YOUR COUNTRY GUIDE
CHINA
Nanchang
FACTS, FIGURES & A GENERAL OVERVIEW GLOBAL AUTISM PROJECTÂ
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE? Traveling to a new country can be absolutely thrilling, but it can also leave you feeling excited, nervous, and probably full of uncertainty. We totally get it! At the Global Autism Project, we approach world travel with curiosity and respect. We work to ensure you have all the tools you need to explore with these values, which is why we've created comprehensive country guides to prepare you for your SkillCorps® journey overseas! This country guide will give you an overview of Nanchang including currency, politics, maps and key phrases! Of course, we encourage you to do your own research as well, but use our country guide as a starting point!
As a new member of the Skillcorps team you will be invited to join an app that contains pertinent information about your trip!
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EXPECTATIONS AT A GLANCE Capital City Beijing Population 1,379,302,771 (July 2017) Largest population in the world Major Religions Buddhist 18.2%, Christian 5.1%, Muslim 1.8%, Folk Religion 21.9%, Hindu < 0.1, Jewish < 0.1%, other 0.7% (includes Daoist (Taoist)), unaffiliated 52. 2% Official Language(s) Standard Chinese or Mandarin We currently have two partner sites in China: one in Nanjing and the other in Nanchang. The four seasons are distinct in Nanjing, with hot summers and cold winters. The spring is warm and humid, and the rainy season falls in June and July. Though considered a southern city, Nanjing is cold in the winter with occasional snow. The average annual temperature is 16 °C (61 °F).
Nanchang has a subtropical monsoon climate, with long winters and summers. There is both abundant sunshine and rainfall. The highest temperature in summer can reach 40C (104F) or above. Winter weather in Nanchang is quite cold and dry with the lowest temperature at 10C (14F).
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WHAT'S THE BIG PICTURE? Political/ social climate President Xi Jinping came to power in 2012 as the hand-picked heir of predecessor Hu Jintao. Xi Jinping is expected to lead China for the next decade. How will we get around? Public Transportation and infrastructure are highly developed in most urban areas in China. During your time you may use a variety of modes of transportation including buses, trains, metros, and taxis. In Nanchang, buses and metros are the most common and convenient kind of transportation. During excursions outside of Nanchang, expect to ride the local high-speed train known as the drivers charge by meter.
特快(te kuai). Generally, most taxi
Exciting Events! February
Spring Festival Eve
February
Chinese New Year
February
Lantern Festival
April
Qing Ming Festival
May
Labour Day
June
Dragon Boat Festival
August
Double Seventh Festival
August
Ghost Festival
September October October
Mid-Autumn Festival
National Day The Double Ninth Festival GLOBAL AUTISM PROJECT
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GET READY! It's so exciting, right?! So much to prepare for, so much to share... You're ready today! Hold on to that enthusiasm, that's exactly why you made the team!
DON'T WORRY! We're not going to send you into the field with nothing. To ensure we're sharing the most up-to-date information, we will post a live clinical video in the app at least 3 weeks before you travel. The video will discuss training objectives, strategies, and expected priorities for your time in the center. Additionally, at orientation you'll review the site's clinical folder and learn all about our training model!
GET YOUR VISA! You WILL need to apply for a visa to travel to China - we will process this visa for you! Visa processing information can be found in the SkillCorps App. You do NOT need to pay for your visa processing until AFTER you've booked your flights. Once your flight is booked, head over to the app to pay for your visa, then we'll email you next steps!
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A TYPICAL DAY MORNINGS We spend our mornings at the hotel having breakfast as a team and planning for the day. We will discuss the wrap-up from the night before, and get excited for our new day!
WORK TIME Work time is a time to be present and energized! We bring professionalism and enthusiasm to the center each day, and will provide training in the form of role-play, workshops, reenactments, and even games.
EVENINGS Each evening will vary, but we typically make a team decision to either relax, call home and connect for a bit, or explore the city. We will also spend time each evening debriefing and working on training for the next day, as well as an inspirational wrap-up.
DOWN TIME Down time is up to the team! We always stick together, but we try to make time for team activities. From local light shows to large mall shopping, we try to keep you well rested, yet entertained!
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BUDGETING & PLANNING
NATIONAL CURRENCY | RENMINBI OR YUAN Accessing cash Wire transfer, ATMs, banks, and currency exchanges are readily accessible throughout the country. Chinese banking pins are six digits long instead of the four digits common in many western nations. Although you should be able to input two zeros before your regular four digit pin, you should still check with your bank to see if your pin needs to be temporarily changed. (Please note that renminbi is generally difficult and expensive to exchange back to U.S. dollars, so only exchange the approximate amount that you need and keep the rest as a souvenir.) Most major western Credit Cards are accepted in China's urban areas such as Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover, JCB, and Diners Club. Daily Expenses Expenses will vary depending on individual and situational needs, but below is a sample budget for a typical working day at the partner site. We will leave budgeting for souvenirs and gifts up to your discretion. Small meal 40¥ ($6) Bottle of water 3.74 ¥ ($0.59) Taxi
19.02 ¥. ($3.00)
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YOUR LOGISTICS OVERVIEW ACCOMMODATIONS You will be staying at a trusted hotel in Nanchang. This hotel is located within walking distance to Huicong center, as well as shopping malls and many restaurants. You will likely share a room with a teammate. THE CENTER Huicong Center is a five-story building with over 120 students. Wear your walking shoes, because the school is large! Your work day at the center will typically go from 8:30am until 4:30pm, though the schedule is subject to change.
TRANSPORTATION A driver has been organized for your time in Nanchang. They will handle all airport transportation as well as a ride to and from the center as needed. But, most places will be within walking distance, for your convenience!
