OUR SERVICES

Visa application
Although Lincoln Management and Professional Development Council accepts individuals from all over the world to participate on our programs, our visa services are limited to people residing in the U.S. Regardless of what country an applicant is from, if you are residing in the U.S., LMPDC can help you with a Chinese visa. LMPDC is NOT able to process Chinese visas for individuals who are not residing in the U.S., even if they are American citizens. For all individuals applying from outside the U.S., LMPDC provides a letter of invitation that can be taken to any local Chinese embassy for visa application.

Housing search
There can be many pitfalls to renting accommodation in China, these include finding a real estate agent you can trust, being clear about what's included in the rent, and of course the fact that you will be negotiating in Chinese and signing a contract that is written entirely in Chinese. LMPDC takes the stress out of this process by accompanying you through this minefield to help ensure that you find suitable accommodations. We aim to house participants close to their place of work. Fully furnished one, two, and three-bedroom apartments are available as well as hotels for those who are on Short-Term programs (less than 3 months).

Initial 3-day hotel stay

Part of this accommodation service is the initial 3 day stay in a hotel. Upon arrival, participants will stay in a hotel for the initial 3 days during which they will be shown and choosing apartments (or other hotels for Short-Term participants). The cost of this 3 day stay is included in the service package. However, hotels require a cash deposit of approximately 200-300 RMB ($30-60 USD) that the participant is required to pay, which will be refunded given nothing in the hotel room is damaged or stolen. In addition, the cost of any extra days stayed in the hotel will not be covered by LMPDC. 2 star hotels average at about 240 RMB ($40 USD) per night in Beijing, 260 RMB ($45 USD) per night in Shanghai.

Search process

A LMPDC relocation counselor will accompany you to view a maximum of 3 different apartments (or hotels for Short-Term participants), all of which will be in the range of your predetermined monthly budget. The relocation counselor will provide interpretation and negotiation services between the landlord (or hotel staff) and a LMPDC approved real estate agent throughout this process. In China, short-term rentals require the renter to pay 3 months rent up front plus one month rent as deposit. The rental agreement is between the participant and the landlord. Each participant will be responsible for the monthly rent and deposit as agreed on the signed rental agreement. Each participant will be responsible for the telephone, water, heating, Internet installation and electricity charges. LMPDC will bear no responsibility for unpaid bills or unpaid rent. If a participant breaks the tenancy agreement before the end of the contract the participant will be responsible for all charges incurred and locating alternative accommodation. A standard one-bedroom apartment can cost $300-400 USD per month, and can vary from city to city.


Internship placement
Paying deposit

The initial step, after getting accepted to any of LMPDC’s intern abroad programs, is to pay the confirmation deposit. When we receive your confirmation deposit, you will be sent a notice letting you know your deposit arrived safely. LMPDC will not begin to search for internships for individuals who have not paid their confirmation deposit. For this reason, we encourage all accepted applicants to pay their confirmation deposits as soon as possible. When the deposit is received, our China offices will begin to circulate your resume among our database corporate clients, in effort to find a match between company and intern. The length of this process can vary, as each individual seeks a different type of internship and possesses different skill sets while each company has its own demands.

Placement process

LMPDC works with numerous companies and has placed interns in multi-national, local, and local-based foreign companies located. However, applicants DO NOT chose which company they would like to intern at. Our placement team uses the information each applicant provides on his/her application form to find the most suitable match between intern and company. One is given the opportunity to choose a primary, secondary and tertiary choice of industry on the application form. LMPDC placement team works to find suitable internships for all of its candidates according to their primary industry choice. However, since it is not entirely under LMPDC’s control and it is still the human resource manager of each company who decides which intern to take, we may sometimes refer to your second or third field of choice. LMPDC is not able to secure internships in every industry or field. Applicants seeking internships in industries that LMPDC is unable to secure placement in, i.e. government, police, hospitals, etc., will not be accepted.

Internship confirmation

LMPDC guarantees all accepted applicants who have made their payments internship placement in one of the three chosen fields of interest, as indicated on their application. However, LMPDC will not be able to supply all applicants with details of their host company before arrival. Some may receive a notice that includes information about the company, web and street address, phone and fax number, their supervisor’s contact information, and details about the tasks they will be performing during their internship, in the two weeks preceding arrival in China. In certain other cases, before the placement can be secured, an international telephone interview may be requested by the company seeking the intern. Regardless, all participants are guaranteed internship placement in one of their three chosen fields of choice. LMPDC has never failed to secure internship placement for any of its applicants in the past, and will fully refund all payments in the event that we are unable to fulfill our placement guarantee. If an applicant has paid deposit, and opts out of the program for personal reasons, $100 of the $250 deposit will be refunded to the applicant.

Social & Networking activities

LMPDC organizes various social activities for its participants. Such activities include trips to un-restored areas the Great Wall, visits to remote temples for a closer look at life as a monk, dragon-boating on the lake, country-side visits to scenic areas, and other weekend excursions that allow you to get a cultural experience that many tourists may never have the chance to.

Well connected in Mainland China, LMPDC brings its participants to several networking opportunities. These networking events provide individuals, who may be planning to do business in or with China in the future, the chance to meet other working ex-patriots or locals. The establishment of a network is of utmost importance when doing business in China and these events can be a priceless resource.

Airport pick-up & drop-off

Previous knowledge of Chinese is not a requirement to apply to any of our programs. Therefore, we understand that being picked up from the airport by an English speaking LMPDC employee can be comforting to someone who does not speak the local language. Even for people who may speak Chinese, those who have never been to the mainland could fall into various traps set by people at the airport to swindle foreigners for money. To save our participants from such trouble, we offer to pick each one up from the airport, ensuring them a safe arrival to China.

Orientation

Even the most well traveled individuals can benefit from information provided by local residents. Our team has in-depth experience with foreigners traveling to China and is familiar with the type of problems and questions one has when they arrive. Through our orientation, we try to address these questions as well as other issues such as health, safety, cultural differences, culture shock, etiquette, and travel. All the information provided through the orientation is intended to save the participant, time, money, and trouble during his or her time abroad.

Language study

LMPDC works with several different schools to bring its participants top quality Chinese language classes. Close relations with universities and private language institutions give us the flexibility to offer classroom, group, and private tutor learning scenarios that meet the demands of every individual student.

Travel advisory

While participating on any of our programs, if one wished to travel in China domestically, LMPDC can help arrange travel groups and travel guides. All participants would need to do is name the places he or she wishes to see, and the desired dates of travel, and LMPDC will use its resources to get quotes on travel packages and if necessary English speaking tour guides. Many of LMPDC’s program participants have traveled throughout the country using our travel advisory services.

Weekend Tour

The Weekend Tour is the opportunity to travel to Beijing or Shanghai of China during the program. Depending on what city you chose for your program, the Weekend Tour allows all the participants to see the sights of the other major city. It is a 3-days trip. Participants will take overnight train (sleeper seat) or plane. Accommodation and some meals are included. Besides having your own time to explore Beijing/Shanghai, LMPDC arranges visits to those famous tourist attractions.

Call Center Support

Our participants can rest assured that LMPDC’s staff members can be reached at any time through our call center for advise, directions, or other help. We understand that not speaking the local language in a new environment can be difficult at times. The call center lightens this load by letting all participants know that they have someone to turn to in a time of need.
Ticket booking

LMPDC has been bringing foreigners to China for years now and has close ties with several ticket agents who help us getting the best prices on airfare to China. If you would like, LMPDC can help you book your ticket.