Taiwan Project--Fengyi Kao

Visiting Faculty and Students from Taiwan

Since summer 2005, founders of the RESOURCE Foundation have coordinated 3 two-week cultural learning experiences and community-based practice courses for a total of one occupational therapy faculty and 15 occupational therapy students from Taiwan. The faculty and students observed a wide variety of cultural events and practice settings in Indianapolis community, presented health and societal issues currently occurred in Taiwan, and discussed community practice models which can be addressed by occupational therapy services in Taiwan.

With structured learning experience and guided site visits, the visiting faculty and students exchanged experiences and ideas on occupational therapy services across cultures, and enjoyed cultural immersion as they stayed with local families, visited museums, and participated in community events.

2009 Trips to Taiwan

Currently, RESOURCE is planning for two trips to Taiwan in late-2009. The first trip will take place from December 10th to 20th, 2009 and the second trip will be from December 21st to 31st, 2009. The exact dates of the trips are subject to change without prior notice, if necessary, to better support participants’ learning/travel needs and to keep the travel costs reasonable for participants.

Participants who join the trip to Taiwan will have opportunity to:

• explore societal and health care needs of Taiwan to enhance professional development and cultural competency;
• interact with health care providers in rural Taiwan and exchange practice experience with service providers from diverse settings;
• provide community based services to persons with disabilities in rural Taiwan;
• provide training to service providers in Taiwan with the goal of establishing community based services to individuals and families impacted by trauma and/or disabilities;
• assist health care leaders in Taiwan to develop clinical and leadership skills; and
• develop and foster professional competency in international practice.