Having recieved many letters of invitation from AOTA, I have reluctantly declined the opportunities. I now have a daughter in Paraguay and I wonder what OT pressence is there... and could I practice there? I applaud the Joni and Friends comment above and now am turning over in my mind what I have to bring elsewhere in this world.
Casey - 12 years ago
I'm just finishing my Masters in Edinburgh, Scotland. I plan to work over here for the next couple of years or so. If anyone is interested in speaking with me about working/studying in the UK please let me know!
PLEASE CONTACT ME : wepakat@gmail.com or katie.foster@student.shu.edu
I am a student at Seton Hall University in New Jersey finishing my last semester of classroom courses. I'm preparing a business plan to present to my professor about the possibilities of international fieldwork for future students. Anyone that has sites or interested in providing information feel free to contact me!
Sheila - 12 years ago
I am applying for OT schools. I would love to study in different country than U.S. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.
Hiba Ben - 12 years ago
Hi !
I am an OTst from Tunisia. We really need more OTst from other countries to come and share thei experiences here. Especially that Occupational therapy in Tunisia is still a young discipline.
So why don't American OTsts come and work in Tunisia?
(sorry for my bad english)
Flávia - 12 years ago
I'm an OT from Brazil with great experience working in Ireland for 1 & 1/2 year and in Dubai for full 2 years. Now Im in Brazil working in the American School and loving it!!
Next step... who knows??!
Cheers!
Susan Zurich - 12 years ago
I would love to live and work in China!
Sima Kothary, BA,COTA/L - 12 years ago
I would love to go across the international borders to practice or volunteer as a COTA to help promote the wellness of Occupational Therapy. Hopefully one day I can!
Gretchen Ward - 12 years ago
I completed my final level 2 fieldwork in Trinidad and Tobago. I was there for 10 weeks working with an American OT who was starting a clinic with hopes of service a broader client base. We also worked with a school for children with special needs. It was an incredible experience for me and I have maintained ties with the Carribean OT community. Though it is a very small community, they are working to develop a local program to educate future OT's and adovacate for the profession within the islands. I hope to return to work with them soon.
Gretchen Ward - 12 years ago
I completed my final level 2 fieldwork in Trinidad and Tobago. I was there for 10 weeks working with an American OT who was starting a clinic with hopes of service a broader client base. We also worked with a school for children with special needs. It was an incredible experience for me and I have maintained ties with the Carribean OT community. Though it is a very small community, they are working to develop a local program to educate future OT's and adovacate for the profession within the islands. I hope to return to work with them soon.
Laura Matlage - 12 years ago
I am an occupational therapy student at The University of Kansas Medical Center and this last summer I spent 6 weeks studying at Christian Medical College in Vellore, India. While studying in India, I learned how much context impacts therapy. Therapists in India are very innovative in their approach to therapy due to limited resources. The demand for OT in India is great and I felt really appreciated when I was there. I am so thankful for my experience and how it has helped me grow as a future occupational therapist. I hope to continue my international experience and work overseas some day.
Janaki Rose- from my experience I learned that occupational therapy in India is a bachelors degree followed by a year-long internship. At Christian Medical College they were required to learn english as well as Tamil (the native language of the state). I don't know if they were required to take a certification exam or not. If you're interested I can give you the contact information of someone who might be more helpful with your questions.
Joe Schepis OTR - 12 years ago
I am intersted in working in Italy as their Occupational therapy programs are relatively new. I speak and read the language fairly well and am interested in making a contact there.
Alisa Jordan - 12 years ago
I lived and worked as an OT in London for 2 years. It wasn't easy to get started there, but all the work was very worth it. It was an amazing experience for so many reasons and I would highly recommend it!
Cindy - 12 years ago
I am an OTA student finishing in 8 weeks, and am hoping to do volunteer work overseas. It is exciting to see so many opportunities to use this wonderful knowledge!
I would like to live and work in Ireland, at least part of the year. I have made seven trips to Ireland, including one to Galway to start a master's program.
