China Study Mission

Day 1 – Arrival in Beijing & Introduction to China’s Rise

Participants arrive in Beijing and check into the hotel. The afternoon opens with an introductory session on China’s economic and institutional landscape: how the country has transformed into a global innovation leader, the role of the state in driving technological development, and the key sectors, artificial intelligence, clean energy, fintech, and advanced manufacturing, where China is shaping the future. The session also provides an overview of the Chinese academic system and what it means to study, work, and live in China as an international student or young professional. A welcome dinner in central Beijing closes the evening.

Day 2 – Tsinghua University & Zhongguancun Innovation District

The second day is dedicated to academia and innovation. The morning begins at Tsinghua University, one of Asia’s most prestigious institutions and a global leader in engineering, technology, and business, for a campus tour, a session with the international admissions office on postgraduate programmes and scholarship opportunities (including the Schwarzman Scholars programme), and a Q&A with current international students. In the afternoon, the group visits Zhongguancun Science Park, often called China’s Silicon Valley, where participants meet representatives from tech companies, venture capital funds, and research institutes operating at the frontier of AI, biotechnology, and deep tech. The visit includes a structured discussion on career pathways in China’s innovation ecosystem for young international professionals.

Day 3 – Peking University & Corporate China Workshop

The third day begins with a visit to Peking University (PKU), China’s leading institution for humanities, social sciences, law, and economics, and one of the country’s most internationally recognised universities. Participants attend a session on PKU’s international programmes and the experience of studying in Beijing, followed by a meeting with faculty or researchers working on China’s policy and economic development. In the afternoon, a corporate China workshop explores how multinational companies operate in the Chinese market: the regulatory environment, the role of joint ventures and local partnerships, and what skills and mindsets are needed to work effectively in a Chinese corporate context. Participants hear directly from professionals with experience on both sides of the East-West divide.

Day 4 – High-Speed Train to Shanghai & Financial Hub Introduction

Day four begins with the high-speed train journey from Beijing to Shanghai, a three-hour ride that is itself a statement about China’s infrastructure ambitions. Participants arrive in Shanghai and check into the hotel. The afternoon opens with an introductory session on Shanghai’s role as China’s global gateway: its history as an international trading city, its position as the country’s financial and commercial capital, and the ecosystem of multinational corporations, Chinese conglomerates, and fast-growing startups that makes it one of the most dynamic business environments in the world. A welcome dinner in the city centre rounds off the day.

Day 5 – Pudong Financial District & Shanghai Stock Exchange

The fifth day is dedicated to finance and corporate China. The morning begins in Pudong, Shanghai’s gleaming financial district and one of the most recognisable skylines in the world, with a briefing on the structure of the Chinese financial system: the role of the People’s Bank of China, the major state-owned and commercial banks, and the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges. A visit to the Shanghai Stock Exchange follows, with a session on how Chinese capital markets work, how foreign companies can access them, and what careers are available in Chinese financial institutions and in the China divisions of global banks. In the afternoon, participants visit the offices of a multinational corporation or Chinese conglomerate, gaining a first-hand perspective on corporate life in Shanghai.

Day 6 – Fudan University, Startup Ecosystem & Innovation Workshop

The sixth day balances academia with the startup world. The morning begins at Fudan University, one of China’s most internationally connected universities and a leading institution for business, economics, and international studies, for a campus visit, a session with the international admissions team, and a Q&A with students enrolled in English-taught master’s programmes. In the afternoon, participants visit a Shanghai innovation hub or tech accelerator, where they meet founders and investors from China’s startup ecosystem. A structured innovation workshop closes the day: participants explore how China’s model of state-supported innovation differs from Western approaches, what opportunities this creates for young international professionals, and how to position oneself for a career at the intersection of East and West.

Day 7 – Closing Session & Departures

The final morning brings the Study Mission to a close with a round-table session in which participants reflect on what they have experienced across both cities, compare the Beijing and Shanghai ecosystems, and identify the academic and professional next steps most relevant to their goals. A practical closing briefing covers the key resources for those who want to apply to Chinese universities, pursue internships with Chinese or multinational companies, or build a longer-term connection with China. Departures take place throughout the day.