MPA Master's in Public Administration in China question

[smossey88]

Hi everyone! I'm trying to make my way to China by September 2013 to learn the language for a year or two. I'm currently pursuing my MPA degree with a focus in International Relation's and will be 95% done by the time I(hopefully) will be studying language in China. My goal is to really learn the language as best as I can during my time in China, and I had several questions I was hoping someone on the forums could help me answer if it's not too much trouble. My goal is to acquire a good speaking ability in regard to the language, which will hopefully make me more competitive for an International Relations type internship upon my return. Plus with China as the focus of my current studies knowing the language is obviously essential, and also experiencing the culture. I know if I do finish my degree or start my intership my drive to go to China will be replaced by other factors, so that is the reason I want to go when I am just shy of acquiring it. Not going to China last year, I think was the right decision but one that is weighing heavily on me.

In any case, while I am considering taking maybe one course in China towards my Master's degree I will be almost completely done by September with 10/11 courses completed. I do, however, need to do a capstone project totalling 600 hours in an "internship" like format. I would ideally like to work on this while in China studying the language. Even at 15-20 hours a week I could have this done during the year. Does anyone know of potential Public Administration, or foreign services opportunities in China? With pay would be ideal, but not essential. I would like to start exploring this option, and figure why not "kill two birds with one stone" while learning the language. I'm not sure where to even start with this so if anyone has any experience, or insight that would be great?