Inter-Professional Studies in Health - Disability and Rehab Northern Ireland

 

The Inter-professional Studies in Health, Disability and Rehabilitation in Northern Ireland is designed for a broad range of students with health-related interests. This program is a great fit for undergraduate students interested in any aspect of child development who are planning to continue their studies in education, SLP, OT, PT , psychology, social work and other health and rehab professions.

Students will have the opportunity to learn with, from and about each other (WHO, 2010) encouraging the development of an understanding of the connected and complementary roles of professionals in related disciplines of study and practice.  This leads to greater confidence and better preparation for graduate studies and future collaborative practice, regardless of discipline. 

The program is led by Retired Pitt Faculty member, Dr. Janice Vance, a native of Northern Ireland. She uses her extensive network to offer you the opportunity to visit a range of locations and meet with local clinicians and practitioners. Each year, students will study a specific condition, disorder or issue. This program is designed so that students will be able to demonstrate an awareness of the specific roles of key health and rehabilitation professionals, as well as related professionalism disciplines such as education, social work, clinical psychology, rehabilitation counseling).
 
*Banner photo credit: Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash 

What You'll Accomplish: 

As an engaged and active participant in this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:

  • An understanding of the collaborative roles of health, rehabilitation and educational professionals (speech language pathologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists including teachers, psychologists) in assessment, management and educational needs of children with disabilities
  • An understanding of policy development and educational history (including disability and special needs policy and services) within the social and cultural context of Northern Ireland
  • An understanding of child development theories and the importance of early intervention
  • An understanding of physical literacy

In addition to classroom activities, site visits will be organized to agencies and schools serving children with disabilities and their families.
 

The course will be based at Stranmillis University College, a small education-related institution in Belfast, Northern Ireland that has been shaping education policy and practice for 100 years. www.stran.ac.uk
Students will have the benefit of input from internationally recognized faculty as well as clinicians from a range of disciplines including psychology, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
Belfast is a vibrant and welcoming city that has emerged from a troubled past into a dynamic city with a young and energetic population.  It has been identified as a ‘must-see’ by Lonely Planet. While on the trip, students will have time to explore local sites such as St. George’s market, the internationally acclaimed Titanic Museum, and the beautiful River Lagan tow-path within walking distance of the Stranmillis campus.  On a special trip to the north coast, students will visit the famous Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Students will also have a free weekend when they can travel independently to explore Belfast and surrounding places of interest (e.g.Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Hillsborough Castle), or one of many other great locations further afield in Ireland (e.g. Cliffs of Moher, Derry/Londonderry, Dublin).
 

Where You'll Live: 

Belfast, Northern Ireland Housing:
You will stay on-campus at Stranmillis University College during their time in Belfast. The campus offers housing within the College grounds in an attractive, quiet setting among trees and shrubs are over 400 modern comfortable rooms laid out in six blocks. You  will stay in single rooms with wash basin en-suite and shared bathrooms. Common rooms on all floors offer students flexibility to have their own privacy and for being sociable if they choose.  You can expect the following at your accommodations in Belfast:

  • Single accommodations available
  • Bedding, bed linens
  • Sink in bedroom
  • Shared bathrooms
  • Breakfasts included (all other meals are the responsibility of the student)
  • Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour security on campus
  • Coin-operated laundry in building

We do our best to provide the most accurate information about housing and amenities but due to the nature of the locations in which we offer programs and limited availability, these items are subject to change.  Contact your program manager with any questions. 
 

What You'll Study: 

You'll earn a total of 3 credits on the Inter-Professional Studies in Health, Disability and Rehab program. Everyone who participates on the program will take the same course. The program is led and the course taught by Dr. Janice Vance from Pitt’s School for Health and Rehab Science. Dr. Vance is a native of Northern Ireland and has developed amazing professional network in both Northern Ireland and Ireland. The course will be taught in English and will be comprised of lectures, guest speakers, city tours, cultural activities and professional site visits to hospitals and clinics. In these courses you will study:

  • Inter-disciplinary clinical practice and research
  • Study health, disability, rehabilitation and related fields in a Northern Ireland context
  • Specific roles of key health and rehabilitation professionals, as well as related professionalism disciplines such as education, social work, clinical psychology, and rehabilitation counselling

Please Note: Students will be expected to participate in 4-5 introductory online sessions and some preparation project work.
If you are seeking to count these courses towards a major, minor or certificate, please meet with your academic advisor to discuss this program and what the courses will fulfill for you. 
 

