SLP Intern goes beyond borders for Japanese Externship Program
6:00 PM
Internship is said to be the most challenging yet
most enjoyable time of the 5-year SLP course here at UST. And for a few chosen
interns, they get a chance to extend this experience abroad as part of the
University and the College’s efforts for internationalization.
UST-SLP intern Kathleen Dy (“Kady”) spent a month
at the Niigata University of Health and Welfare (NUHW) in Japan as the sole
representative of the CRS-SLP Department. She was joined by other interns for
the externship program which is offered to graduating students, for them to
gain knowledge and experience outside the country. The program also aims to foster
enriching and beneficial partnerships with chosen educational institutions
around the world.
In order to qualify, Kady had to fill up a form and
submit an essay about why she thinks she deserves to be in the program. Being
the only applicant for NUHW from the SLP Department, she already had high hopes
of being chosen. However, Kady shared that the excitement only kicked in when
she was already inside the plane.
“Third time’s the charm. It was my third time go to
Japan and so far it’s also my most favorite experience. I was able to gain new
friends from CRS who somehow became like family, and of course, got to know
Japanese friends from NUHW,” she said.
Kady describes her experience as a vacation – only
there were a lot of learnings and insights that helped her grow not only as an
individual but as an SLP. Although the NUHW’s track leaned more on Physical
Therapy and Sports Science, Kady was able to enjoy SLP Day in which they were
able to observe a therapy session and an evaluation session. They were also allowed to observe ST
(Speech Therapy) classes, and even join the 2nd year students as
they studied for their clinical internship.
“Even if
they were only in second year, they already had clinical internship for 3
weeks. But other than the technological advancements and their materials, I
don’t think there’s much of a difference with their practice and ours,” she
said.
Aside
from academics, Kady also enjoyed cultural activities while exploring the city.
She was able to try a lot of new things including impromptu dancing at the
Niigata Dance Festival, learning how to ride a unicycle, and trying out a
public bath. They also experienced running to catch a train and going on board
the wrong one.
“I learned how to be flexible. I’m a very
rigid person and I want things already planned out. But during our trip, plans
would usually change. Even though Japanese people are known to do things
routinely, it was here that I enjoyed being more spontaneous. So I now see that
routine’s good, but unplanned things and spontaneity aren’t so bad either,” she
said.
Kady
said that balance is a key. She also admired the students in Japan who were
reviewing their past lessons even though they were on summer vacation. She
gained more motivation to be as studious as them not only for the grades but to
be able to give the best service that the patients deserve.
Overcoming roadblocks
The trip
however was not all fun and games and Kady had to overcome a couple of
challenges both during and after the program. This included having pending
revisions and special projects from her past centers that still needed to be
passed, as well as balancing her schedule in NUHW while working on their thesis.
She
shared that instead of resting after class, she would sacrifice the time in
order to finish her requirements. Since Japan emphasizes punctuality at school
and at work, she had to wake up early and work until the later hours of the
day.
“I
just did whatever I could. You need to have an open communication with your thesis
group. I’m sure they will understand. Bawi ka na lang next time. Saluhan kayo,”
she said.
It was
also challenging to deal with the language barrier as Kady recounts that she
had difficulty fishing out SLP-related information and finding a common ground
with the other students since only a few understood and spoke in English.
“It was
really hard to communicate, so most of the time we would only use simple and
common words. Plan B was to use synonyms or to try to describe them. If all
else fails, Google translate is your best friend,” she said.
Kady
realized that despite the language barrier, there was still a sense of family,
since everyone was striving for the same goals in the rehabilitation field. She
shared that she and her friends still talk even though they’re already back in
the Philippines, which was proof that it wasn’t only a “one time friendship”
but rather something that has grown deeper over the past few months.
“Even if
we were from different cultures and had different languages, we had one common
goal and that is to serve and help other people,” she said.
After the
program, Kady had a difficult time adjusting back here for her internship since
she was not able to handle patients for a month in Niigata. It was also
difficult since the rotation that followed after her trip was also her first time
handling geriatric clients.
“For me,
nawala yung momentum of treating patients and being an intern. The anxiety I
felt the first day of returning to the clinics was similar to what I felt
during the first day of internship, as if I had no experience on what I was
about to do”, she said.
Despite
the roadblocks, Kady was able to enjoy the experience with the help of her
friends and mentors who were there to support her. She would ask her friends
about their general experience and what to expect upon coming back. She also
backed it up by reviewing her notes and other theoreticals. Even the clinical
supervisors were understanding and were there to help her adjust. Until today,
Kady is still updates her co-externs and Japanese friends, and she is grateful
for the experience that was given to her by the program.
“I think
I’ll never get over the GIE experience. There will always be a soft spot in my heart
for the Niigata experience. So every time I miss them, I usually browse the
pictures we had and they never fail to make me smile,” she said. – by
Vianca Ocampo
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