AIPT took a major step toward increasing programs in the China market by signing a Memorandum of Master Agreement with the Council for International Training and Development (CITD), which is the parent company of IAESTE-China. AIPT CEO Elizabeth Chazottes invited CITD President Richard Shaohai Wu to AIPT’s offices in August to sign the agreement, which paves the way for the companies to jointly develop, market, and implement cultural exchange programs between China and the United States.

The groundwork for this agreement was laid last fall, when Wu invited Chazottes to Shanghai to discuss expansion of CITD and opportunities for Chinese students and professionals beyond the scope of IAESTE. Then, in May, AIPT Associate Director Dan Ewert and Project Manager Valerie Gonlin traveled to Shanghai to discuss program possibilities in more detail and to interview students for AIPT’s Summer Work and Travel program, AIPT Experience USA®. The student interviews were arranged by CITD, which also introduced AIPT to Shanghai government officials, education officials, and hotel executives, all of whom expressed interest in working with CITD and AIPT to arrange exchange programs.

This summer, 11 students were the first from China to participate in AIPT Experience USA®. Most were placed in hospitality positions, though a few were placed in office positions with companies in Boston, MA. AIPT and CITD hope to expand the program next year to at least 20 students and to include additional industries.
During the business meetings arranged in May by CITD, Shanghai government officials requested programs lasting four months or less that would give Chinese administrators a chance to learn about business administration in specific American industries. Hosting participants in these short-term programs would have the added benefit of enabling U.S. companies to build relationships with China.

Under the newly-signed agreement with CITD, AIPT is in position to offer such programs and has hired Short-Term Programs Specialist Steven Washington to help develop these and other new programs. AIPT also has joined the Maryland-China Business Council in order to build relationships with the member companies already focused on expanding their affiliation with China. CITD’s Wu is scheduled to visit AIPT again in October to discuss short-term programs in more detail and to help craft an implementation plan. The programs are expected to begin in late 2007.

As a result of another meeting arranged by CITD in May, AIPT is exploring the potential for sending people to China for internships with one of the country’s largest hotel groups. In this new program opportunity, AIPT would like to send Americans, along with international visitors just completing their AIPT-sponsored training in the United States, to intern in several of the company’s top hotels throughout Shanghai.
AIPT is excited by the opportunities emerging from its partnership with CITD. As the Chinese economy expands and the country’s government encourages collaboration with foreign companies, AIPT is ready to launch creative initiatives that will increase business and enhance cross-cultural understanding.