Q: What should I submit?
A: 1. Completed Online Application form.
2. Three passport size photos
3. Program fee and a non-refundable application fee for each program
4. Copy of the first page of your passport.
5. Medical notice of good health.
6. Resume.
7. University transcript, diploma and degree papers.
8. Reference letter with contact information.
Q:The website indicates that airfare is included in the cost of the program. Is this REALLY TRUE? Airfare from the US to China alone is usually more than the cost of the program. Is there a specific airport in the US that the offer is valid from?
A: It is true that all you have paid included round-trip international airfare from the five main airports across the States: NYC, DC, LA, SFO, and Chicago.
Q: I live on the west coast, do I have to fly out from NY?
A: No you don't have to. See the answer above. If you fly out from airports other than these five ones, additional $100 is charged.
Q: From what cities is airfare provided?
A: NYC, DC, LA, SFO and Chicago.
Q: To clarify, the semester and year-long programs offer a stipend, but this is not mentioned on the summer website. Am I correct in assuming that the stipend does not apply to the summer program?
A: You're right, there's no salary for the summer program alone, as it's a short-term program,we offer round-trip international fees and domestic tours in China schools. Beside, most living expense such as the food and lodging is covered during this period.
Q: How many students do you take?
A: 250 or more each year.
Q: What is the penalty if you find you unable to go?
A: As we understand this happens, there's no penalty fee but after you're accepeted to the program, the application fee is non-refundable.
Q: What are the housing conditions like?
A: Please check each program introduction for detail. The accommodationis we have to offer are good. And you may contact some of our former participants for detail also.
Q: My girlfriend/boyfriend and I are very interested in your program, we're just wondering if we could be at the same school.
A: Make sure you both have made the application and listed this on the preference form. We'll take your preference seriously.
Q: Are you looking for any particular age groups?
A: No we're not. Though most of our applicants ages fall between 22~55 years old.
Q:How soon will we know whether we're accpeted or not?
A: After you have submitted online application form, you'll hear from us within two work days. And admission result will be heard after all necessary material is collected.
Q:Do you have parents that teach working for you?What do they do with their kids? Can i bring my kids with me?
A: Yes, we do. You can bring your kids, but you're responsible for their domestic and international travels, hotel fee during tours, possible living expensive at each camp, and insurance. It is estimated around $1,500 for each kid.
Q: Do you require any teaching experience? I'm a biologist, can I also apply to the program?
A: No previous teaching experience is specially required though it's prefered. We accepted native English speakers from US/UK/Canada/Austrailia for example.
Q: I heard about Beijing, Shanghai, and XI'an. Where's Hangzhou though?
A: Hangzhou was once capital of South Song Dynasty in history. It's a beautiful city as China's best residential city. It's by train one and a half hours south to Shanghai. The most famous scenic spot in Hangzhou is the West Lake. You can get more information at http://www.gotohz.com/inter/en/index.jsp and http://www.hangzhou.com.cn/english/
Q:I'm living afar from Bridgeport. So do I have to drive to your place to have the interview?
A: It depends. In most cases like this, we give you a phone interview.
Q: Is your programs open to Canadians?
A: Yes of course. For native English speakers from US/UK/Canada and etc.
Q: How many years have you been doing this?
A: We're one of the first organizations that start this program, especially TESL Summer Camp. This is our 7th year.
Q: I was thinking about teaching in summer. What do I need to do?
A: First, find out the weeks you can teach and read as much as possible about our program online; Second, fill out online application; Third, send in necessary material such as passport size photos, resume, transcripts, and etc. For contact information, please click HERE. If there's any other quesitons during the application process, feel free to join our online Live Chat or contact uce_assistant@hotmail.com, either through MSN or email.
Q: It's already May. Is it too late to apply for the program?
A: It's not too late. Do it now.
Q: Where do you train and how long is the process?
A: We have one-day orientation in Bridgeport. After arriving in China, training is given through tours in Beijing, Shanghai, and/or Hangzhou.
Q: What is the salary in US dollars?
A: For yearly or semester teaching in China, the salary ranges from $420 to $700 per month. There's also a stanard travel bonus and free accommodation.
Q:Is accommodation provided?
A: Yes and it's FREE.
Q:I was browsing for information. But your website doesn't list where schools are located. You seem a sound organization, but why is that?
A: You may contact our office directly. And list your preferred on the preference form too.
Q: Is your TESL Summer Program covered if I teach for one year?
A: Yes. The TESL Summer Program fee is waived if you teach for one year.
Q: Am I required to teach the TESL Program?
A: No. TESL Summer Program and Teach in China Program can be a joint admission, and also be applied separately. They have their features respectively.
Q: Do you have an application deadline? When do I have to apply by?
A: Applications are processed on a rolling basis. But you have to notice you should leave enough time to help you with the visa process.
