CIEE Summer Business, Language, and Culture in Shanghai, China
Commercial giant; financial and cultural hub; the largest container port on Earth – there may be no better city to spend the summer examining the rapidly changing nature of global business than Shanghai.

Whether you have no background in Chinese, or you’ve studied the language for several semesters, this program provides students with vital insight into the causes behind – and challenges of – China’s rapid economic development and the country’s emerging role on the world stage.

With study abroad in China, you’ll spend the summer in a unique combination of in-depth coursework, internships, networking opportunities, cultural activities, and excursions. Study abroad in Shanghai and you will:

• Choose from Chinese or English language business electives and engage in an organizational internship for credit
• Study Mandarin Chinese at all levels with support from peer language tutors and language clinic instructors, or choose not to study a language and focus entirely on area studies coursework
• Learn outside the classroom through volunteer opportunities, cultural activities, and a three-day fieldtrip with excursions to Chinese companies and factories
• Live with a Chinese host family or on-campus with a Chinese or program roommate

An understanding of both Asian markets and culture is a tremendous asset for any future business professional. Take a closer look into the factors driving, and issues facing China with CIEE Shanghai.
 

Overview

Commercial giant; financial and cultural hub; the largest container port on Earth – there may be no better city to spend the summer examining the rapidly changing nature of global business than Shanghai.

Whether you have no background in Chinese, or you’ve studied the language for several semesters, this program provides students with vital insight into the causes behind – and challenges of – China’s rapid economic development and the country’s emerging role on the world stage.

With study abroad in China, you’ll spend the summer in a unique combination of in-depth coursework, internships, networking opportunities, cultural activities, and excursions. Study abroad in Shanghai and you will:
 

• Choose from Chinese or English language business electives and engage in an organizational internship for credit
• Study Mandarin Chinese at all levels with support from peer language tutors and language clinic instructors, or choose not to study a language and focus entirely on area studies coursework
• Learn outside the classroom through volunteer opportunities, cultural activities, and a three-day fieldtrip with excursions to Chinese companies and factories
• Live with a Chinese host family or on-campus with a Chinese or program roommate

An understanding of both Asian markets and culture is a tremendous asset for any future business professional. Take a closer look into the factors driving, and issues facing China with CIEE Shanghai.


The CIEE Difference

Coursework

Investigate the most pressing business issues and trends with some of China’s most respected professors. Examine the changing nature of business in China with CFO for Nike China, Charles Mo, and look at cutting-edge theory in modern marketing management with Jack Marr Advising Director, Stern School of Business, New York University in Shanghai.
You can also choose to study Mandarin with courses accommodating all levels from beginner to superior.

Internships

Whether you’re at a multinational corporation, a local Chinese company, or an international non-profit, internships bring coursework to life. You’ll work and learn alongside Chinese and international employees, at companies like:
 

• Global business advisory firm  FTI International Risk
• Manufacturer Richio, Inc
• Non-profit, Lifeline Shanghai
• Market research company, CBR.

• Any three three-credit elective courses taught in English or Chinese, including an Organizational Internship*
• Any one three-credit course taught in English or Chinese and one six-credit Organizational Internship*
• Any one elective course taught in English or Chinese and one six-credit Chinese language course at the appropriate
   

*Students who choose these options and who have not completed one semester of college-level Chinese or demonstrate equivalent proficiency are required to include the three-credit “Communicative Chinese” elective.

Course Load Examples for Summer Students:

Organizational Internship: 3 credits
The Changing Nature of Business in China: 3 credits
Marketing Management and Methods in East Asia and Emerging Markets: 3 credits
Total: 9 credits

Communicative Chinese: 3 credits
The Changing Nature of Business in China: 3 credits
Marketing Management and Methods in East Asia and Emerging Markets: 3 credits
Total: 9 credits

Chinese—Beginning I: 6 credits
The Changing Nature of Business in China: 3 credits
Total: 9 credits

Business Chinese: 3 credits
Organizational Internship: 6 credits
Total: 9 credits

CIEE reserves the right to place participants in the language course for which they are best prepared based on the results of language proficiency exams administered during the orientation period.

About Shanghai

Shanghai is known for its long history of foreign influence, fashion, and economic prowess and aims to become a global financial and shipping hub by the year 2020. With a population of 23 million people, Shanghai has seen massive development over the last two decades and the new financial district of Pudong is home to some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. Shanghai’s urban centers are conveniently connected by elevated light rails, the world’s first commercial high-speed Maglev train, and the fastest-growing rapid transit systems in the world.

