Information for term Open Campus Block
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenWith a rich culture and a diverse population, Shanghai is a city that caters to all people and interests, whether it be the Chinese culture and tradition, the modern elements of a big city, the skyscrapers, or the heritage architecture. You will be able to experience Shanghai by exploring the city and immersing yourself in the local culture, and improving your Chinese language skills while taking courses from a wide range of subject areas.
BUILD YOUR STUDY ABROAD ADVENTURE
Designed for students who require a flexible study abroad experience, CIEE's Open Campus Block program was thoughtfully structured to be completely customizable. Select one, two, or three six-week blocks per term at any CIEE Open Campus Block location. Choose from Berlin, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dublin, Kyoto, London, Madrid, Monteverde, Paris, Rome, Santiago, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, and Yucatán.
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Get hands-on cultural experience
By learning Chinese cooking, calligraphy, martial arts, music, or mahjong.
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Stroll the pedestrian mall on Nanjing Road
Shanghai’s most famous street and the epicenter of busy commercial life in the city – admire the quintessential Shanghai Skyline as you walk through The Bund, former home to many western banks and their striking facades.
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Step back in time
With visits to traditional water towns like Wuzhen and Zhujiajiao.
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Population of Shanghai
24.3 M -
SUBWAY STATIONS ON 19 SUBWAY LINES
396 -
HEIGHT OF SHANGHAI WORLD FINACIAL CENTER
1,614 FT
Location & Culture
Click to Open
The Destination
Home to over 24 million people and known as a hub of commerce and finance, Shanghai is a city that has massively redeveloped over the last two decades. The new financial district of Pudong is home to some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. Boasting the fastest-growing rapid transit system in the world, Shanghai’s urban centers are conveniently connected by the world’s first commercial high-speed Maglev train, 19 subway lines, and two of the world’s busiest airports. 21st century businesses are increasingly interconnected through complex technological, political, social, and financial systems.
The CIEE Shanghai Center is located in the Zhongbei Campus of East China Normal University in the downtown Putuo area, with convenient transportation connecting to all of Shanghai’s major streets and landmarks.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Shanghai.
Excursions & Activities
Ample activities and day trips will be offered to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and learn about the city’s historical heritage.
Excursions can include:
- Shanghai Film Museum, Shanghai Volkswagen site visit, site of the First Communist Party Congress, Jewish Museum, Preserved Water Town in Shanghai
- Excursions to other cities like Hangzhou or Beijing
Projects, Volunteer Opportunities, or Internships
- Volunteer Opportunities: Teach at schools for children of migrant workers, mainly on the outskirts of the city. Get involved in volunteer programs in hospitals, parks, schools, after-school programs, and homes for the elderly. Work with local environmental groups to help maintain public parks and learn about cultural nuances in the process. Volunteer to coach sports and games to local youths.
Students interested in one of the following Academic Projects must submit additional materials as part of their course selection:
- Internships: Internship opportunities are available as part of the study program in a variety of businesses and NGOs in both private and public organizations.
- Research: Pursue a research project of your own design incorporating independent and local fieldwork.
- Service-Learning: Combine course-based learning with practical, relevant project experience to meet a community-defined need.
Daily Life
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Housing
The campus residence hall is a five-story facility located on the north end of East China Normal University (ECNU) Putuo campus. You will stay in a double room with a fellow CIEE student. The hall has a shared kitchen and bathrooms on every floor, laundry facilities, and common study areas.
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Meals
Meals are not included in Residence Hall housing. There are moderately priced cafeterias available on campus and various other options in the area surrounding the campus.
Shanghai, China Where You'll Study
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A
Shanghai Tower
the 2nd tallest building in the world
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B
East China Normal University Zhongshan Campus
explore the beautiful campus
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C
The Bund
a waterfront area in central Shanghai
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
Students enroll in one, two, or three six-week blocks, taking two courses during each block. This program gives students the flexibility to stay in Shanghai the entire time or spend other blocks at CIEE Center locations in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dublin, Kyoto, London, Madrid, Monteverde, Paris, Rome, Santiago, Singapore, Sydney, and Yucatán.
Students can choose from a variety of disciplines within seven different tracks: Art and Architecture; Business; Communications, Journalism, and New Media; Global and Community Health; International Relations and Political Science; Language, Literature, and Culture; or STEM and Society.
CIEE Shanghai is centrally located and convenient to public transportation for exploring the city. Content courses are taught in English by CIEE faculty drawn from a variety of higher education institutions in China and worldwide.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Program Requirements
Students are required to enroll in two courses each block. Students attending the program for all three blocks in a semester may select one block in which to enroll in only one course.
