WSU China Travel 2008

More photos

2008-05-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

Here a picture of the group at the Great Wall. In the back ground, you can see a (very faint) the Beijing Olympics sign. (sorry there are two of the same picture).

Our public health activity in Jiamusi included blood pressure screenings and height/weight measurements with counseling for promotion of health. See, there are tall people in China, too.

We are grouped together at the Temple of Heaven in Shanghai. This is where the Emperor would go to pray for good climate conditions for the crops. In the past, there were no irrigation systems for farming, so they relied on the weather for good outcomes.

I hope you enjoyed the additional photos. If you have a friend or family member that went on the trip, I'm sure you'll see at least a thousand more photos. Thanks for being supportive of this wonderful cultural and educational experience.

In Shanghai

2008-05-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

In Shanghai, we compared the design of the Sprite and Coca Cola logos, saw some beautiful water lilies and did a presentation at Shanghai Medical Workers' University. They have health professions programs, especially nursing, that are very similar to ours. There was opportunity for the students to communicate with the Chinese students.

Shanghai is getting ready for the Olympic games, too. The city is decorated with banners and a lot of souvenirs are on sale.

An adventure in eating!

2008-05-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

In Shanghai, the Shanghai Medical Workers' University administration hosted a lunch for us. We visited with Mike and Cindy Palumbo - it's amazing who you see in China! They're both Weber State folks teaching in China.

There's even McDonald's in China.

While in Xiamen....

2008-05-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

We had a chance to see the beautiful river front in Xiamen and then, out to the beach for some much needed rest and fun.

More photos: Jiamusi to Beijing to Xiamen

2008-05-26T09:46:00.000-07:00

We were able to visit a dental clinic in Xiamen. They hosted us at the Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital of Xiamen.

Toward the end of our trip in Jiamusi, the students and faculty had a wonderful music and dance performance for us.

Happy Budha welcomed us to Beijing at the Jade Factory -- on the way to see the Great Wall of China.

Jiamusi photos

2008-05-26T09:37:00.001-07:00

While at Jiamusi, Bob Walker, Joe Hui and Shellie Oakes all celebrated birthdays. Of course, they were Kings - Queen of the day.

We observed some elder Chinese people playing "Marjoon(?)" - Chinese-type checkers in the park.

The welcoming ceremony at Jiamusi was awesome. Even though it rained a bit, it was fabulous

Jiamusi photos

2008-05-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

We had so many wonderful experiences in China. I wanted to update the blog and give more examples of the things we did.

We went for a walk/hike in the hills outside of Jiamusi before lunch one afternoon during our visit. President Sun from Jiamusi Heilongjong university honored Yas' new appointment as the College of Health Professions Dean with a special Tea Party. When it came time to travel from Jiamusi to Beijing, the students and faculty saw us off at the airport. Then, on to Beijing.

We're back to the United States of America!!

2008-05-23T13:45:00.000-07:00

Hi - to everyone who followed our travels. We returned yesterday, May 22, 2008 to the SLC airport about 4:00 p.m. The last days that we were in Shanghai, the internet was very "shaky" because of the official three days of mourning for the earthquake victims in China.

We tried several times to get on the computer and that didn't work well at all. After the earthquakes started -- even getting pictures to upload was tough. I will have some time over the weekend to get the blog updated and completed for our trip.

Speaking for the majority of the group, and especially the faculty, we had a great time. There was very little traveler's sickness (stomach, GI upset) and most of us had plenty of patience for each other most of the time. It was a challenge to be together for 16 days and two very long airplane trips and several other shorter airplane rides.

This study abroad excursion will certainly find its place in my personal memoirs.

My best to you! I'm so relieved everyone is safe at home now. It breaks my heart to know that so many people have been effected by the earthquake disaster in China. Please remember them in your thoughts.

Shanghai China

2008-05-20T01:49:00.001-07:00

Hello! or should we say 'knee-how'?

We made it to Shanghai and had a long,long day!! We had a short tour of Shanghai over to Pudong district.
went to dinner at Yu Garden for some great dumplings. It's a slow connection and our bus is waiting. We're off to the Bund (its Shanghai's version of the river walk in San Antonio) I'll get back on the computer later and get some pictures up.

From all of us,
China travelers

2008-05-18T02:09:00.000-07:00

Xiamen China NOTE 2

2008-05-18T01:39:00.001-07:00

We went to the beach - Pacific Ocean - really far east.

We're planning on Pizza Hut dinner tonight. I'm amazed at how 'tired' of the food so many of us are. We had KFC (Chicken) on our way from Beijing to Xiamen. There's a picture of picnicking at the airport. We went to a garden today and students from a local school were collecting donations for the disaster relief fund for the earthquake victims. They seemed very happy that our students were contributing.

I'm hopeful that the pictures are coming through OK. This internet connection is quite slow.

We're having the evening "off" to get our bags packed to be ready to leave the hotel at 5 a.m. for the airport. Then, it's Shanghai for a couple of days and home again. The trip is flying by. We really haven't had much rest time, but when you're on the other side of the world, you might as well see it all.

Best wishes and thoughts of home: Students, faculty, tour guides & of course, the bus driver.

PS - I've tried to upload a bunch of pictures, but I'm not sure they're coming through. We're going to try again later.

