Hong Kong: East Meets West
Jan. 1–10, 2010

 

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Download and print program description.

Program leaders: Donna McMillan, associate professor of psychology, and Steven Bayne, professor of political science, Century College

Explore the distinctive blend of East and West that is Hong Kong. Though geographically part of China, Hong Kong prospered as a British colony for over 150 years. When Britain transferred control of the region back to China in 1997, Hong Kong assumed unique status as a capitalist enclave ruled by a Communist government.

Bustling and full of life, Hong Kong juxtaposes towering skyscrapers with Buddhist and Taoist temples. Modern Western customs mingle with ancient Eastern traditions, making Hong Kong an ideal location to explore culture’s influence on human experience.

Steven Bayne will lead seminars on the politics of China and Hong Kong. Each day we will learn about Hong Kong’s history, culture and religions through visits to such sites as the Hong Kong Museum of History, Po Lin Monastery and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.

In addition, Donna McMillan’s seminars will help us consider which human experiences are universal and what is shaped by culture. Though many of us tend to look for similarities among people as we travel, we find that culture affects us in profound and sometimes surprising ways. During our time in Hong Kong we will explore such questions as: Do people of Western cultures differ from people of East Asian traditions in how they perceive, think and feel? What similarities and differences do we find regarding values, relationships and aspirations?

Join us to explore Hong Kong, learn about Chinese history, culture and religions, and perhaps discover something about ourselves along the way.

Hong Kong Highlights

  • Hong Kong Museum of History chronicles the city’s fascinating history from fishing village to modern metropolis.
  • Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon is the location of our hotel and one of Hong Kong’s most important areas.
    Tian Tin Buddha, erected in 2003, is the world’s largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha.
  • Po Lin Monastery houses three bronze statues of Buddha representing the past, present, and future. A brightly painted vermilion interior displays dragons and other Chinese mythical figures on the ceiling.
  • Wong Tai Sin Temple adheres to traditional Chinese architectural principles with its red pillars, two-tiered golden roof, blue friezes, yellow latticework and multicolored carvings. This Taoist temple attracts worshippers of all three traditional Chinese religions: Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
  • Victoria Peak, easily reached by the Peak Tram, affords one of Hong Kong’s best views of Central, Victoria Harbour, and Kowloon.
  • Hong Kong Museum of Art displays a vast collection of Chinese antiquities and fine art including ceramics, bronzes, jade, cloisonné, lacquer ware, bamboo carvings and textiles, as well as paintings, wall hangings, scrolls and calligraphy from the 16th century to the present.
  • Hong Kong Heritage Museum presents the history and culture of the New Territories including customs, religions and lifestyles of the early fishermen and settlers and how they have changed over the centuries.

Descriptions from frommers.com.

Program Leaders
Donna McMillan and Steven Bayne are excited to share their love of Hong Kong with you. Experienced travelers and group leaders, Donna and Steve have led St. Olaf off-campus Interim courses and Global Semester in 2006–07, traveling for five months with students to Switzerland, Greece, Egypt, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, mainland China and South Korea.

Donna earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia and her M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Duke University. For 15 years she has been on the faculty at St. Olaf College teaching courses in personality, psychopathology, positive psychology, environmental psychology and culture and the self. Donna received the Minnesota Psychological Association’s Award for Outstanding Teacher of Undergraduate Psychology. Her work focuses on understanding the person, with particular attention to factors affecting psychological well-being.

It was at the University of Virginia where Donna and Steven met. Steve earned his undergraduate degrees in history and political science at Lake Superior State University in Michigan. A masters program in Foreign Affairs brought Steve to Virginia, and there at Thomas Jefferson’s academic village Steve and Donna married and began their life together. Steve continued his graduate work in political theory at the University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill, and he is now a political scientist at Century College.

What to Expect
Hong Kong is a thriving metropolis with all modern amenities. Food and water are generally safe, and a wide variety of consumer goods and pharmaceuticals are readily available. While no visa is required for our visit, your passport must be valid until at least mid-July 2010.

Airport transfers will be by private coach. All other movement will be on foot and public transportation. You should be capable of walking up to five miles per day over possibly uneven terrain, climbing stairs that may not have handrails, climbing in and out of a variety of transportation vehicles, keeping pace with an active group of travelers on long days of traveling, dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing a different culture, and being part of a group for several hours each day.

Accommodations will be at the YMCA Salisbury, in a superb location on the harbor in Kowloon. Don’t think “youth hostel,” though. The Salisbury is a modern hotel with many amenities including a business office, satellite TV, in-room coffee, hair dryers, etc. For more information, click on YMCA Salisbury and go to Hotel Service on the left-hand menu.

January average temperatures range from highs in the mid-70s Fahrenheit to lows in the mid-40s. Rainfall is minimal in January, typically less than one inch.

While Avian flu and SARS are no longer strong threats for travelers in Asia, you might consider getting a flu shot prior to departure. No immunizations are required for entry into Hong Kong. However, you should visit your personal physician or a travel doctor prior to departure for the latest updates on health concerns in the area

Program Fee
The program fee is $3,575 per person through Sept. 1, 2009. Based on double occupancy, it includes:

  • Seminars by Donna McMillan, Steven Bayne and guest speakers
  • Assistance by local guides
  • Roundtrip airfare from Minneapolis/St. Paul
  • Accommodations
  • Breakfast daily and several other group meals
  • Group tours
  • Admissions for group activities
  • Ground transportation
  • Gratuities

For single occupancy, add $575. To travel “land only” (making your own arrangements to and from Hong Kong), subtract $1,800.

After Sept. 1, 2009, the program fee is $3,825 per person and could be subject to additional airfare. Payment schedule

Continuing Education Units
Approximately 24 hours of continuing education are available.

Register
Register online, call toll-free 866-255-6523 or fax 507-786-8232. A deposit of $500 per person guarantees your place.