MHC/IFSA Economic Transformation and Business Challenges in China

Overview

In cooperation with Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, this program provides a unique opportunity to study the economic and cultural transformation of contemporary China and its implications for the world while living in one of the most exciting cities in China. The program provides opportunities to travel, do an internship, and build relationships with Chinese residents. All components of the program work to build a strong understanding of Mandarin and international business. Offered each spring semester, the program is based at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE).

Students have the opportunity to study China’s emergence as a world economic giant and its role as a major player in shaping the events of the 21st century.

Students can complete the Global Business Nexus in one semester on this program. Be sure to talk to Katie Walker in the Nexus office for details!

About Shanghai, SUFE and The Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA)

Shanghai’s position at the mouth of the Yangtze River contributed to the development of trade with the West and its historic role as one of the most important financial and business centers of Asia (“the Wall Street of the East”). Today this metropolis of more than 20,000,000 people is the largest city in China, and it is once again one of the great trading and financial centers of Asia.

Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) was founded in 1917 and is the number one ranked finance and economics university in China.

The Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) was founded in 1988 on the campus of Butler University as a provider of study abroad programming for U.S. undergraduates. IFSA operates independently as a non-profit organization and maintains a close connection with Butler University. Students will participate fully in IFSA program and activities, and will have full access to IFSA staff and resources.

Admission

This program is open to students who have a grade point average of at least 3.0 and have completed the following courses prior to arrival in China:

Two economics courses, or one business course and one economics course.
At least one semester of Chinese language.
An “Introduction to Finance” course, if the student wants to enroll in the “International Finance” course in the program. Mount Holyoke permits students to take a total of 12 non liberal arts credits s (e.g., Finance, Marketing) toward their degree. Students interested in taking business/non liberal arts courses should consult their degree audit report in my.mountholyoke and the Registrar to determine how many non liberal arts credits they have remaining.

Testimonials

“At SUFE and in Shanghai, Mount Holyoke students will see and experience China in fresh and exciting ways. They will have the chance to connect what they've learned in the classroom with real-world experiences and better appreciate China's continuing transformation in a globalizing world.” — Calvin Chen, Associate Professor of Politics

"The SUFE program will give Mount Holyoke students an opportunity to learn firsthand about China’s dynamic business environment and its emergence as a global economic power. The SUFE program also will support the Nexus program at Mount Holyoke by facilitating global engagement and helping our students make connections between their liberal arts education and their career goals." — Ying Wang, Associate Professor of Asian Studies

Academic Program

The program is designed for students interested in gaining a deeper understanding of China’s emergence as a political and economic powerhouse, and is open to qualified students in all majors. All of the program courses (except for China in the World and Chinese language) will count as 200-level credit toward an economics major or minor. Successful completion of the program (including the Internship course) will fulfill the requirements for Mount Holyoke's Global Business Nexus. Students who wish to use the credits toward other majors or minors should consult with the appropriate department chair at Mount Holyoke.

Students will enroll in the IFSA International Business Program, where they will take courses in finance, economics, and politics; study Chinese language; and live with Chinese roommates. The required course China in the World will be taught exclusively for students in the Mount Holyoke program and for Chinese students studying at SUFE, a rare opportunity for dynamic and sustained cross-cultural exchange in the classroom. All other courses will be with Alliance students from universities across the U.S.

Students who enroll in four IFSA courses, plus Chinese, will receive 18 credits toward their Mount Holyoke degree, rather than the usual limit of 16 credits for a semester abroad. Students who prefer to choose three courses plus Chinese, for a total of 15 credits, will receive 16 credits at Mount Holyoke. Courses are taught in English (except for Chinese language), generally by faculty members from SUFE or Fudan University.

The program also offers ample opportunities for experiential learning about China and its rapidly changing business environment through company visits, other study trips, and internships.

China in the World

(required, 3 credits)

There is a wide-ranging debate on how China’s economic rise is changing the global economic and political architecture. In this course, students will study the determinants of China’s foreign policy, the impact of China’s rise on geopolitics, the global implications of China’s high and growing demand for natural resources, and the implications of China’s competitiveness in a broad range of activities for developed countries on the one hand and developing countries on the other.

China: Economic Giant

This course is primarily intended to lay out the foundation and also provide an informed perspective about the evolving process of China’s economic transition and development during the past three decades. In the semester, we will analyze the Chinese economy from both economic and political perspectives, cover issues at both micro- and macro-level, and combine theoretical and empirical aspects.

Chinese Language

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to apply to this selective program, Mount Holyoke College students must meet the following requirements:

Meet Mount Holyoke’s general requirements for academic leave of absence
Have a GPA of at least 3.5
Must have completed 96 credits of coursework by the end of their junior year

Additionally, students should ordinarily be at Mount Holyoke during their junior year.

Chinese Language courses are offered at multiple levels. A placement exam during on-site orientation determines each student's appropriate language level.

Elective Courses

Students will choose one or two additional courses from the electives offered by the IFSA Shanghai program. We strongly encourage students to choose the Internship or Business Chinese. Interns are placed in Chinese, joint-venture, or foreign-owned companies. They spend 10-12 hours per week (or 120 hours a semester) at the internship site and complete a research project that includes a paper and oral presentation. Mount Holyoke accepts credit for the internship course.

Fees and Financial Aid

The program fee for Spring 2023 is $17,250 . The fee covers tuition and fees, pre-departure materials, guidance with applying for a visa, orientation, housing, weekly activities, textbooks, on-site support and advising, a one-week Field Study Trip and a weekend Field Study Trip. Round-trip airfare, meals, passport and visa fees, additional travel, and any other miscellaneous and personal expenses are not included in this figure.

Eligible Mount Holyoke students who are accepted to the program are guaranteed Laurel Fellowships (need-based financial aid). For students who are approved for Laurel Fellowships, the budget for financial aid will include the program fee and allowances toward airfare, meals, books, and personal expenses.

For more information

If you would like to speak with someone about the Mount Holyoke/IFSA in Shanghai, please contact April Stroud, Director of Study Abroad.

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