Delegation Leader: Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN
President of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International)

Program Dates: May 18-30, 2008
 

CHINA

Age-old traditions converge with modern Chinese life in an exotic setting that begs to be discovered anew by all who enter. From bustling cities to rural villages to the top of the Great Wall, you will discover a warm and joyful society, where family and honor play a meaningful role. This heady mix of ancient culture and contemporary practices make visiting China one of the most intoxicating adventures you’ll find anywhere.
 

• Understanding the Chinese health care system and the philosophy on which it is based

Guest program:

Old Beijing’s culture and customs will come to life as you spend time with a family in the old Hutong area. Gain an understanding of how the locals really live by immersing yourself in their lives, even if only for a short time. Then our guests will move on to visit the best-kept courtyard house in Beijing, Gong Wang Fu, or the Prince Gong Palace. Covering 5.7 hectares of land in the core area of Beijing, it is the world's largest and the most beautiful courtyard house.

The still water of reflecting pools and exotic foliage stirring in the breeze will entice you to explore the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. The Summer Palace has been an urban oasis for the last 800 years and was restored to its original splendor in the early 20th century.

Thursday, Day 5: Beijing

Delegates and guests will visit the 9,999 rooms of the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace). You will enter the massive stone walls that protected the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for nearly 500 years. Twenty-four emperors walked over the same stone bridges, through the intricate arches and past the traditional lion statues as you will.

Friday, Day 6: Beijing

Professional program focusing on:

• Migratory patterns of nurses worldwide
• Successful integration of migrating health care professionals

Guest program:
Visit the ancient and amazing Temple of Heaven. The compound contains one of the largest parks in the city, and is far larger than the Forbidden City.

Saturday, Day 7: Beijing to Lhasa, Tibet

Transfer to Lhasa, Tibet and spend the afternoon acclimating to the increased elevation.

Lhasa, the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region, is the political, economic and cultural center of the region. It is home to many historical and scenic sites in both its urban and more rural areas.

Sunday, Day 8: Lhasa

Delegates and guests will visit magnificent Potala Palace. The 13 story, 1,000 room citadel served as headquarters to the former "church-state" of Tibet. From the latter half of the 18th century it was home to successive Dalai Lamas who used it as their winter palace. The palace is now a museum visited by Tibetan pilgrims as a holy site.

The Sera Monasteries, founded in 1419, are monastic universities dedicated to the religious education of Buddhist monks. Learn their fascinating history and a little of the theory behind the lifestyle. Experience the life of a Tibetan townsperson while visiting a local village.

Monday, Day 9: Lhasa

Professional program focusing on:

• Understanding the Tibetan health care system and the philosophy on which it is based

Guest program:
Visit the Provincial Museum, which opened in 1991 and was built in the style of a traditional Chinese palace. This well-organized museum displays more than 2,000 ancient artifacts depicting the evolution and development of Chinese civilization.

Wander down Barkhor, a circular street at the center of Old Lhasa and the oldest street in a very traditional city. Tibetan culture, religion and arts coalesce here into an assemblage worthy of the finest museum.

Tuesday, Day 10: Lhasa

Professional program focusing on:

• Undermining national self-sufficiency through international recruitment of health care personnel

Guest program:
Drepung Monastery, the largest and richest monastery in Tibet, was founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa under the patronage of a noble family. It was later enlarged by the Fifth Dalai Lama. At its peak, Dreprung had more than 10,000 monks.

Wednesday, Day 11: Lhasa to Chengdu

Depart Lhasa for Chengdu, China.

Chengdu, traditionally a center for handicrafts and brocades, is still known in China for its fine silks, bamboo products and herbal medicines. The chief cultural center of southwestern China, it is the home of Sichuan opera, a local tradition for close to 2,000 years.

Thursday, Day 12: Chengdu

Observe both giant (black and white) and lesser (red) pandas in the large, natural environs of the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center.
Delegates and guests will have a chance to learn about the facility’s reintroduction programs. The giant panda originated in Sichuan Province, making Chengdu one of the best panda habitats in the world and home to over eighty-five percent of the wild panda population.

Share your memories and experiences during your farewell banquet.

Friday, Day 13: Chengdu to Los Angeles (via Hong Kong)
 

Optional Pre-Program Extension to Hong Kong View extension
Optional Post-Program Extension to Xi’an and Kunming View extension
Optional Post-Program Extension to Hong Kong View extension
Please inquire for further information upon registration

We work diligently to ensure that the activities described here are available on your program. In rare cases, scheduling conflicts, delays, weather or circumstances beyond our control may result in program changes. If substitution is required, we make every effort to feature comparable events to retain the content and quality of the program.