Written by Paola Sigüenza (George Washington University), Student Correspondent for CET Shanghai, Fall 2025
Today I want to talk about a topic that most students don’t get excited about: academics. But trust me, at CET Shanghai, academics aren’t what you’d expect. They’re hands-on, academically challenging, and—dare I say—actually fun! At CET Shanghai, all students take 15 credits: one Chinese language class and three electives. With small class sizes, discussions flow easily both with peers and professors, very different from the 200-person lectures I’m used to back at my home university.
Chinese Language: Beyond the Textbook
A defining feature of the program is that everyone takes a Chinese class: whether you’re a complete beginner or already advanced. That shared commitment creates an encouraging environment where I sometimes find myself speaking Chinese even with my US American friends.
We also have Chinese Table, a biweekly lunch after our exams where the only rule is speak only Chinese. Our lunches not only include great food but sometimes also karaoke sessions, dumpling-making workshops, and even themed events with our professors. My teacher, Li Laoshi, is not just a great language instructor but also a DJ in her free time and our unofficial music mixer at CET events. Singing I Want It That Way in Chinese alongside Super Idol made for a memorable time.
In class, we often take our learning outside the classroom. One highlight was a field trip to McDonald’s where we filmed influencer-style food review videos. It felt silly at first, but it gave me the confidence to argue why Chinese McDonald’s is actually better than the one back home.
Internships: Learning in the Real World
One of the most valuable parts of CET is the internship program, which offers the chance to gain professional experience in China. I chose this option because I wanted to explore potential career paths while deepening my understanding of China–Latin America relations. I’m interning at ZNShine Solar, a multinational solar panel manufacturer. My work includes data analysis of the company’s LinkedIn account and, my favorite part, writing reports on the solar industries of Latin American countries.
The internship is not only aligned with my academic goals, but it also gives me insight into workplace culture in China. For example, I’ve noticed that hierarchy is much more visible here compared to U.S. companies. Small talk is less common too, I have to actively approach coworkers to start conversations. But once I do, they’re always warm and willing to share. I only go to the office twice a week, sometimes even meeting at coffee shops with my boss and team, but the experience has already given me a deep look into a niche industry that I might want to pursue after graduation.
Field Trips and Guest Lectures
CET academics don’t stop at lectures—they’re packed with field trips and guest speakers that bring lessons to life.
- Friends in the Chinese Food, Culture, and Identity class visited a Buddhist temple and learned about traditional vegetarian food, which enabled them to notice how certain dishes affect body temperature.
- In my Internship class, we toured the Shanghai History Museum, where we explored how the city’s port and entrepreneurial spirit shaped its culture and economy. We even spotted century-old restaurant signs and made note to go back and eat there later.
- In Chinese Economics, a guest lecturer from the video game music industry explained how the market grew from non-existent to multi-billion, blending Chinese technology with global trends. He even showed us how to make music using different apps and AI, which was super fun.
These experiences are not just “extras”, they’re woven into the academic program and make learning feel authentic.
Balancing Schoolwork with Life Abroad
Of course, study abroad isn’t just fun and games. CET Shanghai is academically rigorous, and balancing coursework with life in Shanghai requires organization. I came here knowing how to speak Chinese, but not knowing how to write Chinese characters, so I spend extra hours every week practicing. Luckily, Shanghai is full of cozy cafés and libraries where I can have a happy study session (coffee here is often only about $1!).
My routine twice a week is usually: go to my internship, stop at a café to study, explore a new dinner spot, then head home early to review again in the morning. That said, sometimes it’s worth putting books aside. For example, our CET director told us that one day some CET students were invited to be extras in a Chinese movie: they spent the day at a film studio in costumes and then went back to class the next morning. Opportunities like these are once-in-a-lifetime, and part of what makes study abroad so special.
Final Thoughts
Academics at CET Shanghai are not about sitting in a lecture hall and taking notes. They’re about learning by doing—whether that means filming a food review in Chinese, interning at a solar company, or visiting a Buddhist temple. It’s challenging at times, but the balance of structured coursework and experiential learning makes every day here exciting. And more importantly, it prepares us not just as students, but as young professionals and global citizens.