MEALS The hotel provides breakfast every morning and the center will have lunch every afternoon, but dinners are not covered. Past teams have eaten together at the hotel restaurant, ordered in, or dined at a nearby mall.
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HOW WILL I COMMUNICATE?
Will I be able to use my cell phone? Yes, but make sure that your phone is compatible/covered by an international plan. If it isn’t, you may be charged high roaming and usage fees by your domestic service provider or may not be able to use your phone at all. How do I avoid incurring high roaming fees? If you have not purchased an international plan, you can purchase a local SIM card from the following retailers once you’ve landed in China: China Telecom, China Mobile, or China Unicom (around 100-200 RMB.) Internet Access Wi-Fi connection can be found in hotels in urban cities and tourist cities. Some restaurants and cafes may also provide free Wi-Fi for customers. The internet is available throughout the country, but not all content is accessible. Outlets in Nanchang operate under tight control. Access to foreign news is restricted and many websites are blocked including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google, and Gmail. GLOBAL AUTISM PROJECT
FRIENDLY REMINDERS: VACCINATIONS The Global Autism Project does NOT employ medical physicians, therefore we cannot advise your medical decisions. We do, however, recommend you visit the website of the Center for Disease Control and schedule an appointment with a travel physician.
FLIGHTS Please frequently check your email for updates regarding the timeline for booking flights! Typically, you should be booking your flight nine weeks prior to travel. After you have submitted your travel form, you will be contacted by travel agents who will guide you through every step of the process!
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HOW SHOULD I DRESS? What do people wear in China? Although there is no official dress code in China, great attention is paid to etiquette. Therefore, during your time in Nanchang, we advise you to stick to business casual. For special occasions such as banquets or dinners, you may want to dress more formally. Please consider keeping knees and shoulders covered when possible. Also, it may be appropriate to wear red, the “lucky color” during important Chinese festivals and ceremonies (such as the Chinese New Year).
Tip: You can find a quiz in the Skillcorps app to help you with your packing list!
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MORE TO THINK ABOUT What is the legal status of the LGBTQ+ community in China? Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community have been shaped by foreign media, particularly Western TV and Japanese manga. LGBTQ+ people have become increasingly visible over the last decade and a half. Same-sex relationships have been legal in China since 1997, and in 2001 homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness. However, China possesses no laws protecting the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination. Homosexual couples are unable to marry or adopt, and households headed by same-sex couples are ineligible for the same legal protection available to heterosexual couples. Will I be safe traveling to China? SkillCorps teams are incredibly diverse and we’re very grateful for that! Members of our own staff identify as LGBTQ+ as well. However, for your safety, please exercise caution and avoid sharing overly intimate or personal details while abroad. You may decide to use discretion when disclosing your orientation. Our teams will stick together! Autism in China At present, China still has no data related to children with autism and is without a practical method for preliminary screening and effective intervention measures. There is a massive shortage of clinicians and teachers and, therefore, an extreme lack of services for children with autism. In case you do run into any problems during your stay, please look up the contact information for the local U.S. Embassy. GLOBAL AUTISM PROJECT
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WHEN YOU TRAVEL, REMEMBER THAT A FOREIGN COUNTRY IS NOT DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU COMFORTABLE. IT IS DESIGNED TO MAKE ITS OWN PEOPLE COMFORTABLE. -CLIFTON FADIMAN
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MAPS& PHRASES
IMPORTANT PHRASES Yes/no
No meat
Thank you
duì/bù duì
bù yào ròu
Xiè xiè
Hello
No milk
Where is the bathroom?
nǐ hǎo
bù yào niú nǎi
xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ?
Goodbye
No wheat/no flour
Check, please
zài jiàn
bù yào xiǎo mài/miàn fěn
Qǐng jiǎn chá
My name is...
Have you heard of autism?
Vegetarian
wǒ de míngzì shì...
nǐ yǒu méi yǒu tīng shuō guò zì bì
对/不对 你好 再⻅
我的名字是...
不要⾁
不要⽜奶
不要⼩⻨/⾯粉
你有没有听说过⾃闭症？ zhèng?
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谢谢
洗⼿间在哪⾥？ 请检查
我是素⻝主义者
wǒ shì sù shí zhǔ yì zhě
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO...
Meet Miss Zhang. Over your two week trip, you'll spend many hours with this incredible woman! She's the founder of the center and is the woman behind major change happening in her community and her country. Give her a big smile when you meet her!
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TESTIMONIALS "The therapists are so eager to learn -- it's a joy working with them!" -Jen
" Nanchang was a truly magical experience to be apart of." - Thomas
"This site has incredible potential. The teaching styles are so different and innovative. It's the only school of it's kind." - Kelly
"Such an amazing country with even more amazing people!" - Amanda
"The city of Nanchang is like nothing I've seen before! Light shows, fountains, and the smell of amazing food in the air makes it majestic!" -Cassie
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EXPLORE WHAT'S HAPPENING AT HUICONG! Huicong is a school providing 1:1 services for children with autism in a classroom setting. They currently serve 128 students, all early learners. In China, there is a need for increased awareness and access to services. Huicong was founded by a mother of a child with autism who continues to be a passionate advocate for children with autism throughout all of China. Partners since: 2017 Current focus: Individualized programming, using the VB-MAPP
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MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
ISABELLE REE Isabelle is the clinical site supervisor for the Huicong center. She has experience as a Senior Behavior Analyst and has a strong background in ABA. She has always been passionate about working in different countries, learning their culture and working with different individuals.
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GET READY FOR THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
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