C.Neumann - 12 years ago
Working or volunteering in the International community would be an ideal opportunity to learn how different OT skills are implemented across the various cultural contexts. It would enhance a practioners skills when encountering different populations and provide someone with the ability to share new skills inside and outside the traditional "therapy" treatment facilities. Sign me up!! My bags are packed!
Dianna Ullrich - 12 years ago
I am the only Occupational Therapist working in the country of Kosovo. There is currently a private university who is offering a BScOT program in OT. It is staffed by non-OTs. We desperately need OTs who would be willing to volunteer some time to oversee clinical placements and to work in my OT clinic while I help teach modules. If interested, please contact me. Thank you, Di
Janaki Rose - 12 years ago
I don't want to work for military, but does anyone have any experience having worked in India as an OT? As an OT coming from the USA I would like to know what criterion would need fulfilled in order to qualify to work there since they have licensed OT's there.
Megan Douglas - 12 years ago
I had a wonderful opportunity to live in Budapest, Hungary for 4 years. Through my association with the International Women's Club there I treated 2 boys who were children of other ex-pats (Finland and US). I also volunteered at an orphanage/school for disabled children where I was able to use my OT skills during a craft class.
For OT's moving to another country I would recommend joining the local American Women's Club and the International Women's Club. They have newsletters where you could advertise your services. Also, contact the local American school or the International School.
Valerie - 12 years ago
Danielle..Navy, Army, and Air Force have Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS) and hire OTs with a state license (and experience) for early intervention and related services in Europe, Japan, and Korea. Some positions are federal and some are contract. There are also some opportunities occasionally available at military medical facilities overseas. As a military spouse, if you can't find a paid position (there are not many) volunteering as an OT can be a good place to start---you can gain experience and maybe it will even lead to a paid position at some point during your tour!
Theresa M. McKee - 12 years ago
As a military spouse, I was able to live and work as an OT in Australia from 1998-2001. At that time I took the Australian National Exam to work there under Dept. of Defense Agreements between the US and Australian Governments. The rules in Australia have changed since then. Contact the Australian Government for details on Immigration and Occupational Therapy careers. Australian terminology and medical system are very different than United States. It was a fantastic learning experience! Wonderful Australian OTs mentored me into their systems.
Whitney Holloway MS, OTR/L - 12 years ago
During my Level I fieldwork, I had the opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic. It was one of the best decisions I made. I was placed at a special needs school where I learned how to be creative with my interventions since my resources were limited. The experience gave me a new prospective on life and our profession. It was truly a blessing to serve in the Domincan Republic. I plan to continue doing medical mission work in the future!
Kim Sicheneder - 12 years ago
OTs and PTs are usually not employed through the Department of Defense School System (DoDS) Overseas, although I have seen job adds for these schools here in the states. Overseas, they are employed through, what used to be called, Exceptional Family Member Program. I think the name has changed over time. It is a federal employment position and you can find job adds by playing around on a federal jobs search. I lived and worked with American military and civilian kids in American Military schools in Germany for almost three years. The early intervention services are usually contracted positions without the same level of military support as the true federal positions.
Amanda Halks - 12 years ago
I have been dreaming of living and practicing in Ireland since I started OT school! It is incredible hard to find quality information concerning all aspects of working and living in a country different form your own: practice guidelines, licensure procedures, visa attainment, sponsorship, facilities willing to hire international employees, etc. Once I have a few more years of practice under my belt I am making the jump (even thought he majority of the Irish population is still attempting to make the jump to other more prosperous countries...)
Mimi Stout - 12 years ago
I have a desire to retire in a Latin American or Caribbean country. I would probably volunteer somehow. I might help other OTs set up their businesses or clinics. Another area of interest to me is to somehow support organizations that work to stop female genital mutilation.
Megan Evangelist - 12 years ago
OT's certainly have a skill set that applies around the globe. I've had the opportunity to participate in Haiti earthquake relief and it was a rewarding experience that has really influenced my personal and professional life. If anyone is interested in volunteer work in Haiti let me know.
Lynne Umbarger - 12 years ago
For Danielle G., Get involved with DODS. They provide school-based services for kids in Dept of Defense school systems. I went to school (HS) in DODS school in Spain. Very fun, and you already know the language!
