Arts in Suzhou: ATS3938 Social change in practice (overseas intensive)
Arts in Suzhou: ATS3938 Social change in practice (overseas intensive)
The 2026 Suzhou–Nanjing Study Tour offers an immersive exploration of culture, heritage, innovation and global exchange in two of China’s most historically rich and forward‑looking cities. Developed through a close collaboration between Monash University Australia, Monash Suzhou campus, and our partner institution Southeast University (SEU) in Suzhou and Nanjing, the program provides students with unique access to local expertise, academic networks and community engagement opportunities. Across fourteen days, you will engage with leading scholars, practitioners and student peers to examine how cultural identity, urban development and global interconnectedness shape contemporary China. Through lectures, guided visits, hands‑on workshops and reflective fieldwork, you will deepen your understanding of intercultural dialogue, heritage preservation and the social forces driving China’s rapid transformation.
Your first week in Suzhou introduces the city’s dual identity as a centre of classical beauty and cutting‑edge innovation. You will explore Suzhou’s renowned cultural landscapes—including the Humble Administrator’s Garden, historic canals and the silk museum—while learning from experts on heritage, sustainability and smart technologies. Intercultural workshops with local students at Monash Suzhou and an **intangible cultural heritage craft experience** further enrich your understanding of cultural expression and creative industries.
The second week in Nanjing, hosted in partnership with SEU, shifts focus to memory, modernity and global exchange. Activities include campus tours, lectures on China’s economic development and Nanjing’s historical landscape, a 3D‑printing and ceramics workshop, and visits to Jiming Temple, the Ming City Wall, Xuanwu Lake and the Nanjing Museum. Cultural experiences—such as traditional opera, calligraphy and a Qinhuai River cruise—offer further insight into Nanjing area’s living heritage.
The program concludes with student presentations and a synthesis workshop, enabling you to integrate your field observations, research and reflections into a cohesive understanding of China’s cultural and socio‑economic landscape.
| Dates / Deadlines: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
| Summer A (Nov - Dec) | 2026 | Open until all spots are filled | 22-Nov-26 | 7-Dec-26 |
| Information Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Course Level | Undergraduate |
| Awarded Credit Points | 6 |
| Program Type | GCP - Global Campus Program |
| Program Duration | 15 days |
| Leading Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
| Minimum WAM | 60% |
| Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia |
| Funding Available | Monash Abroad Travel Grant |
Program Costs
Program Cost: Approximately $3203
Deposit: Approximately $750 by registration due date
2nd instalment: Approximately $1226.50
3rd instalment: Approximately $1226.50, 45 days before departure
More instructions will be provided about your payment to confirm your place in the program.
Program costs includes:
- Twin-share accommodation
- Breakfast daily
- Transportation to and from program-related events/activities
- Entry fees to scheduled activities
- Guided tours of select venues
- Monash travel insurance policy.
Program costs do not include:
- Monash University fees for 6 credit points of study
- Airfares
- Visa costs
- Local travel outside of program activities
- Medical expenses (which may be claimable via the insurance policy)
- Meals and drinks not included in the program
- Personal expenses.
Travel insurance
If you are an actively enrolled Monash student and participating in an approved international program, you will be provided with complimentary travel insurance. You will automatically be covered once your application has been approved and your enrolment updated to reflect your study overseas.
Under this policy, travellers will also receive access to 24/7 emergency assistance provided by Global 24 Emergency Assistance and limited coverage for personal travel days.
Visas
Monash Abroad cannot provide advice regarding visa requirements. If you require a visa to enter the country where your placement is based (e.g. you are an international student), you will need to contact the relevant Consulate General or Embassy within Australia for advice. Monash Abroad can issue you with supporting documentation to lodge your visa application, to request that, please complete this form. Please note, these requests take approximately 3-5 business days but may take longer during peak periods.
Centrelink support documents
For the purposes of maintaining your Centrelink benefits during your overseas program, complete this form so that Monash Abroad can produce a letter of enrolment for you. Please note, these requests take approximately 3-5 business days but may take longer during peak periods.
