Intern – Beijing Kids https://www.beijing-kids.com Tue, 07 Jun 2016 17:38:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 SAT Prep on a Budget: How to Self-Study and Find Cheap Materials https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2014/08/13/sat-prep-on-a-budget-how-to-self-study-and-find-cheap-materials/ https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2014/08/13/sat-prep-on-a-budget-how-to-self-study-and-find-cheap-materials/#respond Wed, 13 Aug 2014 05:00:36 +0000 Taking the SAT is far more expensive than it should be, especially when you factor in all the tutors, prep courses, and practice books in preparation for the actual test. I didn’t think my intended prep course justified its price tag, so I decided to study for the test myself. Not only was it a [...]]]>

Taking the SAT is far more expensive than it should be, especially when you factor in all the tutors, prep courses, and practice books in preparation for the actual test. I didn’t think my intended prep course justified its price tag, so I decided to study for the test myself. Not only was it a great deal cheaper, as I sourced my own materials and was my own teacher, but it was also more effective.

Of course, studying for a standardized test by yourself requires lots of determination and self-control. I looked at my DIY prep course as a voluntary class where I was both the teacher and the student. It sounded like a recipe for disaster, but it worked for me and I was satisfied with how I did. This blog post will outline how your child can ace the SAT themselves and save tons of money on the way.
Draw up a schedule, find a routine: I set aside two hours every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday night to take practice tests and review test material. This schedule remained the same for maybe two months, so it was easy for me to fall into routine and make sure other things didn’t get in the way.
A lot of my study consisted of practice tests. I made sure to simulate the test experience as best I could. I didn’t study with music and although I was tempted many times to look up a word I knew I knew, I resisted because that opportunity wouldn’t present itself on the test.
Plan each lesson and tailor it to your child’s needs: Figuring out what I needed to work on before studying was really helpful and made sure I was being effective. For example, I knew that the math section was going to slay me, so I made sure one night a week was dedicated to doing just the math sections of practice tests. Conversely, I never wrote the essay prompt because I had consistently scored well on the essay.
Stay motivated and don’t fall off the wagon: This is much easier said than done, but from my experience a strong support system and good schedule are key. My parents helped me by asking if I needed help but not hovering over me and asking how I was doing. The daily “How’s school?” did not become “How’s the SAT?” and for that I’m very grateful.
At the peak of my study regime, I was averaging three tests a week and the pace nearly drove me crazy. However, I kept my Fridays strictly free so I would have something to look forward to and keep me going. No one should fault your child for rewarding themselves for hard work.
Always reflect and be prepared to modify your lesson: As your child works on their skills and takes more tests, their needs are going to change. To notice that change, you should think of your tests as an indicator of your progress and not just a to-do that needs to be done. Never make the same mistake twice by writing down words you don’t know and working on math problems you missed.
Make sure that progress in one area doesn’t result in regress in another by not totally dropping the ball on something you’re confident in. I wrote above that I never wrote the essay prompt, but I still outlined it as I would on the real test and knew exactly what examples I would use and what my thesis would be.
No matter how you study, you’re going to want a lot of practice tests. Buying books and tests from the US can be costly, but there are plenty of ways to get your hands on them in Beijing.
Garage sales, trunk sales, and flea markets organized by your school or your compound are a good place to start. Many people don’t do all the tests in a book and are willing to sell them at a huge markdown. Half-done tests can also be helpful since your child can sort through the bits and pieces and use them for practice in specific sections.
As can be expected from the land of the gaokao, China takes tests seriously. I quickly typed “SAT” into Taobao and using minimal (see: no) Chinese reading found lots of options, including all the tests from the last nine years for RMB 65. It may not be the cheapest option out there, but for RMB 65 I wouldn’t even bother scrolling further.
Although colleges are slowly making the SAT optional, standardized testing is still an expensive reality, especially for students outside of the US. Since you can’t avoid the test fee, international handling fee, and postage, you might as well save where you can and still do well at the same time.

Photo courtesy of PublicDomainPictures (Pixabay)

 

Heather Budimulia is a rising college sophomore, beijingkids’ intern and 北京人in progress. Though originally from Singapore, she spent a decade in Beijing and since she learned to bake and fell in love with publication there, considers it her home. When not in the office or storing sleep for college, she’ll probably be in a coffee shop with a good book, her journal or a stranger (or all three).

