China (CIEE: East China Normal University, Shanghai)
Qualified St. Lawrence University students have the opportunity to spend a semester in Shanghai through the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). The CIEE study center, located at East China Normal University, hosts approximately 100 program participants from US colleges and universities who apply for one of three academic programs. Shanghai– China’s largest city– is a dynamic city, revealing the forces of economic globalization. It is at the leading edge of economic and cultural change in China and, therefore, is the perfect locale from which to observe the interplay of various forces from within China and from the international community. Program excursions take students to Chengdu, North China, and Taiwan.
- Based in Shanghai
- Fall or Spring semester
- Enrollment caps may be limited to less than 15 per semester based on space limitations.
- Pre-requisites: 3.0 GPA; an Asian Studies OR Chinese language course, OR a course with significant Asian related content.
- Must take Chinese language at the appropriate level.
- Live with homestay families
Apply to Study in Shanghai
Location Academics Co-Curricular Housing Calendar Orientation Program Contacts
Location
Shanghai -- China's largest city -- is a dynamic city, revealing the forces of economic globalization. It is at the leading edge of economic and cultural change in China and, therefore, is the perfect locale from which to observe the interplay of various forces from within China and from the international community. The modernization and economic development which China has been experiencing can easily be witnessed in this vibrant and cosmopolitan city although those in search of old Shanghai can still find remnants of its magnificent past.
The East China Normal University was established in 1951. The University, with over 16,000 students and about 1,000 international students, is located on the banks of the Liwa River northwest of the city. Known as the "Garden University", students have access to campus facilities including a library, playing fields, basketball courts, recreation center, small shops, and restaurants.
Academics
Students participate in one of the following three programs. Students are required to take 15 credits hours in total. Students take the required Chinese language course, and 2 to 3 electives depending on their track. You can learn more about each program by clicking on the links to the program's page below:
· Business, Language and Culture
· Accelerated Chinese Language
Please see some of the China courses and their corresponding major at St. Lawrence University. All courses taken in the China program can count towards a Chinese Studies minor. After you return to the campus and take another two Chinese language courses, then you will receive a Chinese Studies minor.
We encourage our students to take the internship course in Shanghai. INSH 3003 SACS Organizational Internship can be counted toward Chinese Studies minor.
For detailed course syllabi, see the CIEE website.
CIEE Course:
CHIN3002 SACS Accelerated Advanced I
Equivalent SLU Course:
CHIN 201
CIEE Course:
CHIN3004 SACS Accelerated Advanced II
Equivalent SLU Course:
CHIN 202
CIEE Course:
BUSI3001 Changing Nature of Business in China
Equivalent SLU Course:
ECON 261
CIEE Course:
BUSI3002/ECON3001 China's Macroeconomic Impact
Equivalent SLU Course:
ECON 263
CIEE Course:
BUSI3004 International Business Law
Equivalent SLU Course:
ASIA 247
CIEE Course:
EAST3006/POLI3001 Political Development in Modern China
Equivalent SLU Course:
GS 232
CIEE Course:
EAST3003/HIST3001 Modern Chinese History
Equivalent SLU Course:
HIS 292 DIV
CIEE Course:
EAST 3004/INRE3001 China's International Relations
Equivalent SLU Course:
GOVT364
CIEE Course:
EAST3201/CINE3201 Chinese Film and Society
Equivalent SLU Course:
FILM 247
CIEE Course:
EAST3002/ECON3002 Chinese Economic Reforms
Equivalent SLU Course:
ECON 262
CIEE Course:
EAST3005/SOIC3001 Issues in Chinese Society
Equivalent SLU Course:
SOC 283
CIEE Course:
EAST4021/INRE4021 Global Issues in China
Equivalent SLU Course:
GS 252
CIEE Course:
CHIN1001 Chinese Beginning I
Equivalent SLU Course:
CHIN 101
CIEE Course:
CHIN 1003 Chinese Beginning II
Equivalent SLU Course:
CHIN 102
Co-curricular
The language courses are designed to help students practice and interact in Chinese with their homestay families and during site visits on the program. Field trips and lectures are integrated into the academic curriculum to provide a deeper understanding of what is learned in the classroom. Complementing the classroom work is a series of visits to Chinese companies and factories, government agencies, museums, temples, and other sites.
CIEE encourages students to get immersed in Chinese culture and to enrich their experience in Shanghai by:
• reimbursing students for their participation in local cultural activities,
• offering peer language tutors
• offering volunteer opportunities
• organizing an optional language clinic for students who need additional help
• planning monthly group meals with Chinese speakers
Students have a mid-semester break during which they may travel around China.
Housing
SLU students stay with Chinese host families, close to the office building which houses the CIEE program and within a 5 - 10 minute bike ride from the East China Normal University campus where they take their language classes. Living with a Chinese family, taking part in its daily routines, festive moments, and family concerns give students a unique and enriching insight into Chinese culture that they could not get otherwise. In the event that there are not enough host families to accommodate SLU students, CIEE will make other arrangements.
Students have their own room in the family's apartment and share the living room, kitchen, and bathroom with the host family. Students eat week-day breakfasts and evening meals with their families. They receive a partial board rebate to cover the cost of lunches and weekend meals.
Calendar
Please see the CIEE website to view the Program Calendar. The spring semester typically begins in mid-February and ends at the beginning of June. The fall semester typically begins in late August and ends in mid-December.
Orientation
Pre-departure: The CIIS office organizes in-depth orientation sessions on-campus prior to the student's participation in the program. This includes a program specific session(s) in which the students will learn more about the program, local culture, academic expectations, and any other important information. There is also an orientation session led by the CIIS office on culture shock, pre-departure preparation, as well as safety and security while abroad.
Program Contacts
If you are interested in learning more about the China program please contact one of the following people.
CIIS Office: Dr. Yanqiu Zheng, Associate Director of Asia and Pacific Programs - Questions about eligibility, program logistics, and other off-campus opportunities.
Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Zhenjun Zhang - Questions about program academics.