Travel to the vibrant and cutting-edge city of Shanghai this summer for an immersive two-week high school summer program focused on business, design, and technology. Meet with entrepreneurs in the tech industry and small business owners to learn how Chinese markets are combining innovative product design with sustainable and social goals. Explore the Yangtze River Delta, both an international business and trade hub and a region rich in cultural heritage and conservation. Learn introductory Mandarin, glean insights and inspiration from business leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs, and participate in a multi-day prototype design challenge with professional mentors at the Design Innovation Institute Shanghai (DIIS). Return home with a better understanding of Chinese markets, firsthand experience designing a new product or idea from prototype to market strategy, and a clear sense of potential career paths in business, design, and technology.

• Explore contemporary Chinese technological innovation and sustainable design
• Work one-on-one with a DIIS mentor in a multi-day design challenge
• Learn basic Mandarin and network with local entrepreneurs
• Visit the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site of West Lake in Hangzhou

“Our son made good friends, learned a great deal about the subject matter and local culture, and gained an impressive level of comfort and confidence with independent travel. It was great to see!”

—Amanda & Josh M., New York, NY

Itinerary

This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.

Departure — Travel Day

Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in Los Angeles, and fly together to Shanghai. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Shanghai — 4 days

Begin your program in Shanghai with an in-depth group orientation to the city and its culture. As you settle in, explore the city’s iconic neighborhoods, from The Bund to the former French Concession to the ultra-modern district of Pudong. Visit design spaces and sustainable business projects such as Columbia Circle and EKA Tianwu to learn how modern entrepreneurs are integrating innovation with social and sustainable goals. Take your first Mandarin lesson before you meet up with youth community organizers for an exchange day at the Dayu Community Development Center.

Hangzhou — 3 days

Travel to Hangzhou by high-speed rail and enjoy a peaceful walk beside West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its causeways, temples, and pagodas, on your first day in this scenic city. Visit the campus of Alibaba’s global headquarters for an introduction to China’s digital economy and AI-driven innovation. Participate in an applied AI workshop while exploring the Wensan Digital Life District. Shift gears as you take a day trip outside of the city to visit the Longwu Watershed Restoration project and explore how innovation and sustainable economic models apply to ecological farming and conservation efforts.

Suzhou — 5 days

Board another high-speed rail to the city of Suzhou, just outside of Shanghai and famous for its historic river towns. Spend a day exploring the traditional embroidery, woodblock printing, and ceramic workshops, and learn how local artisans are adapting their craft into small business ventures for contemporary audiences. Put your new skills and knowledge to the test in a multi-day Creative Prototype Challenge at the DIIS Design Institute and the Repair the Planet Lab. Work in teams with one-on-one professional mentor support to develop and refine your unique prototype concept. Exhibit and present your final prototype at a showcase and celebration. Enjoy a final meal with your group to celebrate your experiences and accomplishments before preparing for your flight home.

Return — Travel Day

Fly from Shanghai to Los Angeles with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Featured

Program Leaders

Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.

About the Destination

China is a vast country, the world's second most populous nation, and third largest by area, with immense cultural, linguistic, and geographic diversity. Its history spans thousands of years, shaped by imperial dynasties, spiritual, and philosophical traditions, including Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. The country has undergone Nationalist and Communist revolutions, followed by an economic reform process that has transformed society and established China as a major force in the global economy. Located in the Yangtze River Delta in eastern China, Shanghai is a dynamic international city that offers a window into China's evolving business landscape, technological innovation, and connections to global markets.

Language

Standard Mandarin is the official language of China. There are many other dialects and languages spoken across China. On this program, students can expect to encounter Shanghainese, the local dialect of the Shanghai region. Mandarin is widely spoken and is the focus of the language learning component of this program; however students will also be taught local phrases characteristic to this area of China.

Climate

Shanghai is hot and humid during the summer, with temperatures ranging from 77°F (25°C) to 91°F (33°C). Strong sun and heavy rain can both be expected during this time of year.

Cuisine

Chinese cuisine varies greatly depending on the region. Among other dishes, Shanghai is famous for xiao long bao, soup dumplings. A lesser known dumpling to try is shao mai, an open-topped dumpling often stuffed with a rice and meat filling. Additionally, Shanghainese food tends to be sweeter in flavor, less spicy, and often features river fish and seafood from the Yangtze River Delta.

About the Destination

Language

Climate

Shanghai is hot and humid during the summer, with temperatures ranging from 77°F (25°C) to 91°F (33°C). Strong sun and heavy rain can both be expected during this time of year.

Cuisine

Frequently Asked Questions

Review specific program questions here. For more general information, visit our full FAQ:

What are the main focuses of this program?

The focus of Putney’s Career Shanghai high school program is an in-depth exploration of business, design, and technology in one of China’s most innovative hub cities. Through field observation, dialogue, and collaborative projects, students explore how culture, commerce, technology, and sustainability intersect in contemporary China while developing skills in research, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration. A secondary focus of this program is introductory Mandarin language learning. Because the program is designed to emphasize innovation through sustainable models and meaningful human connection, pairing language skills with entrepreneurial skills on this program helps to deepen student immersion in the creative local communities we visit.

