Diana Garcia is a 3rd year Food Science and Nutrition student who aspired to gain general knowledge in therapy practices, explore new opportunities overseas on her own to enhance her academic knowledge. If you’re interested in how the field of Physical Therapy can broaden your career horizons, read on for more inspiration!
Hi Diana! What was your role like as a Physical Therapy intern?
My host organization for the Physical Therapy internship in South Africa was a day care center that provides care, activities and therapy for children and adults with disabilities. There was a dedicated therapy team, physiotherapy gym, hydrotherapy, sensory room and sensory play areas. I got to shadow and assist in therapy sessions such as aqua therapy sessions.
My favorite memory from my internship program was when the interns cheered me on for my accomplishments and showed genuine interest in me as a fellow group member. Looking back to that night I was surrounded in a circle of powerful, highly educated individuals all supporting one another and that was amazing!
How have you grown professionally and personally with your internship?
Going abroad was very beneficial for my professional experience because it exposed students (like me) to real-world applied job experience, improved my communication skills, enhanced my cultural diversity and increased their social network.
I learned from experienced therapists how to conduct therapy sessions, understand how patient relationships are built and managed and I gained a better understanding of the day-to-day life of a physical therapist. I learned how to communicate with clients that I could be seeing in the future. I learned relationship-building skills with others and got to understand clients’ wants and needs.
What advice would you give to other interns in South Africa?
A piece of advice that I would give would be to take it easy - as one cannot rush the process of becoming comfortable in a new setting with new people, especially those of a different culture.
When going abroad one must consider that the experience is intercultural. In other words, it is an interaction between you and individuals from another cultural group or subgroup that have a different background from that of your own.
Take time to inform yourself about the population of the country. Look at the percentage of ethnicities and races present and research about their cultural norms and customs. Try to learn a few words or common sayings in their native languages, if applicable. Take note about their most notable places in their country and make an effort to visit them.
Keep an open mind, appreciate your interactions, realize you have the ability to connect with others and share your experiences. Lastly, and most importantly, respect others and their beliefs or ways of life.
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