Occupational Therapy in South Africa with Projects Abroad

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Inquire for dates

Description: South Africa: Voluntary Occupational Therapy Placements and Work-Experience Abroad

South Africa is a country with a remarkably forward-thinking healthcare system - Occupational Therapy has been established here since 1945, and as such the training process and treatments available to South African citizens are equal to those in Europe or the USA.

Volunteers need some Occupational Therapy experience to take part in this project. If you're currently training, recently qualified, or on a career break, doing an Occupational Therapy placement with Projects Abroad will give you the opportunity to gain a detailed overview of the implementation of this valuable healthcare provision in South Africa, while also giving you hands on experience delivering occupational therapy treatment.

* Volunteering on an Occupational Therapy placement in South Africa

Volunteer occupational therapists will be given the opportunity to do short rotations at a number of different centres around Cape Town. Your patients will usually be aged 15-35 and could be suffering from any number of physical or mental disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, ADD/ADHD. The centres also help to rehabilitate those who have had head and spinal injuries so you'll gain exposure to a variety of types of rehabilitation.

You will work alongside other occupational therapy students and qualified staff, and depending on your experience you may be given small groups of individuals to work with independently. You'll normally carry out a wide variety of tasks, from assisting with lessons, to arranging activities promoting independence and teaching life skills.

You'll leave South Africa with valuable experience for your CV, and with the knowledge that you have made a genuine difference to the centres you work in, and the people that benefit from them.

Highlights: Volunteer occupational therapists will be given the opportunity to do short rotations at a number of different centres around Cape Town. Your patients will usually be aged 15-35 and could be suffering from any number of physical or mental disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, ADD/ADHD. The centres also help to rehabilitate those who have had head and spinal injuries so you'll gain exposure to a variety of types of rehabilitation.

You will work alongside other occupational therapy students and qualified staff, and depending on your experience you may be given small groups of individuals to work with independently. You'll normally carry out a wide variety of tasks, from assisting with lessons, to arranging activities promoting independence and teaching life skills.

You'll leave South Africa with valuable experience for your CV, and with the knowledge that you have made a genuine difference to the centres you work in, and the people that benefit from them.

Cost in US$: USD 3,495 and up

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 16-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992