Learning Abroad Center
A crowd of people walk the streets in China, with Chinese banners and lanterns surrounding the busy street

Planning for China's Urban Billion

Asia & Oceania

Explore the rapid urbanization and emerging urban development issues of cities in China.

Program Details

Location
Location
Beijing, Xiong'an, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, China
Term
Term
May Session
Housing
Housing
Hotel
Languages Taught In
Languages Taught In
English
Sponsor
Sponsor
Humphrey School of Public Affairs

Program Eligibility

Student Type
Student Type
UofM Students
Non UofM Students
Student Year
Student Year
Juniors
Seniors
Graduate Students
GPA
GPA
2.5

About

If current urbanization trends continue, China will have one billion urban population by 2030. How Chinese cities can minimize pressures and maximize opportunities of urban expansion is a critical question that affects every aspect of urban planning.

This intensive 2-week study abroad course will familiarize you with urban planning practices and emerging development issues in five unique Chinese cities: Beijing, Xiong’an, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. By integrating lectures, site visits, and cross-cultural classroom activities, the course will create immersive learning experiences that directly connect you to foreign cultures, alternative ways of life, and exciting urban landscapes.

This program is administered by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Applications are processed by the Learning Abroad Center.

Program Model

Instructor-Led

Housing & Meals

Throughout the program, you will be accommodated in hotels, with all three meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—included, except during personal free time or when you participate in optional program activities.

Application Deadline

February 1st

Program Dates

May 20th–June 3rd, 2024

Academics

PA 5880: This course will cover a wide range of urban planning and international development topics, ranging from affordable housing provision to historic preservation to rural development to transportation demand management.

View the May 2024 Syllabus (PDF)

Program Leader

Yingling Fan is Professor of Urban and Regional Planning and the Director of the Global Transit Innovations program at the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on developing novel land use and transportation solutions to improve human health and social equity.

Excursions

Excursions may include, but are not limited to:

  • Beijing—Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Dashilar, South Luogu Alley
  • Xiong'an—Xiong'an Civic Center, Rongdong Smart Experience Center
  • Shenzhen—Futian Central Business District, Nanshan Science and Technology Park, Shenzhen Bay Park, OCT LOFT Cultural District.
  • Guangzhou—Zhujiang New Town, Shamian Island.
  • Hong Kong—Star Ferry, City Gallery & Victoria Habour, Central Mid-Levels Escalator, Peak Tram.

More Information

For more information, contact Yingling Fan, Ph.D. Professor, Humphrey School of Public Affairs Director, Global Transit Innovations University of Minnesota at [email protected].

Visit the Global Transit Innovations website to learn more about their previous study abroad programs.

Program Fee

May 2024 Cost of Participation

Program fees include lectures and professional site visits, domestic transportation in and between Chinese cities, group meals and hotel accommodations in all cities, and insurance.

Program fees do NOT include international airfare to China, passports, visa fees, or meals during personal free time or optional program activities.

Billing & Payments

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

Cancellation Policy

The regular Learning Abroad Center cancellation and refund policy does not apply to this course. Connect with your program contact for details on the cancellation and refund policy for this program.

If canceling after confirmation, a $50 application fee, $500 for Advising, Placement, Academic, and Administrative Costs, and international medical, security, and evacuation insurance costs when it has been purchased for the student, will be charged to the student account.

In the case of a cancellation prior to confirmation, only the $50 application fee will be retained.

May 2024

PA 5880 Planning for China’s Urban Billion

May Session 2024—Double Occupancy Housing

Program Fee

  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit $400
Tuition and educational costs $1,445
International health insurance $30
Housing and/or mealsDouble Occupancy Hotel Room $1,000
Transportation (if required and included in program fee) $0
Total Program Fee $2,875
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable $0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable $2,875

Estimated Additional Expenses

  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program siteInternational Airfare $2,500
Passport/photos $150
Visa/required documentsChinese Visas required $425
Travel clinic/immunizations* $0
Housing deposit $0
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure $3,075
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials $0
Housing and/or meals not included in program fee $30
Essential daily living expenses $20
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country $50

Total Estimated Cost of Participation

  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation $6,000
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation $100
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

PA 5880 Planning for China’s Urban Billion

May Session 2024—Single Occupancy Housing

Program Fee

  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit $400
Tuition and educational costs $1,445
International health insurance $30
Housing and/or mealsSingle Occupancy Hotel Room $2,000
Transportation (if required and included in program fee) $0
Total Program Fee $3,875
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable $0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable $3,875

Estimated Additional Expenses

  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program siteInternational Airfare $2,500
Passport/photos $150
Visa/required documentsChinese Visas required $425
Travel clinic/immunizations* $0
Housing deposit $0
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure $3,075
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials $0
Housing and/or meals not included in program fee $30
Essential daily living expenses $20
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country $50

Total Estimated Cost of Participation

  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation $7,000
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation $100
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Prepare

Be aware: All programs require a $50 application fee. This fee will be charged to your student account upon submission of an online application.

Current US passport processing times are longer than normal. If you do not have a passport, or your passport expires less than 6 months after your return date from your time abroad, apply for a new passport now.

Apply

The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

Complete

When you submit your online application, you will be assigned an application checklist that includes:

  • First Step session

Next Steps

  1. After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
  2. Your completed application will be reviewed by the program leader in the sponsoring college/department.
  3. If admitted, the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
  4. Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
    • Passport Information
    • Emergency Contacts
    • Health Information Form
    • Online Health & Safety Orientation
    • Release & Waiver
  5. You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.