Internships in Shanghai
- Gain in-demand global skills and hands-on experience in your field during this 8-week summer program
- Build your resume and expand your professional network
- Internships are conducted in English so there is no language requirement
- Earn KU credit for your internship
- Explore Shanghai and China during weekends
- A significant number of $2,500-$5,000 scholarships are available to participants in this program. Visit Freeman East Asia Internship Scholarships to learn more!
- CIEE also offers up to $1,500 in need-based grants for Pell-eligible students.
Participation in an international internship allows students to experience the benefits of studying abroad while also gaining real-world professional work experience. Only a small percentage of students study abroad – and even fewer intern abroad - so participation in an internship overseas can give you the professional advantage you need to succeed by giving you in demand global skills. The University of Kansas (KU) has partnered with CIEE, an internship and study abroad program provider, to offer high-quality placements in Shanghai, China. The internships, for which you earn academic credit from KU, are unpaid. They are available in a wide-range of fields including the arts, business, communication, economics, journalism, politics, healthcare, social policy, and hospitality. Other fields are available on a more limited basis so if your field is not listed, please inquire with Study Abroad & Global Engagement.
CIEE strives to place students in internships that directly relate to their course of study, thus ensuring the quality and academic relevance. Placements are based on student skills, interests, and professional goals as well as the project needs and work cycles of internship sponsors. The companies and organizations selected as internship sites are carefully monitored by site visits and student assessment.
Read about the CIEE placement process here.
Shanghai is a model city and leading driver of China's trade and economic development. Today, with a population of 23 million, Shanghai is home to the world’s largest container port, some of the tallest skyscrapers on Earth, and the world’s first commercially operated magnetic levitation transport system - the high-speed Maglev train - along with one of the fastest-growing rapid transit systems in the world. Translation: there’s no better place to expand your business knowledge from a global perspective. Learn about business ethics, corporate structure, fiscal policies, and the importance of skills like integrity and collaboration - while developing contacts that can help with future career opportunities.
Students participate in CIEE's Academic Internship Course taught in an online learning environment alongside the 8-week, full-time internship. Participation in the integrated academic seminar is mandatory for all participants. It is designed to prepare students for leadership in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse workforce. Credit has been pre-approved to transfer to KU in the following ways and will post to each student’s KU transcript after the conclusion of the program.
Please Note: Some academic departments offer departmental internship credit not listed below so students are encouraged to check with their department about credit options. Past students have received internship credit through ACCT, ADS, EVRN, FMS, HNRS, HSES, SPLH, etc.
- LA&S 490 – Internship Exploration (5 credits) Open to students of any major and level.Fulfills KU Core Goal 6.1 Integration and Creativity.
- GIST 495 – Global Internship (3 credits) Open to students of any major and level.
- BUS 300 – Topics in Business: Internship (3 credits) Open to Business/Pre-Business majors who have taken ACCT 200 and completed at least 30 hours of college-level credit prior to the start of the program.
- JOUR 507 - Practicum in Journalism (3 credits) Open to journalism majors who have completed either JOUR 415 or JOUR 560 (or Jour 435) with a grade of 2.0+, and at least eleven hours of journalism with a GPA of 2.5+, both overall and in journalism.
- PSYC 483 – Undergraduate Internship Psychology (3 credits) Open to psychology majors and minors.
Housing options include:
Residence Hall with CIEE Student: Stay on the beautiful East China Normal University (ECNU) campus with a fellow CIEE student. There is a kitchen and bathrooms on each floor and a study lounge on the first floor.
Residence Hall with Chinese Student: Stay on the beautiful ECNU campus with a Chinese peer from ECNU. There is a kitchen and bathrooms on each floor and a study lounge on the first floor. Because Chinese roommates are required to speak only Chinese, this option is recommended for students who wish to live in a more intensive Chinese language environment.
Homestay: Stay with a Chinese host family just 15 to 45 minutes from campus by foot or via public transportation. You will have your own room in the host family apartment and share the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Host families speak only Chinese.
Meals:
Residence Hall: Meals are not included.
Homestay: You will be invited to most family meals, but should budget for your own lunches, most weekend meals outside of the home, and for all meals on group field trips and individual travel.
Activities & Excursions
- Step back in time with a visit to a traditional water town, Zhujiajiao, noted for its narrow, cobbled lanes, stone bridges, canals, and rich history
- Take trips to Sam’s Club Shanghai, IKEA Shanghai, or Shanghai 1933
- Explore tea houses, museums, and local community centers to practice speaking Chinese with local people
- Try Chinese cooking, calligraphy, or martial arts
Professional Development
- Refine your resume and interviewing skills for the local business culture
- Explore the professional working world of Shanghai through organizational site visits, industry networking events, and guest lectures
- Participate in workshops that will help you make the most of your internship
Students need to have a GPA of at least 2.5. Rising Sophomore standing and above required at time of participation. *Additional visa restrictions may apply and CIEE will advise students as part of the early application process.
Application Procedures
Step 1: Complete KU application by February 15th. Below is a list of the required documents and questionnaires.
a. Statement of Purpose Essay
b. GPA Requirement Questionnaire
c. Un-official Transcript or Advising Report
d. One recommendation - academic and/or professional
e. Authorization to Release Student Information
f. CIEE Academic Plan & Approval Form
g. Student Conduct Verification
h. Financial Aid Questionnaire
i. Passport Information Required Reading
j. CIEE Application Instructions Required Reading
Step 2: Complete CIEE's Shanghai Summer Global Internship application by Feb. 15th. See the CIEE Application Instructions in the Required Readings section of your Jayhawks Abroad account for details.
