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
- Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program
Program Description
Students will choose from one of three program tracks on the CIEE Shanghai program:
Whether you’re a beginner or have strong Chinese language skills, you’ll progress ahead at least two levels on this program track in Shanghai. Along with intensive study, one-on-one lessons, and language clinics, you’ll experience a whole lot of culture – from tasting the city’s famous soup dumplings to watching eye-popping acrobatics, to seeing more of this vast country up-close with special cultural excursions. This program is designed to provide participants with a strong foundation in Chinese language and a deeper understanding of China today through intensive Chinese language coursework and cultural immersion, complemented by a wide selection of area studies courses in various disciplines.
The program is open to students with all levels of language skill, from students with no experience to those with superior level proficiency, although it is not for native Chinese speakers. Students take two accelerated courses that focus on rapid language acquisition and are designed to move students ahead at least two levels in all four Chinese language skills. Students take up to one elective in English, and those with four or more semesters of college-level Mandarin may take a Chinese language elective or area studies course taught in Chinese instead. Chinese language students take part in the CIEE Community Language Commitment, a graded component in which students agree to speak Chinese at required times.
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in an organization internship course that is assigned to an internship project with a company in Shanghai. You can learn more about internship opportunities on the program page for this track.
The Chinese have been involved in international business since the days of Marco Polo and the Silk Road. Add to that heritage to the rapid economic growth Shanghai has seen since the late 1970s, and you’ve got one fascinating place to explore global business. The Business, Language, 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. Guest lectures, company visits, and other networking opportunities allow students to apply theories learned in class and contextualize the country’s economic rise within China’s largest business hub.
The Business, Language, and Culture program equips students with the language tools necessary to engage China’s business community on their own terms. Language students participate in the CIEE Community Language Commitment, which comprises both graded and voluntary components and compels students to speak Chinese as much as possible. As students gain proficiency, staff members and language instructors encourage them to use their language skills in everyday settings.
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in an organization internship course that is assigned to an internship project with a company in Shanghai. You can learn more about internship opportunities on the program page for this track.
China’s 5,000-year history is marked with contributions that range from silk trade to movable type to tofu. Many of its cities – including Shanghai – have seen remarkable expansion over the last few decades. Combine the two, add opportunities to live like a Shanghainese citizen, and it’s clear that studying here will be one of the most eye-opening experiences of your lifetime. CIEE’s China in a Global Context program helps college students understand China and its place in the world. Chinese language instruction in conjunction with coursework traces China’s development from its colonial period to its modern politics and incorporates the internal and external factors that continue to mold the Middle Kingdom. This program is ideal for students with backgrounds in the humanities and social sciences, especially those with majors or minors in international relations or political science. Students choose from a wide variety of English-language courses, ranging from East Asian studies to economics.
Language students participate in the CIEE Community Language Commitment, which comprises both graded and voluntary components to compel students to speak Chinese as much as possible. As students gain proficiency, CIEE Shanghai staff members and language instructors encourage them to use their language skills in everyday settings.
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in an organization internship course that is assigned to an internship project with a company in Shanghai. You can learn more about internship opportunities on the program page for this track.
Dates
Academic Year: early September - early June
Fall: early September - mid December
Spring: late February - early June
Refer to CIEE's website for specific dates.
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; and the world’s fastest-growing rapid-transit system featuring the world’s first commercial high-speed Maglev train.
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 Global Programs website.
