Quarter in Shanghai
Unique Experiences
Discover Shanghai’s east-meets-west character
by exploring its historic lanes, futuristic skyline, and the vibrant mix of cultures that makes the city one of a kind
Get hands-on cultural experience
by learning Chinese cooking, dancing, calligraphy, martial arts, music, or mahjong
Travel to beautiful cities
or places such as Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town, Songjiang District of Shanghai, or other parts of China
Your Destination
Shanghai is China’s dynamic megacity where ancient tradition meets cutting-edge modernity. From the futuristic skyline of Lujiazui and the historic Bund to buzzing street markets, world-class museums, and a fast-growing tech and business scene, the city offers endless opportunities for discovery. Whether you spend your quarter studying business, science, technology, communications, liberal arts, psychology, or the fine arts, Shanghai is the perfect place to study abroad.
Program Highlights
- Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses and online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU, that align with your academic major.
- Optional Internship Placements: Enhance your program with an optional for-credit internship that aligns with your career aspirations.
- Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
- Academic Projects: Enroll in an optional for-credit independent research project or service-learning project for increased professional development opportunities.
Excursions & Activities
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Shanghai will open doors for you to explore China’s rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.
Samples of past excursions and activities:
- Take a Huangpu river cruise and enjoy Shanghai’s skyline from the water while learning about the city’s history and modern development
- Visit Chongming island wetlands to observe sustainable development and environmental conservation in action
- Travel to beautiful cities or places such as Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town, Songjiang District of Shanghai, or other parts of China
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Program Blogs
Eat, Drink, Explore: Shanghai
BEST FOOD TO EAT IN SHANGHAI While in Shanghai, do yourself a favor and enjoy one of the city’s most popular plates: xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). These delicate steamed buns typically... keep reading
Chinese New Year: The Ultimate Guide
Red envelopes, firecrackers, and a feast that puts your college meal plan to shame – Chinese New Year is the celebration of the year, and you don’t want to miss... keep reading
Top 10 Chinese Slang Words & Phrases You Must Know
Think you’re fluent in Mandarin just because you’ve mastered “ni hao” and “xie xie”? Not so fast! To truly impress your new friends in Great China, you’ll need more than... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Meals
CIEE Shanghai offers students housing in campus residence halls with a CIEE roommate. Campus residence halls are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to CIEE Shanghai (a 10-minute walk).
Standard Housing: Includes a double room at the residence hall on campus, which boasts 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
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 Shanghai: Study on the campus of East China Normal University (ECNU), CIEE's esteemed partner institution, CIEE Shanghai features a library, a student life office, and an academic advising office. Students are encouraged to use ECNU's library and outdoor facilities as needed.
Arizona State University (ASU): Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar.
Course Information
Course Notes:
- Students interested in a non-introductory course in the host language must take an online placement test during course selection. Final placement will be confirmed on site.
Academic Projects
- Academic Projects will be offered onsite or remotely, dependent on availability and in compliance with local health and safety regulations.
- Academic Project placement will be designed based on the student’s project learning goals, qualifications, resume, and availability of placements in location or within the Open Campus Block network either in-person or remotely. 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 must submit additional materials during the course selection process.
To explore courses offered during the Fall 2026 quarter, please review the Shanghai Open Campus program’s Fall Block II & III course list
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.
Business Management and Administration
Study international business practices, multicultural leadership, and global market dynamics in Scotland, China, and more.
Education and Training
Experience international teaching methodologies and curriculum development in classrooms around Jordan, Spain, and more.
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:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- Trailblazer 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 Quarter 2026 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $11,000 |
*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 | $6,506 ** |
| Housing | $4,000 *** |
| Insurance | $194 |
| Total Fees | $11,000 |
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 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 | $1,320 † |
| International Airfare | $1,300 †† |
| Local Transportation | $150 |
| Books & Supplies | $20 ††† |
| Visa Fees | $185 †††† |
| Personal expenses | $280 ††††† |
| Total Costs | $3,255 |
*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 groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††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
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 Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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