Internship Abroad

Goals

Short term:

1. To make a vocabulary list of common Italian words used in speech therapy

2. To sit in on at least five therapy sessions per week

Long term:

1. To expand my knowledge of the practice of speech therapy and make comparisons from Italian therapy to American therapy

2. To gain knowledge of specific behaviors of children

Reflection- Sample Project Management Plan: long term goal #1

Approach:

I will be approaching this goal by sitting in on different therapy sessions between physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Since previously attaining 25 observation hours in Arkansas at my University, I will have knowledge of the different variations of therapy in both countries.

Stakeholders:

I can help impact the company by helping the therapist improve their English vocabulary, which seems to be beneficial in the field of speech therapy. Some other stakeholders would be the customers and employees that allow me to gain knowledge and increase my understanding of Italian Vocabulary.

Anticipated Challenges:

I think that the most obvious challenge will be the language barrier. It is not hard to sit in on therapy sessions, but it is difficult to understand what they are saying, therefore understand what they are trying to practice and achieve throughout the therapy. Once I can understand what they are trying to practice during the sessions, then I will be able to compare and contrast the difference or similarities in the therapies.

Desired Results:

I am looking to increase my overall understanding of the practices of speech therapy. While doing this, I want to be able to understand the techniques used in Italian, and how those compare to those in America.

Communication Style

With a combination of communicating by telling and being a people person, I am an expressive communicator.

Internship Example: During my experience so far at my clinic, I have tried my best to be very expressive in all aspects. I have expressed which therapist I feel I learn the most from, and try to be as involved as possible when sitting in on the sessions. I express my interest in each session by adding to my vocabulary list, as well as remembering each kid's name in order to build a relationship with them. The people I work with are extremely open with communication, and I try my best to reciprocate the same thing.

My Style: I feel as if I am a very open and forward communicator. I like to think I am a deep and articulate thinker and I try to express my ideas as clearly and direct as possible. I have a big personality and am very outgoing, therefore I value relationships and communication as being very important to me. Therefore, I feel as if I fit the category of being an expressive communicator by being very talkative, emotionally driven, as well as liking recognition, but I disagree with the detail aspect, as I am very detailed and specific. Additionally, I feel as if I can also be an amiable communicator by showing consistency, loyalty, and being driven by relationships.

Colleague's Style: When thinking about Caroline, I feel as if she expresses communication both by a mix of asking and telling, and is also a people person. That being said, I estimate that Caroline could be either expressive or amiable as well!

Cultural Awareness

3 personal values that I have discovered about myself during my cross-cultural internship experience:

Independence: I have learned that I am more independent than I had thought and have learned to love the fulfillment of being self-sufficient.
Gratitude: I have gained a deeper level of gratitude for my life, this experience, as well as the way of life I live in America.
Self-esteem: I have gained self-esteem throughout this process by learning to be independent, adapting to a new lifestyle, and having the ability to be my true self and make great relationships in a brand new environment.

From my international experience...

I can identify a change in myself - my values, outlook, attitude, and/or abilities by adjusting to a completely different lifestyle. I have seen myself refocus my attention on what's important to me, and I have been able to find myself in a time where all I had was myself.
I experienced new cultures. One strategy that was really helpful in learning how to interact with people from another culture was to view the situation as a different experience for both people. This experience is new to us, but so may be interacting with someone from the United States for many people in different parts of the world.
I have clarified what is important to me- who I am, who I want to be, and what I want to accomplish. For instance, during this whole experience, I have been without my luggage/belongings due to the airlines losing it. I have learned how much I value my clothing and how much I express myself and feel comfortable in my clothes. On the other note, I have realized how my appearance doesn't affect who I am inside, what I have to offer, or my ability to feel comfortable with myself.
I had to learn how to adapt. One change that was really hard for me to adapt to in my host culture was following Italy's more professional dress code during day-to-day activities, as well as my internship without having my belongings and items that allowed me to be prepared in another country. As well as this, starting from the bottom and not having anything I prepared was a completely new learning experience, and I learned to adapt to being comfortable in a very uncomfortable situation.
I gained a greater perspective on global issues. One social issue (local or global) that I learned more about is the difference in drinking age and accessibility to alcohol for those underage. I have been able to recognize the lack of control over alcohol and how the culture is far more different than America in this aspect.