 

]]> https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2014/08/13/sat-prep-on-a-budget-how-to-self-study-and-find-cheap-materials/feed/ 0 Nice Work If You Can Get It: Q&A with Two Teens with Part-Time Jobs https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2014/06/09/nice-work-if-you-can-get-it-qa-with-two-teens-with-part-time-jobs/ https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2014/06/09/nice-work-if-you-can-get-it-qa-with-two-teens-with-part-time-jobs/#respond Mon, 09 Jun 2014 07:00:00 +0000 Like teenagers anywhere else, Beijing teens want their own money to spend and save. However, the chances of getting a part-time job here are pretty low if you don’t speak Mandarin. But some students have found ways to make it work anyway. Recently, I talked with two Grade 10 classmates (both 16) from the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) about their part-time jobs and how they manage their money.
First, tell us a bit about yourselves.
Cate Hooton: My name is Cate Hooton and I’m Australian. My part-time job is babysitting and I’ve lived in Beijing for two and a half years.
Missa Nguyen: My name is Missa Nguyen and I am from Vietnam. I work as a dog walker and I have been in Beijing for four years.
What motivated you to acquire a job?
CH: First of all, the need for money. Second, to gain experience that I can put on resumes and that will help me later in life.
MN: I was motivated by my cousin. She told me she had wanted to visit a friend in Italy for a while but she did not have enough money to do so. Therefore, she decided to find a job when she was 16. She worked eight hours every day during the summer to save money for a ticket. By the end of the summer, she was able to buy herself a ticket to Italy.
Could you describe the process you went through to find your job?
CH: Well, I didn’t really apply for a job. I found it mainly through my mum because I babysit her friend’s kids. So the process was basically just meeting them and showing them how I would look after their kids.
MN: My job was not very hard to find because I know the employer; she was my teacher in ninth grade. At that time, she was looking for people who could take care of her dogs. She preferred people who lived close to the Indigo area and I did.
Describe the challenges you faced as a non-Mandarin speaking teenager trying to find a job in Beijing.
CH: There weren’t many challenges for me because the families I look after are typically Australian, so that eliminated the language barrier.
MN: I don’t speak Mandarin fluently, therefore people did not want to hire me.

 

What are your work hours?
CH: Usually, I work once every two weeks but its really depends on the parents and when they want to go out without their kids. I mostly work on Saturdays or Fridays from around 6pm to midnight.
MN: Usually I work once or twice a week for about an hour.
How much do you get paid?
CH: It really varies depending on how long the parents aren’t home, but my going rate is about RMB 50 per hour.
MN: The cost for an hour is RMB 60.
What are the benefits of having a job in Beijing as a teenager?
CH: Personally, I think the experience of having a job this young is beneficial for the future, even if it’s just a small part-time job.
MN: I think it’s great that I’m making money on my own and not depending on my parents.
What are the difficulties of having a job in Beijing?
CH: Time. Having to factor in school hours, homework hours, family hours, and now working hours takes a lot out of my own free time. But I guess it is worth it in the end and there’s no real bad thing about it. As for not speaking Mandarin, for me it’s not an issue but I can see how that would be a big disadvantage if I had to babysit local Chinese kids.
MN: Communication is a difficulty. It’s very difficult to communicate with people when we don’t share a common language. I definitely faced this problem until my teacher hired me.
What do you love most about your job?
CH: The money, of course. And it’s also fun to spend time with kids because it’s all just fun and games. You don’t really have to dress up for an office or try to make a good impression.
MN: I love that I have the ability to work independently and take care of dogs.
Would you recommend other teenagers to search for employment in Beijing?
CH: Yes, the experience and earning your own money is really great. And it’s not too hard; you can find connections through your parents and local community.
MN: Yes, if you know people through which you can get a job without the disadvantage of a language barrier then having a job would be a good experience.

Nikita Gupta is currently an intern at beijingkids. Nikita moved to Beijing two years ago from Seattle, Washington. She is a grade 10 student at Western Academy of Beijing. She is passionate about writing and loves to read and play guitar.

Photo: Courtesy of skirtpr (Flickr)

 

]]> https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2014/06/09/nice-work-if-you-can-get-it-qa-with-two-teens-with-part-time-jobs/feed/ 0 Intern like a Boss: Five ways to be a good intern https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2013/06/30/intern-like-a-boss-five-ways-to-be-a-good-intern/ https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2013/06/30/intern-like-a-boss-five-ways-to-be-a-good-intern/#respond  

As my internship at beijingkids comes to a close and I prepare for my next adventure, I’d like to share my tips for success at an internship. Sarcastic remarks aside, an internship is becoming the new entry-level job of this time period. Being a fantastic intern now can land you a job in the future, a concern of every young person today. Below is my real-world advice for making the best of your internship.

