The First China Initiative Community Reunion
October 13, 2023
The China Initiative team hosted the first virtual reunion with the USC-PKUHSC dual-degree students and graduates, as well as previous China Initiative OTD residents, celebrating a growing community of professionals advancing OT in China.
China Initiative Community and Partners International Students
Last week, the USC China Initiative celebrated a heartwarming reunion, bringing together students, educators, and professionals in a special virtual gathering. Hosted by the China Initiative team, the event demonstrated the strong and supportive community that has grown out of the unique partnership between USC and Peking University Health Science Center (PKUHSC). The reunion was held on Zoom and attended by 16 participants, including dual-degree students across all three cohorts and previous China Initiative OTD residents. The first two cohorts of dual-degree students have graduated and are working in China, while the third cohort is completing their post-professional doctorate at USC Chan.
The event featured a blend of informative updates, interactive games, discussions about future goals, resource sharing, and networking. Beginning with a warm welcome from the China Initiative team, participants took turns introducing themselves and sharing updates on their personal and professional development. These introductions offered a glimpse into the diverse pathways alumni and students have taken throughout their involvement with the China Initiative.
Members of the China Initiative team, previous China Initiative residents, dual-degree alumni, and current dual-degree students use different emojis to express how they are feeling during the icebreaker activity
Among the two cohorts of dual-degree graduates who returned to China, some of them have taken up established roles in research, clinical practice, and pedagogy, contributing to the development of OT in China. Zhizhuo Wang, a graduate from the first cohort, is a full-time lecturer with ongoing research on musculoskeletal conditions at Fujian Medical University in southern China. Another graduate, Luming Yang, returned to the Peking University Third Hospital as an occupational therapist working with patients in adult rehabilitation. Their achievements are testimonials to the dedicated commitment by the China Initiative in promoting OT education at a high level.
Participants shared fond memories of their time at USC through different interactive games
After participating in some interactive community-building games in breakout rooms, attendees engaged in meaningful discussions about their future plans and goals. A dual-degree alumnus, Chen Gong, shared his insights on advocacy for OT in China as a postdoctoral fellow at the Sun Yat-Sen Affiliated Sixth Hospital. He pointed out that the significance of OT is yet to be recognized by the general public, other medical disciplines, and peer reviewers in academic publishing. He described some barriers to OT practice in China, for instance, being requested by the hospital to combine with other professions and provide “a mix of services.” To raise awareness for the profession, he urged young Chinese practitioners to take proactive steps in thinking critically, reflecting on the purpose of OT, and educating coworkers on “what is OT” and “what is occupation.” Although he is involved in other medical research at the moment, he stated his ambition for starting his own research specific to OT education.
A group photo of the strong and supportive China Initiative community across the US and China, marking the end of the first reunion
The success of this very first reunion was a testament to the strong support system and lifelong professional network that have evolved in the China Initiative community, overcoming geographical barriers between Los Angeles and Mainland China. The China Initiative team is encouraged by positive feedback received, and is looking forward to hosting the next community reunion in next Spring.
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