Accelerated Chinese Language
Unique Experiences
Improve your Chinese Language Skills
with intensive language courses specially designed to help you quickly take your skills to the next level
Get off the Tourist Track
as you explore Shanghai and beyond, and practice Chinese in authentic situations
Live with a Chinese Host Family
or on campus with a Chinese roommate
5
Hours to Beijing by high speed train
24.3
residents
11
ancient towns in Shanghai
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 both classic and modern architecture interacting harmoniously with the traditional Chinese cultural environment.
CIEE Shanghai is located inside the Zhongbei campus of East China Normal University in downtown Shanghai, known as the “Garden University” for its beautiful natural environment.
Activities
- Explore Chinese history and arts with visits to museums, art exhibitions, and plays
- Travel to Zhujiajiao, the best-preserved traditional water town in Shanghai, lined with stone bridges, cobblestone lanes, and canals
- Visit Suzhou, often called the “Venice of the East” for its many canals and famous for its classical gardens and silk industry
- Join classmates for a river cruise, city walking tours, group meals, and more
- Gain hands-on cultural experience by learning Chinese cooking, dancing calligraphy, martial arts, or mahjong
- Connect with the community by volunteering with local organizations or schools
Excursions
Students participate in a multi-day excursion for an in-depth look at Chinese culture and history. Past excursions have included:
- Jiangxi: Known as the "Porcelain Capital," students will explore the ancient art of porcelain-making and its profound impact on global trade and cultural exchange. A visit to Wuyuan offers insights into traditional rural life, ancient villages, and the well-preserved Huizhou architecture that reflects the region's cultural legacy. At Sanqing Mountain, students will connect with nature and gain a deeper understanding of the mountain's significance in Taoist culture.
- Fujian: Bordered by the Taiwan Strait, Fujian is known for its rugged coastline, lush mountains, and well-preserved traditional architecture, including the unique earthen buildings called "tulou." A trip to Fujian enables students to experience its diverse cultural heritage, explore its historic sites, and appreciate the unique blend of natural beauty and architectural marvels.
- West China: Renowned for its pivotal role in premodern trade and cultural exchange, this area served as a key hub for the exchange of merchandise, religious beliefs, cultural practices, and artistic ideas along the Silk Road. Students can embark on a journey from Xi’an, the starting point of the northern Silk Road route and home to the famed Terracotta Army, to Luoyang, one of the ancient capitals and cradles of Chinese civilization.
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 Information section for more detail.
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Housing and Meals
Housing
CIEE Shanghai offers various housing options, which include homestays and campus residence halls with a Chinese roommate. All housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to CIEE Shanghai (under 30 minutes walking distance or commute by public transportation for homestays and a 10-minute walk to the campus residence hall).
Standard Housing: Includes a single room at a homestay or a double room at the residence hall on campus.
- Homestays: Homestays boast a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared with a host family.
- Residence Halls: Campus residence halls boast a shared kitchen, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Homestays: Students are invited to most meals but should budget for lunches and some weekend meals.
Residence Halls: Meals are not included in Residence Hall housing. The Residence Hall features a shared kitchen in the common area, equipped with multiple induction cooktops, microwaves, fridges, and other basic appliances. Students can prepare simple in-house meals with basic cooking utensils and cleaning supplies. There are also moderately priced cafeterias available on campus and various other options in the area surrounding the campus.
Academics
CIEE’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 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 professional faculty members, including the CIEE language instructors, 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.
Arizona State University: Enhance your international academic coursework with optional online courses that best align with your degree requirements and interests. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar, so you can study abroad with CIEE while continuing to meet all your academic goals.
Course Information
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 apply for authorization to do an internship after arriving in China. Students pursuing the internship are responsible for all associated application fees (approximately $150 USD). 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 internship authorization are not allowed to leave and re-enter the mainland of China without obtaining a new visa.
Academic Projects
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Law
Social Sciences
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Biological and Physical Sciences
Engineering and Engineering Technologies
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Psychology
Academic Projects
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
History, Philosophy, Religion
Languages and Cultural Studies
Law
Social Sciences
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Biological and Physical Sciences
Engineering and Engineering Technologies
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Psychology
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
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.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Discover Internship Opportunities
We're excited you're considering this program! Next, explore the types of internships you can choose from for an epic internship abroad with CIEE Study Abroad.
Explore Industry Options
Shanghai boasts a vibrant, fast-paced work scene that seamlessly blends traditional values with its modern corporate culture. This dynamic city is the ideal hub for finance, technology, and manufacturing professionals, with a growing focus on innovation and collaboration.
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Browse Internship Opportunities
Explore internship placements available through this program to find the right fit for your academic and professional goals.
Disclaimer: Internship placements are subject to availability and host employer hiring discretion. Application and payment of CIEE fees does not guarantee specific placement. This internship listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers 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:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- 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.
Dates & 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.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fall 2025 15 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $19,950 |
| Program Academic year 2025-2026 | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date * | End Date TBD* | |
| Program Spring 2026 15 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
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, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE 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 protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $14,237 ** |
| Housing | $5,000 *** |
| Insurance | $194 |
| Visa Fees | $219 |
| Total Fees | $19,950 |
Financial Aid
CIEE 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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $525 † |
| International Airfare | $1,300 †† |
| Local Transportation | $300 ††† |
| Books & Supplies | $10 †††† |
| Visa Fees | $185 ††††† |
| Personal expenses | $340 †††††† |
| Total Costs | $2,660 |
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide most meals. For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $440 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††students enrolled in internships should budget $500
††††language books and area studies readers are free
†††††For students who must change their student visa on site because of internship course or extend the duration to cover the whole semester, an additional $150 is required.
††††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE 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 protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE 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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Program Fees
CIEE 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 protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE 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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Jia Ma
Center Director
With over a decade of service at CIEE Shanghai, Jia Ma oversees the operations of the Shanghai center, providing a strong foundation for your experiences.
Qianrong Tang
Student Life Director
Qianrong Tang is responsible for all aspects of student service & student activity administration, and health, safety & security.
Sonya Zhao
Academic Director
Sonya holds two Master of Arts degrees - one in Communication Management from Emerson College, Boston, and another in International Development Studies from George Washington University in D.C. Before joining...
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact CIEE
We're here to help! Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
4
Interested in an optional internship?
After being accepted to this program and submitting the required internship documents, work with CIEE staff on your internship goals and select which positions to interview for. CIEE will reach out to companies that would be a good fit for you, your interests, and your qualifications. Finalize your internship placement upon arrival!
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