USAC CHINA: Shanghai-International Business Studies

My study abroad trip to Shanghai was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The city is full of energy, with an amazing mix of modern skyscrapers and rich cultural history. Every day felt like a new adventure, whether I was exploring local markets, trying authentic Chinese food, walking along the Bund, or visiting beautiful temples and gardens. One of the most rewarding parts of the trip was experiencing a different culture firsthand and meeting people from around the world. It helped me become more independent, confident, and open-minded. I also learned so much about China’s history, traditions, and daily life in a way that you simply can’t learn from a classroom.

Truly the best experience of my life. I easily fell in love with the city and everything it has to offer. Clean, safe, incredibly easy to get around. Shanghai is very much an international city so if you’re only just beginning to study the language it’s a good place to start. Beyond Shanghai, I also had the opportunity to travel across the country, visiting Beijing, Hunan, and Guangzhou.

Going to China was my first study abroad experience. Even since I entered college, I wanted to study abroad and my third year I decided to pursue it. And I was not disappointed. I picked China because it’s completely different compared to the States, culturally and traditionally and everything I between. USAC was so helpful with my process of going to China, their website had past students’ personal reviews that I read on and videos which showed me what I was getting in to. The on-site staff was so helpful, encouraging when I first arrive in China. They gave us pointers how to get around the city, their favorite, local restaurants and everything. At the end of my program I was able to make connections with people across the US and people in China. Since coming back to the States at the end of 2017, I have a serious case of travel bug: where I just want to travel more of China, Asia, and hopefully around the globe!!! I just want to explore and see more what the world has to offer :D

I had an incredible time studying abroad to Shanghai, I was hesitant at first to go since I originally wanted to study in Australia. My biggest regret was only going for a semester, study abroad was an absolute blast. Classes were only once a week, and language classes met 3x which gave my friends and I a good amount of time to explore the city. Shanghai was absolutely amazing, you have the best of both worlds since the city is pretty westernized. I met amazing people. Don't let people suck you into studying in Europe, China is so cheap, and I was able to visit multiple other countries in Asia for incredibly cheap. The food was great and the people are very friendly to foreigners since they are wanting to practice their english. I can't wait to visit Shanghai again.

This program allowed me to have a better understanding of the local culture. Local teachers provided a better insight to the local society. Language partners helped me a lot with my language skills and cultural integration while I was abroad!

This opportunity to go abroad through USAC gave me the chance to do soemthing I had never done before. Through this chance I was able to go to a foreign country and learn. It was the best experience of my life and I am so glad I went abroad through USAC. The opportunity I had to study abroad was an amazing experience, that I will never forget. I was able to study in a different environment and learning things in this environment made learning so fun. I learned so much while abroad and improved on my speaking as well. I ,also, made friends from the program that I will be close with for the rest of my life. I am so thankful to everyone at USAC that made this a possible opportunity for me.

I loved studying abroad in Shanghai with the USAC Program. The program price is very reasonable compared to other programs in China. The USAC administration in the U.S. and China was very helpful before and during the program. I loved the cultural immersion tours to Beijing, Xi'an, and the smaller cities around Shanghai. The school is very centrally located and is only a few stops away from Nanjing Rd (the main shopping area). The campus also has many food options in case you don't want to eat at the school cafeteria. Overall, choosing the USAC Shanghai program was one of the best decisions I have ever made and I would strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to study abroad.

The program allowed me to explore professionally, culturally and freely. The coursework was great but the real experience came from the city of Shanghai. I attribute this program to my current full-time position as it allowed me to find an aspect of work I enjoy and have a passion for. The staff within the USAC program was stellar, well connected and helped us as much as we wanted. Numerous of other students, I know, leveraged our professor's networks to learn outside of the classroom and be able to take those findings to better their careers moving forward.

Had a blast studying abroad Fall 2015 to Spring 2016 in Shanghai with USAC. There were fun adventures and had time to go on our own to explore the city and country. Lived on campus in a dorm, and the living situation could have been better but is a sight better than what local students are provided. Great food close by and lots of chances for trying new things.

If you are looking for an opportunity to learn or improve you mandarin Chinese, study business or learn about Chinese culture in greater depth then USAC's Shanghai program is for you. After spending one year in Shanghai in the USAC program i can truly say that this program offers students one of the most valuable and best opportunities to study abroad, whilst providing students from around the world the opportunity to learn, travel and have fun in China! Academics: Academics are great. Teachers including Fei Fei and You Sha give you helpful chinese lessons. The other great thing about the academic is the pace. Classes are generally 3 hours 3 times a week (Chinese language tracks) and result in learning a lot in a short period of time. This means after leaving class you can go and practice what you have learned every week! Living Situation: Flexible including: single-room dorms (small but cozy and convenient) Shared dorms (a little bigger but less privacy and less expensive) Off-campus (imo the best option but also the most expensive) Cultural Immersion: The program itself is designed to give you the power to control the level of immersion you want. Whilst some students choose to live in shared dorm with other western students and limit their immersion to classes and the occasional shop for necessities, other choose to live off-campus with Chinese residents or on their own among the locals :P. In addition, extra-curricular programs such as language corner offer you an added opportunity to practice chinese and give you the chance to immerse yourself constantly while in China. Program Administration: Jessica and You Sha are fantastic, you cannot ask a better service from this program. They will help you tirelessly with academic and administrative issues you may have and will also help with VISA issues.

I love Shanghai. Seriously... everything about it is wonderful. There is always something unexpected and new to see and do. The people are kind and the food is incredible. I primarily chose to study abroad in Shanghai, China because I am an International Business and Marketing major. I felt that I would have an advantage upon graduating not only understanding one of the largest cultures in the world, but speaking the most widely spoken language in the world. My experience with USAC was nothing other than pleasant. The Resident Director, You Sha, was a miracle worker, she always had advice on where to go, where to eat, how to get around, and if you hurt yourself in a freak accident, she was right by your side making sure that you were ok and had the proper care. The courses USAC provided also fulfilled requirements at my home university, a very big advantage to study abroad. Lastly, the people I was surrounded by were wonderful and from all over the world, many of which I am still close with. Study abroad in Shanghai, you will never regret it!