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Immerse into Mandarin language in amazing Shanghai. Courses combine cultural activities and contact with native speakers, transforming the city of Shanghai into a living classroom. Students from beginning to advanced Chinese language levels will spend their time acquiring Chinese language skills to put into practice in their daily lives while living in China’s biggest city. Courses meet daily and include a focus on listening comprehension, grammar, reading and writing Chinese characters.
Founded in the mid-1900s, East China Normal University is one of China’s most prestigious educational institutions. Known for a focus on internationalization, ECNU’s 30,000-strong student body hosts more than 3,500 students from around the world, creating a diverse, friendly setting for study abroad students.
When you study abroad in Shanghai, you can choose CEA housing or arrange your own independent housing. CEA housing assignments are based on availability and confirmation date; we make every effort to match your housing requests, but we can’t guarantee housing preferences.
Program Structure
You’ll enroll in 1 ECNU course at your Chinese language level. Courses meet for 60 contact hours and you’ll earn approximately 4 credits.
Prior to departure, you will take a language placement exam. You will then be enrolled into the appropriate language course. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for China. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings may not be finalized until the start of the term; we’ll post an updated list when the host institution finalizes its offerings.
*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.
Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs*. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions
during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.
Sample Budget
This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we’ve included a range of costs.
Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover “reasonable” costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.
Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.
Program Fee Tuition and fees, registration, orientation, airport pickup, welcome and farewell receptions, housing, official transcript, cultural excursions/activities, student support services, CEA On-site Staff and administrative costs.
$4,395
$4,395
CEA Secure CEASecure™ is an optional refund plan that allows students to withdraw for any covered reason up to one week before the program’s start date
$0
$275
International Airfare & Transfers Cost varies depending on time of purchase, point of origin and time of travel.
$1,000
$1,500
Immigration Requirements Includes passport and additional requirements such as visa, entry and exit fees, French Carte de Séjour, French University Administrative Fee (if applicable), or Italian Permesso di Soggiorno.
$275
$275
Books, Materials and Supplies Includes books, school supplies, art supplies, and course fees. Does not include fees or supplies for optional courses. This cost varies depending on the course choices of the student.
$8
$30
Meals Includes the average expected cost for food in addition to your meal plan, such as eating out at restaurants.
$191
$383
Personal Expenses Includes telephone, laundry, local transportation, personal necessities and upfront payments for potential doctor visits. Please note, certain locations may require deposits to secure spots in CEA organized activities and excursions (deposits are returned at the end of the program if student attends activities/excursions or cancels participation before set deadlines). Some of these costs vary according to the spending habits of the student.
$128
$191
Travel Expenses Includes additional travel outside of CEA excursions. This cost varies according to the spending habits of the student.
$15
$75
TOTAL EXPENSES
$6,012
$7,124
Sample Calendar
Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA before purchasing airline tickets.
You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.
Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.
Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to International Student Dormitory at ECNU.
July 13
Orientation
Mandatory CEA Orientation will be held and followed by the City Tour to shanghai landmarks such as Oriental Pearl Tower, The Bund, East Nanjing Rd and Shanghai Urban Planning Museum.
July 15
Placement Exam
Placement Exam for Chinese classes will be held on this day. A campus tour will be held.
July 16
Classes Begin
Classes begin on this day.
July 17
Cultural Activity
Visit to Yu Garden or Shanghai Museum in the afternoon and a river cruise at night.
July 19
Cultural Activity
Taiji Class will be held on this day.
July 20
Excursion
A day trip to local ancient water town.
July 23
Cultural Activity
Chinese Calligraphy Class will be held on this day.
July 25
Cultural Activity
A Chinese Traditional Painting Class will be held on this day.
August 01 - 04
Excursion
4-day Excursion to Beijing.
August 06
Cultural Activity
Acrobatic Show at Shanghai Circus City.
August 08
Final Exams
Final exams will be held at ECNU.
August 09
Farewell Reception
CEA Farewell Reception will be held at Hyatt Hotel.
August 10
Program Ends/Move-Out
Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day.