The Shanghai Internship Program gives students the opportunity to intern in one of the key centers of commerce, communications, industry, finance, and media in Asia, enhanced by an academic learning experience. Students are placed in an appropriate work environment based on their interests and language background, and have opportunities to explore the city throughout the 8-week program.
Requirements & Considerations
Curriculum
Internship Course
- Non-credit Hub Co-curricular: HUB SA 330 Study Abroad Internship
- This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area:
- Individual in Community
- COM CM 471 Internship in Advertising & Marketing (4)
- CAS AH 505 Internship in the Arts/Architecture/Art Administration (4)
- CAS EC 497 Internship in Business & Economics (4)
- COM FT 493 Internship in Film, Radio & Television (4)
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health & Human Services (4)
- SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration (4)
- COM JO 412 Internship in Journalism (4)
- CAS PO 401/IR 451 Internship in Politics (4)
- CAS PO 403 Internship in Comparative Law (4)
- CAS PO 405/IR 455 Internship in International Organizations (4)
- COM CM 471 Internship in Public Relations (4)
- Syllabus
Internship Area
Please note these are examples of past internship placements only. While BU Study Abroad guarantees an internship to program participants, specific placements vary from semester to semester and may not always be available. Likewise, internship placements may be available in academic areas not listed.
- Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations
- Work in companies or departments in public relations, marketing, or advertising on product development and promotion, branding, company and product launches, event planning, e-commerce and social media marketing, and specific advertising or public relations campaigns. Study marketing techniques and media and consumer behavior. Past internship placements have included Touchmedia, MSLGroup Asia, Adsmith China, Wieden + Kennedy, Ringier China Advertising, Collective Concepts, Ameson Foundation, Riviera Events, and Ogilvy PR.
- Arts/Arts Administration
- Gain an overview and learn about funding bodies that support the arts or work in one of the city’s art galleries, museums, or local arts centers. Past internship placements have included World of Art Brut Culture, V Art Center, ArtHub Asia, Pearl Lam Galleries and Art Networking.
- Business/Economics/Finance
- Work in various departments in Chinese or international firms and corporations. You may be placed with a small start-up, a larger state-owned enterprise, a private trading firm, a medium-sized consultancy, or a foreign or Chinese multinational corporation. You could work in computer programming and software engineering, e-commerce, accounting, digital consulting, trade, logistics, operations, finance and investment, marketing, HR, sales, and international business departments in a wide-range of industries. Past internship placements have included Bluestar AMG, Gaotime, Aexele, Ming Jian, Praxair China, Xindanwei, Mahota, E-heng Import and Export, Josie Chen Range, Allianz China, Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk, Diageo, Talika Cosmetics, Arpin International Group, Xinyu Garments, Epermarket, Connect China, Caterer Goodman Partners, Pacific Asset Management, FrontCoding, CCP Games, and ACM Worldwide.
- Health/Human Services
- Work for education programs, social service departments, or community care centers. Past internships have included Mifan Mama, Sunflower Education Program, Re'ai Family and Youth Center, Changhai Hospital, World of Art Brut Culture, Ameson Foundation, Essential Learning Group/Brain Train, and Optimum Health Care
- Film & Television
- Study communications and work in writing, research, and production. Past internship placements have included Shanghai Media Company; Sabre Works Film; Shanghai International Channel’s news, cultural, and documentary programming; P.I.G China.
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Intern in the hospitality and tourism industries in fields such as hotel or restaurant management. Past internship placements have included luxury and five-star properties like the Portman Ritz-Carlton, the Puli Hotel and Spa, Park Hyatt Shanghai, and Naked Retreats.
- Journalism
- Work in writing, copy editing, research, design, and production for print magazines and online publications. Past internship placements have included That’s Shanghai, City Weekend,and Shanghai Expat.
- International Organizations/NGOs
- Work in international organizations, social or environmental organizations, and various types of not-for-profit groups. Past internships have included the American and the Canadian Chambers of Commerce, British Council, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, the US Commercial Service of the Consulate General in Shanghai, Control Risks, Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Mifan Mama, Jane Goodall Institute, Roots and Shoots, World of Art Brut Culture, Sunflower Education Program for Migrant Children, and the Shanghai Yangzi Social Work Development Centre.
- Politics/Comparative Law
- Participate in the daily life of a Shanghai law firm or commercial legal department or work in an organization where you’ll be exposed to state regulations or political operations. Past placements have included the US Commercial Service of the Consulate General in Shanghai, Control Risks, and the American and the Canadian Chambers of Commerce; and law firms such as SG & CO Law, Dacheng Law, Ferrante Intellectual Property, RSA Consulting, and Luther Law Firm.
- This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area:
Housing & Student Services
Off-campus Program Housing
- Double room with private bath and mini fridge in room
- Shared kitchen, washer, and dryer in the building
- Board is not included; no stipend is provided
- Each unit has Ethernet connections (Wi-Fi routers provided as well); AC/heater unit
- Limited single rooms may be available for an additional charge.
Program Dates
- Summer Term: Mid-June to Mid-August
Application Timeline
This program follows rolling admissions and may fill before the official deadline.
Summer Semester
- Applications Open December 1
- Applications Deadline March 1
This program is rolling admissions; applications are reviewed once all application materials are received, prior to all deadlines. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the BU Study Abroad office. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible as some programs and internship tracks have limited space and may fill up before the deadline. Submitting a complete application prior to the application deadline, does not guarantee acceptance. Students will be emailed an admissions decision within three weeks of a completed application.
Information for BU Students Awaiting an Admissions Decision and exceptions to the standard admission calendar for all students can be found here.
Cost & Financial Considerations
- Summer 2024 Tuition & Fees: $6,610
- Cost includes tuition, housing, internship placement, program related activities, and in-country program related travel
- Estimated budget, including cost of living expenses for Summer 2024
- Grants and Scholarships