I did a gap year after high school, but it wasn't an internship or some programme. What I did helped me (as a person) and my understanding of history, and even though was not a specific internship/programme I have heard people comment on how great it was I did this. That includes people interviewing me for jobs.

I spent the first few months of my gap year working to get money - nothing special just menial jobs. My free time I spent reading. I read classical authors (Thucydides, Xenophon, Polybius, etc.) as well as more recent classics such as Gibbon and Goethe. Goethe's Italienische Reise especially had a big influence on me.

The second half of the year I spent travelling through Europe, with about 3 months spent in Rome getting to know the city, taking in the ancient ruins, visiting lots of museums and churches, laughing at tourist who "did Rome" in 2 days. I traveled a bit through central Italy, for instance spending some time (a few days) at Pompeii and near the shore of Lake Trasimene (where Hannibal once completely trashed a Roman army - though the shore of the lake has moved a bit over time).

I'm not sure if my story is of any use to you (since you said you're looking for internships/programmes). What you - or others reading this - could/should take away from this is that if you do a gap year, it's up to you to make something out of it. Getting some type of formal experience or qualification can be very valuable, but it's also possible to make it a valuable year without that - if you know what you like and where you want to go (with your life in the near future). Just make sure you don't waste your gap year doing unimportant stuff.

Note: your/other's experience may vary. I'm not sure if my approach would benefit you in a highly competitive environment where formal experience is valued highly. Personally, I usually value my personal development over external requirements; I can't say that attitude has hurt me (though who knows what might have happened if I was more of a conformist).

3 of my children did a gap year, and pretty much all followed the same pattern:

1. About 5 months working at a job to save up money to fund the rest of the gap year. This also is useful on ones CV after college to show that one is responsible, can hold down a job, and be valued by an employer.

2. About 4 months working in a ski resort in Europe. This was financially about break even. It was mostly to fund extensive skiing, rather than anything else, but it also is a talking point and of some value on a CV.

3. About 3 months travelling around the world. Round the world air tickets are fairly cheap. They all traveled with friends and had a great experience and a great time.

By the time a young person has finished secondary school, they have been spending most of their time in classrooms for at least 13 years. Rather than going straight on to more classrooms in University, I think it is valuable to get some other experiences for a year. It seems that many employers think so too.

You seem to be focused on getting into internships and programs for your gap year, which is great, but you might want to consider doing some other things which stretch yourself outside your usual experiences and field as well, and have some fun.

My best friend who is from Shandong did an internship with the English CCTV (not sure which channel that is) and after he started university in Beijing was able to continue his internship. I also have several American friends who did a year doing charity work in South east Asia.

Where in China are you from? Best of luck on your gaokao!