Shanghai Summer - Internship

This program is temporarily suspended for Summer 2021. Explore our other study abroad programs for 2021, as well as details on our health & safety protocols, travel guidelines, refund policy, and more.

Summer 2021

As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to cautiously assess how we can deliver safe, quality programming this summer.

While some of the details of this program may need to shift for Summer 2021—such as housing and field trips, based on changing travel/quarantine regulations—you can rest assured knowing that the essence of this program will stay the same, including the academic focus and the opportunity to learn both inside and outside the classroom.

As always, every decision we make for this term will be guided by our Students First philosophy, which puts you, your well-being, and your academic and personal growth at the forefront. Our advice? Give yourself the chance to study abroad this summer by submitting an application, and know that we’re planning for all of the what if’s so you can have a safe, healthy, and study abroad-filled summer. We and our refund policy have your back.

Why Shanghai?

Intern in the financial hub and largest city of China—Shanghai. This thoroughly modern city, nicknamed “the Paris of the East”, features a heavy influence from Western business, culture, and architecture. As an IES intern in Shanghai, you’ll be fully immersed in the multicultural life of this metropolis. Imagine heading to work by ferry, subway, bus, or foot. Then later enjoying lunch from any one of the 23 Chinese provinces or cuisine from more than 20 countries.

Your Internship

An IES Internship in Shanghai develops your professional skills, your ability to communicate across cultures, and provides substantive work experience to jump-start your career in today’s competitive job market.

You’ll be guaranteed an unpaid placement at a local business or organization, where you’ll work for at least 32 hours a week. We will work with you to find the closest placement match between your professional and personal goals with what’s available in Shanghai.

Before you depart, we work with you to fine-tune your résumé, perfect your cover letter, and hone your communication and interview skills as we prepare you for working in a new cultural environment.

Upon arrival you will spend two weeks taking a Mandarin language crash course before going to your six-week internship site. Optional 3-credit Chinese language courses at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels will be offered for the duration of the program.

PLACEMENT EXAMPLES: Past students have interned in placements like the examples listed below. Keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive. We encourage students of all majors to apply.

Consulting services company that works with companies across China
Accounting and business firm serving businesses in Mainland China and Europe
NGO advocating for nature conservation in China
Student travel and tourism company
Language-education startup developing and piloting a Chinese language-learning mobile application
Professional commercial production company
Financial technology company providing personal credit services, using machine learning and Big Data to improve efficiency
After-school arts program offering a variety of educational courses for students of all ages
Financial technology group using specialized knowledge to bridge the gap between investors and developers
International NGO dedicated to saving sight worldwide

Don’t see what you're looking for? Just talk to your IES Internships Representative—new internships are always being added!

"What I loved most about this experience was the mix of professional working experience, learning of culture and Mandarin, and travelling with friends. Learning how to code in an environment with a language barrier was definitely a challenge, but it taught me a great lesson of resilience and encouraged me to pursue [my school's] Operations and Information Management Certificate."

- Hannah P. (IES Internships Shanghai | University of Colorado Boulder - Leeds School of Business)

Daily Life

Make Shanghai your home away from home with by living with local residents in a homestay or with other IES interns in a serviced apartment.

Spend your free time getting to know Shanghai and China through IES Abroad-organized cultural events and trips, including a day trip to Tongli, known as the “Chinese Venice”, and weekend trip to the Chinese countryside—either Huanshan (Yellow Mountain) or Taishan—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad Program. This is why we commit more than $6 million to our scholarship and aid programs.

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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.

Internship Seminar
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
IN 395 - Leading Across Cultures: Internship Seminar	Summer	English	6
IN 395 - Leading Across Cultures: Internship Seminar	Summer	English	3

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

Your program begins at home with our virtual orientation to help you prepare for your IES Abroad experience. Orientation continues once you arrive abroad and introduces you to the IES Abroad Shanghai staff, your fellow interns, and the city of Shanghai. Orientation will also include information sessions on professional and cultural expectations and commuting.

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.

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.

Term: Summer 2021
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Summer 2021 3 Credits	$4,545	$1,250	$135	$5,930
Summer 2021 6 Credits	$4,755	$1,250	$135	$6,140

Scholarships & Aid

Featured Scholarships

Summer Need-Based Financial Aid

Up to $1,000

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

Up to 100% of room and board costs based on financial need + $1000 travel grant

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

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

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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 currently located in New Harbor Service 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.
* The Shanghai Center location is subject to change in future terms. For the Fall 2021 semester, the center will be functioning out of the Donghua University Yan'an Road Campus, for added convenience.

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/Coordinator

Qinbo "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

Han Shuo

Academic and Chinese Language Coordinator

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 year—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.

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student in denim jacket looking over shoulder and smiling

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!

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