CIEE Summer Business, Language, and Culture Program in Shanghai, China

  China

• Shanghai: 
Shanghai

Term: Summer 
Dates: 8 weeks: late June - mid-August

Description: The Business, Language, and Culture summer program is designed to enhance the Chinese language skills of students at all levels and to enhance participant's knowledge of China and Shanghai. This is achieved through intensive Chinese language coursework, Chinese language clinics and target language activities, an area studies course taught in English, excursions throughout the Shanghai area, and by giving participants the option of living either with a Chinese family or in a dormitory with a Chinese roommate.

Academic Program
Established in 1998, the CIEE Study Center in Shanghai is near Zhongshan Park and is close to Shanghais large economic development areas. The Business, Language, and Culture summer program is designed to provide participants with a deeper understanding of China as it emerges to take a leading role in the global economy and introduces students with little or no background in Chinese studies to China through language studies and an area studies course. The core course provides a unique perspective on business and society in contemporary China and offers ample opportunities to observe and experience the business and social environment of Shanghai.

Academic Culture
Students attend intensive language classes in the afternoon Monday through Friday. The language classes are small and students are encouraged to participate actively. Classes are typically co-taught by head language instructors and assistant language instructors who focus on accuracy and consistency of pronunciation through daily drills and other exercises.

Area studies courses take place three times a week Monday through Friday. Course related field trips are sometimes held on the weekends.

Highlights:

• Intensive Mandarin language program for all levels; Chinese language clinic, target language activities, and peer language tutors; courses in Chinese business, history, and journalism; teaching and volunteer opportunities.
  
• Cultural activities and excursions to Chinese companies and factories, government agencies, media outlets, museums, and temples; opportunities to take classes in Chinese calligraphy, martial arts, and music; cultural reimbursement.
  
• Chinese homestay or on-campus dormitory option with Chinese roommate.

A number of non-credit, optional classes are offered to program participants and may include martial arts, Chinese cooking, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese musical instruments, and the Shanghai dialect.

Cultural Reimbursement Program
As a means of encouraging students to enrich their study abroad experience in Shanghai, CIEE offers a Cultural Reimbursement Program, allowing students to be reimbursed for their participation in local cultural activities such as tickets to Chinese movies, theater performances, traditional music concerts, and visits to local museums and historic places of interest.

Immersion
Peer Language Tutors
Participants are paired with ECNU students for weekly one-on-one Chinese language tutorials.

Target Language Meals
To encourage students to utilize their Chinese in an informal setting, CIEE organizes group meals for the students, their language teachers, peer tutors, and resident staff. Students attending the optional meals are required to speak only Chinese with their teachers and peers throughout the dinners.

Chinese Language Clinic
The Chinese Language Director and staff manage a clinic to assist students who need additional language help.

Teach, Work, and Volunteer
CIEE maintains relationships with a number of schools, companies, and organizations, and is able to offer a limited number of work and volunteer opportunities to interested students. These part-time opportunities vary in time commitment and skill requirements. Although positions are not guaranteed by CIEE, the Shanghai staff assists all students interested in pursuing these opportunities during their summer in Shanghai.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing

Experience Required: yes

• Overall GPA 2.75
• 0-6 semesters of college-level Mandarin Chinese or the equivalent
• 1 semester of college-level coursework in Chinese studies recommended
• East China Normal University will not accept students who are citizens of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan ROC, Hong Kong, SAR, or Macau. This includes those who are permanent U.S. residents. Students of Chinese ancestry who hold U.S. passports are welcome.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to China Independently

Scholarships are Available. We have several scholarships that students can apply for. Contact CIEE for details.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Transcript
• Written Application

CIEE's Mission Statement: Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. Our services to young people studying, working, teaching, and traveling abroad are more important than ever.

Year Founded: 1947