PROGRAM CREDIT
- One block: 6-7 U.S semester/9-10.5quarter credits
- Two blocks: 12-14 U.S. semester/18-21 quarter credits
- Three blocks: 15-18 U.S. semester/22.5-27 quarter credits
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: typically, 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
- language courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 60 contact hours
- lab courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 60 contact hours
- CIEE Academic Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 internship placement hours
- CIEE Directed Independent Research: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours
- CIEE Service-Learning Project: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 90 service hours
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Academic Culture
Each course is a full semester in content, covered in a six-week block, so the pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. Courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel away from Shanghai when classes are in session and plan trips for the long weekends in between blocks.
Class Format
Courses taught at the CIEE Shanghai are typically for CIEE students only. Classes are scheduled Monday-Friday and meet either two, three, or four times per week, and attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required for co-curricular excursions. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Instruction is supported and augmented online with our learning management system, Canvas. Some courses may be facilitated as a Hybrid course by an instructor from a location that is separate from your own. In a Hybrid course, you will learn either face-to-face or online, depending on your location.
Grading
The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students are graded on the basis of attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Language of Instruction
English and/or Chinese
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Course Notes
- Courses are listed below by block and track; course list subject to change. Courses are in English unless otherwise noted. “GI” denotes courses that are offered at multiple CIEE locations.
- Use the Course Comparison Tools to compare classes offered across all Open Campus Block programs for each block:
- Students studying for three blocks who wish to complete a lab course will be required to opt out of one course to remain within the program credit range.
- Many CIEE courses are available in multiple CIEE locations. To help ensure you are able to enroll in the courses you need, some courses may be facilitated as a Hybrid course by an instructor from a location that is separate from your own. In a Hybrid course, you will learn either face-to-face or online, depending on your location. However, regardless of your location, you will apply what you learn from the instructor and course materials in your location. Hybrid courses can be identified in the course list as those whose course codes end in “CIEE” – open the syllabus to see the instruction location, if known.
Hybrid Courses
Some CIEE courses are offered in hybrid format to make them available at multiple program locations and increase your course choices. A hybrid class is taught synchronously in a classroom in one location, and students in the program at other CIEE locations join live online. All students have the same instructor and meet as one class. Co-curricular activities are tailored to each student’s location to promote local, experiential and intercultural learning for all. The Course Comparison Tool shows the location of instruction for all classes and from what program locations the course can be taken. Hybrid courses can be identified in the course list as those whose course codes end in “CIEE”. Otherwise the courses are offered at the one indicated location only.
Academic Projects
- Each Academic Project (Internship, Service-Learning, and Directed Independent Research) placement will be designed based on the student’s project learning goals, qualifications, resume, and availability of placements. The process is highly individualized and goal oriented. Students enrolled in an Academic Project will receive additional academic support that informs and enhances the placement experience.
- Students applying for an Academic Project are required to submit additional materials during the course selection process.
- To qualify for participation, students must be in the location for at least one block in advance of the Academic Project to prepare for and secure placement. As a result, students participate in an Academic Project in either Block II or III.
Language Classes
- During course selection, students interested in a non-introductory Chinese language course will take a Chinese language assessment to determine their proficiency level. Enrollment will be finalized on site and is based on assessment outcomes.
- Students may add the non-credit “Survival Chinese” course to their course load during the on-site orientation.
Fall 2023 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenBusiness Track
Communications, Journalism, and New Media Track
Global and Community Health Track
Language, Literature, and Culture Track
STEM and Society Track
Business Track
International Relations and Political Science Track
Language, Literature, and Culture Track
Business Track
Global and Community Health Track
Language, Literature, and Culture Track
STEM and Society Track
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.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & 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
- McDermott Health Sciences, Nursing, and Public Health Merit Scholarships
- CIEE Gilman Go Global 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.
