Senior OT Students travel to the Dominican Republic for Service

by Kaitlyn Freed, OTS

Three of us (senior O.T. students) traveled to the Dominican Republic (DR) over the winter break as part of the College’s Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE).  We volunteered for a week with the organization Outreach360, where we taught English to children in the public school as well as in an after school learning center.

During the trip we visited a rehabilitation center in town, where we met an occupational therapist who was trained and practicing in the DR. We were all excited that we got to see an occupational therapist practicing in a different culture and context.  Much of the principles and theories were concepts that we have already learned about, but it was interesting to see them applied in an international setting.  The equipment and supplies were also familiar to us – a ball pit, swings, as well as modalities of ultrasound and heat.  The trip was packed with new learning experiences and was a trip that none of us will ever forget.