Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 2.50 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application review
- Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program
Program Description
Students will choose from one of two program tracks on the CIEE Shanghai program:
Fast-forward your Mandarin language skills in one of the most rapidly developing cities on earth. Kick learning into high gear with daily coursework and one-on-one classes suited to your level, whether you’re a first- or fifth-year Mandarin student. Add peer tutorials and language clinics, homestays, cultural activities and volunteering, and your summer in Shanghai will be one you’ll always value. This program provides a strong foundation in Chinese language through complete immersion in an intensive and Chinese language-only environment.
Designed for beginners and superior-level Mandarin Chinese students alike, it includes five course levels to develop your listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills, or elevate your language skills to a superior level, communicating with accuracy, fluency, and sophistication. Students take two accelerated language courses are designed to move students ahead at least two Chinese language levels in all four Chinese language skills.
Students agree to speak Chinese at designated times to encourage fluency, and are graded on this component of the program.
The Business and Culture program is designed for students with international business and economics backgrounds and provides a deeper understanding of contemporary business issues in China as the country expands into one of the world’s great economic powers. The program is appropriate for students with a major or minor in economics, international business, business management, or marketing, or to Chinese or Asian Studies majors with an interest in learning more about the business environment in China.
This program track is broken down into sessions, and students can choose the number of sessions they wish to attend (anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks total). Courses are taught in English. The optional language course is taught in Mandarin Chinese.
Dates
Accelerated Chinese Language Program:
Business and Culture Program:
- Sessions range from late May - mid August (please refer to the program page for more information on the different sessions)
Location
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 many of the world’s latest and greatest. The list includes uber-tall buildings stretching up in the new financial district Pudong, and the world’s fastest-growing rapid-transit system, featuring urban centers connected by elevated light rail, the world’s first commercial high-speed Maglev train, and 16 subway lines.
Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation
In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Penn State Global website.
