Student Ambassadors Internship Program

2009. 3 October

Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply by November 1 to become student ambassadors for the U.S. at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo: May 1 – October 31, 2010

(china.usc.edu) The USA Pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010 will present a dynamic, emotional story that radiates powerful core values shared by both the Chinese and American people – sustainability, teamwork, health and the fundamental belief that America is a place of opportunity where those who seek to change the world for the better will always thrive and prosper. The theme of the Shanghai Expo 2010 is "Better City, Better Life."

Students have the opportunity to be a part of this unique experience through the Student Ambassadors Internship Program, a partnership between the USA Pavilion and the University of Southern California's U.S.-China Institute. This program recruits and trains volunteer students to serve as guides and national representatives for the United States at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

The program provides students with:

The opportunity to represent the U.S. and their states to the millions of people from all around the world that will visit the Shanghai Expo.
A unique educational experience as organizations and businesses showcase their research and technological innovations that have contributed to a "better city, better life."
Valuable experience living and working in China and in an international setting to prepare students for future involvement on the global stage of international relations and business.

The internship program is unpaid. However, the USA Pavilion will cover:

Roundtrip airfare to Shanghai
Housing
Stipend to cover meals and local transportation to and from the Expo site

Program Dates and Times:

The World Expo will run from May 1 through October 31, 2010. Students will serve as guides for a period of 3 months, with an additional 2 weeks of training prior to starting the assignment. Students can apply for one or both periods but can only be selected for one period. The two periods are:

April 15 – July 31
July 16 – October 31

The official hours of the Expo are 9:30am – 10:30pm. Guides will be on a 4 days on/3 off work schedule (subject to change).

Program Requirements:

U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Current college undergraduate or graduate student
Ability to speak Chinese: Two or more years of college-level language training or ability gained through family or residence in China
Minimum grade point average of 2.75; students from all majors are encouraged to apply
Experience in public relations, well developed interpersonal skills, and a positive outlook on social and cultural diversity

To apply:

To apply, complete the online application. The application will not be considered unless all minimum requirements are met and all attachments are provided. Those attachments are:

Statement of purpose that describes why you would like to be an ambassador and why you are qualified to represent the U.S. in Shanghai (500 words)
Current resume
Transcripts
Two letters of recommendation – to be uploaded and provided by the recommender – that will attest to the applicant's language ability as well as the applicant’s appropriateness for the program

The deadline to apply is Friday, October 30, 2009

For more information, contact the USC U.S.-China Institute at:

USC U.S.-China Institute
3535 S. Figueroa St., FIG 202
Los Angeles, CA 90089-1262
expo2010@usc.edu
213-821-4382

For information on the USA Pavilion, visit www.usapavilion2010.com.

Source: china.usc.edu