Occupational therapy internships in the Philippines allow interns to take part in Physiotherapy sessions whilst gaining work experience.

Occupational Therapy Internship in the Philippines

Gain occupational therapy work experience in the Philippines and help treat patients at a specialist rehabilitation centre

Destination

Philippines

Age

18+ y/o

Minimum Stay

1 week

Start Date

Anytime

Accommodation

Homestay

Requirements

You should have completed at least six-months of occupational therapy related studies or training.

What’s Included

24/7 Support

Round-the-clock support on the ground and 24/7 back up from our global teams.

Accommodation & Amenities

Clean, safe, and welcoming accommodation. A home away from home with comfortable amenities.

Activities, Training & Equipment

All programme activities and equipment, including training and workshops from experienced professionals.

Certification

Certified record of service hours, workshops, and activities for your CV.

Request Info

Starting at £1,545 for 1 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Work with people with disabilities

Provide occupational therapy to people with a range of conditions, including cerebral palsy, stroke survivors, and developmental disabilities.

Get real world experience

Assist qualified occupational therapists in assessing patients, developing treatment plans, and implementing therapeutic interventions.

Contribute to community development

Work in rehabilitation centres and community outreach programmes, providing essential services to underserved populations.

Fall in love with the Philippines

Live with a caring host family, relax on stunning beaches, explore historical sites, and experience the unique traditions of the Philippines.

Expand your global perspective

Gain a deeper understanding of occupational therapy approaches around the world and boost your own confidence through international travel.

What you need to know

Overview

Are you studying to become an occupational therapist? Or perhaps you’re a recent graduate looking for work experience in this field? If so, then this is the ideal internship for you.

It’s an excellent way to put some of your training into use while learning from skilled local professionals. International work experience will be an asset on your CV, and make your job or university applications stand out.

In order to join this internship, you need to be at least 18 years old. You also need at least six months to one year’s worth of occupational therapy-related studies or training.

Our start and end dates are also flexible, so you can choose a time which suits you. We encourage you to stay for longer, however, so that you can make a greater impact during your time abroad.

A Day in the Life

After waking up in the home of your host family, you’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast to fuel you for the day. It’s then time to travel to work via a motorised tricycle, similar to a rickshaw. On your first day, a staff member will accompany you to show you the way.

A typical day at your occupational therapy placement in the Philippines runs from 8:30am until 11am and then again from 1:30pm until 4pm, Monday to Friday. You can travel home for lunch, or bring a packed one with you if your host family is too far away.

You’ll spend your time at the rehabilitation centre assessing and treating patients with a range of different conditions. You might find yourself working with a stroke patient, helping them to improve mobility of affected limbs. Or you could engage in play therapy with children who have cerebral palsy, in order to develop their fine motor skills.

On some days, you’ll conduct house-to-house visits instead, and perform the treatments there. Sometimes you will work with patients to teach them exercises they can do at home to maintain their mobility.

Once you’re done for the day, it’s time to sit back and relax. Enjoy your stay in the Philippines, watching the sunset from the beach or enjoying dinner with fellow interns at a local restaurant. We organise regular social events for our interns and volunteers, so you can get to know each other and our local staff.

Aims & Impact

There are two main aims to this project: to provide you with an educational experience while ensuring that people with disabilities receive the specialised treatment that they need.

Many of the interns who join us are looking for practical work experience. We facilitate important cross-cultural exchange, where you have the opportunity to learn from qualified local professionals and share knowledge. You’ll gain invaluable insight into healthcare practices in the Philippines, while learning new skills.

This internship also has an altruistic aspect. Many people with disabilities in the Philippines are unable to receive treatment, due to high costs or a lack of nearby facilities. This is detrimental to their overall wellbeing. It also has a negative impact on children, as many children with disabilities are unable to attend school.

As an intern, you’ll work at a rehabilitation centre that provides free occupational therapy services to those who need it. Only with your help, we will be able to increase the centre’s capacity and treat more people. You’ll work to improve the quality of specialised care for disabled people so that they can lead more independent lives.

Our overall list of medical goals for the Philippines include:

Improve the quality of specialised healthcare provided for people with disabilities
Promote awareness of non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes
Improve the overall quality of healthcare provided
Improve hygiene standards

The community centre where you’ll work was started by a former Projects Abroad intern, in conjunction with the local municipality. This just goes to show the impact that a single person can make. Imagine how much we can do together! Help us achieve these long term goals, as you gain invaluable occupational therapy work experience in the Philippines.

