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Cindy

What Is the USC Chan PP-OTD Really Like? Three Things I Didn’t Fully Appreciate Before I Started ⟩
August 12, 2026, by Cindy

Beginnings and Endings Classes

Is a PP-OTD worth it after you’ve already started working as an occupational therapist? That was a question I asked myself before returning to USC Chan. I had practiced as an occupational therapist in both Taiwan and California for about three years, working in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Returning to school would be a significant investment of time, energy, and resources, so I wanted the experience to offer something that clinical practice alone could not.

For my PP-OTD residency, I joined the USC Occupational Therapy Faculty Practice, where I received training in Lifestyle Redesign® while developing a residency project focused on supporting international students as they adapt to life in the United States. Now, as I finish the program, here are three things I didn’t fully appreciate before I started.

1. My residency project became more than an assignment.

At the beginning of the year, my goals were straightforward: become a more proficient clinician, complete my residency project, and graduate. But somewhere along the way, my project stopped feeling like a graduation requirement.

I began with questions I had been thinking about since my PP-MA program: Why might international students participate less in meaningful occupations after moving to a new country, even when they know how to access them? Can occupational therapy support international students? Through my PP-OTD coursework in leadership, knowledge mobilization, and occupational science, that question gradually became tangible initiatives. I built partnerships with stakeholders, developed resources, and created tools that will continue to support international students after my residency ends.

Seeing an idea grow into something that could have a life beyond my degree gave the project a sense of purpose I hadn’t anticipated.

2. I finally had the opportunity to intentionally bring occupational science into my practice.

Occupational science has always been one of my favorite parts of occupational therapy. But as a practicing clinician, I rarely had the time or opportunity to intentionally explore what an occupational science question could look like in practice.

My residency gave me the space to synthesize occupational science, evidence, and people’s lived experiences to explore international students’ lived experiences through an occupational science lens and how Lifestyle Redesign could support international students navigating major life transitions.

At the same time, my clinical residency at the USC Occupational Therapy Faculty Practice gave me the opportunity to deepen my knowledge and hands-on practice of Lifestyle Redesign. The training and clinical experience helped me build toward certification. I accumulated the required practice hours, studied extensively for the certification exam, and ultimately passed it. It was a goal I had been working toward since I first learned about Lifestyle Redesign in 2019. Achieving my dream of becoming an occupational therapist specializing in Lifestyle Redesign is incredibly meaningful to me.

3. Leadership became something I practiced — not just something I studied.

Before the PP-OTD, “leadership” felt like something that might come later in my career. After all, I am still an early-career occupational therapist.

But the program showed me that leadership doesn’t have to begin with a title. During my residency, I reached out to university partners, listened to stakeholder feedback, adapted my ideas, developed educational resources, and learned how to move an idea from evidence to implementation.

I’ve always hoped to create an impact beyond individual client care. The PP-OTD didn’t just teach me about that possibility but also gave me opportunities to start practicing it.

Returning to school was a much bigger commitment than I imagined when I started. I entered the PP-OTD hoping to deepen my clinical practice, and I am leaving with specialized training in an area I care deeply about and a broader set of skills to grow into an occupational therapy leader. For me, the value of the PP-OTD has been learning how to provide meaningful care while also developing occupational-centered programs, translating knowledge into practice, and creating change beyond individual treatment sessions.

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A Day in the Life of an Occupational Therapist ⟩
April 14, 2026, by Cindy

Patient Care

At 7:30 AM, the hospital is already in motion. Nurses have just finished their shift transition and move quickly down the hallways—checking blood pressure, administering medications, and preparing patients for the day. Breakfast trays arrive, and the hallways gradually fill with activity—machines beeping, phones ringing, and care teams moving from room to room as patients begin their day.

I begin my day as an occupational therapist in an inpatient hospital setting in the rehabilitation office, where magnets with patient names shape my caseload of the day. I see patients who have just been admitted from a range of specialties—orthopedic surgeries, neurological conditions, and acute medical events. Before seeing anyone, I review medical charts to piece together each patient’s story—who they were before hospitalization and what independence looked like for them. At the same time, I assess their current condition—vital signs, precautions, and risks—to ensure therapy is safe.

