Employment Opportunities

The United States Embassy Beijing is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

This general index was created to aid State intern selectees preparing to travel to China Posts. Much of the information listed below may be found on various pages linked to the Department of State homepage at www.state.gov.

China Mission Student Interns - Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Index

I. Security Clearances

II. Visa Information

III. Scheduling

IV. Sponsorship

V. Housing Information

VI. Arrival/Check-In

VII. Medical Information

VIII. Dress Code

IX. Financial Issues

I. Security Clearances

Q. When is the deadline for the security forms packet?

A. The deadline for the appropriate security forms you will need to complete will be included with your preliminary notification of acceptance. Please complete, sign, and return them by the date indicated in the letter. This is important. The Bureau of Diplomatic Security may not be able to process your security clearance should you fail to meet the deadline.

Q. What is the timeframe for the process?

A. Students tentatively selected for the internship program must undergo a background investigation and receive either a Secret or Top Secret security clearance. The clearance process takes approximately 90-120 days to complete from the time the forms are received by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS). Investigations may take substantially longer than 120 days if you have had extensive travel, education, residences, and/or employment overseas; or if you have dual citizenship, foreign contacts, immediate family or relatives who are not citizens of the United States and/or a foreign born spouse, or if there is a security, suitability, or medical issue to resolve. These issues could include a current or past history of drugs or alcohol abuse, as well as a recent history of credit problems. Further information regarding issues of dual citizenship and foreign influence is available at www.careers.state.gov. Although these problems will not necessarily preclude you from receiving a security clearance, they will lengthen the time required to complete the clearance process.

Q. Will I receive confirmation from Post / How will I know when I have been given clearance?

A. Once your security clearance has been completed, either the Student Programs office or the Bureau Coordinator will notify you via email or telephone, after which official offers of appointment are issued.

For more information on the State Department's security clearance process, or to inquire into the status of your security clearance, you may email the Office of Personnel Security and Suitability at SecurityClearance@state.gov or talk with a personnel security specialist at our Customer Service Center between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., EST, by dialing toll free 1-866-643-4636 (1-866-643-INFO) or 571-345-3186.

II. Visa Information / Specific Entry Requirements

Q. What are the entry requirements for China?

A. Passport and visa are required. Due to tightened visa policy, travelers may have to undergo a personal interview. Presentation of the visa application form, a valid passport, a passport photograph, and invitation letter from the Department are required. No appointment necessary at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate is necessary, but allow at least 4 business days for processing.

Q. What type of visa should I get?

A. There are several nonimmigrant visa types for people traveling to China temporarily so be sure to apply for the correct category. Both paid and unpaid interns should apply for a Multiple Entry, Double Entry at the least, F-type Business Visa. This "F" Visa is issued for short-term advanced studies or internship for a period of no more than six months. Be sure that your visa expires well after you expect to complete your internship. For requirements and more information, contact the Visa Section of the Chinese Embassy, 2201 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20007 (202/328-2500) or nearest Consulate General: Chicago (312/803-0098), Houston (713/524-4311), Los Angeles (213/807-8018), New York (212/330-7409) or San Francisco (415/563-4857). Internet: www.china-embassy.org

III. Scheduling

Q. Do I need to purchase my own round-trip plane tickets to post?

A. The purchase of travel documents and round-trip airfare is the responsibility of the intern and not subsidized by the Department. Once tickets have been booked, contact Post with a tentative start date. Tickets can be expensive. Most round trip tickets to China cost almost $2,000.

Q. I've been accepted, so when do I start?

A. Before making any travel arrangements, you must contact your designated Point of Contact at the post. You cannot arrive at post until you receive confirmation from your Point of Contact at post of your official start date. Once flight information has been finalized, notify Post of the soonest possible start date. Summer internships begin May through July, fall internships begin September through October, and spring internships begin January through February. Interns usually serve for one semester or quarter during the academic year, or for a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks during the summer; interns are expected to serve a 40-hour work week.

Q. Who should I contact before arranging travel to my Post of Assignment?

A. Points of Contact by post are:

• Beijing - Human Resources Officer - Gilda Weech-House, WeechHouseGT@state.gov, telephone 86-10-6532-3831, extension 5818.
• Chengdu - Management Oficer - Jeanette Juricic, JuricicJM@state.gov, telephone 86-28-8558-3992, extension 6999.
• Guangzhou - Management Officer - Jeffrey Rock, RockJB@state.gov, telephone, 86-20-8121-6339, extension 5966.
• Shanghai - Management Officer - Andrea Baker, BakerAS@state.gov, telephone 86-21-6433-6880, extension 2255.
• Shenyang - Management Officer - Joseph Zadrozny, ZadroznyJE@state.gov, telephone 86-24-2322-1198.