Where You’ll Study

Established in 1951, East China Normal University (ECNU) is one of China’s key institutions of higher learning and the first to specialize in teacher education. ECNU is nationally known for its Chinese language and literature program, and the university enrolls more than 26,000 fulltime students at its two campuses, and 3,700 international students. The CIEE Study Center is located along the bank of the Liwa River on its downtown Putuo campus, known as the “Garden University” for its beautiful grounds.

Housing & Meals

Participants select one of three housing options prior to arrival.

Campus Residence Hall with CIEE Roommate—The Campus Residence Hall is a five-story facility located on the ECNU campus and has a common lobby with 24-hour security and laundry facilities. There is a student computer room and study lounge on every other floor, as well as a kitchen and bathrooms on each floor. The residence hall is a 10-minute walk from the CIEE Study Center, and is within walking distance to a light rail and other public transportation.

Campus Residence Hall with Chinese Roommate—This option is located in the same residence hall as described above, but study abroad students are paired with a Chinese student from ECNU. The Chinese roommates are required to speak only Chinese, so this option is recommended for students who wish to live in a more intensive Chinese language environment, while remaining nearby other program participants.

Meals are not included in these two housing options and are the responsibility of the student. Meals are available in the campus cafeterias at a moderate price.

Chinese Host Families—Chinese host families are located within five to 15 minutes from campus by walking or public transportation. Study abroad students have their own room in the host family apartment and share the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Students are invited to most family meals, but should budget for their own lunches, some weekend meals, and most meals during group field trips and individual travel. Chinese family members speak Chinese only. This option is highly recommended for students who want to live in an entirely Chinese language environment and to make rapid progress in Chinese language.

Academic Program

CIEE has been operating study abroad programs in Shanghai since 1981. Established in 1998, the CIEE Study Center in Shanghai has been hosted by East China Normal University since 2001. The Summer Business, Language, and Culture program began in 2009, and is designed to help participants gain a deeper understanding of China as it emerges to take a leading role in the global economy.
There is no language prerequisite for this program. The program is appropriate for students with a major or minor in economics, international business, business management or marketing, and is open to all levels of language students, from novice students with no previous experience in the Chinese language to those with superior level Chinese language proficiency. This program includes non-intensive Mandarin Chinese language study or an alternative Communicative Chinese language elective for beginners. Students who have completed one semester of college-level Chinese or demonstrate equivalent proficiency in Chinese language have the option to take all their coursework in English. Students with at least four semesters of previous Chinese can also choose an entirely Chinese language curriculum by selecting an elective in Business Chinese.

Internships for credit and opportunities for service learning and community volunteer activities integrate academic learning with practical experience. Extracurricular activities are coordinated by CIEE staff and may include Chinese students and host families to advance understanding of local society and culture.

Academic Culture

Study abroad students enrolled in Chinese language courses attend classes two hours per day, Monday through Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., which includes two hours of language activities led by the instructor outside the classroom on Fridays. The language classes are small, with an average of five students, so active participation is very important. Classes are typically co-taught by head language instructors who introduce new content and assistant language instructors who focus on accuracy and consistency of pronunciation through daily drills and other exercises in smaller sections when necessary. In addition students enrolled in Chinese language courses meet with their peer tutors in structured tutorials for a minimum of one hour twice weekly, with more tutorial hours available upon request.

Communicative Chinese and other elective courses in Chinese and English take place three times per week, typically Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday for two hours each day. Course related field trips are scheduled on Fridays and sometimes weekends.

The summer term is eight weeks long and includes a three day arrival and orientation at the beginning and a three day group field trip toward the middle of the term.

NATURE OF CLASSES

All courses are managed by CIEE and specially designed for CIEE study abroad students only.

GRADING SYSTEM

In the English language business electives, students are generally graded on the basis of mid-term and final papers, group presentations, case studies or market research, as well as class participation and attendance on field trips. In the language courses, assessment is based on daily homework and quizzes, written and oral unit tests each Friday, and written and oral mid-term and final exams. The following letter grades are assigned: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, D, and F.

LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION

English
Mandarin Chinese

FACULTY

All Chinese language courses are taught by the CIEE language director, full-time CIEE faculty, and graduate students from the East China Normal University College of International Chinese Studies. The Chinese language elective course is taught by full-time faculty from the College of International Chinese Studies, and the English language elective courses are taught by international faculty from the Stern School of Bus