A project considering overseas practice placements for occupational therapy students was completed by the author on behalf of the education team at the College of Occupational Therapists. The project reviewed the available published literature (both anecdotal and research based) and investigated current practice. This opinion piece raises some key issues arising from the project work. In doing so, it questions whether overseas practice placements can help the occupational therapy profession to embrace the challenges faced from broadening cultural diversity and globalisation, in the contexts of both the higher education and health/social care agendas in the United Kingdom.
ButtonLGreenBTengnahCJohnanssonIBakerC (2005) The impact of international placements on nurses' personal and professional lives: literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 50 (3), 315–24.
2.
GrantEMcKennaL (2003) International clinical placements for undergraduate students. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 12, 529–35.
3.
HarloburdoEThompsonA (1998) A comparison of international learning experiences for baccalaureate nursing students: developed and developing countries. Journal of Nursing Education, 37 (1), 13–21.
4.
HaydayC (2004) Home and away. Occupational Therapy News, 12 (3), 35.
5.
LaveryF (2003) Reflection on an overseas placement experience. Occupational Therapy News, 11 (3), 25.
6.
LeeN-J (2004) The impact of international experience of student nurses' personal and professional development international. Nursing Review, 51, 113–22.
7.
PughJPratleyC (2006) Lessons to be learnt in India. Occupational Therapy News, 14 (2), 19.
8.
SelwoodT (2006) Canadian dream. Occupational Therapy News, 14 (3), 26.
9.
ShielC (2006) Developing the global citizen. Academy Exchange, Issue5, Winter, 18–20.
10.
ThibeaultR (2006) Globalisation, universities and the future of occupational therapy: dispatches for the majority world. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 53, 159–65.
11.
WatsonL (2004) Home visits to mud huts. Occupational Therapy News, 12 (8), 24.
12.
WestcottLWhitcombeS (2003) Globalisation and occupational therapy: poles apart?British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66 (7), 328–30.
13.
WhitefordGSt-ClairV Wright (2002) Being prepared for diversity in proactive: occupational therapy students' perceptions of valuable intercultural learning experience. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65 (3), 129–37.