In blocks I and II, courses and formal activities end on the last Thursday of the block, and in block III, on the last Friday. Students are free to use the time between blocks as they choose, either remaining in their location or using the time for their own travel pursuits. Students changing locations must check into their new Open Campus center by the first Monday of the block for local orientation, with classes starting on the first Wednesday of each block. In all cases, students are provided with continuous accommodation, and should speak with CIEE staff for more details.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Block I 2023 6 weeks | May 1, 2023 | Aug 14, 2023 | Sep 23, 2023 |
$6,680
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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 = $4,933 Housing = $1,250 Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $6,680Estimated 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 = $375 International Airfare = $1,300 † Local Transportation = $65 Books & Supplies = $10 †† Personal expenses = $150 ††† Other = $15 †††† Total Estimated Costs = $1,915Financial 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 by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. † round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure †† language books and area studies readers are free ††† for laundry, local calls, etc. Personal travels not included. †††† Covid test to enter the US, if required |
| Fall Blocks I, II 2023 12 weeks | May 1, 2023 | Aug 14, 2023 | Nov 4, 2023 |
$13,330
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 = $10,333 Housing = $2,500 Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $13,330Estimated 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 = $750 International Airfare = $1,300 † Local Transportation = $130 Books & Supplies = $20 †† Visa Fees = $150 ††† Personal expenses = $300 †††† Other = $30 ††††† Total Estimated Costs = $2,680Financial 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 by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. † round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure †† language books and area studies readers are free ††† required for students who receive a visa that does not last the duration of two blocks, or students participating in an internship. †††† for laundry, local calls, etc. Personal travels not included. ††††† Covid test to enter the US, if required |
| Fall Blocks I, II, III 2023 18 weeks | May 1, 2023 | Aug 14, 2023 | Dec 16, 2023 |
$19,980
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 = $15,733 Housing = $3,750 Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $19,980Estimated 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 = $1,125 International Airfare = $1,300 † Local Transportation = $195 Books & Supplies = $30 †† Visa Fees = $300 ††† Personal expenses = $450 †††† Other = $45 ††††† Total Estimated Costs = $3,445Financial 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 by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. † round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure †† language books and area studies readers are free ††† required for students who receive a visa that does not last the duration of three blocks, or students participating in an internship. †††† for laundry, local calls, etc. Personal travels not included. ††††† Covid test to enter the US, if required |
| Fall Block II 2023 6 weeks | May 1, 2023 | Sep 25, 2023 | Nov 4, 2023 |
$6,680
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 = $4,933 Housing = $1,250 Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $6,680Estimated 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 = $375 International Airfare = $1,300 † Local Transportation = $65 Books & Supplies = $10 †† Personal expenses = $150 ††† Other = $15 †††† Total Estimated Costs = $1,915Financial 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 by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. † round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure †† language books and area studies readers are free ††† for laundry, local calls, etc. Personal travels not included. †††† Covid test to enter the US, if required |
| Fall Blocks II, III 2023 12 weeks | May 1, 2023 | Sep 25, 2023 | Dec 16, 2023 |
$13,330
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 = $10,333 Housing = $2,500 Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $13,330Estimated 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 = $750 International Airfare = $1,300 † Local Transportation = $130 Books & Supplies = $20 †† Visa Fees = $150 ††† Personal expenses = $300 †††† Other = $30 ††††† Total Estimated Costs = $2,680Financial 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 by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. † round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure †† language books and area studies readers are free ††† required for students who receive a visa that does not last the duration of two blocks, or students participating in an internship. †††† for laundry, local calls, etc. Personal travels not included. ††††† Covid test to enter the US, if required |
| Fall Block III 2023 6 weeks | May 1, 2023 | Nov 6, 2023 | Dec 16, 2023 |
$6,680
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 = $4,933 Housing = $1,250 Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $6,680Estimated 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 = $375 International Airfare = $1,300 † Local Transportation = $65 Books & Supplies = $10 †† Personal expenses = $150 ††† Other = $15 †††† Total Estimated Costs = $1,915Financial 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 by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. † round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure †† language books and area studies readers are free ††† for laundry, local calls, etc. Personal travels not included. †††† Covid test to enter the US, if required |
| Spring Block I 2024 6 weeks | Oct 1, 2023 | Jan 1, 2024* | Feb 11, 2024* | |
| Spring Blocks I, II 2024 11 weeks | Oct 1, 2023 | Jan 1, 2024* | Mar 17, 2024* | |
| Spring Blocks I, II, III 2024 18 weeks | Oct 1, 2023 | Jan 1, 2024* | May 6, 2024* | |
| Spring Block II 2024 5 weeks | Oct 1, 2023 | Feb 12, 2024* | Mar 17, 2024* | |
| Spring Blocks II, III 2024 12 weeks | Oct 1, 2023 | Feb 12, 2024* | May 6, 2024* | |
| Spring Block III 2024 6 weeks | Oct 1, 2023 | Mar 25, 2024* | May 6, 2024* | |
| OC Academic Year 2023-2024 6 weeks | May 1, 2023 | Aug 14, 2023 | TBD |
*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.
d personal expenses. In addition, ask your college or university study abroad advisor if your school charges additional fees for study abroad.
Looking for funding?
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Dr. Steve Chao
Director
Steve is the Director of CIEE Shanghai and is responsible for all aspects of operations, including academic, student services, finance, local partnerships and government relations.
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Dr. Lesley Turnbull
ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
Dr. Turnbull is the Academic Director of CIEE Shanghai and is responsible for all aspects of academics.
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! -
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 Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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