About the Program
Health, safety, and security are paramount in Summer School Study Abroad program planning and execution. Our security consultants at Harvard Global Support Services (GSS) continually monitor and make recommendations to Harvard Summer School programs regarding current travel risk levels and situations around the world. GSS’ current risk rating for China is Elevated Risk. As always, we will work closely with GSS to help prepare you for a safe trip and provide information and resources for your security and well-being while abroad.
From treaty port to revolutionary hotbed to global metropolis, the city of Shanghai has connected diverse peoples, cultures, cuisines, and economies from various parts of China and around the world. Interweaving cultural studies with history and education, this program will help you understand China, in regional and international contexts through engagement with a variety of historical, literary, and cinematic texts. In addition to classes, you will take field trips to historical landmarks, neighborhoods, museums, and factories, occasionally venturing beyond the city to neighboring provinces. You will also learn to make your own, new discoveries using original research, so that you can use your experiences in Shanghai to produce your own creative project or academic paper.
The program counts as two semester-long courses (4 credits each) of degree credit.
HIST S-1826 Study Abroad in Shanghai, China: China in the World Economy, 1800 to the Present
Arunabh Ghosh, PhD, Professor of History, Harvard University
4 credits
UN Limited enrollment.
China represents the most consequential economic story of our lifetime. This course will help you gain a deeper understanding of that story by offering a close examination of China’s place in the global economy from 1800 to the present. Our conversations will be informed by major debates in the field of world economic history and within the field of modern Chinese history. We will divide our time into four week-long modules, covering the late imperial economy, the period of republican government, experiments in socialism, before ending with a look at developments in the reform era. Each meeting will combine a lecture, a discussion, and group activities. We will survey secondary scholarship, investigate primary texts and objects together, and explore Shanghai and its environs. In addition to classes, we will take field trips to historical landmarks, neighborhoods, museums, and factories, occasionally venturing beyond the city to neighboring provinces. The goal is to provide you with the foundation and tools to make your own discoveries. No prior coursework or exposure to China is necessary.
SSCI S-162 Study Abroad in Shanghai, China: Learning and Unlearning
Liao Cheng, PhD, Lecturer on Education, Graduate School of Education, Harvard University
Assistant Director of the Secondary Field in Educational Studies (Ed Secondary) program, Harvard College, Harvard University
4 credits
UN Limited enrollment.
This course examines the purposes and processes of learning and unlearning across cultures. From birth, we embark on a lifelong journey of learning that shapes nearly everything we know and do, and ultimately who we become. Yet, we often fail to examine the implicit assumptions and approaches underlying our learning. In addition, we often overlook the importance of unlearning – the process of letting go of inaccurate information, misguided beliefs, harmful biases, limiting mindsets, and unproductive habits to make room for new learning. Unlearning has always been essential for replacing outdated and simplistic ideas with updated and sophisticated ones. Today, it has become even more critical due to contemporary challenges such as societal polarization and media echo chambers, the impact of generative AI and other technologies on traditional practices, the necessity for challenging the status quo to envision a more just society, and the urgent need for dialogue, understanding, and empathy in an increasingly tribalistic world.
Intentionally examining the purposes and processes of learning and unlearning will help us become more effective (un)learners, and ultimately, illuminate how these processes can foster human flourishing in our current world and for future generations.
In this course, we will engage with fundamental questions and debates, including:
What does it mean to learn and unlearn? How do individuals prioritize the diverse purposes of learning, such as cultivating intellect, developing moral values, fostering personal growth, preparing for citizenship, and beyond? How do our experiences and cultural contexts influence our understanding of learning? How do we learn, and why do we learn in the ways that we do? When do we feel motivated or demotivated? How do schools nurture or stifle children’s natural curiosity? Do students learn better through teachers’ instruction or independent exploration? How do we monitor, evaluate, and adjust our own learning processes? How might generative AI be used to support or hinder learning? How do we decide what is worth learning and what should be unlearned? Why do we struggle to change our minds and habits, and what strategies can effectively facilitate this transformation?
We will examine the cognitive, metacognitive or self-reflective, emotional, social, and cultural dimensions of learning and unlearning. We will use a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary lens, analyzing cases from East Asian and Western cultures and draw insights from psychology, neuroscience, education, and philosophy.
Where You'll Live and Study
The city of Shanghai evolved from a treaty port to a revolutionary hotbed to a global metropolis from the 19th century to the 21st century. Famed for its “East-meets-West” cosmopolitanism, Shanghai has brought together diverse peoples, cultures, and economies from various parts of China and around the world. It thus becomes a perfect locale for the study of intercultural exchange, economic development, and globalizing processes more broadly.
Accommodations
You will live on the campus of one of China’s most distinguished academic institutions. Lodging amenities include wi-fi, 24/7 concierge, refrigerator, daily housekeeping, laundry, safe for storage of valuables, cafeteria and gym. You will have opportunities to meet students from different parts of China and with diverse interests. Apart from all the practical conveniences of a student district, the campus also offers library access and will be an ideal base for your creative and research projects.
Application
Review the How to Apply page for full information. To apply, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have completed at least one year of college or be a first-year student
- Be in good academic standing
The Summer 2026 application is now available via the Apply Now link at the top of the page. Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. ET on January 29, 2026.
Each program has unique requirements included in the online application. Beginning your application early is the best way to ensure that you have sufficient time to review and complete the application requirements by the deadline.
You may apply to no more than two programs; if applying to two programs, you will be asked to rank your two applications in order of preference (first and second choice). Any applications submitted in excess of the maximum of two will be automatically withdrawn. You will be notified of your admissions status in each program on February 20.
A complete online application includes:
- Basic personal information
- A statement of interest
- Your most recent transcript
- Program-specific requirements (if applicable; may include letters of recommendation, etc.)
Interviews may be requested at the discretion of the program.
Be sure to read about the funding options available for Harvard Summer School Study Abroad programs.
If you have questions about the application, please contact the Harvard Summer School Study Abroad Office by email at SummerAbroad@Summer.Harvard.edu.
Cost & Expenses
The program fee includes:
- Tuition
- Accommodations
- Scheduled program activities
- Some meals (the program will provide further details)
You will also need to budget for a number of expenses not covered by the program fee. The amounts listed below for these out-of-pocket expenses are approximate, and you may incur additional expenses not noted here. Your actual expenses will depend on a number of factors, including personal spending habits and currency exchange rates. Note that expense categories — especially airfare — may be subject to significant fluctuations.
- International airfare ($1,800–$2,300)
- Ground transportation ($250)
- Meals ($1000)
- Personal expenditures, communications, course materials, visa fee, and miscellaneous ($500)
If you have specific questions about personal budgeting, please contact the program directly.
See Funding and Payment for information on how to submit payments and funding options.
Additional Information
- Questions? Contact Emmeline Liu at Emmeline_Liu@FAS.Harvard.edu.
- Need an accommodation? See Students in Need of Accommodations to request one through the Accessibility Services Office.
- Accepted to the program? See Admitted Students for information about predeparture requirements.
