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Occupational Therapy in South Africa

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  • Occupational Therapy in South Africa
Project Summary

What is the Occupational Therapy in South Africa all about?

Occupational Therapy in South Africa is a significantly growing field as in other parts of the world. Locally, the project is run within different types of setting in Cape Town which aims to support children and elders including hospitals, rehabilitative settings, special-needs schools, NGOs, and geriatric centers.

Depending on your background and interest, you may choose between rehabilitative occupational therapy, pediatric occupational therapy, mental health occupational therapy or geriatric occupational therapy.

During the occupational therapy internships, you may be involved in 1:1 sessions, integrated health group sessions, experiencing staff meetings, being involved with the assessments of patients, contributing to problem-saving sessions, assisting in individualized intervention programs, amongst many others. This will depend on your background, level of studies as well as the need of the projects at the time of your placement.

Occupational therapy internships can be a great way to learn about the healthcare system and key limitations in the African context. Through a South African internship, participants can gain daily exposure to health issues that affect children and adults health.


Why choose this Occupational Therapy in South Africa placement?

  • Work alongside professional South African occupational therapists and gain practical experience and insight that can support your future career.
  • Bring meaning to the lives of individuals and having a positive effect on their health and well-being during your time with them.
  • Advance your leadership and interpersonal communication skills in a multicultural environment

Role of the therapist intern

As an occupational therapy intern, you will have the opportunity to work alongside qualified therapists and teachers and observe how they go about their duties while helping them assess patients and off guidance on how they may improve their daily life. In some instance, you might be able to be involved with a full team of therapists made up of physiotherapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists as some of the students have physical disabilities. The therapists’ team will help the teachers set goals and implement different therapeutic practices in the classroom.

As an intern on an occupational therapy placement abroad, you will be under the supervision of a local occupational therapist who will guide you and play the role of a mentor. As an Occupational Therapy in South Africa intern, you will also be asked to deliver workshops and pieces of training for the community members to ensure the well-being of the collectivity.


What skills do I need to be an Occupational Therapy Intern in South Africa?

Experience in healthcare is a plus since it would allow you to take a more active role. Students with previous experience working and studying physiology, anatomy, developmental psychology or other experiences in rehabilitative centers would be great assets for this placement! Other soft skills like willingness to learn, dedication, patience and passion to help children and the elderly is a must. As you will be living and working in a different country than your own, you will need to be adaptable, flexible and somewhat outgoing. Also, note that because resources are already scarce, a good comment of the English language is a must. 

REQUEST MORE INFO   RESERVE YOUR PLACE

WHY JOIN THE PROJECT

To gain practical experience and insight that can support your future career.

Work alongside professional South African occupational therapists

Be exposed to the healthcare system abroad

FEATURED VIDEO

PROJECT TESTIMONIALS

Michelle’s South Africa Experience
"Kaya's welcome package and weekly communication made the preparation and departure friendly and helpful" ...
Michelle R.
READ FULL EXPERIENCE
Bryan’s South Africa Experience
"What true community engagement is and looks like, even the small things make a difference" ...
Bryan J.
READ FULL EXPERIENCE
The Location

Where will I work in South Africa?

About the Location

Cape Town is a great place to be based when visiting South Africa. The city has a lot to offer despite being separated by a barrier of mountains. The unique climate will offer a range of activities, and you surely do not want to miss on taking a ride up Table Mountain Arial Cableway to put the city and ocean views into perspective.

Accommodation

You will be staying in a single room sharing communal areas with other interns, just 6 kilometers outside of Cape Town City Center. The area is well-known and home to many locals and foreign nations, many of them studying at the University of Cape Town. The suburb is known as Observatory (“Obz” for the locals). It is a multi-racial and cosmopolitan community with many bookshops, artsy thrift shops, galleries and lots of café’s and restaurants to choose from. 

What to do in your spare time

The area is full of vibey bars, cafés and amazing restaurants. Cape Town being a renowned destination and home to the iconic Table mountain, you will have plenty to do in your free time. From beautiful beaches, stunning vineyards, beautiful scenic drives to markets and the famous Garden Route, you are sure to enjoy your time in South Africa while doing your placement abroad. This is also a perfect place to experience windsurfing, hiking, kayaking and many other watersports.

Details & Costs

  • Duration: 4-12 weeks
  • Cost: £3128 / $4883 for 4 weeks
    See drop-down menu for additional weekly pricing
  • Requirements: Age 18+
  • Location: Cape Town, South Africa
  • Working hours: Mondays through Fridays, 30 hours per week
  • Project availability: Weekly year-round
  • Arrival day: Sunday

What is included

  • Accommodation: single room in a house with communal space
  • Food: no meals included
  • Airport: pick-up and drop-off from/to Cape Town International Airport
  • Access to personal online Kaya Community account including:
    • Pre-departure information pack for “country”
    • Fundraising Guide
    • How to Manage your Money Abroad Guide
    • Learning Reflection Guide
    • Healthcare Ethics and Culture Documents
  • On the ground training:
    • Cultural and safety orientation and project induction
    • Weekly culture series
    • Weekly social gatherings
  • Support: 24-hour support including emergency contact numbers from local team
  • Excursion Planning assistance from local staff (activity prices may be extra)
  • Certificate on completion of your internship placement diary and presentation to the local team
  • Supervision from qualified professional
  • Wi-Fi in accommodation
  • Laundry in accommodation

 

What is not included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Visas
  • Food: meals are not included
  • No transport to/from project​
  • Police/Government Background Check: US and UK citizens will be processed through Kaya (admin fee applies); all other nationalities must provide local police check.
  • Routine vaccinations
  • Refundable accommodation damages deposit of $250 
  • Any costs for COVID-19 PCR tests required pre-departure and in-country

 

Gallery

Pictures from our Occupational Therapy programme in South Africa

 

Cape Town Beach
Cape Town Double Decker Bus
Cape Town Landscape
Views from the top South Africa
Chapman's Peak View Point in South Africa
Hike Up Chapman's Peak View Point
Relaxing time near the Ocean
Simmons Town Exploring South Africa
Simmons Town Exploring South Africa
Occupational Therapy
Surfing in Cape Town, South Africa
garden route winery visit

Easy 4-step application process

APPLY ONLINE

Click here to apply online and pay your application fee to apply for your space on your chosen project. Our advisors will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW

Once we’ve received your application, we’ll review your details and be in touch to arrange your informal telephone interview with your Kaya Placement Advisor.

CONFIRMATION

Following your interview, we will provide you a placement offer. Once you are ready to confirm your placement and dates, you can pay your confirmation fee to book and secure your space.

GET PREPARED

When you have confirmed your project dates we'll send you your Welcome Pack and lots of other helpful information to assist you with preparing for your placement.

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