Q: I don't graduate from university until June. So I have no diploma yet, would it be best to send a transcript?
A: Yes please.
Q: Since I already have a teaching certificate, I am eligible for the $200 discount. Is this correct?
A: Correct.
What is the extra fee for a single room at the camp? What is the extra fee for a single room at hotels during travels?
A: We offer single room accommodation at the camp. For the hotels, it ranges from $30 to $90 depending on the room you want.
Q: Is there also a preference form for teaching locations, or how are the locations chosen?
A: Yes and we have one preference form attached to the acceptance letter.
Q: What address should I return everything to?? The one located on the campus of the University of Bridgeport?
A: Yes. Please send in all the necessary material to our office. Click HERE for contact information.
Q:Regarding the visa application, one of your staff said that your organization handles that.Is this correct?
A: Yes. After you have accepted to the program and program fee, we'll ask you to send in passport and visa application form.
Q: I have not spoken with anyone in your program. Could you please provide me with a few more past program participants?
A: Please click HERE to view the gallery.
Q: What are the locations for summer camp?
A: Beijing,Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shandong Province, An'hui Province and many other in provinces in South China.
Q: Is your program affiliated with the University of Bridgeport??Do you have a faculty sponsor??Is it sponsored by the university?
A: No, UCE is not affliated with the university although it was started as a university program but later separated from it and most our staff are proffessors and students from University of Bridgeport.
Q: Do students receive any kind of transcript or academic credit from your organization or UB?
A: It may apply to international internship or credit hours accepted by universities and collges. Please visit pages of each program for detail.
Q: I have noticed the program fee is cheaper the longer i stay. Is that true?
A: Yes.
Q:Is a bachelor's degree required to teach anywhere?
A: It is not required for the summer program but prefered. For one year or half year teaching program, additional $600 is charged for those who do not have a bachelor's degree.
Q: Am I guaranteed placement at the summer camp??
A: Yes, placements are guaranteed as we declare on our website. We have our own calculation about how many people we should accept each year.
Q: Where would you suggest getting travel insurance from?
A: You may Google online, find those that are well-known,easy and reliable.
Q: When will we have time to see the Great Wall?
A: Please see TESL Summer Camp for detail. It's when you're in Beijing, either when you arrive in China or before you leave China.
Q: What type of pictures are acceptable? I have small school pictures OR do I need to get official passport size & the one for my visa: 3 pictures altogether?
A: Yes, we'll need them to help to process your visa application.
Q: I am a French teacher(certified) with over 3 years full-time teaching experience. Would I still qualify for the $200 discount, even though I'm not certified in TESL?
A: The certificate we're looking for here is not "TESL" certificate, but the teaching certificate from the States for professional teachers. If you do have the certificate and three years of teaching experience, you are qualified for that $200 discount.
Q: I recently earned an MA in TESL, but don't have any practical experience yet. Does your program involve lots of "hands-on" experience or does it focus more on theory?
A: Your background is good, and we focus more on hands-on experience and we also have onsite teaching director who can give you teaching advice at times.
Q: If I were to apply (and pay the application fee), but had to change my mind, would I be responsible for any portion of the fees? Is a deposit at some time due?
A: There's no application fee upfront when you apply online. After your application is reviewed, and phone interview is given as necessary, whether or not accpeted to the program is decided. About three weeks later you're accepted, you need to pay the program fee(or payment plan for applicants who has finacial difficulty). We do have refund policy in the acceptance package which indicates the deadline by which you can withdraw from the program, etc.
Q: When do you have to pay the deposit by?
A: It is included in the acceptance letter.Also see above.
Q: What sorts of assistance are there for participants?
A: Please see each program for detail. For summer camp, you have TA in each class you give. And we also have onsite teaching/living directors who will help you with anything if any problem should occur.
Q: How many staff are at the camps? Do they speak English?
A: It depends on the camp size. Same as above. Not everybody is fluent in English but for daily communication is good enough. Some are American professors and some are local college teachers.
Q: What procedures are in place for emergencies and contact in case of emergency?
A: We have onsite directors. You can depend on them.
Q: I want to know what the summer program is for. Is it orientation for going abroad?
A: Summer Program is for any qualified individual who is looking for a meaningful but short-term teaching and learning experience in China.
Q: Do we learn Mandarin while there?
A: Yes. You will either receive it online or at camp. This feature is listed in each of our program introductions.
Q: Any other pertinent information not found on your website?
A: If you compare carefully, you'll find UCE is a solid organization who takes good care of you while you're in China. Unlike many other organizations who charge high program fee and talk big, and later turn out "selling" their participants when their placements are cancelled, UCE not only guarantees you placements, and makes sure all the services we list here are met with great endeavor. Besides, the fee we have listed in our program is clear. |
