Internationalisation in higher education involves the incorporation of international themes into teaching and learning and is an important tool that occupational therapy education programmes can use to prepare students to work in culturally diverse environments. Research indicates that internationalised education programmes aid students in developing a better understanding of their own values and beliefs, an understanding of and respect for other cultures, a wider view of their profession, and verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Recent developments in occupational therapy, such as the understanding of how international issues affect daily occupations, the changing demographics of the client base and the widening scope of practice, have increased the need for education programmes to embrace internationalisation.
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