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Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Housing Options: Apartment Minimum GPA: 2.0
Click here for a definition of this term Areas of Study: Art History, Asian Studies, Business and Management, Chinese, Computer Science, Culture, Economics, Fashion Merchandising, Film and New Media Studies, Health Science, International Relations, Marketing, Mathematics, Social Policy & Administration Program Type: Study Abroad
Language of Instruction: Chinese, English Click here for a definition of this term Class Year: 2. Sophomore, 3. Junior, 4. Senior
Language Study Offered: Chinese
Program Description:
Shanghai: Intl Business
IFSA - STUDY IN SHANGHAI: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Geotag  Shanghai, China

WHY STUDY IN SHANGHAI?
Shanghai has grown exponentially in the past hundred years—from an early trading port to a massive international metropolis with a population of 24 million. Known for its fast-paced businesses and cosmopolitan vibe, the city is intricately connected with the global flows of commodities and people. It also represents the enormous environmental, economic, and social challenges that are mirrored across China and around the world. Find your home in a vibrant, student-friendly neighborhood, with our program center just around the corner from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
As China’s financial epicenter, Shanghai is a fascinating place to explore international business, economic development, marketing, finance, and more. Put theory into context with corporate visits and internships at Chinese and multi-national companies. These experiences not only give you a front row seat to this nation’s rapidly changing business environment—they also stand out on a resume. 

Enhance your professional communication skills with an elective specially geared for business. Team up with a Chinese university student for a couple of hours of casual, social language practice each week.

The IFSA Study in Shanghai: International Business academic track offers unparalleled opportunities to examine China’s rapidly changing business environment and the global networks in which it plays an increasingly strategic role. Maximize your learning by tailoring classes to your academic focus, enrolling in the required core class and three to four elective classes, including an internship opportunity. You must have completed one business and one economics class prior to arrival, or two economics classes if business is not available at your school.

CORE CLASS
China: Economic Giant
The class provides an interpretative survey of China’s emergence as a global economic power. The phenomenal changes in the Chinese economy over recent decades are highlighted, and aspects of quantitative development are related to the radical reforms adopted since 1978. Students discuss major policy issues encountered by the Chinese government in sustaining high-speed economic growth without instability. Students also explore China’s pursuit of full integration into the global free trade system. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

ELECTIVE CLASSES
Customize your semester based on your personal interests and degree requirements, choosing from electives from the IFSA Study in Shanghai: International Business academic track as well as our IFSA Study in Shanghai: Social Sciences and IFSA Study in Shanghai: Public Health academic tracks. All elective classes are taught in English.
  • China as a Global Market
  • Exploring Community & Culture in a Global Context 
  • International Internship Seminar
  • International Money and Finance
  • International Trade: A Chinese Perspective
  • Managing Enterprises in China
  • Operations and Supply Chain Management

LANGUAGE CLASSES
Developing skills in a foreign language can profoundly impact your life personally and professionally. Though language study (other than Essential Chinese) is not required, students frequently report their Chinese language class as one of their favorites and the one they applied most outside of the classroom.

Essential Chinese
If you’ve never studied Chinese before, and you decide not to take an elective language class, you’ll take this introductory seminar to contemporary Chinese language and culture taught intensively during the first weeks of the program. (1 U.S. semester credit hour)

Chinese Language
No prior language study is required. A placement exam during on-site orientation determines each student’s appropriate language level. (6 U.S. semester credit hours)
  • Beginning Chinese I
  • Beginning Chinese II
  • Intermediate Chinese I
  • Intermediate Chinese II
  • Advanced Chinese I
  • Advanced Chinese II
  • Advanced Chinese III
  • Advanced Chinese IV
  • Advanced Readings in Chinese
  • Business Chinese

CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS
Program activities are designed to enhance your intercultural competence by developing your understanding of the local culture and people. Activities are optional, but they are included in your total program fee. Activities vary each term based on availability, but may include:
  • City-as-Text
  • Art Tour of West Bund Cultural Corridor
  • Visit to Manufacturing Plant
  • Food and Local Culture
  • Tai Chi and Calligraphy
IFSA excursions are included in your total program fee and though these are optional, most students choose to participate. They vary each term based on availability, but excursions may include:
  • Water Town Trip
  • Local Community Visit
 
 
Learn About This Program
Scholarship & Financial Aid
   
 
  BEGIN YOUR STUDY ABROAD JOURNEY  
 
 
IFSA Global Wayfinder
Choose your ideal program by customizing and personalizing your search filters. Using IFSA’s search tool, you can find programs by searching beyond location and area of study. 
 