I started a non-profit organization called Therapy Missions, Inc. Our purpose is to bring therapy to the world by providing OT and PT teams to countries where these services are scarce or non-existent. We TREAT children and adults with disabilities, while TEACHING their caregivers how to provide care which will improve the quality of life and we TRAIN paraprofessionals to better serve the needs of their clients. All registered or certified therapists are welcome to become a team member. We have missions in Sanmenxia, China; Danli, Honduras; Kingston, Jamaica and Juarez, Mexico. Three, week long trips are planned for next year. Please contact me if interested!
carolyn Costello OTR - 12 years ago
Actually I have gone on 2 Joni and Friends wheelchair distributions in Ukraine. Teams of OTs and PTs fit donated wheelchairs to children and adults who have no access to them. Joni and Friends is a Christian Ministry. This is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my 40 years of practicing Occupational Therapy.
Danielle Gutierrez - 12 years ago
Hello!! I am two months from graduation and have thoroughly enjoyed the road to becoming an OT. I just found out my husband who is in the Navy is getting stationed in Italy for 3 year, and we are leaving 5 months after I recieve my license. I have been desperately trying to locate options for work overseas, because I would hate to give up my dream career! Does anyone have any advice?? Thanks!!:)
I am nearing the end of my career and though I have always wanted to work in a foreign country (one of my classmates spent two years in the Peace Corps in Thailand a year or so after we graduated), I probably will never do it. When I was younger I was too anxious and inexperienced. Now I don't have the energy or the time. But it is one of those dreams, like getting a master's degree, that I hang onto anyway.
The Balkan (southeast Europe) countries, which have emerged from communism and isolation from the West in the past 23 years, still have what I call the philosophies of "a disability-is-something-one-just-has-to live with" and "take-care-of-old-folks-by-doing-for-them". From what I've gathered in talking to those who've immigrated to the US from Bulgaria, there are some physical therapists but no - or next to no - occupational therapists. I would LOVE to be there helping the country gradually accept the idea of remediation/adaptation/substitution for people with impairments so they don't have to be disabled but can engage in their occupations of living their every-day lives and be contributing members of society.
I hope that future OTs can help bring this about. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Bulgarian-born and American-born children of the younger immigrants would become in OTs, PTs, and STs and want to be pioneers of a sort in their parents' home country?!
Brooke Brown - 12 years ago
It would be amazing to do OT in another country! Not only could one take new ideas there, but one could bring new ideas home!
Having recieved many letters of invitation from AOTA, I have reluctantly declined the opportunities. I now have a daughter in Paraguay and I wonder what OT pressence is there... and could I practice there? I applaud the Joni and Friends comment above and now am turning over in my mind what I have to bring elsewhere in this world.
I'm just finishing my Masters in Edinburgh, Scotland. I plan to work over here for the next couple of years or so. If anyone is interested in speaking with me about working/studying in the UK please let me know!
Megan Evangelist
Dianna Ullrich
Gretchen Ward
Whitney Holloway
PLEASE CONTACT ME : wepakat@gmail.com or katie.foster@student.shu.edu
I am a student at Seton Hall University in New Jersey finishing my last semester of classroom courses. I'm preparing a business plan to present to my professor about the possibilities of international fieldwork for future students. Anyone that has sites or interested in providing information feel free to contact me!
I am applying for OT schools. I would love to study in different country than U.S. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.
Hi !
I am an OTst from Tunisia. We really need more OTst from other countries to come and share thei experiences here. Especially that Occupational therapy in Tunisia is still a young discipline.
So why don't American OTsts come and work in Tunisia?
(sorry for my bad english)
I'm an OT from Brazil with great experience working in Ireland for 1 & 1/2 year and in Dubai for full 2 years. Now Im in Brazil working in the American School and loving it!!
Next step... who knows??!
Cheers!
I would love to live and work in China!
I would love to go across the international borders to practice or volunteer as a COTA to help promote the wellness of Occupational Therapy. Hopefully one day I can!
