When Therapy Volunteers began its mission of delivering life-changing pediatric therapies to underserved communities worldwide, its initial focus was on placing long-term volunteers and organizing one-week trips for undergraduate students.
“However, based on overwhelming demand, we quickly added clinical education opportunities for graduate students in speech pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy,” says Quinn, one of the directors at Therapy Volunteers.
The organization’s latest innovation, and something that has gained the attention of doctoral programs across the U.S., is the introduction of international OT capstone experiences.
“This has resulted in a flood of inquiries, with students from across the country eager to secure a spot,” Quinn reveals.
The occupational therapy capstone is a culminating experiential course where doctoral students enhance their skills in areas such as advanced clinical practice, leadership, advocacy, program development, education, and more. It is self-guided and independent, with oversight provided by a mentor.
Therapy Volunteers has already begun interviewing students who schedule capstone placements a year or two in advance. “The response has been overwhelming in a good way,” says Quinn. “I’ve been incredibly impressed with the candidates so far. They’re smart, compassionate, and passionate about serving abroad. There couldn’t be a better fit between Therapy Volunteers and the OT capstone experience—it’s truly a perfect match.”
One recent applicant expressed excitement about completing their doctoral capstone abroad. Therapy Volunteers manages housing, partnerships with local community organizations, in-country transportation, and other logistics to ensure the capstone assignment runs smoothly.
“In the few short years we’ve built partnerships, our global reach has exploded,” says Idar, Director of International Partnerships at Therapy Volunteers. “The response from community organizations has been incredible. We can now arrange OT capstone experiences in the UK, Ireland, Jamaica, Ecuador, Fiji, Singapore, Italy, Belize, India, Panama, Honduras, Guatemala, and more. The range of opportunities and the impact students can make is awe-inspiring.”
Entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) programs began in 1998 and have grown significantly, with over 240 programs accredited or in the process of accreditation today.
Idar sees tremendous potential in supporting OT capstone students through Therapy Volunteers’ international sites. “This will be an incredible experience, not only for the doctoral students but for the international communities they serve,” Idar says. “The need is vast, and we feel fortunate to help curate impactful, meaningful experiences for students while connecting them with communities who are eager to collaborate and benefit from their work.”
With its commitment to developing high-impact, structured international experiences, Therapy Volunteers continues to provide students with the opportunity to make a difference while gaining valuable hands-on experience in pediatric therapy.
