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Program Highlights for Shanghai, China

The city

Language spoken:
Chinese

Currency:
China Yuan Renminbi (RMB, ¥)

Climate:
Subtropical

City type:
Metropolis (Population >500,000)

Passport & Visa requirements

The program

Program type:
Specialty

Host university:
Shanghai Normal University

Language of instruction:
English, Chinese

Terms offered:
Spring, Summer, Fall, Yearlong

Program capacity:
50 students

Credit type:
U.S. semester credit

Deadline to apply

Summer 2025:
Session 1 or 1&2: March 15
Session 2: April 15

Fall or Yearlong 2025-26:
May 15

Spring 2026:
October 15

Eligibility:
Minimum GPA: 2.5

Scholarships and Financial Aid:
Deadlines vary

  • Choose from multiple levels of Mandarin Chinese—an increasingly important language in today’s global society.
  • Explore the city’s sophistication, fine arts, spectacular museums, culinary fusion, and world-class entertainment.
  • Gain international business experience—300 of the world’s Fortune 500 companies have a major presence.
  • Enjoy overnight trips to the beautiful Yangtze River Delta—picturesque Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Suzhou—and the beautiful water village of Xitang.
  • The USAC Resident Director and staff are present on-site full-time to welcome and support you during your term abroad.

Why Study In Shanghai?

A student on a bamboo raft in Shanghai, China.

Students exploring downtown in Shanghai, China.The Shanghai program is ideal for students who are interested in studying the economic and business environment of China and East Asia. Once a sleepy fishing town, Shanghai is now the hallmark of China’s booming economy. It is the perfect place for you to learn about the business environment of East Asia and study Chinese language. Mandarin is the official/standard dialect used in China, and Shanghai is a great place to practice it outside of class. While learning Chinese language and business logistics during the week, you will be able to take in dozens of art exhibitions, sport competitions, movies, museums, musical events, nightclubs, and more.

The Shanghai program offers an intensive language approach that allows you to complete up to one year of university foreign language coursework in only one semester. You may combine courses from the following subject areas: International Business and Intensive Chinese Language. These subject areas are not exclusive of one another so you may combine courses for up to a total of 18 credits. You may choose to study for one or two summer sessions, one semester or a full year.

However, the academic courses are only a part of the value of the program. Participation in field trips, campus activities, and experiencing residential student life on campus also form an integral part of the program.

"…the world has changed in a very profound way. What has changed in the world is China: suddenly we have 1.3 billion people that have incorporated themselves into the world economy… and that is making the world change completely." —Jesús Fernández-Villaverde Professor of Economics, University of Pennsylvania

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