Location
  • China
    • Shanghai
Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
Subject Areas
Anthropology Art History Asian Studies Classical Studies Communications Computer Science Cultural Studies Economics Education Finance Gender Studies History International Business Linguistics Marketing Mathematics Philosophy Service Learning Social Sciences Sociology Statistics Sustainable Development +12
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Dormitory Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Price Details
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE! Our high-quality programs include tuition, housing, on-site airport pick-up, field trips and cultural activities, 24/7 on-site professional staff, and automatic iNext insurance. There are no hidden charges or surprises when you arrive, and scholarships opportunities are available!
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Classes Some Meals Travel Insurance
Jun 06, 2024
Aug 13, 2024
3 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

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

Long known for its history of foreign influence, fashion, and economic prowess, Shanghai strives to become a global financial and shipping hub. In turn, the city has undertaken massive development projects over the past two decades.

Courses are available in English and Chinese.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • CIEE Shanghai is located on the campus of East China Normal University. Known for its Chinese language and literature program, the university hosts more than 26,000 students.
  • sits to sites loaded with history, like Old City God Temple and the Bund.
  • Depending on their program of study and availability, students may be able to participate in an internship or volunteer.
  • Do Shanghai on your own terms by customizing your experience through the Open Campus program. Take one, two, or three six-week blocks, select your academic track from six options, then choose your courses from a wide range of subject areas.

Popular Programs

CIEE College Study Abroad in Shanghai, China

Study abroad in China’s largest city this summer. Join its population of 23 million in urban centers, on elevated light rails, or on the world’s first commercial high-speed Maglev train, and explore every inch of this dynamic city.

CIEE College Study Abroad in Shanghai, China

Explore the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and the French Concession, and gain a new understanding of China’s past and present.Travel to beautiful cities such as:
Hangzhou and Nanjing and gain hands-on cultural experience by learning Chinese cooking, calligraphy, martial arts, or mahjong.

Shanghai Landmark

With CIEE's Open Campus Block Programs, you can design your very own study abroad program to include up to three different locations for 6, 12 or 18 weeks.

Stay in one city the entire time or spend other blocks at our other Open Campus Block locations in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dublin, Kyoto, London, Madrid, Monteverde, Paris, Rome, Shanghai, Singapore, or Sydney.

Program Reviews

4.89 Rating
based on 19 reviews
  • 5 rating 89.47%
  • 4 rating 10.53%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.45
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.6
  • Housing 4.6
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 1 - 8 of 19 reviews
Default avatar
Elizabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Summer in Shanghai

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What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
To future travelers heading to Shanghai or anywhere new, my biggest piece of advice is to fully immerse yourself in the local community and embrace every opportunity to connect with the people around you. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes—whether it’s stumbling over your words in a conversation or navigating a new cultural experience. These moments of vulnerability are often the most rewarding, as they lead to genuine connections and deep learning.

When you step outside of your comfort zone, you'll find that locals are usually more than willing to help, and these interactions can be some of the most memorable parts of your journey. Whether it's chatting with a shopkeeper, joining in a local event, or simply asking for directions, each encounter is a chance to learn and grow. So, be open, be curious, and don't let the fear of making mistakes hold you back. Embracing these experiences will not only improve your language skills but also allow you to build a meaningful community in a foreign place.
Pros
  • Vibrant city life
  • Welcoming community
  • Immersive experiences
Cons
  • Poor air quality
47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Claire
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Abroad > Study

Shanghai is such an amazing city! I loved how international yet historical it is. Traveling in China is so easy and fun! Going to miss the ease of transportation here. The food is also so good! If you get sick of eating Chinese food, there are great American rooftop bars, Mexican restaurants, and French restaurants. Smartshanghai is a great resource for anyone staying in Shanghai, so many recommendations from spas to events to restaurants. If you're a shopper, this is also the place for you! There are tons of shopping malls and the fake market is great (make sure to bargain)!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Most nerve-recking moment was missing a train connection back to Shanghai and it was 12:30am. I was with one other girl from my program and we didn't realize the train connection was at another station in the same city, so we missed our second train. Because buying tickets and traveling is so convenient, we were able to buy new tickets for a train that would leave 1 hour later, thank goodness! We were so confused for a good 30 mins and not sure how we were going to get back. We had class the next day, but we collected ourselves and realized we could search for other trains and thankfully they had one that night! Otherwise, we would have had to find a hotel and leave the next day.
Pros
  • Safe city
  • Easy to travel around and lots to do
  • Food and drinks are amazing
Cons
  • language barrier
48 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Megan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A great experience in China!

