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Shanghai Summer - Internship
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
While working in Shanghai, you’ll enroll in a required 3- or 6-credit academic internship seminar with other IES interns, where you’ll gain context for your internship placement by examining cultural issues in the workplace. Topics covered include:
- Understanding business culture
- Improving communication in the workplace
- Strengthening work attitude and aptitude
- Resolving conflicts
- Navigating issues, challenges, and opportunities so you can succeed on the job in Shanghai and when you return home
Upon arrival, you will spend two weeks at a local university taking a required Mandarin language or Chinese Studies crash course that does not carry credit. Optional 3-credit Chinese language courses at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels will be offered.
Courses
This is a list of planned course offerings. A final list of course offerings will be made available to you in your MyIESabroad account.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN 395 - Leading Across Cultures: Internship Seminar | Summer | English | 3 |
| IN 395 - Leading Across Cultures: Internship Seminar | Summer | English | 6 |
Field Trips & Events
You can participate in field trips and extracurricular activities in and around Shanghai as well as cultural events at the IES Abroad Shanghai Center. Potential trip destinations include:
Tongli
1 DAY
Explore the town often referred to as “Chinese Venice,” where 15 small, criss-crossing river lanes are spanned by nearly 50 bridges. These bridges are regarded as sacred architecture by the local people.
Huangshan or Taishan
3 DAYS
In a weekend field trip to the Chinese countryside, you will visit either Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) or Taishan - both UNESCO World Heritage Sites that have inspired many of China’s greatest painters. Spend time exploring the stunning landscapes and mountain ranges, while learning about the region’s impact on Chinese civilization.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Shanghai is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or networking and social event with Chinese professionals, we’re all about our student services.
Orientation
The staff at our Shanghai Center will welcome you for orientation. This includes an introduction to the city and program, including housing, commuting, and professional and cultural expectations. The Shanghai Center is your central place for instruction, support, and meeting other interns.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Shanghai, it will feel like home.
Homestays – Live in a home with a local Chinese family. Breakfast and dinner are provided twice a day, five days a week.
Apartments - Live in an apartment with other IES interns at the modern New Harbour Service Apartments (where the IES Abroad Shanghai Center is located).
The standard, fully furnished apartment has two or three bedrooms with one or two bathrooms and one kitchen. You may share a double bedroom with another IES interns or have a single room.
This option does not include a meal plan, but you can cook for yourself or dine at nearby restaurants.
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Shanghai, it will feel like home.
Get to Know Your New City
Enjoy Local Festivals
Immerse yourself in Chinese customs and traditions at the Lantern Festival in the spring semester or the Shanghai Tourism Festival in the fall.
Eat & Shop in Xintiandi
Explore Xintiandi’s North and South Blocks, where the past meets present in this chic shopping and dining district.
Go on a Huangpu River Night Cruise
Take a boat ride around the Bund to see the beauty of Shanghai architecture in all its glory!
Visit Yuyuan Garden & City God Temple Bazaar
See the extensive Chinese garden with its classic architecture, beautiful sculptures and carvings, then walk the photogenic Nine-Bend Bridge that connects the two to shop and dine at the Bazaar.
Visit Shanghai Disneyland
It is a small world after all! Plan a trip to the famous Disney theme park, filled with attractions you know and love, and new ones, too.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Scholarships & Aid
Program-Specific Scholarships
Summer Need-Based Financial Aid
Open to students who apply to and attend an IES Abroad or IES Internships summer program.
Criteria reviewed to determine award:
- Level of financial need as determined from infromation provided on the application. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.
- IES Abroad program location.
- IES Abroad membership status of home campus
Summer Social Impact Internship Scholarship
The Summer Social Impact Internship Scholarship was initiated by the Hemera Foundation, whose mission is to foster basic human goodness in individuals and society. This Scholarship, which will be sustained through a foundation collaborative, aims to inspire students to make a social impact through summer internships within philanthropic or direct service/social service organizations.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
While in Shanghai, we want to ensure that you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That's why our IES Abroad Shanghai Center is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Shanghai experience.
The Shanghai Center is located in New Harbor Service Apartments - the same building as the Economy, Business & Society student apartments - in the heart of central Shanghai. You can easily access all parts of the city from the Center, via Shanghai's extensive subway and bus system.
Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad:
- Meet up with friends and relax between classes in the lounge area
- Work on projects or homework in the library and study space
- Enjoy your orientation sessions or a class in the Center's classroom (all other Economy, Business, and Society courses will be on SJTU's campus).
- Meet with staff in their offices to ask questions, discuss academics, or just say hello!
Other features include: WiFi and printing facilities
Our Staff
Qinbo "James" Gao
Center Director
Director/CoordinatorQinbo "James" Gao has been involved in international education for many years. Prior to joining IES Abroad Shanghai as the Center Director, he was the Director of the International Affairs Office (IAO) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU)-Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF). He joined SAIF in 2009 as a founding member for the institution, which is a collaboration between the Shanghai Municipal Government (SMG) and SJTU.
Before joining SAIF, James worked at the Chinese Europe International Business School (CEIBS) as Accreditations & International Programs Manager. He started his career as an English lecturer at Tongji University, where he received “Junior Teacher Awards” in 1998 and 1999, based upon student voting and academic reviews.
James received his bachelor’s degree from the International Studies University in Xi’an, and his M.A. in Tourism Administration from The George Washington University School of Business. He is a candidate for the Doctorate of Education at the University of Nottingham (China Campus), focusing on practical research in higher education.
IES Abroad Shanghai Staff
Lihong Yang
Assistant Director
Yun Ge
Program Assistant
Shuo Han
Academic and Chinese Language Coordinator
Jiaxin Qui
Internship and Student Affairs Manager
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this spring—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
Spring 2021 Refund Policy
A core philosophy of our health & safety procedures is that we plan for the what ifs so that you don't have to. That includes the development of our refund policy for Spring 2021, which allows you to still plan to study abroad or intern, knowing that if for some reason you cannot participate, your program fees and Confirmation Deposit will be fully refunded up to two weeks before the start of your program.
Don't put your dreams on hold just because the world is unknown.
AT A GLANCE
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