Enabling professional confidence abroad: a need for student-centered learning activities

Learning abroad is a challenge for everyone involved. Students learn in a profound way how another culture affects their own way of living, learning and practicing. Lecturers are challenged to design the best possible... [ view full abstract ]

Learning abroad is a challenge for everyone involved. Students learn in a profound way how another culture affects their own way of living, learning and practicing. Lecturers are challenged to design the best possible preparation program in order to enable more professional confidence. Occupational therapy students of the HAN University of Applied Science and HOWEST have the possibility to go abroad during their occupational therapy study. In order to professionalize the educational program, the HAN lecturers shared experiences with lecturers and students during an ENOTHE workshop in 2015. Four main topics were discussed and explored: (1) impact on personal development, (2) long - distance learning and communication, (3) cultural awareness in communication and (4) implementability of results and sustainable learning for all actors. The outcome of this dialogue was rich of ideas, but is in need for a second phase of sharing and exploring with a preferable outcome: a student - centred educational toolkit to learn abroad.
This new workshop is an open space event to enable the participants in their dialogue about preparation for and studying abroad. After a brief introduction of student projects and experiences abroad, together, we will co-create the elements of the toolkit by using the large scale intervention method. The preferred outcome of the workshop is there for useful for every participant. The workshop is open for everyone interested: students, lecturers and practicing occupational therapists. It's about learning together!