Occupational therapy in South Africa!

Melanie Mitchell Start Date: Dec 8, 2023 - End Date: Apr 7, 2024
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Intern Abroad
  • Professional Development
  • Cape Town, South Africa

My Travel Story

by: Melanie Mitchell Start Date: Dec 8, 2023 - End Date: Apr 7, 2024
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Intern Abroad
  • Professional Development
 
Hello everyone!
My name is Melanie and I am a third year occupational therapy graduate student at Pacific University in Hillsboro, Oregon. Starting January 2024 I will be embarking on my level II fieldwork in South Africa. I am EXTREMELY excited to be granted this opportunity. Some may know (specifically my mother) that I have been aspiring to travel to South Africa for an exchange/internship program since I was 18 years old. When I began my community college career at Santa Monica community college (back in 2011) I signed up for a two week internship in South Africa. Unfortunately due to low enrollment for this internship it was cancelled. 

Now, fast forward to when I graduated Cal Poly Humboldt (formally known as Humboldt State University) I wanted to pursue this venture once again. 
I found a company called Volunteer Adventure Corps (VAC), which sounded like an amazing and life changing experience. VAC provides students/volunteers with the opportunity to travel to Cape Town and pursue personal volunteer interests. At the time I could not afford the cost of the program let alone the expenses I would need to live in the country for an extended amount of time. 

So sadly I put this dream aside and decided to pursue graduate programs in occupational therapy. My journey to become an occupational therapist has been no easy feat. Applied to two application cycles with no success. Finally the opportunity presented itself in 2021 where I was granted admission to the OTD program at Pacific University. I was more than ecstatic and fulfilled to actually see a future as an occupational therapist. 

Now that I have finished my first two years, the opportunity to intern abroad has presented itself again. Low and behold one of the opportunities is to practice occupational therapy in South Africa. Once I heard this was possible I jumped on the opportunity. I couldn't believe my dream from 12 years ago also may become a reality, I believe it was a sign that this is an experience I am meant to pursue. So sure enough, I will be leaving to Cape Town, South Africa in Janurary 2024. 

I am excited to say that I will be interning with St. Joseph Home, a transition facility for children who are requiring extra assistance and care once they have been discharged from the hospital. This opportunity means the world to me because I have immense passion working with children/youth. This facility provides exceptional care to the children and provide them with assistance to support transition back to their home enviornments. I will link their website here so you can learn more about the facility and their contributions.
St. Joseph Home

What is also ironic is the program Pacific University contracts with for this internship is non other than VAC. The program unfortunately cost $2,500 which is why I am posting this fundraiser. I will be in Cape Town for 3 months and interning with St. Joseph (unpaid) providing occupational therapy services and care for the youth population in Cape Town. It would be amazing to receive any  support/contributions that can help me pay for this program and living costs while I am abroad. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my essay about my passion and excitement for occupational therapy and traveling to South Africa.

Take care!
 
  • Cape Town, South Africa

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