NCC Students with Skyline

Shanghai: 21st Century City

Before you meet with a study abroad advisor be sure to complete the "Advising Form" linked at the top of this page.

Please note that you will not be able to apply for semester or yearlong study abroad program until you've met with a study abroad advisor.

Program Overview

Eligible participants must be at junior or senior level with a 3.0 GPA preferred.

Programs in Shanghai are limited to three students per academic year. Additional fees may apply.

As one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing cities, Shanghai offers students an unparalleled opportunity to experience China’s economic rebirth and revitalization and to witness the cultural transformation of modern China. Students can choose among four Alliance programs at SUFE: 21st Century City, International Business in China and Public Health Policy and Practice (all requiring no prior language study), or Intensive Chinese Language (for students who have completed one year of Chinese language study).

21st Century City students take 6 credits of Chinese language and 3 credits in contemporary Chinese society. They also select two 3-credit elective courses in economics, political science, Sino-U.S. relations, urban and environmental studies, or art history and museum studies.

All programs offer a full slate of cocurricular activities and excursions, including a weeklong field study trip to southern or western China.

Please click here to be linked to the Alliance for Global Education's 21st Century City program website.

Academics

Students are required to complete GLS 277 in the spring term prior to studying abroad in the fall.

Students earn 15 credits upon successful completion of courses in Shanghai. All grades earned abroad affect your North Central College GPA when transferred back. You cannot take courses pass/fail.  

21st Century City Courses

  • Required:  Chinese Language (6 credits)
  • Required:  Chinese Society in the 21st Century (3 credits)

Two 3-credit electives of student's choice (6 credits)

  • ECON 360 China: Economic Giant
  • ENVI 385 City and Environment
  • IAFF 340 Sino-US Relations: Superpower and Realignment
  • POLS 350 Contemporary Chinese Politics: State, Party, People
  • ARTH 260 Survey of Art in China
  • IS379-01 Exploring Community and Culture in a Global Context

For course descriptions and additional program information click here.

Note:  Students must have courses pre-approved by North Central College prior to taking them abroad. If students change their course schedules while abroad, they must get this change approved. Some departments only permit students to take a certain number of courses that count toward their major abroad. To ensure that all courses count towards their degrees, students must get their department's approval.

Housing and Meals

Students are housed in Tonghe International Apartments adjacent to the Alliance program center and university and a 10-15 minute walk from area studies course classrooms. 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: Meals are not included in the program cost. Students are responsible for making and/or purchasing their own meals.

Housing and meals details can be found here.

Estimated Costs

Students in Direct Enrollment programs (i.e. Universidad Viña del Mar) pay North Central College tuition plus a $4,000 program fee. A $30 non-refundable application fee is due at the time of application submission. This program fee includes placement, orientation and guidance fees, as well as standard self-catered housing. The College selects accommodations; if students choose to upgrade, they are responsible for paying any difference in cost. Unless otherwise noted, the fee does not include airfare, travel to and from airport, meals, visa fees, departure tax, books, national insurance, personal travel or spending money. North Central College financial aid does apply.