From treating athletes in Switzerland to working alongside rehabilitation specialists in Italy, four Clarkson University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students took their clinical education overseas this spring, gaining hands-on experience in international healthcare settings before graduating and entering the workforce.
The students each completed clinical placements in two countries through EduGlobal Associates, a nonprofit organization that partners with universities and healthcare facilities around the world to provide international clinical education opportunities for DPT students. Through placements in rehabilitation hospitals and clinics, students gain valuable clinical experience while learning about different healthcare systems, treatment approaches and cultures.
As part of their final clinical work, the students trained in diverse healthcare settings that offered unique perspectives on rehabilitation and patient care. Clarkson students Hayley Linderer and Anthony Liscinsky each completed placements at Sports Rehab Lugano in Switzerland, a sports rehabilitation center that serves patients ranging from the general population to elite athletes. Riley Page worked at Fondazione MAIC ETS in Pistoia, Italy, providing care alongside clinicians in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation setting, while Sydney Tietz worked with patients undergoing neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation at Fondazione F. Turati, also in Pistoia.
“The experience fosters independence and professional growth while exposing students to different perspectives on rehabilitation and patient care,” Clarkson Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Education Jaime Bicknell says.
A Global Approach to Clinical Education
To be eligible for the experience, students must be completing their terminal clinical placements, meaning they have finished all required coursework and successfully completed at least one prior clinical placement, according to Bicknell.
Students apply for the international placements and can indicate their preferences, while final assignments are determined collaboratively by Clarkson, EduGlobal, and the host clinical sites, taking into account site availability, student qualifications, timing and educational fit.
Placement sites include a range of rehabilitation settings, from inpatient neurological and cardiopulmonary facilities to outpatient sports clinics focused on manual therapy, functional exercise, and advanced strength and performance training.
“Students are immersed in healthcare systems that differ from those in the United States, exposing them to new approaches to patient care,” Bicknell says. “The experience broadens their perspectives on healthcare practice while strengthening their cultural awareness, adaptability and clinical reasoning skills. It also provides a distinctive professional opportunity that can help set them apart as they enter the workforce.”
Expanding Perspectives Abroad
The international placements offer students far more than hands-on clinical experience, says Bicknell.
Housing, which is arranged through EduGlobal and varies by location, typically places students in apartments or shared housing within the local community. This allows students to experience daily life beyond the clinic while building connections with fellow students and local residents.
“Students adapted remarkably well to the international setting,” Bicknell says. “They approached the experience with professionalism, curiosity and a willingness to learn. By the end of their placements, they had grown in confidence, independence, and cultural awareness while gaining valuable insights that will benefit them throughout their careers as physical therapists.”
Bicknell believes experiences like these play an important role in preparing future healthcare professionals.
“International clinical experiences give students the opportunity to step outside the classroom and engage in meaningful professional growth,” she says. “These experiences not only prepare students to care for patients in an increasingly diverse world, but also create lasting memories and skills that will benefit them throughout their careers.”
For Clarkson, the value of the experience extends well beyond the weeks students spend abroad. As the University continues to expand opportunities for experiential learning, international clinical placements provide students with a unique opportunity to develop the confidence and global perspective needed to succeed in today’s healthcare environment.
Interested in learning more about Clarkson’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program and the hands-on experiences available to students? Visit the DPT program website to explore how Clarkson prepares future healthcare professionals for success in a global healthcare environment.
