China In A Global Context
Unique Experiences
Begin or continue your study
of Mandarin Chinese with the support of our local Chinese teaching professionals.
See the Chine beyond Shanghai
and what tourists often miss – with a multiple-day excursion.
Learn about Chinese politics,
economy, and more with a broad selection of courses taught in English.
24.3
Residents
163
# of skyscrapers, no.6 in the cities with most skyscrapers
396
subway stations on 19 subway lines
Your Destination
Perched on the banks of the Huangpu River and the East China Sea, Shanghai is China’s largest city by population, and a global hub of culture, commerce, and finance. Massively redeveloped over the past 20 years, the city boasts both classic and modern architecture, interacting harmoniously with the traditional Chinese cultural environment.
The CIEE Shanghai Center is located inside the Zhongbei Campus of East China Normal University in downtown Shanghai, known as the “Garden University” for its beautiful natural environment.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Shanghai.
The Culture
Activities
- Learn about Chinese foreign policies, political development and social issues through site visits or guest lectures.
- Join classmates for a thrilling acrobat performance, river cruise, group meals, and more.
- Explore Chinese history and arts with visits to museums, art exhibitions, and plays.
- Travel to beautiful cities such as:
- Suzhou, often called the “Venice of the East” for its many canals, classical gardens, and silk industry
- Hangzhou, known for its natural beauty as well as its textile and tech industries
- Nanjing, one of China’s four ancient capitals and major commercial centers
- Zhujiajiao, the best-preserved traditional water town in Shanghai, lined with stone bridges, cobblestone lanes, and canals
- Gain hands-on cultural experience by learning Chinese cooking, calligraphy, martial arts, or mahjong.
- Connect with the community by volunteering with local organizations or schools.
Excursions
Students participate in a multiple-day excursion for an in-depth look at Chinese culture and history. Past excursions have included:
- Silk Road Trade Route – This famous premodern route enabled the exchange of merchandise, as well as religious, cultural, and artistic ideas. Fall semester students may travel from the head of the northern route in Xi’an to Dunhuang, the City of Sands, a desert oasis at the junction of the northern and southern trade routes.
- Tea and Horse Road – This ancient network of mountain paths connected the tea-growing regions of southwestern China to Burma and India by mule caravan through the mountains and valleys of Yunnan and Sichuan provinces and Tibet. Spring semester students may travel to Lijiang and Shangri-La, seat of a Tibetan autonomous prefecture near the border of Tibet.
- Global Business in China – Explore the Pearl River Delta Region in Southern China and sites such as the Canton World Trading Fair, one of the oldest world's trading fairs. Students visit companies and attend lectures on business development and industry, take a city tour, and visit a local temple.
Internship
Study abroad students participating in the Organizational Internship course will be assigned to an internship project with a company in Shanghai. The internship sponsors, which vary each term depending on participating organizations and available positions, may include local Chinese companies and multinational companies, as well as international small and medium-sized enterprises and nonprofit organizations. Course curriculum includes class introduction, coached work, and final presentation to earn three academic credits. See the “Curriculum” section for more detail.
Program Blogs
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Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Shanghai offers various housing options, which include homestays and campus residence halls with a Chinese roommate, or campus residence halls with CIEE roommate. All housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to CIEE Shanghai (under 30 minutes walking distance or commute by public transportation for homestays and a 10-minute walk to the campus residence hall).
Standard Housing: Includes a single room at a homestay or a double room at the residence hall on campus. Homestays boast a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared with a host family. Campus residence halls boast kitchens, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students.
Meals
Homestays: Students are invited to most meals but should budget for lunches and some weekend meals.
Residence Halls: Students are responsible for meals. There are moderately priced cafeterias on campus and various options in the area surrounding the campus.
Academics
The China in Global Context Program lets students dig-in to the history, culture, language, and economic prowess of China. Language courses focus on rapid language acquisition, designed to move students ahead at least two levels in all four Chinese language skills. The program is open to students with no language experience as well as those with superior proficiency, although it is not intended for native Chinese speakers. One semester of college-level Chinese area studies is recommended.
The CIEE Shanghai is located on East China Normal University (ECNU)’s downtown Putuo campus, and is known as the “Garden University” for its beautiful grounds by the Liwa River. Chinese language and elective courses are taught by professional faculty members, including the CIEE language instructors, adjunct faculty from ECNU and other prestigious institutions, and professionals from the private business sector. A committee of specialists in teaching Chinese as a second language holds these courses to the highest educational standards.
Arizona State University: Enhance your international academic coursework with optional online courses that best align with your degree requirements and interests. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar, so you can study abroad with CIEE while continuing to meet all your academic goals.
Course Information
Course Notes
- Students who have not completed one semester of college-level Chinese or are unable to demonstrate equivalent proficiency must take Conversational Chinese to complete the Organizational Internship.
