Hangzhou, China Project Center (IQP)
Hangzhou is located on China’s booming southeastern coast and is one of China’s most beautiful and bustling cities. The capital of China’s richest province (Zhejiang) and one of China’s ancient imperial capitals, Hangzhou exemplifies China’s quest to become a modern economic power while retaining its unique historical identity. Students will see firsthand the beauty of China’s antiquity when walking along World Heritage Site West Lake in downtown Hangzhou and experience on a daily basis the booming growth of Hangzhou, China’s 4th largest metropolitan area with a population of 8 million. From Hangzhou, students can easily travel to Shanghai, only an hour away on the high-speed train, and to many other cities both inland and on the seaboard. Hangzhou has a humid subtropical climate with four distinctive seasons. Average temperatures in Hangzhou in November fall between 49°F and 63°F.
Hangzhou students will live in hotel style accommodations in the Xiasha District. Rooms are fully furnished with two single beds, linens, towels, a full bathroom, a living space, broadband internet, satellite TV and free local phone service. A kitchen is not available in the hotel and students are not allowed to cook by themselves. Accommodation type and location are subject to change without notice and will be confirmed the term prior to departure.
Chinese cuisine varies greatly by region, and may not be what you’re used to from a typical Chinese restaurant in the U.S. The staples foods of Chinese cooking include rice, noodles, vegetables, sauces, and seasonings. Dairy is rarely, if ever, used. It may be hard to identify what is in a particular sauce, especially for students with a peanut allergy, so be sure to keep healthy practices and your advisors and students informed of your health in case of an allergic reaction. Make sure to take any dietary restrictions or allergies (nuts in particular) into account as you consider this site and inform your advisor and IGSD of any health concerns well in advance of your participation in this program.
Students must arrive on or before the posted start date and stay through the posted end date of the program. Dates will be posted at the top of this page. WPI housing will be available from the start date to the end date. If students plan to arrange any personal travel before or after the program, they will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing.
Past Hangzhou students have:
- Determined feasibility of electronic bike share system in Hangzhou
- Recommended e-book sharing and recycling practices for innovative e-platform library company
- Analyzed clinical trial protocols in China, Europe, and US for Chinese cancer drug biotech firm
Students will be billed the following fees by WPI for the WPI semester they are away. These will be billed to you on the regular WPI billing cycle (i.e. Fall semester, and Spring semester).
In addition to this, students should budget for the following while away:
- WPI Tuition and Fees
- WPI Housing Fee (if applicable)
- WPI Meal Plan (if applicable, reduced for term away)
- Global Projects Program Housing and Program Fee (for applicable programs)
- Local transportation
- Airfare (if applicable)
- Tourist activities and incidentals
- Project related incidentals
A breakdown of all estimated expenses for Hangzhou can be found here: Hangzhou Estimated Expenses
WPI is committed to the health, safety, and security of all students who participate in our programs. While off-campus study can present unique challenges and inherent risks, we believe that careful research and diligent planning are keys to a safe and rewarding project experience. WPI utilizes several key resources to understand the risks of travel in the countries where we operate, and we urge you to consult these same resources as you research your intended destination. You can also discuss questions and concerns about your travel plans with on-campus resources such as the IGSD, the Student Health Center, the Office of Disability Services, and the Student Development and Counseling Center. It very important that you consider your own health requirements as you review what sites are most interesting to you, and that you carefully review the published information concerning health, safety, and security at the resources linked below prior to applying to a particular site. Make sure to visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for the most up to date health and vaccine information, and review all information in relation to your own health and any medical conditions you may have.
Country-specific travel health information from the Centers for Disease Control
Country-specific page from the U.S. Department of State
Student travel website from the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State