This summer’s study abroad program in China will give students the opportunity to earn 6 units in film classes while making their own films on the streets of Shanghai.

“Shanghai is the center in China for the arts, and it’s a very international city,” said Michael Stinson, associate professor of film studies and the director of the program. “They used to call China the sleeping tiger, but it’s not sleeping anymore.”

Between July 3 and July 24, students from City College will be trying out life in China while taking Film and Television Production 185, “Directing for the Camera” and Film Studies 120, “Great Directors.”

“I’m just really happy to get this opportunity to travel to a different country and do something I love to do, which is film production,” said student Kevin Torres, a film production major applying for the program.

Half the spots have already filled up and the last day for application is May 2.

For the class “Great Directors,” young Chinese directors will be coming to class, screening their films and talking about their careers.

“It’s a really good opportunity to visit another country and to see their perspectives,” Torres said.

The students will also attend Shanghai International Film Festival during their stay, and at the end of the program every student will have made their own film.

“Film production is exciting, fun and stressful but it’s so rewarding in the end,” Torres said.

He added that he’s really excited that they will be able to film in the streets of Shanghai.

The program was originally set to be four weeks with the last week in Japan, but because of the recent natural disasters that ravaged the country, that part of the trip was cancelled for safety reasons.

The program will now stretch for three weeks, with the plans for China unchanged.

Students will benefit from the shortened program by the reduced program cost. It was originally set to $3,150 but is now cut to $1,950.

Students can apply for up to five available scholarships of $300 to $500 a piece.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for growth,” said Carola Smith, senior director for educational programs. “Students who participate in study abroad programs come back and say it was an experience of a lifetime.”

Stinson, who lived in Asia for six years, encourages students not only to look into their opportunities to apply, but to take advantage of their time in China.

“I want to open the world to my students the way the world opened up for me.”