Activities and Field Study Trips

Throughout the semester, students are invited to take part in a full schedule of excursions, events and lectures - all designed to enhance their understanding of China and the historical and modern influences that impact its culture and people.

Field Study Trips

To view photos of the 8 Day Field Study Trip to Hong Kong, Macao, and Zhuhai, please click here.

To view the Travel Book for the Hong Kong, Macao, and Zhuhai Field Study Trip, please click here.

Our Field Study Trips allow students to gain a greater understanding of Chinese culture, society, and economic development. As part of their Capstone Projects, students will continue to investigate an area of particular interest during this trip. In addition to the week-long trip, a weekend trip to a nearby city is also organized during the fall and spring terms. The summer programs include a five-day Field Study Trip to a different destination each summer. 

During the week-long Field Study Trip in the fall and spring terms, students on the SUFE program will travel to Guangdong Province and Hong Kong. Dramatically influenced by Hong Kong, Guangdong is the most affluent province in China. The high level of economic integration between the Pearl River Delta and Hong Kong has led Guangdong to play a leading role in China’s economic growth. Understanding the growth and evolution of investment in manufacturing, real estate, and financial service industries will deepen students’ understanding of the miracle of economic development in southern China.

"The Hong Kong field study trip was a fantastic way to experience Chinese business culture firsthand.  Through visits to a variety of factories and meetings with Chinese entrepreneurs, we were able to cultivate guanxi and truly appreciate China's economic emergence.  Our five days in Hong Kong plus the time in Guangdong Province allowed for the ideal balance of learning more about Chinese commerce and visiting one of China's most popular tourist destinations!"
                                                                                                   -Jacob Marder, Fall 2008  

As trip destinations are subject to change, please continue to check this site for the most up-to-date information or contact info@allianceglobaled.org.

Local Activities

Throughout the semester, students are invited to take part in a full schedule of excursions, events and lectures - all designed to enhance their understanding of China and the historical and modern influences that impact its culture and people. Shanghai program students will visit the famous Yuyuan Park, the historic Bund along the Huangpu River, and the former French concession. Activities may include cultural performances, museum visits, special lectures, visits to artists' studios, architectural walking tours, and many opportunities to meet locals, including students from other campuses.

To complement the international business curriculum at SUFE, the Alliance arranges a series of visits to Chinese, joint-venture, and foreign-owned enterprises, allowing students to better understand the local business environment.

Sample activities from a prior SUFE term are listed below. Please note that activities for future terms are subject to change:

1. Guest Speaker in 'China: Economic Giant' class
Mr. Terrence "Tab" Cuddyre was a guest speaker in SHAN ECCH 370 China: Economic Giant class. Tab has worked in the finance industry for many years in China and also Hong Kong, Dublin and New York. He shared his insights from his broad experience and answered questions about both Shanghai and China's evolving financial sector.

2. Company Visit to Sigma Group in Baoshan District
Sigma's aluminum alloy exports represent 50% of China's total aluminum alloy exports, and 40% of China's aluminum alloy exports to Japan. With the rapid development of China's automobile market, Sigma's domestic sales have also increased at a rapid pace. Sigma has the highest domestic sales volume out of China's secondary aluminum smelters. Students received a copy of the New Yorker magazine article in which Sigma Group and it's CEO Tony Huang were featured prominently. Tony hosted the excursion, with highlights including a tour of the processing facility and a Q&A session.

3. Weekend Trip to Shaoxing City

During the trip students visited two textile factories and Asia's largest textile market. Students also had the opportunity to paddle down one of Shaoxing's historical canals, visit Lu Xun's boyhood home and school, and pick tea at a tea farm. To view photos from the Fall 08 Shaoxing Field Study Trip, please click here.  To view the Travel Book from the Spring 09 trip, please click here.

4. Visit to the Propaganda Poster Art Centre

Founder and owner Mr. Yang Peiming hosted the tour of the facilities and provided an introduction to his poster collection. Participants of this activity included SUFE students and their Chinese roommates. For more information on the Propaganda Poster Art Centre, please visit http://www.shanghaipropagandaart.com/new_page_1.htm

5. Visit to Baosteel in Baoshan District

A site visit to the largest iron and steel conglomerate in China. Baosteel is the sixth-largest steel producer in the world with revenues of $21.5 billion.

6. Lecture/Discussion titled "Adapting to China's Business and Financial Practices."

The engaging lecture was led by  Daniel Drescher , Alliance alum 2008 graduate of University of Florida; Li Qi, Managing Director, Prosperity Assets Management Company and former Assistant Vice President, Golden Brilliant Investment Holding Company; Wang Xumin, former Investment Director, Prosperity Assets Management, Ltd.

7. Documentary/Discussion: "Art, Economics, and Shanghai's Urban Redevelopment Politics"

The artist, and voice behind the M50 (Moganshan Lu) Studio and Contemporary Art Gallery District, presented her documentary on the making of the M50 district; an exploration of contemporary art, urban redevelopment, and social displacement.
 

Extra-Curricular Activities

The Alliance arranges extra-curricular classes which may include Chinese painting, calligraphy, cooking, taiji or other martial arts, seal carving, or paper cutting. These classes offer a wonderful opportunity to learn more about traditional Chinese culture.

To view photos from an extra-curricular calligraphy, please click here.