UP CAMP OT students Reflect on Global Learning and Filipino Identity at the USC Summer Occupational Therapy Immersion Program.
Two students from the Department of Occupational Therapy of UP CAMP joined OT students from around the world for the Summer Occupational Therapy Immersion (SOTI) Program at the University of Southern California (USC). Through weeks of learning, site visits, conversations, and cultural exchange, the experience offered them a broader view of the profession while strengthening their sense of purpose as future Filipino occupational therapists.
For Sophia Bautista, joining SOTI began with overcoming her personal self-doubt and questioning whether she deserved the opportunity. Looking back, she expressed gratitude for allowing herself to move beyond those doubts and embrace every experience that the program had to offer.
One of the most meaningful experiences for her was discovering OT practices that she had not previously encountered, or those that are not widely practiced in the Philippines. These included therapeutic animal caretaking and equine-assisted therapy to surf-based interventions. The experience demonstrated how occupational therapists can creatively respond to the needs of individuals and communities, expanding her understanding of where and how the profession can make an impact.
For Aaliyah Teodoro, SOTI provided a unique opportunity not only to learn from the international OT community, but also share the Filipino experience. For over 5 weeks, she learned alongside nearly 50 participants from 20 countries, with only three participants hailing from the Philippines.
During “OT Where I’m From”, Aaliyah, Sophia, and their fellow Filipino participant shared what it means to practice OT in the Philippines, where access to therapy remains a challenge for many. At the same time, they highlighted unique and emerging areas of Filipino OT practice, including disaster and humanitarian response, and coastal occupational therapy practices incorporating surfing into intervention. Aaliyah also reflected on the significance of sharing the history of the profession in the region, and that OT in Southeast Asia began at her own home institution, the University of the Philippines.
Another highlight for Aaliyah was the “4 C’s: Community, Connection, Coalition-building, and Courage”, led by AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) President, Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh. During the session, Aaliyah had the opportunity to speak about what it means to become an occupational therapist in an underprivileged country and how her identity as an Iskolar ng Bayan and her personal advocacy of “Serve the People” continue to shape ht ekind of occupational therapist she hopes to become.
Simply being at USC also held a special meaning for her. After years of encountering names such as Jean Yres, Claudia Allen, and Margaret Rood in lectures and research papers, walking through USC made the history of OT feel more tangible. It reminded her that the theories and frameworks students learn today began as the ideas, questions, and work of people who were once students and practitioners themselves.
Both Sophia and Aaliyah found a shared lesson in SOTI: occupational therapy may take different forms across countries and communities, but the commitment to empowering people through occupation transcends these differences.
Sophia shared that the experience renewed her hope and enthusiasm for the future of OT in the Philippines. It reminded her that growth happens when one moves beyond fear and remains open to learning. She brought with her a renewed sense of hope and enthusiasm, expanding her understanding of what it means to be an occupational therapist in the Philippines. For Aaliyah, it strengthened her desire not only to become a better occupational therapist, but also continue asking how she might contribute to the future of the profession while remaining grounded in her commitment to serve the people.
Together, their experiences at SOTI reflect the value of global learning grounded in local purpose, bringing home new knowledge, perspectives, and possibilities, while remaining rooted in the needs of the Filipino people.
— Special thanks to Sophia Bautista and Aaliyah Teodoro for sharing their experiences, photos, and reflections from their participation in the 2026 SOTI Program.
