Shanghai provides students with an unparalleled opportunity to experience China in a thriving metropolis that is engaged in economic rebirth and exciting revitalization.
The opportunities for students in Shanghai are extensive. First, the city has several important Chinese universities including Shanghai Jiaotang University and Fudan University. Fudan University has a number of nationally acclaimed programs of study as well as outstanding research and laboratory facilities. The quality of the education available as well as the quality of your fellow students will no doubt challenge you as well as allowing you to make friends from very different backgrounds.
Study Abroad Programs in Shanghai
Historically, Shanghai has been one of the financial and business centers of Asia. It first came to international attention with the presence of the British, French, and Japanese in the mid to late 1800s. In the 1930s, all the world's greatest financial and commercial companies inundated Shanghai, leading it to become the "Wall Street" of the east. The city boasted the tallest buildings and more motor vehicles than the rest of China combined. Communism put an end to the foreign interference in Shanghai and allowed the city some much-needed breathing room.
Today, Shanghai is once again building toward being a financial power to reckon with. The city is expected to be one of China's leaders in spearheading economic growth and development. An astounding amount of building has been occurring since the 1990s including the creation of such skyscrapers as the Jin Mao Tower in Pudong. The Jin Mao Tower was completed in 1998 and is currently the tallest building in China and the 5th tallest building in the world.
For those looking for cultural treasures, the Shanghai Museum contains an amazing collection of artwork. Of the 120,000 pieces of art in the museum, one-third of them have never been shown before. This museum could easily keep you entertained for an entire day. Not only do you see the progression of Chinese art over the ages, but the museum also provides an in-depth look into Chinese history.
For those wanting to see the remnants of the 1930s, check out Shanghai's Wall Street - The Bund. Today The Bund caters more to tourists who come to explore the hotels, shopping, and nightclubs. For those that want to explore the modern draws, check out Frenchtown, which is the area around Huaihai Lu and the Jinjiang Hotel. Huge department stores mix with nearby cafes and boutiques. The Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar are also in the neighborhood offering beautiful gardens and over 100 specialty shops and restaurants in the bazaar.
One study abroad provider summarized the city this way: "Whether wandering through the narrow alleys of French Town, strolling along the Bund at night, gazing at the view from the Oriental Pearl TV tower, lighting incense at the Jade Buddha Temple, or shopping in the Yu Gardens Bazaar, Shanghai clearly has all the charms of China past and the promise of China future."
