IFSA Summer in Shanghai

During your IFSA Summer in Shanghai, customize your study abroad experience by taking a single class during the four-week Session 1 or take a single class during the four-week Session 2. If you are not taking a Chinese Language class, you may elect to also take the Essential Chinese class. You can also extend your studies by enrolling in both Session 1 and Session 2.

SESSION 1 CLASSES

City and Environment
With a rapidly growing population, rising lifestyle expectations, and continuing industrial production, urban China’s usage of water and energy resources is a key question for those concerned with a sustainable future. This class will localize these issues by investigating Shanghai as a case study of urban environmental issues in China. How does Shanghai face the challenges of resource use and waste that its sprawling urban footprint creates? How sustainable can Shanghai become? (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Essential Chinese
If you’ve never studied Chinese before, you can take this optional, introductory class in contemporary Chinese language and culture. By introducing key words and phrases and venturing out into the city to practice them, you’ll gain essential skills to communicate effectively and navigate in a new culture. (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. (4 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

SESSION 2 CLASSES

China: Economic Giant
This class explores China’s emergence as a global economic power. The phenomenal changes seen in the Chinese economy since radical reforms began in 1978 serve as a backdrop for understanding more recent policy shifts and global trade strategies. Students will examine challenges encountered by the Chinese government in sustaining high-speed economic growth, with case studies such as infrastructure investments and supply chain disruptions. In addition, students will apply economic theories and situate them in geographical and historical contexts when analyzing today’s sociopolitical consequences. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Essential Chinese
If you’ve never studied Chinese before, you can take this optional, introductory class in contemporary Chinese language and culture. By introducing key words and phrases and venturing out into the city to practice them, you’ll gain essential skills to communicate effectively and navigate in a new culture. (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. (4 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

Australia Outbound Program
Students enrolled at select Australia universities are invited to participate in Session 2 of this program. The program is open to students of all year levels and all fields. Students will earn 45+ contact hours credit; the equivalent of one subject.

Please see the Australia Outbound term below in the Dates and Fees section for program fees and expected expenses in Australian dollars. For more information on the Australia Outbound program, please reach out to us at australiaoutbound@ifsa-butler.org.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
• You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university. Students attending select Australia universities are also eligible.
• You must have completed at least one (1) full-time semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.

Recommendation Letter
Not required.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.