I really enjoyed my time in Shanghai, China, on the CIEE: Business, Language, and Culture program. Many of my teachers had impressive business backgrounds and the class material was engaging. I met many close friends from different CIEE programs and really enjoyed the sense of community CIEE created between its students, especially those living in the dorms. Shanghai is a huge city with endless things to do. Plus, no classes on Fridays allowed for longer domestic travel trips on the weekends. I would highly recommend this program!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
1. Make sure to research where you want to do your day and week long CIEE sponsored excursions to find a trip that fits your interests.
2. Less is more when it comes to packing. I only came with one suitcase and then bought another there to come home with and it worked great for me. Almost all toiletries that you can imagine can be found somewhere in Shanghai, you just might have to hunt for specific things.
3. Plan travel to other countries after the CIEE program. China's semester long visas do not allow for multiple entries, so if you want to explore other countries in Asia you will have to plan that accordingly.
154 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Matthew
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sprawling Skyscrapers & Hidden Street Gems: Experience the World's Most Polarizing City

During my study abroad, I'd eat street crawfish for lunch and juicy steak in high-rise buildings for dinner--at the same price. Shanghai's fast modernization has resulted in massive economic wealth and consumption, allowing denizens to live like kings, queens, and jesters all at once. Walking along the street, you'd pass the massive construction of a hundred-story building right after a row of run-down shacks. A local friend of mine commented that the polarization of Shanghai's urban/rural feeling was nothing new--but to me, it seemed the most alluring part of the city. I once ate street snake and frog-on-stick during a food tour, then later that week wandered into a secret hideaway up-scale speakeasy behind a Coca-Cola vending machine. Being able to experience life in all of its many forms is what made my experience truly educational, complimenting my studies of 'China in a Global Context' all the more. If you're looking for adventurous thrills and a thought-provoking representation of modern China, look no further than Shanghai.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
For my Chinese class, we had to produce a music video on our favorite location in the city. I am not a great singer--let alone in another language--nor am I an extrovert amongst strangers. I saw this as an opportunity to embrace my status as 'lao-wai' (foreigner) and push myself out of my comfort zone. Headed by my determination, our group chose our favorite location as the street we lived on--where we'd shopped at local stores, learned how to use the subway, sung late-night karaoke, and ordered all of our dumplings. Filming day was my most nerve-wracking moment. I had written the song (poorly), and directed my teammates to lip-sync in our favorite various spots. When it came to be my turn, the lyrics became a jumbled mess in my head, but I persisted, knowing that even though all the passers-by thought I was an odd lao-wai, at least I was trying to learn. Today, I still remember the lyrics of our song, and it holds a special place for me to remember all of my amazing times along that street. And someone will have to do a lot of convincing before I show them the video.
154 people found this review helpful.
Chris
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Summer in Shanghai with CIEE's ACL Program

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150 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Andrea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CGC Fall Semester

I absolutely loved this program's classes and professors. From discussing about issues in Chinese society to how to communicate effectively in China (considering language and cultural differences), the classes include fieldtrips related to the curriculum. I was able to juggle four liberal arts courses and a Mandarin course while having time to explore, practice chatting with locals, and eating my way through the city.

153 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Andrea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ACL Spring Semester

I highly recommend this program if you want to improve your Mandarin by a 10th fold. The teachers and tutors work one-on-one to provide the best educational lessons everyday catered to the speaking and writing level of the students. You must be really passionate about learning the language and dedicating many hours of reviewing Chinese characters and studying for quizzes etc. In just three months of the program, I went from Beginner II level to finishing Intermediate II.

154 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Andrea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer Session Internship

My experience was unique having participated in the CIEE summer program. Not only was it my first time in China but also my first time taking Mandarin classes! The CIEE curriculum gave the students the essential conversational lessons to live in China alongside working 10-14 hours per week with a Chinese company. In the long term, not only did I add another job experience on my resume, but also I expanded my global mindset, and lived in a foreign country. I highly recommend this program if you wish to see how the metropolitan of Shanghai functions by working and studying.

134 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers