The Program
Designed specifically for LeBow College of Business MBA and MS Finance students, the exchange program at Fudan University, School of Management (FDSM) provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn about and experience Chinese business firsthand. Living and learning in Shanghai, the financial capital of China, allows students to discover the latest trends in business development in this very important region of the world. LeBow students studying at FDSM will be completely immersed in the the local culture as they enroll in courses with Chinese and international students completing their MBA at FDSM.
Academics
LeBow students participating in the exchange program will enroll in the International MBA program at FDSM. The International MBA was started in 1996 and designed jointly by FDSM and the Sloan School of Management at MIT. All courses are taught in English. An introductory Chinese (Mandarin) course will also be offered for interested students. FDSM faculty are top researchers and educators in their field and the school has achieved national recognition for its academic accomplishments. In addition to learning from the excellent FDSM faculty, every semester, professors from MIT Sloan, visiting professors of world renowned universities, industry experts and enterprise executives are invited to present lectures and seminars to the IMBA students. Students who participate on the exchange will gain extensive business knowledge and an international perspective on business operations.
Sample course offerings include:
Change Strategy for Leadership and Consulting
Valuation and Financial Statement Analysis
Advanced Managerial Communication
Managing Across Cultures
International Entrepreneurship
Investments
Applied Macro & International Economics
Strategic Brand Management
Project Management
China Funds
Strategic Human Resource Management
Multinational Financial Management
Course Equivalencies: As part of the application process, students must obtain course approvals from the relevant departments in LeBow for the courses they intend to complete while studying at Fudan. It is recommended that students approve more courses than they intend to take while studying abroad as course schedules can change or conflict or students may not receive all of their top choices. Students should primarily select elective courses for study abroad and should work closely with their academic advisor in LeBow on the course selections.
Grading: Students are taught and graded by FDSM faculty. Grades are noted as "CR/NCR" on their transcript and will NOT affect their GPA. In order to receive CR students must earn the equivalent of a "B" or above at the host institution. FDSM uses a Chinese grading scale, of 100 points with similar, though not identical grade break points to the American system. LeBow students must receive a 78 or higher in their FDSM courses to receive credit for their coursework at LeBow.The goal is to be a full-time student at the host institution while also taking the equivalent of a full-time load at Drexel. Students will enroll in nine to twelve credits at FDSM, typically three to four courses.
The Experience
Fudan University is located about 40 minutes from the main city center on the Handan Road campus.
Shanghai is a city of action and no where else in China offers such rich insights into the economy and its rapid business development. While living in Shanghai, MBA students are encouraged to tap into the vast network of multinational companies operating in China to better understand the needs of the business community. Special programming at FDSM will help students to make the most of their time in Shanghai.
Living options
Students may choose to live in the international student dormitory on-campus or may opt to rent an apartment near the university. The dormitory has single or double rooms with in-room baths, a bed and desk, a television, air-conditioning and phone and internet access. Communal kitchens are available on each hall for student use. The dormitory also has a student lounge, small store and laundry. Apartments are available near the campus at modest prices, but are often difficult to arrange in advance.
For meals students can eat at a very reasonable price in the on-campus cafeterias or in a variety of Chinese and Western restaurants located within walking distance of the campus. An even greater variety of options are available for exploration in downtown Shanghai.
Campus activities
FDSM offers a variety of professional and leisure activities for their MBA students, and LeBow exchange students are encouraged to get involved in at least one activity during their exchange period. The JOIN Orientation program is a week of activities, coordinated by second year MBA students to help acquaint new students with FDSM. High-level business forums are offered throughout the year that allow students to learn from local entrepreneurs and senior business executives. FDSM currently has several clubs with a business focus including the Consulting Club, Financial Club, HR Club, Logistics Club, IT Club, Marketing Club, Entrepreneurship Club, Investment Club and Reading Club. The School also has several athletic teams. Short study trips of two to three
days are organized by FDSM each semester to provide opportunities for students to visit companies outside of Shanghai to gain a better understanding of the needs and concerns of the companies. In addition to the FDSM specific activities, Fudan University offers a wide assortment of student clubs. The Foreign Students' Office also provides an orientation program as well as other activities throughout the semester for international students studying at Fudan.
Calendar
FDSM operates on a semester calendar and attending the program in the Fall semester is the only option for LeBow students. The FDSM Fall Semester runs from roughly early September to late December and participation in the program will replace the Fall term at Drexel.
Visa requirements
Students are required to obtain a student visa to study in China and will need to obtain a residence permit once they have arrived in Shanghai. Detailed information on obtaining these documents will be provided to accepted students.
