WHAT IS AN OVERSEAS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PLACEMENT WITH WORK THE WORLD?

An occupational therapy placement abroad is a clinical placement you undertake in a low-resource clinical setting in a developing country

You’ll see immense differences between occupational therapy abroad and back home. You’ll also see practices, like paraffin therapy, that you wouldn’t normally see back home.

You’ll come across uncommon conditions like leprosy and polio, and learn how local staff treat conditions like neuropathies and contractures with limited resources. In fact, you’ll see that much of the rehabilitation equipment they use is handmade.

Physiotherapy elective in takoradi ghana

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PLACEMENT ABROAD?

With experience like this you’ll stand out from all the other OT students graduating every year.

On one of our placements, you’ll:

Expand your clinical knowledge and skill set
Sharpen your communication skills
Develop your confidence and resourcefulness
Build your personal and professional network
Become more attractive to employers

You’re in the hospital Monday to Friday, so you have freedom at the weekend to explore your destination of choice.

WHO ARE WE?

We're Work the World — We’re expert at planning, building and overseeing occupational therapy placements in foreign countries. We've been designing international occupational therapy opportunities for over 15 years for 17,000+ students and graduates from 450+ universities around the world.

Our service is end-to-end, and it includes:

A customised placement in a destination of your choice | Comprehensive pre-trip preparation | 24/7 in-country support | Private, catered accommodation

You'll arrive on a Sunday (whenever suits you — we're open year-round). Placement durations start from one week.

Click here for a step-by-step guide to how our service works.

AM I ELIGIBLE?

You can go on one of our occupational therapy placements:

You are undertaking an occupational therapy degree
You have recently graduated with an occupational therapy degree

WHERE DO I START?

Talk to our team. The team have the answers to all your questions and offer a clear picture of what you can expect from our occupational therapy shadowing opportunities.

Get in touch using the short enquiry form.

DESTINATIONS

The Philippines - Iloilo

You'll get experience with a broad range of cases on your occupational therapy placement in Iloilo. Typical cases include Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, stroke, RTAs, and spinal cord injuries.

You'll interact with patients of all ages, presenting at various stages of severity. You'll undertake your OT placement in our partner hospital's physiotherapy rehabilitation department. This offers you the chance to see how interdependent the two disciplines are. You'll also notice a focus on inpatients, with staff spending up to an hour with patients.

Explore Iloilo

Sri Lanka - Kandy

On an OT placement in Kandy, you'll spend time alongside the occupational therapy team, which supports patients with upper extremity injuries and neurological conditions, focusing on rehabilitation clinics with occasional ward visits. Therapy is divided into hysical Occupational Therapy (injuries and disabilities) and Psychiatric Occupational Therapy (mental health and well-being). Common cases include burn injuries, fractures, congenital abnormalities, Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome, and cerebral visual impairments. Therapists handle around 30 patients daily, and you can get involved in assessments, treatment planning, and rehabilitation exercises to restore mobility and function.

Explore Kandy

Tanzania - Dar es Salaam

Despite Dar es Salaam’s swift expansion, the city’s surrounds hold some of the most impressive natural beauty in the world. African plains home to endangered wildlife lie under the watchful gaze of mountains, and Zanzibar — a paradise island — is a short boat ride away.

A proactive approach to your OT placement will open doors to witnessing cases of arthritis, neuropathies, and contractures. The OT team also works with the ICU as well as doing home visits, giving you an immersive experience of OT in the developing world. Read stories from those who’ve already travelled with us to Dar es Salaam.

Explore Dar es Salaam

"I would tell any healthcare student to - just go for it! Even as a second-year medical student, I learned an incredible amount".

Anouk Thijs, KU Leven, 2026

It pushes you out of your comfort zone in the best way and helps you grow not just as a nurse, but as a person.

Millie Palfree, University of Birmingham, 2025

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"I learned a lot about the role Ayurvedic medicine plays in the heart and beliefs of the population."

Britany Duclos, Université de Sherbrooke, 2025

"It was definitely an incredible experience! The healthcare system I observed during my placement in Sri Lanka differed significantly from my experiences in the UK. I am really thankful to the Work the World team and the staff at the hospital".

Saarah Nomani, Cardiff University, 2026

"To anyone considering doing a Work the World placement, I cannot recommend it enough"

George Hart, University of Sheffield, 2026

From our blog

What Does 'Fully Supported' Mean on a Work the World Placement?

By Joe Jamieson

"Find out how we support you on your overseas healthcare placement, from your first contact to your final day."

Looking for an Overseas Healthcare Placement? Here’s Why You Should Choose Work the World Over a Volunteering Provider

By Joe Jamieson
Our Service

Travel with the longest-established, most trusted healthcare-specific provider, and make the most of every moment.

What do our occupational therapy placements offer?

A Work the World OT placement gives you the chance to undertake a clinical placement in the developing world. You will spend time in a low-resource hospital and see unfamiliar practices and advanced conditions. You can even choose the departments you want to rotate through. Learn more here.

What are the benefits of a Work the World occupational therapy placement?

The benefits of our occupational therapy placements include:

Expanding your clinical knowledge and skill set
Becoming more confident, independent and resourceful
Making yourself more attractive to employers
Doing some proper travelling
Building your personal and professional network
Sharpening your language and communication skills
Renewing your perspective on care back home

How can I raise funds for my OT placement?

It’s easier than ever to get the funds together for your overseas OT placement. You can take advantage of government programs like OS-HELP, you can take the initiative by starting your own online fundraising page, and you can apply for a huge number of grants and bursaries to help you along the way. Learn how easy it is to raise as much as you need.

What kinds of cases will I see on a Work the World overseas occupational therapy placement?

You will see cases like:

Clubfoot
Hydrocephalus
Paediatric spina bifida
Post-amputation rehabilitation
Post-eclampsia

How long are occupational therapy placements abroad with Work the World?

An occupational therapy placement is as long as you want it to be. Our minimum placement duration is one week, but students typically travel on their occupational therapy placements for four weeks. There is no upper limit to how long you can travel for.

What is an occupational therapy placement?

An occupational therapy placement is an elective that OT students undertake as part of their degree. Occupational therapy placements allow students to gain practical experience, insight, and confidence. If you want to undertake your clinical placement overseas, contact us today.

How many hours of placement is an OT elective abroad?

The number of hours required for your occupational therapy elective abroad may vary depending on your course. Many universities ask that you complete 1000 hours of practical, hands-on work. Work the World can guarantee that you meet the required number of hours, and supervisors will formally sign off on any time you spend in the hospital.