Certificate of International Merits - CIM

Transcription

1 Certificate of International Merits - CIM Final report Fanny Johannesson December 2015 Occupational Therapy programme Lund University Faculty of Medicine Departement of Health Sciences Box 157, LUND SWEDEN

2 International activities The first international activity was a joint event with University of Southampton. One week during my fourth semester Occupational Therapist students from the University of Southampton came to visit our class. The purpose of the visit was to exchange experiences and to discuss our profession in an international perspective. A few months later I went to Canada for five weeks and through the University of Toronto I was able to do my clinical work. I did my placement in the neurological department with a focus on acquired brain injuries at Bridgepoint Active Healthcare rehabilitation hospital. During the fifth semester, I was a student representative in the International Office at the Faculty of Medicine where, among other things, we discussed upcoming international activities within the faculty. During this semester I also attended the Workshop U21 Health Science Group conference (UN SDG). It was two very interesting days where we discussed health problems in a global perspective. I also have had the privilege to be an international mentor. I was at Arrival day and helped exchange students from all over the world to find the way to their new homes in Lund and answering all their questions about studies, Lund city and Swedish culture. I also attended several social events with the international students. Through the education and thanks to the Faculty of Medicine, I have also had the opportunity to attend to several very inspiring lectures with global health focus. During my placement in the Clinical Education Department [KUA], Skåne University Hospital in Lund, I also had the honor of being interviewed by a panel from Uganda who was interested in the way we worked at KUA.

3 Reflection Education and future profession in a global perspective During my education I have had the opportunity to participate in many international activities that have helped me grow, both personally and professionally. I have gained a great deal of insight in other countries' healthcare systems, and furthermore my future profession in particular. Occupational therapy is a relatively young profession in Sweden and still unfamiliar to many people. Therefore, I found it very interesting to have had the chance to discuss, both education and views of the profession, with occupational therapy students from other countries. Also, it was a great opportunity to be able to go to North America, where the profession is substantially more implemented. The clinical practice, both when it comes to occupational therapy specifically but also the interprofessional teamwork, is very different in North America and Sweden. I hope to be able introduce the benefits from my experiences in my future work. In North America, I notice that there are many more venues where occupational therapists are active, which I hope will be implemented in Sweden too. Intercultural situations As an occupational therapist, I will meet a lot of people from different countries and cultures. Through my international credentials, I have a greater understanding of people's different situations, occupational repertoire and way of life and I will be able to customize the treatments more individually. In Toronto, the world's most multicultural city I heard, I realized that even if there is a language barrier there are many ways to communicate and make yourself understood. While traveling, by connecting and getting to know new people, you get to know yourself a bit better as well. International merits I would recommend everyone to take the opportunity to collect international merits. Not only because its a great merit for the future, but also as I mentioned before, an incredible chance to grow, both personally and professionally. Having said that, the main reason that I wanted to participate in international activities was that it is great fun. I have met many wonderful people and gain great new friends and memories for life.

4 Bridgepoint Hospital, Toronto My office My colleagues My other office

5 Downtown Toronto Thanksgiving Hockey faceoff, Toronto Maple Leafs Montreal Canadiens