With graduate employment figures at an all-time low, UK students are looking to boost their CVs by taking up unpaid internships in China.

In a market where 10 per cent of last year’s graduates are still looking for work, many students are setting their sights on a career outside of the UK and Europe. Previously thought to offer only experiences of teaching English as a foreign language, China is now offering internships to those who want a unique experience and enhanced prospects.

Many students have already taken the plunge through CRCC Asia, the only British company offering Chinese internships to the UK’s next generation of leaders.

Edward Holroyd Pearce, a director at CRCC Asia said: “China represents an exciting new market, and an exchange of human talent between the countries has benefits for both. We’re getting a lot of very ambitious high-flyers from top universities who want a career in banking, finance or consulting.”

CRCC Asia organise every aspect of the internship - visas, flights, being met at the airport, accommodation, basic language lessons and most importantly, the work placement.

Oliver Keown, a fourth year Edinburgh University medical student flew to Beijing for a four-week internship at a pharmaceutical company last month. He said: “This is an amazing opportunity for me. I’ll be able to use my skills and knowledge at a higher business level than would be possible virtually anywhere else in the world.”

Longer internships are also available. Phoebe Pender worked for free for a year at a Beijing law firm, “It was an excellent learning experience and it really taught me how to think on my feet and to use whatever resources were available to get things done.”

Philippa Bunce from Aston University also completed a placement in China and suggests others should do the same: “I fully recommend anyone thinking of doing an internship to do it overseas. If you can do it in another country you really push yourself out of your comfort-zone and the experience builds your confidence.”

Having evidence that you can adapt to a new culture and work within a new environment is undoubtedly a positive thing for a graduate to have on their CV but what do the companies who receive students think of it? CRCC Asia director Daniel Nivern says that the benefit for Chinese companies is the western knowledge and practices that students can bring to the table.

If you would like to know more about the internships offered by CRCC Asia, visit: www.crccasia.com

Emily Crane