As Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and member of the International Committee for the Occupational Therapy Department, I was awarded a Global Education Center faculty international development grant. I had the opportunity to travel to 乌干达 in March 2017 with the primary focus of exploring international fieldwork with Hope of Children and Women (HOCW), a non-profit organization that provides support and new opportunities refugees who have fled their homes due to hardships they have endured. During my visit to 乌干达, I was also able to visit various medical, social and educational institutions including Mulago Hospital, Occupational Therapy School, Institute of Allied 健康 and Management Services-Mulago, 乌干达 Association of Occupational Therapists, Zanta Clinic and Sense International.
(l. r.) Kalanda阿 and Odoch理查德 at Mulago Hospital
Numerous opportunities for clinical education, research or service learning activities for occupational therapy students and faculty exist in 乌干达 through the various medical, social and educational institutions that were visited. Potential collaboration may exist for other departments in College of 健康 and Human Services, but also with other UNH colleges including College of Life Sciences and Agriculture and College of Liberal Arts. Since returning home, I’ve maintained connections with many of the individuals in 乌干达 and two recent OT graduates are interested in embarking on a 4-week service-learning trip which will help strengthen our relationships for future students and faculty.
Thank you to Global Education Center for making this possible!