- Students taking a Chinese language course will take an on-site placement exam and be registered in the appropriate language level based on their results.
- Students enrolling in the Organizational Internship are required to apply for authorization to do an internship after arriving in China. Students pursuing the internship are responsible for all associated application fees (approximately US$150). The application process includes approval from the internship sponsor, approval from ECNU, and a special application to the Chinese government. Please note that recipients of internship authorization are not allowed to leave and re-enter the mainland of China without obtaining a new visa.
Academic Projects
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Law
Social Sciences
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Academic Projects
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Social Sciences
Communication, Journalism, and Media
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 100% online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Discover Internship Opportunities
We're excited you're considering this program! Next, explore the types of internships you can choose from for an epic internship abroad with CIEE Study Abroad.
Explore Industry Options
Shanghai boasts a vibrant, fast-paced work scene that seamlessly blends traditional values with its modern corporate culture. This dynamic city is the ideal hub for finance, technology, and manufacturing professionals, with a growing focus on innovation and collaboration.
Business Management and Administration
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Education and Training
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Browse Internship Opportunities
Explore internship placements available through this program to find the right fit for your academic and professional goals.
Disclaimer: Internship placements are subject to availability and host employer hiring discretion. Application and payment of CIEE fees does not guarantee specific placement. This internship listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Spring 2025 15 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $19,950 |
| Program Fall 2025 15 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $19,950 | |
| Program Fall 2024 15 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $19,850 |
| Program Academic year 2024-2025 40 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $38,800 |
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $14,237**
Housing = $5,000***
Insurance = $194
Visa Fees = $219
Total Fees = $19,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $525†
International Airfare = $1,300††
Local Transportation = $300†††
Books & Supplies = $10††††
Visa Fees = $185†††††
Personal expenses = $340††††††
Total Costs = $2,660Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide most meals. For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $440 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††students enrolled in internships should budget $500
††††language books and area studies readers are free
†††††For students who must change their student visa on site because of internship course or extend the duration to cover the whole semester, an additional $150 is required.
††††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $14,237**
Housing = $5,000***
Insurance = $194
Visa Fees = $219
Total Fees = $19,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $525†
International Airfare = $1,300††
Local Transportation = $300†††
Books & Supplies = $10††††
Visa Fees = $185†††††
Personal expenses = $340††††††
Total Costs = $2,660Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide most meals. For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $440 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††students enrolled in internships should budget $500
††††language books and area studies readers are free
†††††For students who must change their student visa on site because of internship course or extend the duration to cover the whole semester, an additional $150 is required.
††††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $14,137**
Housing = $5,000***
Insurance = $194
Visa Fees = $219
Total Fees = $19,850Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $525†
International Airfare = $1,300††
Local Transportation = $300†††
Books & Supplies = $10††††
Visa Fees = $185†††††
Personal expenses = $340††††††
Other = $15†††††††
Total Costs = $2,675Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide most meals. For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $440 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††students enrolled in internships should budget $500
††††language books and area studies readers are free
†††††For students who must change their student visa on site because of internship course or extend the duration to cover the whole semester, an additional $150 is required.
††††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
†††††††Covid test to enter the US, if required
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $28,087**
Housing = $10,000***
Insurance = $194
Visa Fees = $219
Total Fees = $38,800Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,050†
International Airfare = $1,300††
Local Transportation = $600†††
Books & Supplies = $20††††
Visa Fees = $185†††††
Personal expenses = $680††††††
Other = $15†††††††
Expenses during break = $3,000††††††††
Total Costs = $6,850Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide most meals. For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $440 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††students enrolled in internships should budget $500
††††language books and area studies readers are free
†††††For students who must change their student visa on site because of internship course or extend the duration to cover the whole semester, an additional $150 is required.
††††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
†††††††Covid test to enter the US, if required
††††††††academic year students who wish to stay onsite are responsible for arranging their housing and meals during the semester break
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Visa
Our Staff
Jia Ma
Center Director
With over a decade of service at CIEE Shanghai, Jia Ma oversees the operations of the Shanghai center, providing a strong foundation for your experiences.
Qianrong Tang
Student Life Director
Qianrong Tang is responsible for all aspects of student service & student activity administration, and health, safety & security.
Sonya Zhao
Academic Director
Sonya holds two Master of Arts degrees - one in Communication Management from Emerson College, Boston, and another in International Development Studies from George Washington University in D.C. Before joining...
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact CIEE
We're here to help! Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
4
Interested in an optional internship?
After being accepted to this program and submitting the required internship documents, work with CIEE staff on your internship goals and select which positions to interview for. CIEE will reach out to companies that would be a good fit for you, your interests, and your qualifications. Finalize your internship placement upon arrival!
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