Will students have the opportunity to practice the local language?

Yes, this program includes a structured Mandarin language learning component. Proficiency in Mandarin is not required, but all students participate in interactive language lessons throughout the program and will have opportunities to practice basic speaking skills while communicating with local people.

What is an Independent Project?

All students on Putney programs pursue an independent project as a way to more deeply engage with aspects of local culture or program theme that are of particular interest to them—in Shanghai, students participate in a design challenge at the end of the program to develop the prototype for a unique product inspired by AI, heritage crafts, or contemporary Chinese design and then work one-on-one with a mentor to workshop the idea before presenting it to the group.

What is the technology and cell phone policy?

To help students fully engage and immerse themselves in the Putney Student Travel experience, we do not allow use of cell phones or other internet-connected devices (including tablets, smart watches, laptops, etc.) on our middle school or high school travel programs. Students may have their cell phones during travel to and from the program. During the group’s in-country orientation, program leaders facilitate a call home, then collect and securely store all phones until departure day. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our Approach to Technology.

How physically active is this program?

This is a physically active summer travel program. Students can expect daily city walking and some light hiking. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.

What are the accommodations for this program?

The group stays in comfortable hotels and hostels in and around the city of Shanghai. Leaders reside with students for the duration of the program.

What are meals like in Shanghai?

The group takes meals in restaurants, guest houses, or on-the-go picnics. Most meals consist of varied regional cuisine with dishes often including a balance of grains, vegetables, and proteins.

What type of student is most successful on this program?

Our Career Shanghai program is designed for high school students (grades 9–12) who are interested in business, design, technology, and innovation, and are curious about getting an insider perspective as they consider their future paths in university and beyond. Students seeking opportunities to be creative, problem solve, and learn to think like an entrepreneur will thrive on this program. This program is perfect for students hoping to immerse themselves in Chinese urban culture and learn about both the modern markets of the Shanghai region as well as the basics of Mandarin language and Chinese cultural heritage and tradition.

What makes Shanghai a good location for a Putney Student Travel program?

Shanghai is located in the Yangtze River Delta, a beautiful network of river towns and large metropolises. The city has a dynamic and international history, growing from a small fishing village to a major trade port, one of the first to be opened up to European trade in the 19th century. Since then, merchants have flocked to Shanghai and it has become one of the biggest economic hubs in Asia. The Shanghai area is ideal for a high school program focusing on business and design as it is home to one of the world’s most innovative technology industries. The economic diversity of the Shanghai region combined with Putney’s close network of contacts in the area provide the perfect setting for high school students to meet with experts and entrepreneurs in diverse sectors from technology and AI to agriculture and conservation to sustainable fashion.

How does the Shanghai program compare to Putney’s other Career programs?

Our Career Shanghai program combines the themes of business, design, and technology in a model designed to give students firsthand experience in an entrepreneurial setting. Students gather insights and inspiration from visits to businesses and initiatives across diverse industries and synthesize them in their own uniquely designed business or product prototype, under the guidance of experts and mentors at the Design Innovation Institute Shanghai (DIIS). The structured Mandarin language learning component of this program is unique among Putney’s Career programs and is designed to support students in developing meaningful connections and networks with the local communities they visit during the program.

Do students need prior experience or specific skills to join this program?

No specific experience or skills are required for success on this program, aside from coming with an open mind, willingness to try new things, and participating positively in a supportive, small-group environment.

What outcomes, skills, or growth can students expect to gain from this experience?

Students can expect to leave this program with firsthand experience in designing a unique product or idea, from prototype to market strategy. They will work alongside professional mentors to combine the case studies they observe into a project that is uniquely theirs from start to finish. Additionally, students leave the program with an introduction to Mandarin language basics and experience practicing the language with local people. Through collaborative workshops, exposure to innovative design, and language practice, this program fosters growth in teamwork, cross cultural communication, friendships, creativity, and confidence, and provides a clear picture of potential career paths in business.

A Day in the Life: Hangzhou

Due to the traveling nature of this summer program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day on the program.

8:00am

Enjoy breakfast with the group at your accommodations

9:00am

Spend the morning at Alibaba’s headquarters for a behind-the-scenes look at their newest AI products

12:00pm

Eat lunch with your group at a local restaurant

1:00pm

Visit the Wensan Digital Life District for a case study challenge documenting emerging technologies

4:00pm

Join a walking Mandarin lesson through the Tianmuli Creative District

6:00pm

Have dinner with your group and sample Hangzhou’s famous desserts

9:00pm

End the day with nightly group meeting

“I had a great experience with Putney! I enjoyed the activities, the places we visited, and the opportunities to meet people from different backgrounds. This program helped me become more independent and confident.”

—Dimitris D., Athens College Psychico College, Psychiko, Greece

Program Directed by

Sylvie Littledale

If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!

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Shanghai

Business, Design, & Technology