This July, the Hongkou campus of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) is alive with energy as young faces from around the world fill its historic halls. On July 13, the 2026 SISU International Summer Camp welcomed over 1,600 students from more than 60 countries and regions, who will spend up to eight weeks immersed in Chinese language and culture.

-01- "What a joy to have friends from afar!"

Students have come to Shanghai this summer from places as far-flung as Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Italy, and the United States — all drawn by a shared passion for the Chinese language and culture.

Beyond the main program, the camp also offers several specialized tracks. These include three sub-programs under the "Shanghai Summer School" initiative, a China-U.S. project exploring AI-driven Chinese language education, and a youth camp tied to the "China-Russia Year of Educational Exchange." Other offerings cover RCEP regional development, Yangtze River Delta integration, and the UK's "Mandarin Excellence Programme." From the Global South to Belt and Road countries, the initiatives reflect SISU's broader engagement with diplomatic strategy, regional development, and multilingual education.

The College of Chinese Language and Culture, which hosts the camp, has designed a program that weaves language instruction with hands-on cultural experiences.

Learn Chinese, Grow Every Day

The camp offers 72 level-based classes across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Students are placed according to their proficiency so everyone finds the right pace. Lessons are practical and engaging, with a focus on building listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The goal is to make Chinese feel less like a challenge and more like an adventure.

AI Joins the Classroom

The curriculum builds on the four core skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each class weaves together Chinese characters, literature, artifacts, culture, and civilization. Students learn the language and the culture behind it at the same time.

AI acts as a teaching assistant, supporting previews, in-class practice, and review. Beyond the classroom, cultural activities give students plenty of opportunities to apply what they have learned. This "dual classroom" model — learning in class and practicing in the real world — helps students build their language skills and speak Chinese with confidence in everyday settings.

China Beyond the Classroom

Outside the classroom, students explore Chinese life from multiple angles. They visit city landmarks and local neighborhoods, experience traditional culture and modern technology. It is a multi-dimensional look at what China is really like.

-02- Highlights of the Program

l  Revolutionary Heritage Tour — Visits to the Site of the First National Congress of the CPC and the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, with insights into the city's urban development.

l  City Night Cruise — A night cruise along the Huangpu River to take in the dazzling lights of Shanghai's skyline.

l  Tech Discovery — A visit to Tencent's AI Open Day for an up-close look at cutting-edge digital technologies.

l  Culture & Community Visit — Visits to Quyang Community and a classic Chinese bookshop, offering a glimpse into everyday local life and the city's literary heritage.

l  Countryside Excursion — A day trip to Chongming Island to enjoy the natural scenery of the Jiangnan countryside.

l  Cultural Gatherings — Tea culture experiences and lectures on cross-cultural exchange, offering students more to explore beyond the classroom.

Source: Study at SISU