IV. Sponsorship

Q. What is an office sponsor?

A. Each office designates someone to serve as an office sponsor, or mentor, who will handle the intern's reception upon arrival and arrange for the intern to participate in other activities to become more familiar with work and life in the Department of State (e.g. meetings, briefings, official visitor support, receptions, cultural or community events). The office sponsor will also answer any of the intern's questions, give advice, explain the organization and procedures, talk about policy, foreign affairs, the Foreign Service, etc.

V. Housing Information

Q. Will I need to find my own housing?

A. None of our Posts can guarantee housing. All of our posts make an effort to provide interns with housing, but there may be a period of time which Post housing is unavailable when interns need to find and pay for their own accommodations. If a Post is able to provide housing, it will be at no cost to interns. In such cases, housing assignments are sent out approximately 1 month before intern start date.

Q. What kind of housing options do I have?

A. Your option depends on whether or not the Post has available housing. Interns are assigned housing based on availability. When housing is available at a Post, interns are guaranteed assignments in comfortable and conveniently located apartment complexes. Depending on housing availability, interns of the same gender may be housed together. Though infrequent, interns may also be transferred to comparable units during their internship (in the event of embassy employee early arrivals). Living spaces come fully furnished, and interns are also provided with welcome kits, which include television sets, bed sheets, blankets, towels, etc. While cable and utilities are included, interns must cover the cost of telephone and Internet charges, any transportation and other daily necessities.

Q. How will I know where to go after I land at the airport?

A. As part of the internship program, a supervisor and local office sponsor prepares for the arrival of their intern. The local office sponsor will arrange the intern's pick-up from the airport to the intern's designated place of residence. Before departing for Post, the intern will be contacted by their local office sponsor who will share the details.

VI. Upon Arrival/Check-In

Q. What do I do after I arrive to Post?

A. The next business day after arrival, students must check in at the Human Resources Office/Administrative Office where the Oath of Office will be administered to officially swear in the intern. There, unpaid interns must also complete a Personal Services Agreement, rendering the intern eligible for access and basic medical care at the Post's Health Unit.

VII. Medical Information

Q. Are any immunizations recommended or required before travel to Post?

A. You must be up to date on all routine immunizations according to schedules approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) before traveling. See your doctor at least 4? weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect. If it is less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see your doctor. Some schedules can be accelerated for travel. More health information, including several recommended vaccinations, can be found on the Center of Disease Control's Travelers' Health site, http://www.cdc.gov/travel/eastasia.htm.

Q. What kind of medical access will I receive while interning?

A. All interns are authorized for access to the Embassy'/Consulates' Health Units. As members of the Embassy/Consulate for several months, interns are eligible for basic outpatient medical care. Post-specific vaccinations (e.g. Hepatitis A) may be given, but no routine immunizations will be administered.

Q. Should I purchase health or medical insurance?

A. Yes. Before arriving to Post, you must be covered by health insurance. Learn what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas, and if your health insurance policy provides coverage outside the United States, REMEMBER to carry both your insurance policy identity card as proof of such insurance and a claim form. Although many health insurance companies will pay "customary and reasonable" hospital costs abroad, very few will pay for your medical evacuation back to the United States. Medical evacuation can easily cost $10,000 and up, depending on your location and medical condition.

VIII. Dress Code

Q. What kind of dress is appropriate or expected?

A. The appearance of employees should be professional in a way that conveys respect for colleagues, customers, and the work environment, and should not pose a safety or health hazard or distraction from work. Male attire may include suits, sport coats, dress shirts, ties, and dress slacks. Female attire may include dresses, skirts, slacks with blouses and sweaters. Employees must appear neat and clean at all times: no jeans, tee shirts, or shorts. The Department welcomes the cultural diversity of its workforce, and seeks to maintain freedom for personal expression without sacrificing the professional image essential to the performance of its mission.

IX. Financial Issues

Q. What is the exchange rate?

A. On July 21, 2005, China ended its fixed-rate currency, the yuan (also known as renminbi), to the U.S. dollar. The exchange rate is approximately 1 USD to 8.1 RMB, and the daily rate is easily found online. At Post, there is a Cashier with whom employees may exchange currencies without commission.

Q. Can I use my ATM card?

A. At least half of the ATMs in large cities in China ?Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang, and Chengdu accept foreign cards and offer the option of displaying instructions in English. Many are also conveniently located in large shopping areas. The main foreign-friendly ATMs are controlled by the Bank of China, Merchant's Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, IBCB, and HSBC. Be forewarned, however, of commission and transaction charges dependent upon your own bank's policies. Charges are usually comparable to withdrawing money in the United States (e.g. Bank of America charges $3 per transaction).

Q. Should I bring my checkbook?

A. There is a Cashier Office in the Embassy/Consulate where employees may cash checks or exchange U.S. dollars at the daily exchange rate without being charged commission fees. Cashier hours are posted and are usually open 5 days a week.

Q. On average how much will it cost me?

A. You should plan on having at least $400 per month for food and other living expenses. Some interns may spend less than this. Post can provide more detailed information about costs on request.