Important Note:
The Monash Abroad Travel Grant and OS-HELP loan (if applicable) will be paid approximately 2-4 weeks prior to program commencement and only when all Monash Abroad requirements are completed by you. Therefore, these funds will function to reimburse you for monies paid and should not be considered as your primary source of funding to pay program related deposits and balances.
Monash Abroad Travel Grant
Monash students studying in Australia who are enrolled into a credit bearing unit for this program will be assessed for eligibility to receive a Monash Abroad travel grant if they are not otherwise receiving any other scholarship that is intended to cover most or all of your travel/tuition costs for your program (e.g., New Colombo Plan Mobility grant).
You do not need to apply separately for this grant as your eligibility for this grant will be assessed as part of your application.
OS-HELP Loan
OS-HELP is a Commonwealth Government loan program that provides financial assistance to eligible Commonwealth Supported Place students, to undertake some of their study overseas.
If you are eligible for the loan and wish to apply, please submit your application as per the relevant OS-HELP loan term deadline, even if you have not been accepted into your overseas program by that deadline.
Student Loans
If you need help with study-related expenses, please refer to the student loans website and talk to a student adviser at Monash Connect.
Travel Scholarships
Please refer to the travel and placements scholarship website for more information.
| Dates / Deadlines: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
| Summer A (Nov - Dec) | 2026 | Open until all spots are filled | 22-Nov-26 | 7-Dec-26 |
Eligibility
Places are limited and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis. To apply for this program, you must have:
- Must be enrolled in Bachelor of Global Studies (Single or double degree)
- Must have completed 48 credit points
- Must be enrolled in ATS2086 prior to enrolling in this unit.
- Minimum WAM requirement of 60
- Submission of a 200 word personal statement in your application
At all times Monash University embraces and celebrates true diversity. We strongly welcome applications from our students living with disabilities, who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, students with caring and/or parenting responsibilities, who identify as LGBTIQA+, people of colour, and those whose identities intersect with more than one of the above.
How to Apply
Step 1: Submit an application for this program
- Complete both the Application for Overseas Study Form
- In the Application for Overseas Study Form, select "Monash led programs" as the program type. Next, select “GCP | ATS3938 Social change in practice (Suzhou) (Summer A, 2026)”.
- Submit a 200-word personal statement outlining how you will benefit from undertaking the program.
Incomplete applications will not be assessed.
Step 2: Faculty assessment and outcomes
Assessment will be undertaken by the relevant faculty to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements.
If you are accepted into the program, you will be issued with an offer letter that you will need to accept. The offer letter will also include access details for you to complete the Passport and medical details form.
Step 3: Enrolment and travel approval
Once you accept your offer, you will be enrolled into the relevant unit/s. Monash Abroad will then review your Passport and medical details form and issue you with the final step: Travel Approval Request Form.
Once you completed all of these requirements, Monash Abroad will approve you for travel. You will then have access to the travel insurance coverage and be issued with any relevant grants and scholarships.
Important note: you must have a valid passport that does not expire until at least six months after the program end date.
| Dates / Deadlines: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
| Winter | 2024 | 01-Mar-24 | 01-Jul-24 | 12-Jul-24 |
Eligibility
Places are limited and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis. To apply for this program, you must have:
- a WAM of 60% or above.
At all times Monash University embraces and celebrates true diversity. We strongly welcome applications from our students living with disabilities, who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, students with caring and/or parenting responsibilities, who identify as LGBTIQA+, people of colour, and those whose identities intersect with more than one of the above.
How to Apply
Step 1: Submit an application for this program
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
Step 2: Selection and enrolment
The Faculty of Arts will review all applicants after the deadline to assess eligibility to participate in this overseas. Please note that this generally takes two weeks after applications have closed.
Step 3: Additional data collection and travel approval
Once you application has been assessed, you will be issued with an outcome email. If you are successful, your outcome email will include a letter of offer that you will need to accept. You will also receive two additional forms you will need to complete:
1. Passport and medical details, and
2. Travel Approval Request Form.
Important note: you must have a valid passport that does not expire until at least six months after the program end date.
Key contacts
Academic and course content: Dr. Xin Gu (xin.gu@monash.edu)
All other enquiries, please contact Monash Connect