Steps for doing an ICI

General information about ICDR placements will be provided in two sessions (see below for specifics).

Annual ICI information sessions:

Session 1: Are you interested in an ICI? 

• General introductory information for OS&OT, PT and SLP students about ICIs
• Co-hosted by ICDR and clinical education coordinators from Departments of OS&OT, PT and SLP

Session 2: What ICIs are available at ICDR sites?

• An opportunity to learn more about internships offered at ICDR sites
• Hosted by ICDR and including: ICDR-Students, ICDR-Cameroon, ICDR-Kenya, ICDR-Philippines, ICDR-Tanzania, ICDR-Trinidad and students who have previously completed an ICDR internship

Please refer to your departmental student/fieldwork or clinical education manual for more specific information.

Step-by-step instructions for all students doing ICIs at ICDR sites

Engage with the ICDR-Group linked with your internship (i.e., ICDR-Cameroon, ICDR-Kenya, ICDR-Philippines, ICDR-Tanzania, ICDR-Trinidad)

Connect with the ICDR-Group’s Vice-Chair of Education

Attend at least one meeting of your ICDR-Group prior to your internship

Review the ICI Site Information Sheet for your country, the ICDR Handbook for ICI, the ‘Going for the Right Reasons’ section and, where applicable, the ICI Site Specific Manual (available from the VC-Education)

Plan to attend at least one debrief meeting with the ICDR-Group following your internship

Participate in the 4-part inter-professional ICI prep course if your placement timing allows – this course will be run annually for 4 nights (no more than one night per week), normally between the end of February and beginning of April

Step-by-step instructions to prepare for an ICI by department

Please refer to your departmental student/fieldwork or clinical education manual for specific information.

Expectations regarding behaviour

Being an ambassador for UofT – undertaking an international clinical internship is considered a privilege for students and they must remember at all times that they are representing their department and their university. They must behave professionally and adhere to the standards that would apply as students in Canada.

Photography and social media sensitivity – guidelines have been developed by ICDR for ethical photography including considerations for social media. The same rules for professionalism and confidentiality apply as would apply in a Canadian context – if posting on social media or blogging, no confidential information or information that could lead to anyone identifying clients or colleagues can be shared. No pictures can be shared without express permission of the individuals in the photo. It is also important to be respectful of your hosts and colleagues.

Smart practices for safety and security – please review the ICDR International Clinical Internship Handbook and the site specific manual for safety information. When in doubt while on your internship about the safety of any work related or free time activity, please seek advice from the local supervisor or local colleagues and follow their guidance. Also remember that your local colleagues/supervisors feel responsible for your safety while they are acting as your hosts, and it is important to respect their advice. They have a much better idea of the safety concerns in your area – depending on your own history, you may be naïve about the seriousness of the issues that could arise.

Communication: who to contact and when?

Clinical Education Coordinator – communicate with your departmental coordinator as dictated by the policy in the department student manual for issues related to academic and evaluation questions.

Local supervisor – speak to your local supervisor at any time during your placement if you have questions related to the placement, arrangements, scheduling, client questions etc.

Safety Abroad, UofT – contact Safety Abroad immediately if you have any issues related to safety – there is a 24 hour message service that you can access from anywhere in the world. Please refer to the ICDR International Clinical Internship Handbook for additional information.

ICDR-Group VC-Education – speak to your VC-Education at any point if you have questions related to country specific questions about visas, travel, etc.

ICDR Director/Education Lead – speak to the ICDR Director at any point during the placement/internship if you require support beyond what can be offered by the local supervisor or ICDR-Group VC-Education.

Engage with the ICDR-Group linked with your internship

Attend at least one debrief meeting with the ICDR-Group

Provide feedback to the ICDR-Group to update the ICI information sheet

Participate in interprofessional ICI debrief session – normally held in mid-September – date will be provided to students via e-mail in August by the Education Lead

Connect with your department CEC

Review resources e.g. see Reverse Culture Shock section in the ICDR International Clinical Internship Handbook