China In A Global Context
Unique Experiences
Begin or Continue Studying Mandarin
with the support of our local Chinese teaching professionals
Explore Beyond Shanghai
with multiple day excursions beyond the city limits
Learn about Chinese Politics and More
with a broad selection of courses taught in English
Your Destination
Shanghai is China’s cosmopolitan city, offering an inspiring environment for students of all disciplines. The city’s unique blend of traditional and modern Chinese culture, iconic architectural landmarks like The Bund and Shanghai Tower, bustling markets, and lively arts scene create an enriching backdrop for studying abroad. Whether you're studying business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Shanghai is the perfect place to study abroad.
Program Highlights
- Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE course 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 activites, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
Excursioins & 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:
- Learn about Chinese foreign policies, political development and social issues through site visits or guest lectures
- 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, classical gardens, and silk industry
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
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
3 Best Cities for Study Abroad in Greater China
If you’re eager to study abroad in Greater China and are looking for more information on some of the best Chinese cities, look no further than this blog post as... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Shanghai offers various housing options, which include homestays and campus residence halls with a Chinese roommate, or campus residence halls with CIEE 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 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 who have not completed one semester of college-level Chinese or are unable to demonstrate equivalent proficiency must take Conversational Chinese to complete the Organizational Internship.
- Students taking a Chinese language course will take an on-site placement exam and be registered in the appropriate language level 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 US$150). 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.
Business Management and Administration
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Education and Training
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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* | Fees & Housing $38,900 |
| Program Spring 2026 15 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $19,950 | |
| Program Fall 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.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $27,937 ** |
| Housing | $10,250 *** |
| Insurance | $194 |
| Visa Fees | $219 |
| Total Fees | $38,900 |
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.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $13,987 ** |
| Housing | $5,250 *** |
| 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 | $325 †††††† |
| Total Costs | $2,645 |
*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 who live in homestays, families provide most meals but you should budget for lunches and some weekend meals. For students who live in dorms, 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.
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
Visa
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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