Activities

This internship offers you the opportunity to get involved in a diverse range of tasks. These include:

Assess and treat patients who need occupational therapy
Write case notes and reports about patient consultations
Exchange knowledge with staff and local occupational therapy students
Create home exercise programmes for patients

Your work will focus on the following areas:

Assess and treat patients who need occupational therapy

Your main role on this internship is to assess and treat patients who need occupational therapy. The goal is to improve their motor skills so that they are able to conduct their daily activities and gain more independence. You’ll use various treatment methods, such as hydrotherapy in the ocean, to achieve this.

The patients you encounter will have a range of different conditions, from stroke victims to children with cerebral palsy. Most of your work will be based at a local rehabilitation centre. However, you will also be able to conduct house-to-house visits, or treat patients at local community centres.

Write case notes and reports about patient consultations

You’ll need to keep up-to-date case notes, so that future interns and physiotherapists have a record of what has been done. Depending on the length of your stay, you’ll also be to test your knowledge by presenting a case study of your choice during the final week of your internship.

This case study can cover some of your experiences on the internship, or focus on an occupational therapy-related topic of your choice. This allows you to evaluate your work and compile your observations into a report. Your case study is also useful as it helps us to update our patient data in our Global Impact Database, which tracks the progress of patients.

Create home exercise programmes for patients

An important part of this project is teaching people exercises that they can do at home to work on their physical skills. You’ll show patients and their families or caregivers different techniques that can be used, and recreational activities that will be beneficial to their recovery. You might have to be quite innovative, as the therapy resources you are used to using may not be available.

Exchange knowledge with local staff and students

One of the aims of our internships is to encourage the cross-cultural exchange of knowledge. You will be able to share knowledge about different treatment practices with the local staff, and learn from them in turn. Sometimes there may be the opportunity to take part in educational workshops with the staff.

There are also local university students who intern at the rehabilitation centre. This is a great opportunity to share your experiences of studying occupational therapy with fellow students. You can also see how the practice differs between your countries.

Map & Location

Mabuhay! That’s “welcome” in the Philippines, the world’s second-largest archipelago, formed of over 7,000 islands in Southeast Asia. Famous for a unique blend of Asian and Spanish cultures, you will struggle to find a more welcoming country to visit.

The Philippines has incredible biodiversity with many endemic species and unique geological formations, like the popular Chocolate Hills. For a more urban experience, hop in a jeepney or tuk-tuk and enjoy Filipino pastimes like Karaoke and water sports.

San Remigio

San Remigio, neighbouring Bogo City on the northern coast of Cebu Island, is a laid-back town with stunning natural beauty. With over 65,000 residents, it boasts the longest coastline in Cebu, offering a variety of beaches with white sand and crystal-clear waters.

San Remigio has a tropical climate with warm temperatures all year, perfect for exploring the nearby beaches, islands, and historical sites. The town also offers a glimpse into local life with its public market and friendly community.

Food & Accommodation

Get ready for unforgettable fun in the Philippines! We’ll set you up with a wonderful host family (vetted by us, of course!), providing a comfortable room, three delicious meals a day, and fresh drinking water. It’s all part of making your adventure amazing.

Your host family will provide you with delicious, local food and introduce you to the incredible Filipino culture. We’ll aim to have you share your host family with other Projects Abroad participants of the same gender and approximate age. We’ll also organise your transport to and from your placement every day.

Your home away from home will be clean, safe, and secure, the perfect place to explore the stunning scenery of the Philippines. You’ll also have easy access to nearby internet cafes, keeping you in touch with your loved ones.

Free Time and Leisure

The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands, so naturally there are beautiful beaches where you can relax during your free time. However, there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy during your trip.

With white-sand beaches come all the exciting activities associated with living close to the sea. You can go snorkelling through the pristine waters, play volleyball, or relax on the sand as the sun sets.

In Cebu City itself, you can explore the traditional Carbon Market. For an insight into the country’s history, you can visit Fort San Pedro and Magellan’s Cross. Here, you’ll learn more about the Spanish conquest.

The Spanish influence is also felt in the regular fiestas and street parades held in the Philippines. If you volunteer around the end of January, you’ll even get to experience the Sinulog Festival, a nine day Mardi Gras-style party.

With so many volunteers joining us throughout the year, there will likely be other travellers in the Philippines during your trip. You can connect with them and explore as a group or travel independently if you prefer.

Your Arrival Made Easy

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Philippines Arrival Procedures page.