During orientation week, students meet with local business leaders in different industries to secure internships and sign up for community service activities. Participants are also informed of a number of cultural activities organized by the full-time, on-site support staff throughout the semester. In past semesters, students visited the Maglev train, the Yuyuan Gardens, and the City God Temple. Cooking lessons, visits to the homes of some of the city's Old Town residents, and a Chinese acrobatic show are also scheduled for those who want to further their understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture.

NYU in Shanghai is located in the heart of China's most invigorating city. Known for its economic prowess and long history of foreign influence, China is the world's fifth largest exporter and one of the fastest-growing economies. Shanghai, a busy metropolis with strikingly modern architecture, is the perfect locale from which to observe the interplay of various forces moving China forward. NYU in Shanghai draws prestigious faculty from local universities, including East China Normal University (ECNU), one of the country's premier institutions of higher learning and home to a renowned school for teaching Chinese as a foreign language. Additionally, ECNU sponsors many of China's key research institutes in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.At NYU in Shanghai, students find courses in a variety subjects taught by NYU faculty or local scholars, including Chinese language courses at all levels, ECNU liberal arts courses taught in English in many different fields, and liberal arts courses taught in Chinese for NYU students with advanced Chinese language skills. U.S. and Chinese students take courses together in order to maximize the cross-cultural experience. NYU's renowned Leonard N. Stern School of Business also offers courses at NYU in Shanghai, making it possible for business majors to fulfill many degree requirements while abroad. Outside of the classroom, internships and community service opportunities engage students with local culture.