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Approximately 40% of GT faculty were born outside of the U.S.


SJTU Study/Work Abroad Program

SJTU - SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY
Program Level: Undergraduate
Number of Weeks/Term: 20


BACKGROUND
Georgia Tech (GT) has developed a number of overseas programs around the globe. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete a portion of their academic programs in top-notch foreign universities that are partnered with GT. As a result of immersion in a foreign academic and cultural environment, students have the maximum opportunity to learn to operate effectively in an atmosphere that is wholly different from that of GT and the U.S.

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LOCATION INFORMATION
China
With its entrance to the WTO, hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and hosting of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China is becoming an increasingly attractive place for citizens from all countries. With 1.3 billion people, China is the most populous country in the world, and its role in world affairs has become increasingly important. The Chinese economy continues to grow at a robust pace, and China is now considered a "must play" for multinational companies.

Shanghai
Shanghai is a dynamic and cosmopolitan metropolis. It has a total area of 2,448 square miles and a population of more than 13 million. It is one of the world's biggest, most booming urban areas. Although approximately 1% of China's population lives in Shanghai, the city contributes more than 11% to the country's total income. Its port ranks 3rd in the world in volume of cargo. Shanghai is quickly becoming the center of attraction for Asia.

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PROGRAM DATES
Academic Year: early September -mid July
Spring Term: Late February - Mid July

NOTE: Students may participate in this program for the spring term or for a full academic year.

YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
2004

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HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Founded in 1896, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is a university under direct administration of China's Ministry of Education. SJTU is located in Xu Jia Hui, the commercial center of Shanghai. Close to it are many consulates of foreign countries. Several public transit systems are within walking distance of the school, such as subway, light-rail, bus lines, etc. Nan Jing Road, Huai Hai Road, Hong Qiao Airport, Shanghai Railway Station, Lu Jia Zui (Pu Dong) can be reached within 20 minutes.

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ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES

Subject Areas Available:

  • Chinese
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Management
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Modern Languages

Language Information
Approximately 20 courses per semester are available in English (courses vary each semester). The list of English courses is usually announced two months before the beginning of each semester.
Students who have native fluency in Chinese are also eligible to enroll in courses from the entire SJTU course catalogue .

Course Information
For a list of courses taught in English or for more information on courses taught in Chinese, contact the OIE Advisor listed below.

Intensive Language Program
Students may opt to participate in the "Long-Term Chinese Refresher Course" for the term of study. This is a full-time intensive language program offered by SJTU. Students in the language program usually are not able to enroll in other courses due to the scheduling and location of the language courses. For details, click here.

Internship Option
Students who study at SJTU in the fall semester qualify for assistance in finding an internship for the spring semester. Internships are not administered through OIE; for more information contact the Work Abroad Office at workabroad@dopp.gatech.edu.

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CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
Credit for courses taken as part of GT exchange programs is added as transfer credit on the GT transcript. Since it is important to know which kind of credit students will earn abroad as soon as possible, GT requires that courses be pre-approved for transfer. With a Foreign Credit Approval Form (available from OIE) in hand, and the credit transfer system information (listed below), students should submit course descriptions to the appropriate academic unit to request their approval. If taking Math classes, for example, then the student should go to the GT School of Mathematics to get permission for the courses to transfer to GT. If approved, the GT School of Mathematics signs the Foreign Credit Approval Form showing how the courses will transfer so that students will know which type of credit they should expect to receive.

For detailed credit transfer instructions click here

For the Foreign Credit Approval Form click here

CREDIT TRANSFER SYSTEM
This information is intended for undergraduates students only. Graduate students must speak with their academic unit to to determine the acceptance of transfer credits.

SJTU uses the following credit transfer system:
1 SJTU credit = 1.08 GT credit

GRADING SYSTEM
SJTU uses the following grading system listed below:
SJTU Grade = US Grade
A+, A, A- (85-100) = A
B+,B, B- (70-84.9) = B
C+, C, C- (62-69.9) = C
D (60-61.9) = D
F (59 or less) = F

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:

  • Georgia Tech degree-seeking undergraduate student
  • 3.0 GPA or higher
  • undergraduates complete at least six semesters of college-level study prior to participation
  • at least 18 years of age by the program's departure date
  • enroll in 12 or more credit hours at the host institution and earn a C or higher for each course
  • international students (non-US citizens) may have additional requirements set by the overseas university
  • all students must have completed all the prerequisites for any courses they wish to take

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    PROGRAM COSTS
    The same matriculation, tuition and other mandatory fees (including transportation, technology, activity, health, and athletic) apply to a term abroad as would normally at Georgia Tech. Exchange students must pay tuition and fees to the GT Bursar for each semester they are abroad. No other expenses associated with this program are paid to GT; instead, these expenses are paid on site.

    Keep in mind the costs of books, health insurance, food, living expenses, and travel money, as well as pre-departure costs like your passport and visa.

    The currency in China is the Renminbi or Yuan. Please click here for current exchange rates.

    DON'T FORGET TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! See the OIE web site for more info: click here

    Following are cost estimates for one semester at SJTU that may help you prepare for your term(s) abroad. All costs are in USD.

    In State Tuition $3,035
    Out of State Tuition $3,285
    GT Mandatory Fees $718
    Books and Supplies $250
    Administrative and/or Application fees $0
    Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals) $715
    Roundtrip Airfare $1,800
    Room and Board $3,500
    Additional Language Instruction $0
    Mandatory Insurance $150
    Total $10,168 (in state)
    $10,418(out of state)

    *Out-of-state students pay in state tuition, plus $250 for this exchange program.

