IFSA Shanghai: International Business

I went abroad with a very specific set of goals in mind. First and foremost, I wanted to improve my language skills. I wanted to immerse myself in the local culture and develop close relationships with locals. Finally, I wanted to gain professional experience in a Chinese business setting. IFSA International Business in China provided me with the resources needed to achieve these goals, all I needed to do was take advantage of them. Firstly, the language instructors at IFSA were outstanding. I had taken over 10 years of Chinese before the program began; my instructor from IFSA was one of the best Chinese teachers I have ever had. IFSA also placed me with a local family to complete a homestay. They found me a caring family and a safe home for the duration of the program. Through the homestay, I was able to practice my Chinese on a daily basis and get to know locals of Shanghai. The program director at IFSA also worked very hard to find me an internship that matched my professional interests. I worked multiple days a week and grew close to my coworkers, allowing me professional skills in a Chinese business context and contacts in an industry that I may pursue later in life. It was extremely impressive for the director to place over twenty students in internships related to their own personal and professional interests. These examples demonstrate the opportunities that come with an IFSA program. The IFSA staff furnishes your abroad experience with all the opportunities needed to reach your goals, all you have to do is take advantage of them.

Throughout my IFSA experience, from being interested, applying, and studying abroad, all the way to coming back and becoming a global ambassador, I have always felt taken care of. The semester before I was in China, I was in Japan through another study abroad program from my school. IFSA was very accommodating and helped me figure out visa procedures. One thing about IFSA that stands out is that there is always someone there to make sure everything is going well and that you are getting the best experience that you can. IFSA thinks of YOU, not just of the general group of study abroad students, in everything they do.

Overall, my study abroad experience is one that I would never give away. I would honestly do anything to go back to China with the same people that I was living with. I believe that the people I met on the program along with the experiences I made living in a new country are unforgettable. I was able to really appreciate and integrate myself into the Chinese culture. I felt that the people I met on the program, made all parts of this abroad experience worth living. I have no regrets going to China through this program as I received good mentorship from my professors and program directors as well as made great friendships on the way. Furthermore, IFSA provided me with the opportunity to learn a new language while at the same time taking elective courses for my major. On top of that, IFSA provided me with an internship which ultimately gave me experience to land my first internship over the summer of 2019. This program helped me a lot in discovering my career and academic paths.

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I am so glad that I chose to study abroad in Shanghai China fall term of my junior year. As an International Business and Chinese double major, Alliance's International Business program was a perfect fit for me! I got to strengthen my Chinese speaking, writing, and reading skills. My favorite times learning Chinese were during "Chinese Table/中文桌子“。 "Chinese Table" was a weekly event where Alliance provided our Chinese class with a small stipend so we could go out to eat local Chinese food with our teacher and classmates. The only requirement was that we had to speak in Chinese! I loved going to new restaurants and trying new food dishes while bonding with my teacher and classmates. The academic classes were also great. I particularly enjoyed our final capstone project where we got to collect data and research a subject of our choice. My paper was done from a marketing perspective on Chinese student opinions of the Iphone 7. As part of the International Business program I also chose to do an Internship. I highly recommend doing so! I interned at a small digital marketing firm, but you can be placed in a variety of different business areas to suit your personal interests. Having an internship on top of classes had me exploring the city on my own and taking the subway to and from my internship every week. I shared a large apartment with my classmate and a Chinese roommate. Our Chinese roommate definitely went above and beyond to welcome us to Shanghai. We ended up being great friends, and we were even invited to her parents house for lunch! We even took a weekend trip to Seoul, South Korea together! I definitely recommend saving up your money as you will probably catch the travel bug like I did! In my 4 months in Shanghai I took several other international weekend trips and trips to other cities throughout China. However, what I enjoy about the Alliance program is their integrated week study trips. For example, the International Business program took a week-long trip to Hong Kong, Macau, and several other Chinese cities! These trips are led by Alliance staff and is a great bonding experience with your Alliance classmates. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in International Business or to anyone studying or would like to begin studying Chinese!

