China - Overview

• Premier China summer program for high school students completing grades 9, 10, 11, 12
• Full program of afternoon, evening and weekend activities & excursions included in tuition!
• Visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Hangzhou and more!
• 4 days in Beijing, 3 ½ weeks in Shanghai
• Optional Getaway Hong Kong Weekend
• *June 29 departure from the U.S. with June 30 arrival in China

Special Programs in: 

• Intensive Business Institute 
• Mandarin Language Immersion
• Shanghai Business Internship

A joint venture between Summer Discovery and China Prep

China Prep is an educational travel organization founded by Brantley Turner-Bradley (who currently resides in Shanghai) in 2006 that creates experiential educational programs to China. China Prep specializes in school groups and internships, and has operated educational programs in China for prestigious independent schools including Hewitt, Dwight and Collegiate in New York, and Brentwood in Los Angeles.

Study Abroad in China!

China is the most rapidly-changing, economically and culturally important country on earth. The undeniable common goals and interests of Americans and Chinese make deep understanding and respect critical to our mutual success. China is on a trajectory of increasing power and influence, bringing it closer to the superpower-status that the U.S. has enjoyed for decades. In large measure, the future will be shaped by these two nations: both partners and competitors on the world stage. With a population of over 1.3 billion, approximately 23 percent of all the people on earth live in China. China has over 160 cities with more than 1 million inhabitants; the USA has 9. Cross-cultural exposure to China, its people and its culture are essential in today’s global society.

Beijing

The program begins with 4 days in Beijing, capital of the People’s Republic of China and the nation’s political, cultural, educational and communication center. One of the six ancient cities in China, it served as the seat of the emperor for hundreds of years. It has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with about 140 million Chinese tourists and 4.4 million international visitors annually.

Shanghai

Shanghai is the largest, most vibrant city in China, and one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world, with close to 20 million inhabitants. A global city, Shanghai exerts influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, art, fashion, and research. The city is located near the Chinese coast, and sits at the mouth of the famed Yangtze River. Originally a fishing village and textiles manufacturing hub, Shanghai became a multinational hub of finance and business in the mid 20th century. After the economic reforms in 1990, intense re-development took place in Shanghai that continues today with skyscrapers, gleaming shopping centers and sports/entertainment centers. The city is one of Asia’s premier tourist destinations renowned for The Bund riverfront esplanade, the foreign concessions historic architecture, and the ever-expanding Pudong skyline. Here, one finds the perfect blend of cultures, the modern and the traditional. New skyscrapers and old shikumen lanes, western customs, and Chinese traditions intertwine to form Shanghai's culture, making for a truly wonderful place for a summer of discovery.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), founded in 1896, is one of the top universities in China and a member of the prestigious C9 group of Chinese universities. The University has many notable alumni including former President Jiang Zemin. SJTU boasts 60 undergraduate, 152 masters, 93 Ph.D, and 21 post-doctorate programs. Our classes will be held at Jiao Tong’s traditional Xuhui campus in the heart of Shanghai.

Living and Learning in One Residence

All Summer Discovery students live together in one residence/hotel in both Beijing and Shanghai—a special feature of our programs. This enables students and staff to develop the close-knit community of living under one roof. Although our students benefit from the greater university community, they have a distinct “home”, which provides immeasurable social, educational and safety benefits. In Beijing we stay at the Baihuan Hotel, a 4-star hotel with twin rooms, air-conditioning, television, shared internet connection and private bathrooms.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University Boxuelou Hotel

Our home in Shanghai is the SJTU Boxuelou Hotel, a 3-star hotel owned and operated by the university. Located by the front gate of the historic SJTU Xuhui campus in the heart of Shanghai, the hotel features air-conditioned twin rooms with private bathrooms. television, and shared internet connections. Summer Discovery maintains an office staffed seven days a week at SJTU Boxuelou.

Food For Thought—Chinese Choice

Dining in China is fresh, healthy and delicious. Confucius said, “Eating is the utmost important thing in life.” From delicious dumplings to Shanghai noodles to Peking duck, we experience it all. Students have the opportunity to dine in a wide variety of restaurants and sample numerous cuisines, both Chinese and Western in a combination of family style group meals and Chinese Choice meals. Students enjoy breakfast at our hotel and experience restaurants in the evening throughout the city. Generally, two meals per day are included in the program. 

Transportation

• It is a short walk to all of our classrooms and most athletic facilities. Students will also travel by the very clean and efficient subway system. 
• For large group excursions, chartered buses with professional drivers, trains and public transportation are used.
• Summer Discovery provides escorted transfers to/from the airports in Beijing and Shanghai for $60 each way. Staff meets the Summer Discovery flight after customs and assists with departures. Travel arrangements must be made through Musiker Travel, our own travel agency. Our group flight, accompanied by Summer Discovery staff, departs the USA from Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK) airport June 29 and arrives in Beijing on June 30. All students from the U.S. are required to take this group flight. The return flight is from Shanghai to LAX or JFK, and departs and arrives on July 27. Students also fly from Beijing to Shanghai, and this flight is included in the program tuition.

Health, Safety and Security

• The health, safety and security of each student is our primary concern.
• For 24 hour/emergency care, students are taken to Shanghai United Family Hospitals and Clinics, the most prominent, international standard medical service and healthcare organization in China.
• International SOS supplemental medical/health service (included in tuition) provides access to a hotline with bilingual doctors on call
• 24 hours a day. This is a supplemental travel service and students should verify that their regular insurance plans provide coverage while in China.
• Summer Discovery staff make all medical appointments, transport and accompany student to medical facilities, obtain prescription medications and notify parents after medical visits.  
• American and Chinese Bilingual Resident Counselors live in the residence with Summer Discovery students.
• For additional safety, there are daily/nightly sign-ins and room checks.
• In keeping with a collegiate atmosphere, students are permitted to walk on campus and in our “home area”, but must be in small groups.