Dream Corps 2012 Summer Volunteer Program
Call for Application
Let Reading Inspire
PROGRAM
Dream Corps is recruiting about 65 international volunteers to participate in its 2012 Summer Volunteer Program in rural schools (township elementary or middle schools) and villages of China. We strongly encourage past volunteer alumni to apply for 2012 Summer Volunteer Program again. Volunteers will take part in activities that include:
Establishing and developing libraries: decorations, cataloging books, electronic cataloging system set-ups, and library policy making.
Reading programs: “Library Month”, “Reading Aloud”, “Science and Reading”, English Reading, and crafts.
Understanding and learning from locals: communicating with the local teachers, home visits, community research, and promoting reading in the community.
The program consists of 4 days of training in Beijing, 3 weeks of volunteer work on assigned volunteer sites, and 3 days concluding forum in Beijing. Check out the important dates below.
QUALIFICATION FOR VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers must read, understand and agree to abide by the regulations outlined in the Volunteer Ethical Guidelines.
Interested in international development, rural education, and the non-profit sector in China.
Respectful of local rural customs, habits and culture and to humbly listen to the views of local teachers, leaders and parents.
Participate positively in all activities, and immerse in the local environment.
Is able to adapt to rural accommodations, environment and eating conditions.
Is able to communicate and work effectively and respectfully with people from different cultural backgrounds. Team-oriented and tolerant of diversity.
Responsible, well-organized and creative.
Willing to promote the importance of reading to the locals through various activities.
Experience as a volunteer and with community service.
Ability to speak mandarin Chinese is mandatory.
Please read the important dates and make sure you are able to participate in the entire program. Attendance in the entire program is absolutely required.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION FOR TEAM LEADERS
Strong ability to manage, organize, plan, and access resources.
Very responsible.
Experience leading teams and promoting teamwork. Ability to identify talents of team members and to resolve conflicts. Must be able to lead a team to accomplish a goal.
Experience communicating with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and ages.
Can represent Dreams Corps and the team to negotiate with local community leaders.
APPLICATION PROCESS
STEP 1: Complete online application.
STEP 2: Interview
Qualified applicants will be interviewed over the phone or in person, depending on location, availability and preference. The length of the interview is about one hour.
- Phone interview via Skype
- In person. 4 locations: Beijing, China; University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Space is limited in each location. Additional candidates will be interviewed by Skype.
STEP 3: Notification of Decision
- Dec 20, 2011 - Feb 20, 2012: Those selected for an interview will be notified.
- Dec 20, 2011 - Feb 22, 2012: Interviews will be scheduled by email by the interviewers and interviews will be held.
- March 11, 2012: Final acceptance letter will be sent out before this date.
IMPORTANT DATES
Dec 18, 2011: Online application opens
February 19, 2012: Online application officially closes
March 11, 2012: Final acceptance letter will be sent out before this date.
March 25-June 24: Summer Volunteer Program
- March 25- April 22 : Online training (4 sessions, about 2 hours per session)
- May 20, 2012: Volunteer registration in Beijing, program begins; Team leader training in Beijing
- May 21-23, 2012: Volunteer and librarian training in Beijing
- May 24, 2012: Volunteers departing for sites
- May 25-June 21, 2012: Working at sites
- June 22,2012: Teams check back in at Beijing
- June 23-24, 2012: Concluding forum in Beijing
PERSONAL STATEMENT GUIDELINES
Please carefully read and answer the following questions clearly and directly. You may also use bullet-points. (Limit to 600 words per question).
- Why do you want to be a volunteer?
- Why do you choose Dream Corps International?
- How do you think you would fit in DreamCorps Summer Volunteer Program?
EXPENSE
Volunteers pay their own airfare to Beijing. Besides airfare, each volunteer should prepare minimum 400USD (2500RMB) for one’s basic personal cost. The basic personal cost covers the cost of accommodations during training and the concluding forum, transportation to and from the program sites, lodging at the sites, travel health insurance, and training package. Dream Corps will not collect the cost upfront; the volunteers will directly pay for their own expenses during the program. Dream Corps will be responsible for the costs of the library and reading programs (i.e. costs for books, other equipment, and librarian training).
2012 SITES INFORMATION
The sites for 2012 are located at the following provinces: Yunnan, Hunan, Sichuan, Gansu and Henan. Some changes are possible. Applicants can indicate preferences, but preferences cannot always be honored. During the online training more information about the sites will be provided.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have any more questions regarding our program, please visit Dream Corps 2012 Summer Volunteer Program FAQ and join our social media communities for relevant information.
If you have any questions regarding the application and volunteer selection process, please contact us.
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