Information for term Accelerated Chinese Language
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenTake your beginner, intermediate, or advanced Chinese language skills up at least two levels while you explore Shanghai — China’s largest city by population. Students take courses at CIEE Global Institute - Shanghai. Students enroll in three classes per semester, including two accelerated courses that focus on rapid language acquisition, designed to move students ahead at least two levels in all four Chinese language skills and facilitate intercultural understanding. Those with advanced level Mandarin proficiency may take a Chinese language elective or area studies course taught in Chinese. All courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.
Follow our Travels:
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Learn about Chinese business
international relations, political science, history, and more in English or Chinese.
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Get off the tourist track
as you explore Shanghai and beyond, and practice Chinese in authentic situations.
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Live with a Chinese host family
or on campus with a Chinese roommate.
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hours to Beijing by high speed train
5 -
residents
24M -
universities and colleges
30+
Location & Culture
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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 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.
Activities
- Learn about Chinese business with company visits in Shanghai.
- 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 and famous for its 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, a traditional water town 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 one-week 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. Students 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. Offered during fall term only
- 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. Students may travel to Lijiang and Shangri-La, seat of a Tibetan autonomous prefecture near the border of Tibet. Offered during spring term only
- 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.
- Convergence of Cultures – You’ll find some of the most traditional forms of Chinese culture preserved on the island of Taiwan, which maintains a thriving civil society with a democratic political system and capitalist economy. See why this culture is described as a blend of Chinese and Japanese cultures, with traditional Confucian beliefs and contemporary Western values. Visit the National Palace Museum, Taipei 101, aboriginal communities, the port city of Kaoshiung, the night markets of Tainan, and more.
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 course section for more detail.
Program Blogs
Click to OpenProgram Blogs
Daily Life
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HOUSING
Homestays: Chinese host families speak only Chinese, making this a great way to fast-forward your language skills. Students have their own bedrooms in the host family apartment, and share the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Host apartments are a 15- to 45-minute walk or commute by public transportation from campus.
Residence Halls: Students choose to live with a Chinese ECNU student – and speak only Chinese – or with another CIEE student in a five-story hall on the ECNU campus. There are shared kitchens and bathrooms on each floor, plus study areas, and laundry facilities. The hall is a 10-minute walk to CIEE and close to public transportation.
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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.
Shanghai, China Where You'll Study
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CIEE Global Institute - Shanghai
On the downtown Putuo campus at East China Normal University.
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EAST CHINA NORMAL UNIVERSITY
Downtown Putuo campus
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Getting Around
Students walk or use public transportation to get around the city.
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Program Details
Click to OpenWhat you need to know
The program detailsCIEE’s Accelerated Chinese Language program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in Chinese language and a deeper understanding of China today. The program consists of 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 no language experience as well as those with superior level proficiency, although it is not intended for native Chinese speakers. At least one semester of college-level Chinese area studies is recommended.
The CIEE Global Institute – Shanghai is located on East China Normal University (ECNU) 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 full-time CIEE faculty members, including the CIEE language director, 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.
Academics
Click to OpenEligibility
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OVERALL GPA
Students must have a GPA of at least 2.5.
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Program Requirements
One semester of college-level Chinese area studies is recommended. Students who are citizens of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan ROC, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau, please contact a CIEE Study Abroad Advisor for details.
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Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Program Credit
Total credit: 15 semester/22.5 quarter credits
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: 3-6 semester/4.5-9 quarter credits; 45-90 contact hours
- CIEE Organizational Internship: 3 semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 100-120 internship placement hours
- CIEE Directed Independent Research: 3 semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours
Language of Instruction
English and Chinese
Requirements
Students must take 3 courses, for a total of 15 U.S. semester credits, including:
- 2 consecutive Chinese language courses
- 1 additional course – students choose one of the following:
- An elective course in English or Chinese
- An Organizational Internship
- Directed Independent Research
Course Notes
- Students will take an on-site placement exam and be registered in the appropriate language levels based on their results.
- Students enrolling in the Organizational Internship are required to change their student visa to an S2 Visa. Students pursuing the internship are responsible for the $150 S2 Visa application fee. 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 the S2 Visa are not allowed to leave and re-enter the mainland of China without obtaining a new visa.
Fall 2020 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenAcademic Projects
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Law
Social Sciences
Spring 2021 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenAcademic Projects
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Law
Social Sciences
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.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers more than $8 million in 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:
- 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. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & 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.
YOUR FEE INCLUDES:
- Tuition
- Housing
- Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
- Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
- One-week orientation – an introduction to Chinese culture, your academic program, and the city, plus practical information about living in your host city
- Full-time program leadership and support in your host city
- Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
- Excursions and/or Study Tours
- Insurance and other travel benefits, with CIEE iNext
- 24/7 emergency on-site support
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2020 15 weeks | May 1, 2020 | Aug 30, 2020 | Dec 13, 2020 |
$17,850
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE 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 insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $15,081 ** Housing = $2,090 *** Insurance = $167 Visa Fees = $212 Total Fees = $17,850Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $1,100 † International Airfare = $1,300 †† Local Transportation = $300 ††† Books & Supplies = $50 †††† Personal expenses = $1,500 Other = $150 ††††† Total Estimated Costs = $4,400Financial AidCIEE 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. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** includes breakfast and dinner during the week and most weekends for homestay students † for students in residence halls; students placed in homestays should budget $550 for lunches †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure ††† students enrolled in internships should budget $500 †††† language books and area studies readers are free ††††† On-site visa change/extension fee (this includes the cost of the required medical/physical exam at a designated Chinese Hospital and Immigration fees); required for academic year and/or single semester students who do not receive a visa to cover the duration of the program pre-departure and Organizational Internship participants; optional for students desiring more than a single-entry visa. |
| Spring 2021 15 weeks | Nov 1, 2020 | Feb 21, 2021 | Jun 4, 2021 | |
| Academic year 2020-2021 40 weeks | May 1, 2020 | Aug 30, 2020 | Jun 4, 2021 |
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, ask your college or university study abroad advisor if your school charges additional fees for study abroad.
Looking for funding?
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Dr. Steve Chao
Director, Shanghai
Steve Chao is the Director at CIEE Shanghai Global Institute, responsible for all aspects of operations, including Academic, student service, finance, local partnership and government relations.
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Juan Zhang
Program Manager, Shanghai
Juan Zhang is responsible for all aspects of student service, student activity administration, internship programs.
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Jia Ma
Chinese Language Director
Jia Ma holds a master's degree from East China Normal University.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
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CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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