Cherling Lee

Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Exchange to Metropolitan Domiciliary Care of
South Australia, Australia

It was a great honour for me to receive the Australian Cheung Kong Student Exchange Scholarship and I spent my final-year clinical placement in Adelaide this year.

As an occupational therapy student, I realize that my profession originates from Western countries, and it takes much time to integrate and establish it in Hong Kong. This exchange programme added a global dimension to my study and clinical experiences. I had an eight-week attachment at the Metropolitan Domiciliary Care (MDC) of South Australia, which is an organization aimed at improving the independence of elderly people with disabilities so that they can stay in their own homes for as long as possible. From this community-based rehabilitation placement, I conducted home visits for home modifications and aided prescriptions. I also needed to complete a project entitled “Review the Need for Allied Health Services in the Dementia Day Programmes” in order to provide therapeutic activities for elderly people with dementia in the Dementia Day Programme. From this exchange placement, I could see the differences in the roles of occupational therapists and the treatment approaches they used as compared to Hong Kong. From the interaction with colleagues and friends, my horizons were broadened, both in terms of general knowledge about the world and also the occupational therapy practice. All these experiences I would never have encountered in my life before having an overseas placement.

Moreover, I made a lot of friends from all over the world during my exchange, such as people from Finland, Germany, Denmark, Holland, Japan and Korea. I even ran on a road trip across the country during one weekend. I learnt more about different cultures by experiencing it firsthand. This cultural interaction allowed me to understand more about my own values and beliefs.

In short, there is indeed a lot to say about my experience in Australia. I really treasure this valuable and unforgettable exchange experience. I appreciate all the support from my lecturers at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and my clinical supervisor at MDC, Angel Basso.

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