CET Shanghai: At-A-Glance

Diverse English-taught electives

Unmatched internship opportunities

Chinese language courses for every level

Live with a Chinese student

Out-of-class learning and assignments

Traveling Seminar to another city

Fall

SPRING

Fall

SPring

Dive deeper into your China studies with an engaging semester in Shanghai. Take on English-taught electives that help you understand China and explore the city around you—including an option to try out a career abroad with a custom internship placement. And to top it off, Chinese language classes and a local roommate help you make the most of your time in this globalized city where East meets West.

Academics in Shanghai

Semester
Snapshot

Pre-requisites: None
Diverse English-taught electives
Chinese language courses for every level
Internship elective
Out-of-class learning and assignments
Host University: Donghua University

Curriculum & Syllabi

You combine three 3-credit electives with one 6-credit Chinese language course to meet a total of 15 recommended credits.

Electives

You take three of these 3-credit, English-taught courses:

Note: Because elective courses are based on total program enrollment and faculty availability, not every elective is offered every term.

Chinese Language

You are placed into one of these 6-credit comprehensive language courses:

Understand China from all sides

Electives in English. Get a 360° view of China with electives that embrace field-based learning and match the academic rigor of your home university. Fulfill your major or minor requirements, or try something entirely new—the choice is yours.

Advance your Chinese. Small class sizes, weekly one-on-ones, and passionate instructors help you establish or grow your Chinese language skills, while language practica get you using your Chinese beyond the classroom where it really counts.

Intern in Shanghai. If you enroll in the internship elective, we take your interests, background, and language abilities and match them with the needs of an organization in Shanghai. You learn to navigate an international workplace with professionalism and take ownership of your own experiences.

Traveling Seminar: Learning on the road

Take learning on the road as you spend four days exploring another side of China. Join your peers, teachers, and staff as you travel to a new city and province. Explore the local past and present with guest lectures and site visits, and take on practical Chinese language assignments. And of course there’s time to appreciate the history, culture, and cuisine of another region of China.

Learn more about

Housing and Meals

Dormitory
On-campus housing
Live with a local roommate
2 people/room
En suite bathroom, communal kitchen and study space, paid washer access
Wired and wireless internet access, mini fridge, A/C, linens, basic furnishing, TV

Living Like a Local

Local Roommates. Your roommate is a CET-selected student from our host institution, Donghua University. Want to learn where to get the best shengjianbao (fried breakfast buns)? Where to study off campus? Sharing a room with a local student gives you instant insider’s access to the city. But more importantly, it gives you someone to share the city with. Learn more about living with a local roommate.

Eating in Shanghai. For meals, do as the local students do and eat at the budget-friendly campus cafeterias, try nearby food stalls, or find your favorite neighborhood restaurant. Feel like staying in for the night? Learn the art of ordering waimai (takeout delivery) from practically any restaurant in the area. Learn more about accommodating your dietary needs in Shanghai.

Learn more about Summer in Shanghai

Life in Shanghai

Enjoy the perks of living in a city that is both cosmopolitan and culturally rich—plenty of modern amenities, diverse communities and cuisines, and excellent public transport for easy exploring. Stumble upon a street festival on an afternoon walk. Try out a new dinner spot with colleagues after a day of interning, then meet up with friends for a night of karaoke. Find your favorite café in the former French Concession and stroll the tree-lined streets. Grab a bikeshare and explore a new-to-you neighborhood. And on the weekends, board a high-speed train to experience even more of what China has to offer.

Experience Shanghai with CET

Around the City. Each term, the program offers different extra-curricular activities that allow you to explore the city and Chinese culture. Go on an urban trek with your resident director and classmates. Take a food tour of dumpling shops. Attend the weekly Chinese Table and try a new restaurant as you speak only Chinese with your peers and teachers. See contemporary art at the MoCA Shanghai. And there’s even more to see on your own.

Student Resources

"The Chinese Table is not just for eating well. It is, in my opinion, the most useful immersion experience of the whole program. Not only is it a mini version of a language pledge that’s not as scary and not as permanent, but also they immediately introduce you to all of the local cuisine just a week after you land."

—Jae Will
University of Richmond | Fall student

READ JAE'S BLOG

"Coming to China, my main goal was to learn Chinese. However, I think being in China, living with a Chinese roommate who has very limited English, and just meeting new people and ideas, has cultivated a new sense of confidence in my Chinese skills that I wouldn’t have gotten in the United States. I was put in situations where I was flustered, excited, etc., and being able to use the knowledge of the Chinese language I do have is an opportunity beyond the classroom."

— Hailey Lipman
Wake Forest University | Fall student

"One of the stand out qualities of this program was the opportunity I had to engage in an internship with The Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. There, I had the privilege and honor to work under the mentorship of international studies scholars Professor Li, Professor He, Professor Tu, and other academics. Alongside my fellow intern, I conducted research projects for the academy on Chinese foreign policy, Trade War economics and perceptions of the Belt and Road Initiative abroad."