Xiamen China

2008-05-18T01:25:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!
Xiamen is in the south east part of China on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. It's beautiful here. We've decided that it's a lot like Florida. The first day we arrived, we were taken on a city tour. One of the pictures shows the harbor with the lady that protects Xiamen harbor. Egret birds are the official bird of China and this park has a lot of them. We were hosted at a tea demonstration to show how to prepare tea and a short lecture on different types of tea.

A great day at the Great Wall

2008-05-14T07:11:00.001-07:00

We climbed the Great Wall of China today. It was over an hour bus ride to the site from the hotel. You can see that the sky is a little overcast, but it didn't slow us down. In the afternoon, we had already left the Great Wall and went to the Jade factory -- it started raining. Oh well. We went to the 13th Emperor's tomb to check out some of the history of this area. It was interesting to see how much effort the Emperor and his group put into making the tomb a comfortable place 'forever'.

We were able to catch most of the Beijing Acrobat Performance this evening. There was very bad traffic trying to get around Beijing because of 'rush hour' and the rain. It was a day jam-packed full of cultural and history experiences.

Tomorrow, we are up early in the morning and off to the Summer Palace. That's the place where the Emperor would spend the summer months when it was just too hot in the city. We have a full day planned here in Beijing and then, catch our plane to Xiamen in the early evening. We should arrive to Xiamen after a two hour flight.

A few of our group were motion sick from the long bus ride. But, its more punishment from the other 26 group of health care workers trying to take care of whoever is not feeling great, than to just paint on a smile and keep going. We are taking good care of each other.

Its been a busy, interesting and fun experience being on this trip. We'll message after our flight tomorrow (as soon as possible) so you'll know we're doing fine.

Missing you -- the group of WSU study abroad faculty and students

2008-05-13T07:25:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Beijing and went to the Forbidden City for a long walk. It was an interesting tour. In Tienneman Square there is the Beijing Olympics count down clock. 87 days to go!

Tomorrow we're up early and off to the Great Wall "hike". We'll go to the Jade factory and learn about Jade mining and carving. We'll also see Cloisonne art being done. That's the copper with the enamel colors fired onto it. We'll have some details later, I'm sure.

I hope that everyone is OK at home. This trip is already going fast and we'll be home very soon.

Beijing - Jiamusi

2008-05-13T07:08:00.000-07:00

The assistant to the mayor of Jiamusi gave greeting at a performance that the students gave. The Chinese students had prepared and rehearsed for weeks. It was a wonderful time.

Our time in Jiamusi closed with the students coming to the airport to see us off. We had a delayed flight by 45 minutes, so there was plenty of time for good byes. We'll look forward to keeping in touch with our new friends in Jiamusi.

Beijing "fourth post"

2008-05-13T06:56:00.001-07:00

We had a chance in Jiamusi to go to the amusement park that includes a zoo. The picture of Yas, Bob and Stephanie is in front of the Jiamusi hospital that we visited. There is a Chinese medicine clinic along with a dental clinic, radiology and clinical lab services that we visited.

Beijing "third post"

2008-05-13T06:46:00.000-07:00

We did a public health blood pressure screening with the students in Jiamusi. It was a great experience. We made the local newspaper and have copies to share when we get home.

Beijing - second "catch-up post

2008-05-13T06:40:00.000-07:00

In Jiamusi, we spent a lot of time with the university students. We were assigned to two interpreter English speaking students: one student in Grade 3 (approximately junior in the university) and one student in Grade 2 (approximate sophomore)

Beijing May 13, 2008

2008-05-13T06:29:00.000-07:00

We have a bit of posting to catch up on. Here we are at the SLC Airport getting ready to get on our flight to San Francisco and on to Beijing, then Jiamusi

We're finally in a place where we can get a good internet connection to work on the blog. Everyone is doing great. Staci is getting some cold symptoms. We haven't had any traveler's sickness so far. You have probably heard about the earth quake in China. We are far away from the site and will not be close to the area during our travels.

We had a great time in Jiamusi.

Everyone is Fine!

2008-05-12T16:32:00.000-07:00

Monday, May 12th at 5:00 pm, Stephanie Bossenberger contacted Julie Austion in the Dean's Office in the Dumke College of Health Professions. The group was located in a place far north of the earthquake area. Everyone in the Study Abroad Group is safe and well. They are traveling to Bejing now and will post to the Blog upon arrival.

Thanks to WSU support team

2008-04-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

On behalf of the students and faculty participating in the China Study Abroad program, we would like to thank specific individuals from WSU that have helped us.

It is tradition in China to present gifts to dignitaries, students and those who help us along the way. Sandy Sowerby, Director of Public Relations and Rob Alexander, Development Director have generously provided wonderful WSU "logo" gifts that will help us to appropriate thank our hosts in Asia. Craig LaRocco, International Study Abroad Administrator, has helped is in so many ways, but most importantly, getting all the course credit paperwork, insurances, etc., together for us. Scott Steele, Manager of Art Services, created a custom logo for our 'uniform' t-shirts and hats that will make us a more cohesive group as we travel, tour and enjoy China.

This is the short list of people who have helped us get this trip together. Thank you to everyone else - you know who you are! You are appreciated and have made our adventure great!

As we continue to blog during our travels, you'll see how everything is coming together so well.

Bon Voyage! The entire group

2008-04-21T17:28:00.000-07:00

Here we are - Getting ready to go

2008-04-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

Preparing to Go...

2008-04-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

WSU China Study Abroad group is almost ready to go! Just a bit more preparation and we're off!