There is no fixed schedule—the expectation is to meet visit targets while maintaining strong clinical care. Planning the day feels like solving a constantly changing puzzle. Some patients need pain medication before I arrive, while others are preparing for discharge and require urgent evaluation. Even with a plan, things shift. A patient marked “ready” may not be in their room, and I adjust in real time. Balancing in-person therapy with documentation is essential to stay on track with productivity while ensuring safe and effective care.

Once the nurse confirms the patient is stable and the patient consents, I enter the room to begin therapy. Each session is tailored to the patient’s condition and needs. For instance, a patient recovering from lumbar spinal surgery is often in significant discomfort, even with pain medication, and surrounded by IV lines and drains. Together, we work through the basics—learning how to log roll out of bed, wear a back brace correctly, stand at the sink without bending, and use adaptive tools to get dressed. I remind patients of spinal precautions—no bending, lifting, or twisting (BLT)—guiding each movement carefully to protect the healing spine. What seems simple—brushing teeth or using the restroom—becomes a meaningful step toward independence.

I often notice how meaningful these small moments are for patients. Some have not been able to brush their teeth for days, and even a clean, warm towel to wipe their face can bring a sense of relief. Moments like these are a reminder that the small, everyday activities we often overlook can mean everything when someone is trying to regain their independence.

By 4:30 PM, the day winds down, but what stays with me are these small moments. Occupational therapy is not just about recovery—it’s about helping people return to living their lives, one everyday activity at a time, and ultimately supporting a meaningful and healthy life.

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Some Things We Learned . . . ⟩
May 17, 2024, by Cindy

International Living in LA

It is already May. I cannot believe I am graduating from the Post-Professional Master’s (PP-MA) program! I remember all my doubts about accepting the offer to the PP-MA program at USC Chan. I was unsure if leaving everything I was familiar with was the right choice. However, I wanted to pursue the OT profession and life further. I still remember the excitement and nervousness I felt on the orientation day. These two semesters were filled with participating in lectures, doing assignments, group discussions, and exploring life in a foreign country. With all the small steps we took, we have come so far. We know taking on this journey can seem intimidating. That’s why my classmates and I would like to share what we learned after nine months of navigating through grad school and life with you:

• “We are fortunate to have the chance to make positive changes in our lives or careers, so seize it with enthusiasm!” — Sherry Shang, Taiwan
• “Trust the process and enjoy it. It will all be worth it in the end.” — Briana Orteza (Philippines)
• “Stay curious and enjoy the journey ahead of you!” — Ann Chen, Taiwan
• “Make sure to build connections and enjoy every moment of the program because it’ll pass by QUICK. Also study haha and remember the purpose you’re here . . . ‘To make a change’.” — Pranav Bharat Dalvi, Mumbai, India
• “Find a great support system, and don’t forget to balance school and leisure 😊” — Sophia, Philippines
• “Being a foreigner in the US can be daunting and might cause some uneasiness to socialize. But you got this. Join organizations even if it means going to UPC. The friends I’ve made in the USC Dragonboat, SC Esports and Dungeons and Trojans are invaluable both emotionally and career wise, I feel I’ve setup several career paths by just making friends. Being a Trojan is part of your resume if you plan to stay.” — Topher Lumibao, Laguna, Philippines
• “Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts to the teachers and classmates! You will learn so much more!” — Roger Lo, Taiwan
• “Enjoy your time here! It’ll over before you know it 🙁” — Vera Kwok, Hong Kong
• “Even if it feels confusing at first, remember that the journey will be rewarding because OT didn’t just become your choice, OT chose you. ❤️” — Sanskruti P Sonawane, India
• “Stay Open to opportunities and view each experience, whether positive or negative, as a chance to learn. Embracing this perspective is key to personal growth, and remember to enjoy the process along the way!” — Beni, Phillippines
• “Don’t let anyone else define success for you.” — Vurshali, India
• “Remember, it’s not just reaching your destination that matters, but embracing the journey along the way. So, take a moment to savor life as you pursue your goals.” — Polyanna, Philippines
• “I’d like to say that please don’t be afraid to ask for help. You just need to voice your concern and help is there for you. Everyone is really supportive at Chan Division.” — Archie, Australia
• “You are here for a reason. Trust the process; it will all make sense one day.” — Nicole, Philippines
• “When things looks like they are falling apart, remember: looks can be deceiving! Do your best and don’t forget to have fun! You’ve got this!” — Ahmed Nader, Saudi Arabia
• “Enjoy diving into the limitless OT journey during your USC life! Fight On!” — Jasmine, Taiwan
• “Plan ahead and live in the moment. Search for opportunities and seize them.” — Yung-Hisn Chang, Taiwan