 
Be Early
It doesn’t matter when you went to bed, whether or not you are feeling well, or if you just want to sleep in. GET UP. On my first day, I wanted to make sure that I could find my way to work using the metro system, so I left two and a half hours early. I have a tendency to get lost if I don’t know the area well, so I gave myself a ridiculous amount of leeway. I arrived an hour early and then waited in a cafe until fifteen minutes before my shift started. Your coworkers will remember when you arrive and when you leave. Come early, stay late. It will make a difference.
 
Dress Like the Others
Dress professionally on the first day. After you have seen what other people wear, you can dress more casually or continue wearing blazers and dress pants. You need to take this job seriously, and that begins with dressing seriously. If you think your skirt is too short, it is. If you think your tee shirt is too vulgar, it is. Make a point to be well groomed, with clean clothes that fit well and look flattering. The first impression that an employer will have will be based on your appearance, and then on your performance.
 
Never Miss a Due Date
Remember back in elementary school when you’d get a gold star for completing your assignments? It would be such a proud moment for you, but out in the real world, you don’t get constant recognition for just doing your job. Keep being proud of your accomplishments, but don’t become busy with other things and miss a deadline. Employers remember if you turn things in late.
 
Make a pact with yourself to always turn in your work on time and give yourself rewards when you do. My gold star has turned into a Game of Thrones or Doctor Who marathon after work, and it’s very effective. Do what works for you.
 
Do Extra Work
Look for ways to help where you can. If a coworker can’t think of an idea for a project, brainstorm with her. Keep your schedule open. A last-minute assignment will eventually creep up and if you are asked to take it, take it. It will show that you are not only willing to take on more responsibilities, but that you are organized enough to have time for them too. Make sure that you stay balanced; if you are going to school while interning, then your education comes before work. Make sure that both your time and effort is shared equally.
 
Act Like You Are Being Paid
If you managed to land an internship that already pays you, congratulations! You are among the golden ones, and have every right to obnoxiously remind the unfortunate interns of your luck and future hypothetical career choices. If you are in the majority of young people that work for free, chin up. Treat your internship like a real job that actually pays you. Talk to your coworkers on lunch breaks. Go to company outings when you can. Crack jokes and listen to what other people say. Getting involved will help you get over the fact that you are making no money.
 
The goal of an internship is to gain experience, and that includes the range of good and bad in every job. Work hard and you will be rewarded later with a career that pays well and makes you happy.
 
 Photo courtesy of Emily Thomas
 
Emily Thomas is a beijingkids intern from Indiana, US. She is a junior at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Emily enjoys desserts, animals, and writing funny blogs.
 

 

]]> https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2013/06/30/intern-like-a-boss-five-ways-to-be-a-good-intern/feed/ 0 Intern at beijingkids magazine! https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2011/09/01/intern-at-beijingkids-magazine/ https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2011/09/01/intern-at-beijingkids-magazine/#respond Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:00:21 +0000

If you’re a fun-loving, adventure seeker at heart, then you’d be a perfect intern for us at beijingkids.

Trust us: your days won’t be spent fetching coffee or getting to know the photocopy machine. Instead, you’ll be working in a fast-paced, challenging environment writing articles for beijingkids magazine, blogging and uploading content to our website.

Impress us with your CV and writing samples to editor@beijing-kids.com. Being a parent is not required. Candidates must be:
– Over 16
– Reliable
– Available for a minimum three days a week
– Fluent English reading/writing/speaking skills
– Are active members of the Beijing expat community
– Mandarin skills are a plus

We look forward to hearing from you!

]]> https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2011/09/01/intern-at-beijingkids-magazine/feed/ 0 Want to Intern at beijingkids? https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2009/04/30/want-to-intern-at-beijingkids/ https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2009/04/30/want-to-intern-at-beijingkids/#respond Calling all writers, journalists and future Pulitzer Prize winning wiz kids!

beijingkids is on the hunt for new interns. We’re seeking people who are:
– Over 16
– Reliable
– Available for a minimum three days a week
– Fluent English reading/writing/speaking skills
– Are active members of the Beijing expat community
– Mandarin skills are a plus

We need people to help out in the following areas:
– uploading content to our website
– blogging and general website contribution
– magazine contribution (including articles)

Whether you’re looking for a foot in the door, or simply have some free time and want to flex your journalistic muscle, why not send your CV and a writing sample to: imogenkandel@beijing-kids.com

]]> https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2009/04/30/want-to-intern-at-beijingkids/feed/ 0