I completed my final level 2 fieldwork in Trinidad and Tobago. I was there for 10 weeks working with an American OT who was starting a clinic with hopes of service a broader client base. We also worked with a school for children with special needs. It was an incredible experience for me and I have maintained ties with the Carribean OT community. Though it is a very small community, they are working to develop a local program to educate future OT's and adovacate for the profession within the islands. I hope to return to work with them soon.
I completed my final level 2 fieldwork in Trinidad and Tobago. I was there for 10 weeks working with an American OT who was starting a clinic with hopes of service a broader client base. We also worked with a school for children with special needs. It was an incredible experience for me and I have maintained ties with the Carribean OT community. Though it is a very small community, they are working to develop a local program to educate future OT's and adovacate for the profession within the islands. I hope to return to work with them soon.
I am an occupational therapy student at The University of Kansas Medical Center and this last summer I spent 6 weeks studying at Christian Medical College in Vellore, India. While studying in India, I learned how much context impacts therapy. Therapists in India are very innovative in their approach to therapy due to limited resources. The demand for OT in India is great and I felt really appreciated when I was there. I am so thankful for my experience and how it has helped me grow as a future occupational therapist. I hope to continue my international experience and work overseas some day.
Janaki Rose- from my experience I learned that occupational therapy in India is a bachelors degree followed by a year-long internship. At Christian Medical College they were required to learn english as well as Tamil (the native language of the state). I don't know if they were required to take a certification exam or not. If you're interested I can give you the contact information of someone who might be more helpful with your questions.
I am intersted in working in Italy as their Occupational therapy programs are relatively new. I speak and read the language fairly well and am interested in making a contact there.
I lived and worked as an OT in London for 2 years. It wasn't easy to get started there, but all the work was very worth it. It was an amazing experience for so many reasons and I would highly recommend it!
I am an OTA student finishing in 8 weeks, and am hoping to do volunteer work overseas. It is exciting to see so many opportunities to use this wonderful knowledge!
I would like to live and work in Ireland, at least part of the year. I have made seven trips to Ireland, including one to Galway to start a master's program.
Working or volunteering in the International community would be an ideal opportunity to learn how different OT skills are implemented across the various cultural contexts. It would enhance a practioners skills when encountering different populations and provide someone with the ability to share new skills inside and outside the traditional "therapy" treatment facilities. Sign me up!! My bags are packed!
I am the only Occupational Therapist working in the country of Kosovo. There is currently a private university who is offering a BScOT program in OT. It is staffed by non-OTs. We desperately need OTs who would be willing to volunteer some time to oversee clinical placements and to work in my OT clinic while I help teach modules. If interested, please contact me. Thank you, Di
I don't want to work for military, but does anyone have any experience having worked in India as an OT? As an OT coming from the USA I would like to know what criterion would need fulfilled in order to qualify to work there since they have licensed OT's there.
I had a wonderful opportunity to live in Budapest, Hungary for 4 years. Through my association with the International Women's Club there I treated 2 boys who were children of other ex-pats (Finland and US). I also volunteered at an orphanage/school for disabled children where I was able to use my OT skills during a craft class.
For OT's moving to another country I would recommend joining the local American Women's Club and the International Women's Club. They have newsletters where you could advertise your services. Also, contact the local American school or the International School.
Danielle..Navy, Army, and Air Force have Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS) and hire OTs with a state license (and experience) for early intervention and related services in Europe, Japan, and Korea. Some positions are federal and some are contract. There are also some opportunities occasionally available at military medical facilities overseas. As a military spouse, if you can't find a paid position (there are not many) volunteering as an OT can be a good place to start---you can gain experience and maybe it will even lead to a paid position at some point during your tour!
As a military spouse, I was able to live and work as an OT in Australia from 1998-2001. At that time I took the Australian National Exam to work there under Dept. of Defense Agreements between the US and Australian Governments. The rules in Australia have changed since then. Contact the Australian Government for details on Immigration and Occupational Therapy careers. Australian terminology and medical system are very different than United States. It was a fantastic learning experience! Wonderful Australian OTs mentored me into their systems.
