Impact of an international workplace learning placement on personal and professional development

Abstract

Participants indicated that the Vietnam placement enabled them to develop their resourcefulness, resilience, reasoning skills, cultural competence, confidence and independence, beyond what they felt would have achieved on a domestic placement. For these reason these participants found the placement a beneficial and worthwhile experience.

Experiences within a cross-cultural academic exchange programme and impacts on personal and professional development

“…(2010), including ‘adaptability’ and ‘thinking outside the box’, were mentioned as positive impacts on personal and professional development. Another study by Davies et al. (2017) reported ‘becoming respectful of difference’ as an impact of overseas activities.…”

“…Occupational therapy students must therefore be provided with opportunities for entry-level professional education in a global setting. Previous studies (Barker et al, 2010;Davies et al, 2017) have reported that international fieldwork placements foster the personal and professional development of occupational therapy students. Previous qualitative research by Humbert et al (2012) explored the perspectives of occupational therapy students not only in educational fieldwork but also in service experiences, and reported the usefulness of these entry-level educational opportunities.…”

“…Learning outcomes discovered by the stury of Barker et al (2010), including 'adaptability' and 'thinking outside the box', were mentioned as positive impacts on personal and professional development. Another study by Davies et al (2017) reported 'becoming respectful of difference' as an impact of overseas activities. Participants in this study learned about diversity and differences in attitudes in occupational therapy, which improved their awareness about having a speciality within their practice as well as broadened their perspectives about the field.…”

“…The World Federation of Occupational Therapists (2016) asserted that the world trend towards internationalisation is widespread; therefore, an international perspective on occupational therapy education is warranted. Some academic occupational therapy programmes have started to provide international learning experiences, which offer students the opportunity to participate in international practice placements (Barker et al, 2010;Davies et al, 2017;Haro et al, 2014;Kinsella et al, 2008;Lalor et al, 2019;Mu et al, 2016;Shields et al, 2016). Carey et al (2019) suggested that international experiences can foster an appreciation of cultural similarities and respect for cultural differences, which can enhance occupational therapy delivery.…”

Developing an International Occupational Therapy Service: Perspectives and Implications

“…International action allows pathways towards occupation and social participation to be forged, not only through in-person intervention but also through the creation and coordination of new resources [36], learning itself [37], and the internationalisation of professional development [38]. Our work with the community in Kalana is based on observation and intervention with people, as well as on African cultural understandings of the community, family, and communal life.…”