 
IFSA CHART
Using CHART, you’ll be able to see which classes abroad fit easily into your academic plan. You can also see which classes your home institution has already approved to guarantee that your credits will align.
 
 
IFSA Website

Apply Online Today.
Our easy online application process is here for you! Simply log in to the IFSA Student Portal and answer questions about yourself to get started. If you get stuck or have questions, reach out to our IFSA team. We’re here to help.
 
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN MY IFSA PROGRAM?
  • Academic Support
  • Administrative Fees and Applications Fees
  • Airport Pickup
  • Activities and Excursions (including transportation and meals)
  • Guaranteed Housing
  • International Medical Insurance
  • Internet Access in Housing
  • Internship, Directed Research, and Volunteer Opportunities (on many programs)
  • Meals (on some programs)
  • Official Transcript with U.S. Credit Translation
  • On-site Orientation
  • On-site Staff Support (including in-person meetings and emergencies)
  • Pre-arrival Advising
  • Tuition

  WE’RE HERE FOR YOU
 
 
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Further information about the International Business in China program in Shanghai specific to Wheaton College students

Wheaton College is committed to providing students with opportunities to broaden their understanding and vision beyond the borders of this campus and this country. We work in collaboration with carefully selected partner institutions around the world to support our students as they prepare to study abroad and while they are overseas. Students must apply to Wheaton's Center for Global Education as well as the institution through which they plan to study abroad. The most up-to-date information can be found on the program provider's website above.                    

Admission Requirements:
Students must have completed one business and one economics course prior to arrival. Students are not required to have experience in Chinese language but will find that a lack of language proficiency may limit internship placement opportunities.  

Courses & Credits:
The 15-credit semester is comprised of a required core course and Chinese language plus two electives. One elective may be an internship and all students complete a capstone research project as a part of the core course. All elective courses are taught in English. 

Housing & Meals:
Students are housed in Tonghe International Apartments adjacent to the Alliance program center and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE). The two bedroom apartments are shared by one Alliance student and one local university student, while three bedroom apartments are shared by two Alliance students and one local university student.Meals are not included in the Alliance program fee.  Many students eat in the new cafeteria on campus and in local restaurants.

Budget Information:
Students studying abroad will continue to pay Wheaton tuition. Students are not charged Wheaton room and board, or the Wheaton technology, laundry, or student activities fees while on a study abroad program. Wheaton will, in turn, pay the program for all tuition and academic fees and international insurance. Students will pay housing directly to IFSA. Students will book and pay for their own flights.

Fees billed by Wheaton will be charged to students on their regular Wheaton College student account during regular billing cycles (July/December). 

Federal, state, Wheaton need-based and merit scholarships will be applied to these charges for Wheaton-approved programs. Students must consult with the Office of Student Financial Services (SFS) for a comprehensive review of their aid. If a student receives aid beyond the cost of Wheaton tuition, they can request a refund through SFS. This can in turn be used to pay SIT for room and board charges.

Please do your research as housing and meal costs vary greatly from program to program. This Budget Worksheet can help you estimate the total costs of your program. Refer to the IFSA program website for an overview of all additional expenses, which may include visas, international cell phones, and discretionary expenses.
                         
Group of students in Shanghai, with city skyline behind them.
     For Wheaton specific questions contact:    
                                                                                                                
     Center for Global Education
     5  Howard Street
     Wheaton College
     Norton, MA 02766-2322
     globaled@wheatoncollege.edu
     508-286- 4950

Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Spring 2025 10/01/2024 ** Rolling Admission TBA TBA

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Applicants will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.