Centre in China

Study In China

Shanghai, a thriving city of 24 million people, is the economic and commercial center for the entire Pacific Rim. Its stunning architecture alone has caused it to be known as “the city of the future,” and its enormous environmental, economic, and social challenges and achievements are mirrored across China and around the world. Centre has teamed up with the Alliance for Global Education (IFSA-Butler), one of this country’s most respected and largest study-abroad organizations, for a Shanghai program specifically tailored to the needs of Centre students. We will update this page with dates for this program when we know if it is going to be run in the fall of 2024.

Location and Housing

The IFSA (Institute for Study Abroad) headquarters are located in a safe, pleasant quarter of the city that features restaurants, small shops, street food, and recreational areas. A café with a patio where students often study is on the ground floor of the IFSA building. Across a small park is Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, whose cafeteria and other facilities are available for students’ use. Students will live in two- or three-bedroom apartments a few minutes away from the IFSA headquarters. Each apartment has its own living/dining area, kitchen, and bath. Students will room with other American students and a Chinese student from a nearby university, increasing the likelihood of true cultural immersion.

Dates

Cost

The cost to study abroad on this semester program is the same as studying in Danville, plus a non-refundable deposit of $400 due to the Deputy Bursar on March 8th, 2024.

Students are responsible for the cost of flights to and from the study abroad site. Additional spending money for food or activities outside of those organized by the study abroad program is the responsibility of the student.

Go to the Center for Global Citizenship Important Dates page to view the complete list of application and payment dates.

Courses

Students have the option of earning 12-15 Centre credit hours. All students take Chinese Society in the 21st Century (Sociology), for which they earn 3 credit hours. All students also take 6 credit hours of Mandarin language (8 contact hours, meeting two hours a day, four days a week). Students can then choose to complete an internship (3 hours) and/or an elective (each is 3 credit hours) from the following options:

ECON 360 – China: Economic Giant
INS 340 – Sino-U.S. Relations: Superpower and
Realignment
POL 350 – Contemporary Chinese Politics: State, Party,
People
ENS 385 – The City and the Environment
ARTH 260 – Survey of Art in China
ECON 371/FINC 370 – International Money and Finance
(Prerequisites: ECO 110 and ECO 340)
ECON 380 – International Trade: A Chinese Perspective
(Prerequisite: ECO 110)

Students who don’t participate in an internship have the option of taking two electives to bring their total hours to 15, which is the norm for other students participating in this IFSA program. Students can choose to take an elective and participate in an internship as well.

Highlights of the Program

•The program sponsors a week-long field study trip to Southwestern China’s Yunan Province, including hiking in the famous mountainous areas, visiting small Yi and Miao minority villages, exploring the natural beauty of the Stone Forest and rain forest of Xishuangbanna., etc.
•Full schedule of excursions, events, and lectures designed to enhance understanding of China and the historical and modern influences that impact its culture and people.
•Classes in Chinese painting, calligraphy, cooking, Taiji or other martial arts.
•A one-week period for individual travel within China or to explore Shanghai and its region.

Internships

The Centre-in-China program is Centre’s only semester-long abroad option that includes a guaranteed internship—though any student not wishing to have an internship can substitute an elective (or two) course(s). Students who have studied some Mandarin will have an advantage for placements where Mandarin is helpful. IFSA arranges internships in an area of your academic or professional interest: in Chinese, joint-venture, or foreign-owned companies; research institutes; NGO’s; media and art studios.