Health Policy, Practice and Education: Children with Disabilities (CSD1904)

This two-week program will take place in Northern Ireland.  This course will give students the opportunity to learn and think together about policy and practice as it relates to children with disabilities.  Students will be based at Stranmillis University College in Belfast and will be instructed by a range of academic and clinical experts from various disciplines. Topics covered will include:

  • The collaborative roles of education and health professionals (speech language pathologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists including teachers, psychologists) in assessment, management and educational needs of children with disabilities
  • Policy development and educational history (including special needs policy and services) within the social and cultural context of Northern Ireland
  • Child development theories and the importance of early intervention
  • Physical literacy

In addition to classroom activities, site visits will be organized to agencies and schools serving children with disabilities and their families.
Prior to departure, students will be expected to participate in 4-5 introductory online sessions and some preparation project work.
 
 

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts: 

Tim Crawford

Hi Everyone! I’m Tim, and I am the Assistant Director for Domestic Study Away Programming. I have experience running international study abroad programs and programs here at home in the United States. I was fortunate to have many experiential learning opportunities, both international and domestic, during my college career. Being from a small town in Central Pennsylvania, my experiences opened my eyes to the rest of the world and helped open my eyes to different cultures and career opportunities I’d love to help you take advantage of the numerous experiential learning opportunities here at Pitt. Outside of the office, I’m always looking for the next adventure. I love traveling, hate sitting still and love doing anything outdoors, in all seasons. Personally, my family and I are on a quest to visit as many national parks as possible. I’d love to talk to you more about any of our study away programs, answer any of your questions and help you find the right opportunity. Please reach me via email at timcrawford@pitt.edu

E-mail: 
timcrawford@pitt.edu

Schedule an appointment

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  • Log in to Pathways or use the Navigate app.
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  • Select Study Abroad Virtual Advising as the Location
  • Select Study Abroad Program Specific Questions as the service
  • Select my name and find a time that works for you!

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Your In-Country Contacts: 

Dr. Janice Vance

Dr. Janice Vance is a native of Belfast with a professional background in Speech Language Pathology and Linguistics.  She recently retired from the Department of Communication Science and Disorders School in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS).  In collaboration with faculty and staff from CSD and SHRS, she has run study abroad programs in Ireland since 2006. 
 

  In- State Out-of-State
Program Cost  $3,400 $3,600
Global Experience Program Fee $300 $300
Total Billed by Pitt $3,700 $3,900

Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad.  Visit our Budgeting page for more information.

What's Included: 

As a part of your program fee, the following are included:

  • Tuition for 3 credits
  • Accommodations
  • Breakfast (students are responsible for all other meals)
  • Travel within Northern Ireland
  • Cultural excursion to Giant's Causeway
  • Cultural excursion to the Titanic Museum
  • International Health Insurance
What Else You Need to Know: 
  • This course will be an excellent complement to the undergraduate studies of students interested in any aspect of child development who are planning to continue their studies in education, SLP, OT, PT , psychology, social work and other health and rehab professions.
  • Pre-Departure: Students are required to participate in four or five pre-departure sessions (late fall and early spring) and contribute to the preparation of group presentations on selected topics.
  • During the program: students will be expected to participate in all learning activities scheduled across the week, demonstrating intellectual curiosity and a high level of professionalism.
  • Flexibility is extremely important. Schedules may change. There may be instances where a guest speaker or visit needs to be rescheduled. We ask for your patience and understanding in advance.
  • Remember that this is an academic program and that you should expect to invest the same amount of time and effort on your courses abroad as you would on a course at Pitt.
  • This program has a very structured schedule. Your free time may be limited to evenings. There are required excursions and site visits.

You're seeing student-submitted photos from Belfast. There may be photos that do not necessarily represent this program or it's inclusions, but we hope you enjoy seeing what Panthers around the world are doing!