Culinary Arts & Chinese Culture
A Summer for Fun, Friends, and Your Future
Explore
Have fun discovering Shanghai‘s rich history and culinary traditions.
Network
Meet new friends and chefs. Build your own community.
Get Inspired
Launch your future today! Cook using traditional and modern Chinese culinary techniques. Build confidence as a future chef.
The Destination
Welcome to Shanghai, one of the world’s great food cities.
What began as a small fishing village has grown into China’s largest city, home to nearly 25 million people. For more than 150 years, Shanghai has been one of Asia’s most important centers of trade, welcoming people and ideas from around the world. That history is still visible today in the city’s striking mix of traditional Chinese temples and gardens and grand European architecture. Explore the elegant villas and shikumen (traditional stone-gate townhouses unique to Shanghai) of the former French Concession before wandering the winding paths, koi ponds, and pavilions of the 400-year-old Yu Garden.
Shanghai is also one of China’s great food capitals. It’s the birthplace of Benbang cuisine (Shanghai’s signature cooking style), which highlights a perfect balance of savory and subtly sweet flavors. Sink your teeth into famous local specialties like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and shengjianbao (pan-fried soup buns), then sample all the street snacks and bubble tea you can handle. Sing karaoke with new friends, discover quirky themed cafés, and take in everything the “Paris of the East” has to offer.
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. No matter where you choose to study abroad with CIEE, our staff will be on hand throughout your program to provide advice, resources, and support.
Social feed above may feature posts from all CIEE Study Abroad programs, including college programs.
Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
Overnight Excursion to Yangzhou
Travel to Yangzhou, one of China’s most celebrated culinary cities and the birthplace of Huaiyang cuisine. If Sichuan cuisine is bold and spicy, Huaiyang cuisine is quiet, celebrated for its balance, precision, and elegance. Located along the UNESCO-listed Grand Canal, Yangzhou became a thriving center of trade, culture, and gastronomy.
Huaiyang chefs, known for their precise knife skills, insist that fresh, seasonal ingredients take center stage, while delicate seasonings like broth, rice wine, ginger, scallions, and soy sauce enhance rather than overpower each bite. Experience the city’s beloved morning tea culture, where families gather over steaming dumplings, delicate pastries, fragrant tea, and taste the nourishing soups the region is famous for.
Beyond the table, stroll through Yangzhou’s elegant classical gardens and scenic canals. Comparing Yangzhou’s rich culinary heritage with cosmopolitan Shanghai offers a deeper appreciation for the remarkable diversity, history, and artistry of Chinese cuisine.
Pottery Workshop
Step into one of the world’s oldest artistic traditions during a hands-on pottery workshop. China has been creating ceramics for more than 10,000 years, and its porcelain became so admired around the world that the word “china” is still used to describe fine porcelain today. More than beautiful objects, Chinese ceramics reflect ideas of harmony, balance, patience, and a deep respect for nature. Even small imperfections are often celebrated as reminders of the human hand behind each piece.
Participate in a guided tutorial with your fellow Global Navigators to learn about the ceramic-making process and watch a documentary to gain a deeper understanding of the craft. Enjoy a hands-on experience in throwing and shaping clay into whatever form you design, like a cup, bowl, or vase. Add a colorful overglaze painting to make your piece uniquely yours. You’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind keepsake and a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship that has made Chinese ceramics famous worldwide.
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Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page.
- Please note: China maintains strict regulations regarding medications brought into the country. We encourage student families to consult with their doctor and research whether the student's medications are legal and available in China.
Dietary restrictions will likely reduce a student’s ability to engage in the full content of the program courses.
For more information, refer to our detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us!
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2027 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | ||
| Program Summer Session II 2027 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date |
Ready to change your life?
What's Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
Our Staff
Jia Ma
Center Director
Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.
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