Working Abroad

Abstract

The possibility of working in almost any environment with people of all types, ages, outlooks on life, etc., makes the professions of OT, PT and SLT quite exciting when you think about it. Going abroad — whether to volunteer, work or study — is guaranteed to bring you new and fantastic opportunities on top of what your profession already offers to you. Learning new therapies and techniques, exchanging knowledge, gaining new perspectives, learning the pros and cons of a different health care system, immersing yourself in a new culture and perhaps learning a new language are but a few of the advantages of going abroad. In cases of countries with limited resources, therapists often acquire the invaluable skill of learning to “make the best of what you have” while still achieving therapy goals. Volunteering, working or studying abroad is your chance to enhance the quality of life for people who may not otherwise have access to good health care. It also is your chance to improve the care you deliver to clients back home as they will undoubtedly benefit from the professional and life experiences you will then be able to bring to them.