Study Abroad in Shanghai...

With skyrocketing economics, increasingly effective business and over a billion people, China is becoming one of the most influential countries in the world. And Shanghai, with its Star Wars-esque skyline hovering over the Yangtze River Delta, is one of the most important cities in China.

The largest city in the People's Republic of China, and the eighth largest city in the world, Shanghai is the root of China's booming economy, and serves as one of the most important commercial, cultural, industrial, financial and communication centers in the country. Considered the birthplace of modern China, Shanghai saw such innovations as the first motor car driven in the country, the first set of train tracks and the first version of modern sewers. It is also, as of 2005, the largest cargo port on the planet. As far back as the year 960, when Shanghai was a part of the Song Dynasty (which marked the reunification of China for the first time since the fall of the Tang Dynasty almost 20 years earlier), the city served as a seaport, granting China access to other parts of the world.

History and archeology students will marvel at the landmarks and artifacts that date back to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese History (which started in 184 AD), while engineering and architecture students will find inspiration in the overwhelming abundance of strikingly modern skyscrapers. From the buildings that rival the Sears Tower and Empire State Building in the Luwan District, to the array of architectural styles on display in The Bund, Shanghai's architecture is instantly emblematic of the city's international intentions. And Shanghai architects didn't just build up: Donghai Bridge is the longest cross sea bridge in the world.

Students from around the world tend to be drawn to Shanghai not just for of its role in the resurgence of China, but also for its many prestigious universities. Whether you attend a all-encompassing institution like the Shanghai Jiao Tong University or the East China Normal University, or a more narrowly focused school such as The Shanghai School, which has been creating spectacular painters since the Qing Dynasty, you will benefit from working with some of the finest minds in the world As Shanghai is such a large city, there are more than a dozen higher education institutions to choose from so finding the one that's right for you should be no problem.

Shanghai's cultural opportunities enhance in-class education. From the lively nightlife to special events such as the Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrating the Harvest Moon, and calligraphy competitions, there are tons of things to do in Shanghai. The city is also, by the way, a Chinese fashion hub, averaging one fashion show per day. The site where the first fictional moving picture was viewed, Shanghai has since become the center of Chinese filmmaking. The city is also known for its rich literary history as evident by the famous works of Lu Xun, Mao Dun, Shi Zhecun, Shao Xunmei, Ye Lingfeng and Eileen Chang.

While the works of these authors have been translated into other languages, they are best read in language in which they were originally composed. This is one motivation for students to learn Standard Mandarin Chinese in addition to the fact that Mandarin is the most spoken language in the world. As China increasingly plays a larger role in business, international relations, and world politics, Chinese speakers are in high demand. Though Chinese may be a bit overwhelming with thousands of characters to learn, there is no better way for students to learn than to be completely emerged. Students who have studied in China, learned to appreciate its culture, and developed basic Chinese language skills will prove valuable job candidates post graduation.

Whether it's the city's high-class institutions, role in world politics or simply its cosmopolitan buzz that intrigue you, the opportunities Shanghai provides as a study abroad destination are unparalled.

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ONLINE RESOURCES
East China Normal University: http://www.ecnu.edu.cn/2005english/English.htm
Shanghai University: http://www.shu.edu.cn/
Shanghai Jiao Tong University: http://www.sjtu.edu.cn/
Shanghai: http://www.shanghai.gov.cn/
Freeman-Asia Awards for Study in Asia: http://www.iie.org/freeman-asia/
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: http://www.iie.org/gilman
National Security Education Program: http://www.iie.org/NSEP

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