<P> Cristina is nominated for the Harper Avery award and is a strong candidate, however she is passed over due to her relationship with the Harper - Avery Foundation that co-owns the hospital . Cristina goes to speak at a hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, orchestrated by Preston Burke who built his own hospital following his winning of the Harper Avery . He offers Cristina his job as the head of the hospital so that he can spend more time with his wife and kids . </P> <P> Cristina accepts the offer and interviews candidates for her replacement position at the hospital, including Maggie Pierce for new chief of cardio . Cristina transfers her hospital shares to Alex Karev and recommends he take over her seat on the board . </P> <P> At the end of season 10, she says goodbye to her fellow co-workers she has come to know and love including Owen and Meredith . Cristina and Meredith share special moments together reminiscing about all the horrors they went through and dancing it out one last time . Cristina leaves for Zurich with surgical intern Shane Ross, who chooses to leave in order to study under her in Switzerland . </P> <P> On the creation of Yang, Shonda Rhimes said the character contained "a little bit of (her) personality". Speaking with talk show host Oprah Winfrey, Rhimes said: "Cristina was second, simply because she's the kind of woman I know really well, and I like her . There's something interesting about a person who is that driven, a little bit emotionally disconnected but still a caring, sweet, and smart individual you could be friends with ." Sandra Oh, initially auditioned for the character of Bailey, adding: "Thank God I did not get that part", explaining the show would not be the same without fellow cast member, Wilson . Discussing casting Oh as Yang, Rhimes said: "She brought this energy that felt very fresh . From the beginning, I've been shaping Cristina around Sandra a little bit . One of my favorite things to do is take as much of her dialogue out of a scene as possible because she does so much nonverbally . Then I just watch what she manages to do without having a word to say ." </P>

When does cristina yang return to seattle grace