Key data
Job description: Occupational Therapist
Company: Clienia Schlössli AG, private clinic for psychiatry and psychotherapy
Place: Oetwil am See, Switzerland
I did my internship from 16 March to 1 May 2015.
My contact
What I did:
- I developed my practical experience in the professional world of occupational therapy
- I got to know occupational therapy working methods in the field of psychiatry
- Focus in the ward to which I was assigned: crisis intervention and stabilising people in crisis situations
Why I enjoyed my internship:
- I gained lots of insight into the Swiss culture, society and healthcare system.
- I was integrated into a fantastic team of occupational therapists.
- Cooperation with other professional groups at the hospital was always very open and informative.
What I learned
- Interdisciplinary collaboration in the treatment and support of people in mental crisis situations
- Dealing with people in a psychiatric setting
- A bit of Swiss German
My biggest success / My greatest experience
I was able to establish personal and professional access to the patients, creating a valuable basis for the therapeutic treatments. Another positive experience was being accepted as a valued member of the occupational therapy team.
How I secured the internship
After undertaking personal research into the potential internship positions, I compiled a list of psychiatric institutions. During the course of my second year of study, I found out about Clienia Schlössli AG from a colleague. After submitting a written enquiry and application for an internship position, I was offered a place.
What I want to do in the future
The positive experiences I had at this institution and the way I was accepted into the team have made me want to gain more experience at the institution in the form of stand-in positions lasting several months each.
Based on this experience, I hope to further develop my professional profile as an occupational therapist and accompany and support people at various times of their life.