Whether you are thinking about taking on this journey, are preparing to start the journey, or in this journey, we hope that the things we learned can be an encouragement and reminder to you. Yes, you might find obstacles, challenges, and even tears along the way. However, you will gain new skills, knowledge, perspectives, friends, and growth you cannot find anywhere else. Doing all the tasks to go through the program has allowed us to become the professionals we have strived to be. After this year, I would like to tell the anxious me a year ago: “This will be more meaningful to your profession and life than you can imagine. You will not regret this!”

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Academic Differences I Found and How I Adapted ⟩
March 26, 2024, by Cindy

Classes International

As a practicing occupational therapist from Taiwan, I was worried about stepping into a master’s degree program in the US. I did not know what to expect and how to prepare for the context transition. Therefore, I would like to share some academic differences I experienced. I also want to share some strategies and resources that helped me.

Difference:

1. Interactive classes vs. lecture-oriented classes: The classes I attended were mostly lectures during my undergrad. Now, I find most PPMA classes are designed to let us learn by interacting with classmates and instructors. There are often in-class discussions or practices. I enjoyed those discussions, and I learned so much through them. However, I still find myself hesitating to raise my hand to answer questions or share my thoughts during group discussions.
2. Critical analysis rather than one answer: The learning objectives behind the assignments are usually not just memorizing knowledge. Most assignments or questions in my classes do not ask for single answers. I spent more effort elaborating on how and why I chose this approach and got to the conclusion. Some assignments we had were appraising research articles, designing a treatment plan, and analyzing an occupational injustice situation.
3. Reading materials: One thing I find both enjoyable and challenging is the amount of reading. Most classes have plenty of reading materials to support our learning. Sometimes, we are required to read through some materials before class to better participate in class. I love learning about the analysis of research outcomes and newly formed theories from those readings. However, it usually takes me plenty of time to read the articles.
4. Different dynamics between instructors and students: It took me the most time to adjust to new ways of interacting and communicating with our instructors. I find the relationship between instructors and students less hierarchical. It makes asking the instructors questions or asking for support easier for me. Regardless, it is still a struggle for me to call my instructors by their first names.
5. International perspectives: My classmates came from different regions and countries with various cultural backgrounds and clinical experiences. We have many opportunities to learn from others and share our perspectives. For example, in the occupational science class, we often have rich discussions about occupational injustice because of our various experiences. Despite the conversations being fruitful, we spend more effort clarifying with each other about their perspectives due to our diverse backgrounds.
6. Language: For me, English is my second language. Even though I met the English proficiency criteria, fully understanding lectures, participating in small talks, reading multiple articles, writing assignments, and expressing our thoughts in group discussions do not come to me naturally. However, it pushed me to learn and use English. Our English level advanced really quickly in this all-English environment.

Strategies and Resources:

1. Notice the differences: Being aware of the differences has helped me adjust more effectively. Talking to classmates and knowing what they were experiencing helped me better identify the differences I felt. It also showed me I was not navigating through this new context alone.
2. Review syllabi: I realized too late that I should utilize course syllabi! The instructors will introduce the courses with the syllabi at the beginning of every course. The syllabi list the weekly content of the classes and assignments and their due dates. With this information, I could mark the assignment due dates, presentation dates, and exam dates on my calendar. I could plan the study schedule accordingly, which made me feel less stressed.
3. Review assignment instructions and rubrics: I highly recommend reading through the assignment instructions and rubrics fully before you start doing the assignments. I can find what I should focus on in the assignment from the instructions. I can also know the details I need to accomplish to meet the assignment expectations based on the grading rubrics. Knowing the instructions and grading rubrics has saved me from spending extra time figuring out the assignments and worrying about what score I would get.
4. Division and university resources: There are various academic resources in the Chan Division and USC. In our division, the Global Initiatives Office provides academic support hours, writing workshops, and other resources to support international students. There is also after-hours support held by the pedagogy residents in our division. In addition, there are more academic resources at USC. My classmates and I often access resources through the Kortschak Center website. They provide a semester calendar that contains every week of the semester, major school events, and holidays on one page. It helped me plan out my schedule more efficiently.
5. Reach out to your instructors: Asking instructors questions was a bit challenging for me since this is not something I am used to. However, I learned that the instructors are happy to help and discuss with me. I feel less stressed about communicating my needs and queries with them. I have gone to my instructors to discuss the readings, ask for assignment expectation clarification, and even guidance for what elective courses to choose.

