Liverpool John Moores University hosted a two-week overseas summer school program with five universities in Shanghai, which has been called one of the largest outbound projects being undertaken by a UK university.

During the two week program, eighty-five students worked on projects in collaboration with Chinese students and showcased their learning outcomeon the ‘Liverpool in Shanghai Day’ event.

“We hope this will be the first of many student opportunities in China.” spokesperson form LJMU says.

Five Shanghai universities participating in the project including University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Changshu Institute of Technology, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai Normal University and Jaixing University.

On top of regular classes with partner universities, each school worked on themed project including a joint fashion show, a short film production competition, and a Chinese medication program. The university report student’s feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

“The best part of the trip for me was representing the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, by talking to people from different cultures and working towards a common goal of achieving a collaborative formula student car,” participant says.

LJMU says many of the students had never visit China before, but after experiencing Shanghai and learning more about Chinese culture, some are even considering living and working in China after graduation.

With various fully-funded summer school programs offered by LJMU, the HEI aims to engage 10% of undergraduates in an international experience during their studies. The sponsorship includes university funded summer schools to Lima and Sharjah, travel bursaries for students studying overseas in the US and a Go-Global fund which gives students a bursary of up to £1500 to undertake an overseas project.

It is expected that LJMU will run international summer schools in both Sharjah, UAE, and Lima, Peru this year, alongside dedicated business summer schools in New York and Zaragoza, Spain.

“We wish to build a two-way relationship with students and academics from these partners, letting our students not only experience a new academic environment, but a new culture too.” Sarah Bereford, Director of International Relations at LJMU says.