During my Level I fieldwork, I had the opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic. It was one of the best decisions I made. I was placed at a special needs school where I learned how to be creative with my interventions since my resources were limited. The experience gave me a new prospective on life and our profession. It was truly a blessing to serve in the Domincan Republic. I plan to continue doing medical mission work in the future!
OTs and PTs are usually not employed through the Department of Defense School System (DoDS) Overseas, although I have seen job adds for these schools here in the states. Overseas, they are employed through, what used to be called, Exceptional Family Member Program. I think the name has changed over time. It is a federal employment position and you can find job adds by playing around on a federal jobs search. I lived and worked with American military and civilian kids in American Military schools in Germany for almost three years. The early intervention services are usually contracted positions without the same level of military support as the true federal positions.
I have been dreaming of living and practicing in Ireland since I started OT school! It is incredible hard to find quality information concerning all aspects of working and living in a country different form your own: practice guidelines, licensure procedures, visa attainment, sponsorship, facilities willing to hire international employees, etc. Once I have a few more years of practice under my belt I am making the jump (even thought he majority of the Irish population is still attempting to make the jump to other more prosperous countries...)
I have a desire to retire in a Latin American or Caribbean country. I would probably volunteer somehow. I might help other OTs set up their businesses or clinics. Another area of interest to me is to somehow support organizations that work to stop female genital mutilation.
OT's certainly have a skill set that applies around the globe. I've had the opportunity to participate in Haiti earthquake relief and it was a rewarding experience that has really influenced my personal and professional life. If anyone is interested in volunteer work in Haiti let me know.
For Danielle G., Get involved with DODS. They provide school-based services for kids in Dept of Defense school systems. I went to school (HS) in DODS school in Spain. Very fun, and you already know the language!
I started a non-profit organization called Therapy Missions, Inc. Our purpose is to bring therapy to the world by providing OT and PT teams to countries where these services are scarce or non-existent. We TREAT children and adults with disabilities, while TEACHING their caregivers how to provide care which will improve the quality of life and we TRAIN paraprofessionals to better serve the needs of their clients. All registered or certified therapists are welcome to become a team member. We have missions in Sanmenxia, China; Danli, Honduras; Kingston, Jamaica and Juarez, Mexico. Three, week long trips are planned for next year. Please contact me if interested!
Actually I have gone on 2 Joni and Friends wheelchair distributions in Ukraine. Teams of OTs and PTs fit donated wheelchairs to children and adults who have no access to them. Joni and Friends is a Christian Ministry. This is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my 40 years of practicing Occupational Therapy.
Hello!! I am two months from graduation and have thoroughly enjoyed the road to becoming an OT. I just found out my husband who is in the Navy is getting stationed in Italy for 3 year, and we are leaving 5 months after I recieve my license. I have been desperately trying to locate options for work overseas, because I would hate to give up my dream career! Does anyone have any advice?? Thanks!!:)
I am nearing the end of my career and though I have always wanted to work in a foreign country (one of my classmates spent two years in the Peace Corps in Thailand a year or so after we graduated), I probably will never do it. When I was younger I was too anxious and inexperienced. Now I don't have the energy or the time. But it is one of those dreams, like getting a master's degree, that I hang onto anyway.
The Balkan (southeast Europe) countries, which have emerged from communism and isolation from the West in the past 23 years, still have what I call the philosophies of "a disability-is-something-one-just-has-to live with" and "take-care-of-old-folks-by-doing-for-them". From what I've gathered in talking to those who've immigrated to the US from Bulgaria, there are some physical therapists but no - or next to no - occupational therapists. I would LOVE to be there helping the country gradually accept the idea of remediation/adaptation/substitution for people with impairments so they don't have to be disabled but can engage in their occupations of living their every-day lives and be contributing members of society.
I hope that future OTs can help bring this about. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Bulgarian-born and American-born children of the younger immigrants would become in OTs, PTs, and STs and want to be pioneers of a sort in their parents' home country?!
It would be amazing to do OT in another country! Not only could one take new ideas there, but one could bring new ideas home!