It takes time and effort to adapt to a new environment. Everyone may have diverse experiences influenced by various factors, such as culture, being in an advanced-level degree program, language, roles, etc. Despite the uniqueness of everyone’s journey, resources are plentiful to support people’s needs. What helped me the most was learning to communicate with my instructors, utilize the resources in the division and at school, and share the challenges I face with my classmates so we can support each other. Here at USC Chan, you don’t need to walk alone!

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Lunar New Year Away from Home ⟩
February 26, 2024, by Cindy

International Living in LA

Speaking of the New Year, the first thing that came to my mind is not January first but the Lunar New Year. It is not the end of the Christmas break, but the holiday week takes place roughly at the end of January and the start of February. This year, the Lunar New Year is a time for reconstructing meaningful rituals.

I came from a not-so-traditional Taiwanese household. I did not go to temples to ask for blessings for my family in the coming year and watch the dragon and lion dances. I did not set off firecrackers with my family at midnight. On Lunar New Year’s Eve, I did not have a traditional Lunar New Year dinner, a feast of numerous dishes that have meanings and blessings. I did not need to visit my mother’s family strictly on the second day of the Lunar New Year. I did not have so many relatives and friends of our family that we needed to visit and wish them a happy new year with witty haikus to get red envelopes.

Although my Lunar New Year celebration does not have all the Chinese and Taiwanese customs, I have always spent this time with my parents and brother. Always. We would have a hotpot as our Lunar New Year dinner at my grandma’s place. We would play mahjong (麻將) while watching the Lunar New Year gala on TV. We would complain about listening to Lunar New Year songs on repeat everywhere we go. We would go camping, go to the movies, go hiking, etc. It was a week when we were all home and spent this blissful time together.

I have never realized the meaning of the Lunar New Year in my life until this year. I am not in Taiwan with my family anymore. As I approached February tenth, the grief of loss started lurking in. I kept searching for the scenes I used to overlook: red lanterns and spring couplets at every door, random firecrackers in the middle of the night, people cleaning their windows in the yard, old furniture sitting in the lobby of the building waiting to be picked up by recycling trucks, and candies stacked in plastic boxes on sale at hypermarkets. I miss the smiles on people’s faces when they greet each other with “新年快樂 (Happy New Year)” and “恭喜發財 (Wish you prosperity and wealth).” Happiness flowed through every corner. The atmosphere is radiating red and gold. It was so joyous that the time paused and celebrated with us.

My tears sat with me, recalling those memories in the peaceful atmosphere of LA. The atmosphere was so quiet, as if time disappeared. At that moment, I realized the significance of the Lunar New Year in my life. I knew I needed to celebrate the Lunar New Year in new but meaningful ways.

On the day before New Year’s Eve, the Global Initiatives Office celebrated the Lunar New Year just like they would celebrate festivals from different cultures. The Global Initiatives Office prepared tangyuan (湯圓), oranges, and red envelopes. In addition, all my Taiwanese classmates came to our house and had the Lunar New Year dinner that night. We ordered soup base, sliced meat, meatballs, and vegetables online to make a hotpot. Everyone brought Taiwanese cuisine to share: candied fruit, rice wine drunken chicken, and Taiwanese cookies. We cooked the hotpot and ate at the same table. We shared all the interesting clinical experiences we had. We played mahjong on our phones. We ate together, laughed together, and missed our Lunar New Year rituals together. When I said goodbye to everyone at 12:30am, I thought with a big smile: “This feels like Lunar New Year.”

I learned that celebrating festivals is an integral part of my identity. Those festivals are my culture, values, and how I measure a year. In addition, the festival celebrations in my life are memories that shaped me, representation of social connections, and a part of my life narrative. I am so glad that in Los Angeles, at USC Chan, it is not hard to find people with the same cultural background as mine. I am also grateful that the Chan division put in so much effort to celebrate festivals valued by different groups of people. Celebrating our festivals gives us a chance to be seen and accepted. In this new year, I can try to maintain and reconstruct my festival celebration rituals and make them as meaningful as I have enjoyed them.

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