— Owen O'Malley
American University | Spring student

"This study abroad experience matured my previous knowledge about China and East Asia. The incredible teachers and courses offered here synthesized all of my surroundings into significant learning experiences. My Chinese roommate complimented these lessons, whether through homework interviews, conversations at lunch, or late-night TV binging in our dorm. I leave simultaneously satisfied with my studies and eager for the next opportunity to return!"

— Maddy Ryan
University of Mississippi | Fall student

"My personal favorite part of our Xi’an trip was when we had the opportunity to bike along the city wall. Although most students opted to use single-rider bikes, a group of us decided it would be funny to ride tandem bikes. At first, it was a bit jarring. Thankfully, I was one of the riders sitting in the back, which meant there was less pressure on me to steer! We biked for about two hours."

—Natalie Chen
Washington University in St. Louis | Spring student

READ NATALIE'S BLOG

"Every day I am given opportunities to push my limits, try new things, and step outside my comfort zone. I experience the most self growth when challenged. Therefore, being in Shanghai (especially at my internship) is helping me to become a more mature, self sufficient, and confident person."

— Hannah Wevodau,
Gettysburg College | Spring student

Explore more resources:

On-the-ground support

Navigating a new city, country, and culture is a big challenge worth taking—and we’re here to help you along on this adventure. Our on-site team is bilingual, provides round-the-clock support, and is passionate about sharing their love of Shanghai (and China!) with you.

Program Fees

Fall/Spring

$19,490

What's Included

Tuition

All of your classes and program-related learning are included with your tuition.

Housing

We arrange for you to live in a shared apartment with a local roommate. Your program fees go toward rent, furnishing, and other management costs.

Internship Placement & Support

We help you land the internship, make sure you’re prepared for your job, and then stay in close touch with your host organization… all semester long.

Staff Support

From pre-departure to orientation, from on site to re-entry, CET provides you with the support you need every step of the way.

Insurance

You’re provided with a comprehensive insurance plan through GeoBlue that even includes medical evacuation coverage.

Activities & Excursions

The activities and excursions that we arrange are included in your program fee. All you need to do is remember to bring your camera!

Visa Fees & Support

We guide you step-by-step through the visa process. You’ll need to do the legwork, but we pay the consular fees if you obtain your visa through the service we recommend.

Course Materials

Your textbooks and course supplies are covered and waiting for you on site.

Transcript

You’ll receive an official transcript jointly issued by CET and Donghua University. If your home institution requires a School of Record transcript, CET is able to provide one through the University of Minnesota.

More on finances

Program Fee Breakdown. Of the total program fee, $16,090 goes to tuition and fees, and $3,400 goes to housing and other student life fees.

Local Cost of Living. While Shanghai’s cost of living is on par with most major US cities, things like meals and transit are cheaper. However, western comforts (restaurants, coffee, etc.) cost about the same or more than they do in the US.

Estimated out-of-pocket expenses:

additional resources

How to Apply

Eligibility

• Pre-requisites: None. Open to students of any Chinese level, including absolute beginners
•  Must be 18 or older at the time of program participation
•  Open to students from any US college or university
• For visa reasons, students participating in an internship must have proof of university enrollment for the duration of the program
•  GPA: 3.0 or higher is recommended, students with lower GPAs will be asked for a faculty recommendation to supplement their application

Online Application Form

This is a brief form that asks for basic information and has a few short answer questions about why you want to study abroad.

Passport Information

Upload a scan of your passport to your CET Compass account. This should be a single scan that includes the signed signature page and the photo/personal details page. Don’t have a passport yet? Let us know and we can help advise you.

Language Level Recommendation

This is an online form that your current or most recent language instructor completes to help us get an idea of your language level. Use the link in your CET Compass account to send the recommendation request.

Study Abroad Office Recommendation

This is an online form that your study abroad office completes to let us know you meet the requirements to study abroad. To send the electronic form request, simply enter the name and email address of your study abroad advisor in the designated fields of your CET Compass account.

Official Transcript

Your CET Compass account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.

Application
Deadlines

Fall Semester:

May 1

Spring Semester:

November 1

Have a question? Get in touch!

Lucy Gough

Student Services Coordinator
202.349.7322
[email protected]

Price Subject to Change:

CET reserves the right to increase quoted charges at any time without prior notification, based on increased instruction costs, exchange rate fluctuation or other cost increases beyond CET’s control.

Our goal is to offer every course every term, but sometimes factors like faculty availability, student course rankings, and program enrollment keep us from reaching that goal. If you’re concerned about needing to enroll in one particular course, please contact us!

CET Shanghai: At-A-Glance

Fall

SPRING

Fall

SPring