi’an is the crossroads of Western and Eastern China and is the starting point of the Silk Road. Culturally, Xi’an is a mixture of the ancient and modern worlds. Home to the famous Terra Cotta Army, it was once the imperial capital of China. The city’s ancient history is embodied by the huge stone walls that surround the city centre, originally intended to protect the city from invasion. In the modern world, Xi’an is the largest capital city in Central and Western China. The metropolitan area is home to approximately 7 million people, and remains a major centre of traditional Chinese culture. Just to the North of Xi’an is the Qinling Mountain range, which includes the sacred Huashan Mountain, birthplace of Taoism.

The People
Xi’an is most unique because of its people. The diversity of China’s people is represented in Xi’an’s Tibetan, Muslim, Han and other Chinese ethnicities. Your time in Xi’an will provide you with opportunities to connect with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, exposing you to the wide scope of Chinese culture.
In Xi’an, Cross-Cultural Solutions works on several projects within NGO’s (Non-Government Organisations) alongside Chinese volunteers from the community. Many people in Xi’an familiar with Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteers request time to discuss volunteerism and current events with our participants.

China Staff
Cross-Cultural Solutions’ local staff design and run each programme; the staff will make you feel at home during your stay, and help you better understand their culture. The staff help facilitate your placement and activities and are always available to handle any questions that may arise.
Zhende "Jerome" Dong is the Xi’an Country Director. Born in northern China, Jerome has worked as Director of Programming for the YMCA of Shanghai, where he managed international volunteers. He went on to establish the China Volunteer Corps, an organisation devoted to promoting volunteerism within China among Chinese people. A fan of nearly every kind of sport, Jerome is loaded with personality. He is passionate about volunteerism and works tirelessly at everything that comes his way.

"Xi’an is a great place to volunteer because, historically and culturally, it is not as modern as Beijing or Shanghai. Volunteers really will be able to feel the effect of their work with the local community." – Jerome Dong, Country Director

"The programme really brought me closer to the day-to-day life of the Chinese people. We laughed and joked together; they were very open and receptive to the volunteers. And Jerome is outstanding!" - Carleen, China Programme Alumna

Volunteer Work
Volunteers in China are involved with teaching children, teaching English, assisting teachers, sharing their professional skills/experience, caring for the elderly, observing and assisting local health professionals, caring for people with disabilities, and assisting teachers of special education.
Volunteer work is always in partnership with one of CCS’ Partner Programmes from the local community. Your placement will be based on your skills and interests and the needs of the community; the most common include:

− Lui Shi, a school for children with special needs. Volunteers help the staff take care of the children in a daycare-like setting.

− TPR English Training Centre for Children, an after-school English language training centre. Volunteers help improve the children’s English pronunciation and teach songs and rhymes.

− Xi’an Anti Cancer Club, an organisation focused on facilitating the recovery of cancer patients. Volunteers help teach English to doctors and nurses, translate the Club’s website into English, and provide support for cancer patients.

− Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, where volunteers help teach English to the doctors and nurses, and shadow doctors and nurses on their rounds.

Cultural and Learning Activities
In Xi’an, cultural and learning activities (also known as Perspectives Programming) offered may include an in-depth orientation, insightful discussions on cultural norms, Mandarin language instruction, guest speakers and special events. Guest speakers are chosen for their leadership in a variety of fields, and may include a local doctor to talk about traditional Chinese medicine, a practitioner of Taoism, or a traditional Chinese painter. Special events may include a visit to the Beilin Museum (a converted Confucian temple), Chinese cooking classes, or T’ai Chi lessons.

Free Time
Free time is available some afternoons and evenings, and every weekend. In Xi’an you can explore the inner city, take a tour of the world famous Terra Cotta Army and walk through the Muslim quarter, with its labyrinth of alleys leading to the Grand Mosque - the largest mosque in China. You may also want to enjoy scenic hiking in the country, take a tour of the Yanzi River, or hop on a shuttle to visit Beijing.

Home-Base in Xi’an
The Home-Base is designed to provide you with a family atmosphere, and a safe, comfortable place to reflect on your experience. In Xi’an, the Home-Base is located on two full floors of a conventional apartment building inside the ancient city walls. The apartment has meeting rooms, a common space for relaxing, and a kitchen and dining area. Typically, there are four volunteers per bedroom. Basic amenities are included, such as flushing toilets, running water, and electricity. The central location of the Xi’an Home-Base allows for easy access to shops, Internet cafes, and restaurants.
Meals will be provided by local cooks at the apartment and will conform to the local cuisine, including traditional Chinese dishes with rice.
Transportation to and from your Placement and any Perspectives Programming activities will also be provided by a local staff member.