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A statue of Chairman Mao on the Fudan University campus.

Washington University will launch a new study abroad program in Shanghai run entirely by Washington University faculty, starting in fall 2011.

The program will be offered in both the fall and the spring semesters and will be hosted on the campus of Fudan University.

Currently, the University offers a faculty-led summer language program in Shanghai, as well as spring and fall programs in Kunming, China, through the School for International Training.

Washington University senior lecturer in Chinese Judy Mu will relocate to China and serve as the resident director for this program.

The program has been in development for three years, according to Professor Lingchei “Letty” Chen, director of East Asian Studies and academic director of this program. Noting the role of China in today’s global society, Chen said it was important for the University to have a presence in China.

“The chancellor has this vision of setting up various programs all over the world, especially with our partner universities,” Chen said. “Our vision is to provide our students with this opportunity to experience Chinese society firsthand, not just for two or three weeks as a tourist or on a short summer program. We wanted to give our students the opportunity to stay for three months at a time.”

Students can extend their study abroad experience by studying for an entire year or transitioning to or from the summer program.

Fudan University was chosen to host the program because of the close relationship between Fudan and the University. Both institutions are members of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy, and the University’s summer language program is hosted by Fudan University.

Chen said that through the new fall and spring study abroad semesters in China, the University can offer classes not available in St. Louis.

Students will be able to pursue different opportunities while on the program, whether doing internships, conducting research or just taking classes. Companies such as Dell and Johnson & Johnson, as well as nongovernmental organizations, have offered to host the students in the program.

Program participants will undergo intensive language training at the beginning of the program and take a shared class that examines China in a global context. Class topics will change each semester, and will examine issues such as China’s foreign policy and U.S.-China relations.

Junior Lauren Katz is considering doing the program next fall. She participated in the summer language program two summers ago and interned with Cabot Corp. in Shanghai last summer. She said that she loves the city and likes that she is familiar with the area and neighborhood, but would be able to engage in an experience different from her previous ones.

“The courses they are offering are a lot different from what is offered at Wash. U.,” Katz said. “I’m thinking about writing my thesis on consumerism in China, and it would be a really good way to get first-person research and conduct field studies.”

Chen said the goal is to have 50 students in Shanghai at any given time.

“It’s a very ambitious plan,” Chen said.

Chen also recognizes that fall is a less popular semester for students to study abroad. “Ten or fifteen students the first semester will be wonderful.”

Mark Beirn, associate director for overseas programs, described Shanghai as “a tough nut to crack.” He said students can use the program to engage locals in Shanghai and use the city as their classroom.

“Shanghai is the city of a new century,” Beirn said. “We are talking the 21st century being the century of China, and Shanghai epitomizes all that is China and all that China hopes to be. Shanghai is a cultural capital, it’s an economic capital and, for the right student, a really compelling place to be.”

For students interested in the program, the deadline to apply for the fall and yearlong program is Feb. 15. The deadline for the spring program is May 1.