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My semester abroad with Alliance in Shanghai is best described as an irreplaceable experience! The Alliance professors, staff members, international students and Chinese students whom I saw on a regular basis made my semester abroad successful, endearing, memorable and irreplaceable. The connections I've made with other students, my Chinese roommate and language partners are long-lasting and sincere; relations that were often nurtured by Alliance's orientation, trips and general program organization. I learned a great deal from spending time with so many students who have different backgrounds and come from different parts of the US, if not the world. I particularly liked how the three Shanghai programs (Intensive Language, 21st Century and International Business) had specialized trips depending on their focus but still felt very interconnected with one another. I will forever remember the Alliance staff, as well. They skillfully added the spices and herbs to make the semester a memorable and smooth-sailing journey; this included things like leading large and small group trips to a variety of places/businesses, organizing cultural workshop nights, arranging educational speakers, taking you to the hospital, helping you deal with internships, giving you directions, taking tons of photos for you and taking time to sit down and help plan independent travel (and find great discounts!). I could always contact any of them at any time to ask any question I needed answered, and they would always be able to help me very quickly. I always felt like they were wholly invested in us and taking care of our needs; an absolute treasure in any study abroad program, especially if you are not very proficient at the host language! Our professors were quick-witted, patient albeit (understandably) demanding and brilliant in their field of studies. We came to know one another well and would joke in class pretty regularly; especially our Chinese language professors. They were an absolute joy to spend time with and get to know; some of my favorite 'snapshot' moments include my Alliance staff members and professors. And I still talk to some of them even now! All in all, Alliance in Shanghai is a well-fueled, tested and modernized machine that leaves the student well-equipped and well-supported to have a healthy, successful and exciting semester. I can find no faults! I absolutely loved my experience in Shanghai and I always encourage anyone and everyone to study abroad through Alliance-especially in Shanghai-if they are interested in Asia. Because of its intense variety, Shanghai itself is the perfect study abroad location for any student, especially those interested in business or urban studies. China-Shanghai in particular-has a powerful role in the future and is already highly regarded worldwide. Also, it is perfectly located for traveling to other parts of China and throughout Asia when the opportunity arises and is filled to the brim with endless culture and language-practice opportunities (if you know where to look). There are times when I miss it dearly, and I hope to return one day. So embrace the challenge and get ready to catch what all it'll throw at you. Just don't forget to make mental-or physical-notes along the way or else you'll forget the details!

I studied abroad in Shanghai a year ago. I can't believe it has been so long! I think about my experience in China every single day because I miss it so much! It was definitely the best four months of my college life. To be honest, at first I was not sure whether to do this program or not because of how far it was from my family and friends. Also, I didn't know anyone else going on the program with me. I had taken about two years of Mandarin at Rollins College, but was not confident of my speaking/ listening skills at all. However, I (fortunately) decided to take the risk and go and it was the best decision I could have made. The program allowed me to fully immerse in a unique and amazing culture. I had a Chinese roommate from the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, whom was my pillar throughout the semester. She helped me get around, learn how to properly communicate with others (what to say/ what not to say), and became a very good friend of mine. My Mandarin skills got so much better! The small class sizes helped everyone participate and learn. The professors' interest in the students' learning was great for our overall improvement. I loved the apartment buildings in which we lived and the area around. The transportation is very easy to understand, very convenient and very cheap! Also, many people were concerned with the food, but this was not an issue at all. There is everything and anything you might need. We also had a kitchen therefore could cook our own food if necessary. I could go on and on about everything I loved about China including the courses, the university campus, the field trips, safety, health care, and the overall support from the program. I would REALLY recommend this program. It's great! If you have any interest in China, this program is for you!

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Studying in China was the best decision of my life. The Alliance for Global Education offered everything I wanted and more. Sure, I did my background research on the program, but I had no idea that I was in for the best semester of my college career. From independent travel and group travel, extracurricular activities, a fantastic network of teachers, program directors and students, the Alliance for Global Education did their part to make my four months in China awesome. Living situation. I had my own bedroom and bathroom in an apartment for international students. One of my roommates was from New Orleans and the other was from Yunnan, China and studied at the same school. The school. Shanghai University of Finance and Economics is a well respected business school throughout China and a nice ring to it when you tell people outside of China. The campus is nice and close to the apartments, cafeterias are cheap and delicious. The classes themselves varied, but overall 2 out of my 3 business professors (taught in English) were great and 1 was subpar. Chinese class was held every weekday morning by a very talented Chinese teacher. I made huge strides in my Mandarin proficiency. Shanghai. A great stepping stone into the east. I got off the plane and thought I was in NYC. You can speak English everyday, eat western food, and watch Netflix using a VPN if you're not feeling the whole China thing. But don't do that. Live it up. Shanghai is a vast city with a rich culture and 24 million people waiting for you to make friends with.

I am approaching the one year anniversary of my departure to Shanghai and I can say with all sincerity there isn't a day that goes by that I am not somehow reminded of my time abroad. It was a life changing experience, I found a second home, a second family and a second language. Without Alliance, none of this would have been possible so thank you. I was enrolled in a program with 35 other students from all around the US. I took four courses. I was enrolled in the highest level of Chinese, business Chinese and two economic courses (one that everyone was required to take called China: Economic Giant and another specific to my university called China in the World). One thing that I really appreciated was that the workload was not overwhelming and the teachers understood we were not studying abroad to sit in our rooms and do homework. You study abroad to see things, meet people, have experiences. One of my favorite parts of our program was that travel was built in to the layout. We had our "spring break" where our whole program took a week trip together to Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai. Not only did we get to see and do so many activities together but we all felt so much closer as a group after that. We also had a whole week of independent travel where you could go wherever you wanted. There were some students in my program who would take weekend trips to Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, etc, so the sky is really the limit. In terms of practicing Chinese, you have a Chinese roommate that you could practice with whenever you like. I spoke almost only Chinese with mine so it was a great way to practice. You have your Chinese teachers. You can go out and use it while you are shopping, in taxis, on the street. There are a lot of opportunities, you just have to be willing to try. I wish I could do it over again. Thank you Alliance. You changed my life!