It was impossible for the four of them working in the laundry to go on strike. Therefore, Xu quickly quit the job and found waitress work at a local restaurant, which paid her at $3 an hour. Together with tips, she could make more than $50 a day and made enough money for a two-week trip within 18 days of working," she said.

"I do not care too much about the 15,000 yuan, which was a waste of money. And I did not go to the US in the hope of adding something great to my resume. But what I am really unhappy with is the university's indifferent attitude toward such unqualified agencies scattering flyers or brochures around the campus all the time. They cannot just sit there and let it go on," she added.

Not all internships or agencies are so dodgy.

Zhou Zongmin, 22, majoring in radio and television science at Shanghai International Studies University, said it is possible to apply for overseas internships without the help of agencies.

Of course it will take some time and effort, but as long as you are willing to go through dozens of "want" ads, fill in the lengthy application form online, hand in all the required documents such as transcripts, writing samples and reference letters - hey presto! - you are put on the shortlist for overseas internship programs without being asked for a penny, said Zhou,

He was successfully enrolled into a three-month overseas internship program co-conducted by Georgetown University and WUSA television station - an affiliate of CBS television network via - called The Fund for American Studies.

He didn't pay an agent and was able to carry out hands-on work such as producing and purchasing pictures and videos and writing and editing news in the digital content department at the television station. On top of that he was offered a $3,500 scholarship.

Zhou did stand out from his peers, being top student in his class, scoring 107 out of 120 in the Test of English as a Foreign Language exam and getting the highest mark in English among all candidates for the 2009 college entrance examination in Shanghai. He says he was the only student from the Chinese mainland to be enrolled in that internship program.

"Washington is a place where power converges. As I am hugely interested in the US presidential elections and the political system of this country, it is the best place for me to build my social network. Moreover, I am thinking of studying for a media-related master's degree in the US. This internship can help to develop something," said Zhou.

"I did not apply for the internship in the hope of adding color to my future resume. If that happens, I would rather say it was the outcome of my internship," he said.

Zhou Qinnan and Li Xiuhui contributed to this story.

shijing@chinadaily.com.cn