OT Abroad – Page 3 – Occupational Therapy Life

“…where healthcare has no limits”

On the first full day, the OT Abroad group visited a Johannesburg children’s hospital. They saw a GE HealthCare banner where they promote moving towards health care without limits.

“Promoting health care for everyone without any limits is powerful because a large percentage of the population in South Africa don’t have access to health care treatment. I was feeling heartbroken that health care has to be an issue everywhere in the world, but motivated to continue working with other professionals towards healthcare for everyone without it having any limits!”

~Caitlyn Caffee, UAB OTS

The Journey Begins

Monday, April 24

OT Abroad Departure: Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport

UAB’s largest study abroad group to date — 22 students, two parents, and six faculty — prepares to leave Birmingham for their 15-hour flight to Johannesburg, where they’ll begin their two-week journey through South Africa.

Itinerary: South Africa

View of Johannesburg from afar. The foreground is full of trees and homes. The skyline is the city. The sky is hazy. — Johannesburg, South Africa

The UAB OT Study Abroad program is in South Africa from April 24 through May 7, 2023, and experience that has been just over three years in the making.

Itinerary: Robben Island

People walking toward entrance of Robben Island Museum. The building is one level, made of rocks and concrete. The South Africa flag flies above. The skies are overcast. — Robben Island Museum

Nelson Mandela, the legendary anti-apartheid activist and former president of South Africa, was imprisoned on Robben Island for 18 of the 27 years of his incarceration by the apartheid government of South Africa. This spot was used to isolate people – from lepers to prisoners – for more than 200 years. It served as South Africa’s maximum security prison until 1991.