The UNMC Global Health Opportunity Program (GHOP) for Summer Experiential Education (SEED) in Physical Therapy was designed for international physical therapy and rehabilitation students who are interested in developing a global perspective on rehabilitation, to learn physical therapy education, research, and practice in the United States. In prior summers, this course was offered on-campus at UNMC but due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s course was offered as a three-week online summer program from July 12-30, 2021.
More students were able to join this program from the comfort of their homes than had previously come to Omaha in years past. The 2021 course welcomed 24 SEED students from six different universities in China and Taiwan. UNMC faculty from the Division of Physical Therapy Education at the College of Allied Health Professions lead online lectures and discussions with the students. SEED students had a meet-and-greet with UNMC Physical Therapy Students in Omaha during the student online Round Tables.
SEED program director, Ka-Chun (Joseph) Siu, PhD, said "this group of students was very eager to learn the physical therapy knowledge remotely; through their weekly reflections, I can recognize their passions in the professions and readiness to be a well-rounded physical therapist. I would like to thank Dr. Meza, Dr. Tong, Danielle Thies, and team from the Office of Global Engagement, for their support and collaboration that lead to the continued success of the SEED program."
"I always look forward to teaching students from the SEED program and this year I taught them about the Building Blocks of Pediatric Physical Therapy, which was an overview of developmental theory, family-centered care, concepts of intervention and care across a child’s lifespan. Their reflections afterward reinforced how important it is for students across the globe to hear different perspectives on physical therapy. Both myself and the students learn from each other each time," said physical therapy faculty member, Kellie Gossman, PT, DPT, CLT, PCS.
Dong Manyu from Nanjing Medical University really appreciated the Round Table discussions with current UNMC students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. "The most interesting part of the course was the student online Round Tables. Each time we met some new UNMC students. We could talk freely and ask many questions. What a nice experience", she said.
Another student Wu Ying-Chieh from Chang Gung University said, "writing the weekly reflections pushed me to think about what I had learned all week. Every week we studied different topics in physical therapy. I really enjoyed understanding the differences of PT management, education and the hospital systems between the U.S. and China through this program".
The Office of Global Engagement’s director of academic partnerships, Zenghan (Hannah) Tong, PhD, was very pleased with the creation of an online SEED program this year. "While we do not know what next summer will bring, we are excited to offer the SEED program again (virtually or in person) and welcome another group of future physical therapists to UNMC," said Dr. Tong.