    *Costs in the preceding chart are estimates for undergraduates based on tuition rates posted by the GT Bursar for "continuing students." Guaranteed tuition rates, graduate tuition rates, and MBA tuition rates vary. Please check the GT Bursar's web site click here to confirm actual tuition rates based on degree, term, or level of study. Actual costs may be higher or lower than those listed above, depending on the exchange rate and personal spending habits/needs.

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    HOUSING AND MEALS
    Housing

  • off-campus apartment/room for rent
  • on-campus residence halls

    Students live on campus in the international student residence halls (these halls do not have Chinese students). Students must make reservations for rooms on campus with their applications. Most rooms are equipped with a color TV, direct-dial telephone, air- conditioner and Internet connection. Additional facilities include kitchen, and refrigerator for public use. Depending on the building, the bathroom may be shared. For housing descriptions, photos, and rates click here

    Meals
  • NO meal plan
  • on-campus dining

    There are several on-campus dining facilities serving primarily Chinese dishes. For on-campus dining, you can expect 3 meals for about $4-5 per day. Prices are higher for restaurants off-campus. Generally, you may find that Chinese restaurant foods in Shanghai cost approximately 1/3 of those in the US. Western eateries such as Pizza Hut, KFC, etc charge approximately the same as in the US.

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    INSURANCE
    Students participating in this program will be assessed $150 per semester for mandatory insurance coverage. You will be covered by T.W. Lord and Associates. For detailed information about this insurance plan, click here. This cost is included in the above cost estimates for the program.

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    EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
    SJTU has many extracurricular activities to offer its students, including soccer, basketball, tennis, and taekwondo.

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    CLIMATE
    Shanghai has a moderate climate characterized by a warm spring, hot summer, cool autumn, and cold winter. Shanghai receives abundant rainfall with frequent light rain from mid-June to early July while in July and September there are usually strong storms with torrential rain. Summers are hot and humid (the hottest months are July and August), and temperatures in winter dip below zero (coldest in January).

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    VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION
    Complete information about how to apply for or renew a U.S. passport is available from the GT Office of International Education or online: click here

    You will need a valid passport and visa. For information regarding visas, click here.

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    YOUR NEXT STEPS
    To begin the process of participating in this exchange, please do the following:

  • Attend an exchange program information session. For dates visit: click here. If you are unable to attend, please make an appointment with the OIE staff member listed below.
  • Download the OIE Exchange and Study/Work Abroad Application instructions at click here and submit the completed application by the appropriate deadline.
  • Deadlines: Fall/academic year/summer applications are generally due in mid-February. Spring applications are generally due in early to mid-September. Specifics are listed in the application packet.
  • Visit the host institution's course information link located under "academic disciplines". Print course descriptions of all the courses of interest that you believe will fit into your GT academic plan.
  • Make an appointment with your Academic Advisor to review course options, bring course descriptions to help.
  • If you need to get or renew a passport, you should start that process now! Passport information is online: click here.
  • For financial aid information click here
  • For scholarship information click here

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    EXPERIENCES OF FORMER STUDENTS
    click here

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    FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Ms. Jennifer Evanuik, Study Abroad Advisor (Exchange Programs)
    GT Office of International Education
    631 Cherry Street
    Savant Building, Suite 211
    Atlanta, GA 30332-0284
    Phone: (404)894-7475 Fax: (404)894-9682
    E-mail: jennifer.evanuik@oie.gatech.edu
    OIE web site: click here



    Host/Program Web Site: click here

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    Hidden Fields:
    Shanghai
    China
    Asia
    Semester
    20
    12
    English/Mandarin
    For more info, contact OIE.
    Can I go abroad while pursuing a GT degree?
    GT students have many opportunities to participate in semester/exchange and study abroad programs. In a semester program, you actually take classes with the host university’s students and faculty. (In some cases, this means that you must have excellent knowledge of the local language to participate). Semester program participants usually pay normal GT tuition and fees for each term abroad. Credits can be pre-approved to transfer back to GT so that you do not get behind in your studies. The application deadline for fall and academic year programs is in early February; for spring programs the deadline is in September/October.

    In a study abroad program, the courses are taught by GT faculty and you register for regular GT courses. Residents pay normal matriculation fees, but do not pay ancillary fees (athletic, health, etc.). Non-residents only pay resident matriculation plus $250 ($1500 for GTL Summer/$2000 for GTL Spring/Fall) . This is a savings of over $6,000 for out-of-state students who participate in GT study abroad programs as full-time students! Deadlines for summer study abroad programs vary from early January to mid-February.

    In most cases, if you are eligible for financial aid or scholarships, you can apply your grants, scholarships, and/or loans toward the expenses associated with participating in all GT programs.
    GT’s International Plan: More than just study abroad
    Your major is participating in this new initiative!
    The International Plan is an intensive, degree-long program designed to prepare GT graduates professionally and personally for successful lives in the 21st century. Requirements of the program include international coursework, two terms abroad (any combination of study, research or internship abroad), proficiency in a second language, and a culminating course. Students who complete the program will have a designation on their diploma indicating completion of the degree with global competence: for example, “BS in Mechanical Engineering: International Plan.” For more information or an application, contact your major advisor or OIE and visit the website: click here