Student Blog
School/Life Balance

Bridging Cultures, Building Futures: Our PP-MA Journey ⟩
October 2, 2025, by Global Initiatives Team

Beginnings and Endings Classes Community Diversity Getting Involved Housing and Transportation International Living in LA School/Life Balance What are OS/OT?

Hi everyone! We’re Angel and Haemin, international students in the 2025-2026 Post-Professional Master’s (PP-MA) program at USC. Coming from the Philippines and South Korea, we are starting this new chapter in Los Angeles! We’re excited to meet new people, explore new places, and grow together as OTs.

Angel’s Journey

My name is Angel, a pure-blooded Filipina and current PP-MA student for 2025–2026. I earned my OT degree in the Philippines and worked as a pediatric occupational therapist for three years—a role that brought me so much joy working with children and their families. In 2023, I got married, and by 2024 I had moved to the U.S. to be with my husband, first living in Chicago before deciding to continue my OT journey here in LA.

When I began exploring further studies, USC stood out immediately. Its Post-Professional MA is one of the few programs in the U.S. that can be completed in just one year, allowing internationally trained OTs like me to deepen our skills, discover new ideas, and connect with people from around the world—all while returning to practice sooner. I also heard wonderful feedback from colleagues who studied here, describing supportive faculty, a vibrant community, and an environment that pushes you to grow. Most of all, I was inspired by USC Chan’s mission to optimize people’s engagement in the ordinary and extraordinary activities of life—a statement that perfectly reflects why I chose OT in the first place.

Life in Los Angeles has been a big adjustment after Chicago and the Philippines—new city, new culture, and no familiar faces. At first, it was daunting, but having my husband’s support made the transition easier. Together, we’re slowly building our rhythm, exploring neighborhoods, and enjoying small routines that make LA feel like home. Lately, we’ve started visiting local cafés for matcha and coffee, and Little Tokyo has quickly become a go-to spot for food and culture.

So far, the PP-MA program has been both exciting and humbling. One of my favorite courses is Foundations in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, where we explore and challenge diverse perspectives on both OS and OT. Because our cohort includes students from many different countries, I have gained a deeper understanding of how culture and society influence a person’s occupations. I have also come to appreciate the importance of language in our work as occupational therapists when connecting with patients.

What I value most about this program is how it encourages us to think critically about OT while equipping us with practical tools to grow as clinicians and leaders. It’s not just about earning a degree—it’s about shaping how we want to contribute to the future of the profession.

Looking ahead, I see this year at USC as a stepping stone. My immediate goal is to gain licensure in the U.S. so I can continue serving people in healthcare. Beyond that, I hope to bridge what I learn here with my roots in the Philippines, finding ways to give back and strengthen OT globally.

Haemin’s Journey

My name is Haemin, and, like Angel, I’m a PP-MA student, class of 2026. I graduated from my home university in South Korea this year and moved to LA to attend USC Chan’s Master’s program. Being a PP-MA OT student at USC has been one of the most exciting chapters in my life. When I arrived in LA to start my journey, I had mixed feelings of both excitement and being overwhelmed. I moved into a new apartment, met new people and classmates, and tried to make a new daily routine. Even though there were a lot of things to take in on my own, I found myself becoming more independent and confident.

Back in 2022, I joined the Summer Occupational Therapy Immersion (SOTI) program as an exchange student. It was such a memorable time to interact with people from all over the world with warm and supportive instructors. I loved exploring various OT fields through guest lectures and field trips, and it made me want to reflect more on the kind of OT I’d like to become. These experiences inspired me to deepen and broaden my own view of occupational therapy and to find the areas of practice that truly align with my interests and passions. Finding that USC provides strong support and resources to help international students achieve these goals gave me the confidence to come here for my master’s program.

Even though I have experience of living in the US before, moving to LA for graduate school was still a new adventure. I set up a new apartment and established daily routines like meal prep, errands, and transportation to balance my work and studies. It took time to adapt to a new environment, but I was able to figure it out thanks to so much support from my family, friends, and professors at USC Chan. As I figure out step by step, I find myself having done so many things, which makes me feel confident and mature 😊

One of the best parts of the PP-MA program is having classmates from all over the world. We share our OT experiences and cultures from our home countries, which makes every discussion richer and exciting. The atmosphere is so friendly and supportive, and the Global Initiatives team always makes me and other international students feel welcomed and connected. Working as a GI team member, I’m supporting students who want to celebrate their meaningful holidays, which is especially valuable in that I can learn about important cultural meanings from my classmates.

As for classes, Foundations of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy has been my favorite! At first, OS felt a bit philosophical and abstract, but it helped me see what occupation truly means and what the OT’s role is from a global perspective. Having discussions with international classmates adds so much fun and depth 😊

Even though we may have grown up in different countries and started OT in different ways, the PP-MA program at USC has brought us together. We’re learning, growing, and cheering each other on as we chase our own unique dreams as future OTs.

Outside the classroom, I love spending time at Hoose Library, which has a Harry Potter vibe. It’s so aesthetic and makes me focus on studying better.

Preparing for what’s next, one of my biggest goals during this program is earning the Sensory Integration (SI) certificate, which will be valuable for working with children. After graduation, I hope to continue working in pediatrics, especially with children and adults with ASD, and to expand into community-based practice. I’m excited to face my future clients with a richer perspective on occupation by everything I learned and grew from my time at USC.

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The Secret to Balance: Nature ⟩
September 24, 2025, by Ciara

School/Life Balance

Between deadlines, projects, internships, and the never-ending temptation to doom-scroll on TikTok, I know first hand how hard it is to maintain balance and to not feel overwhelmed by stress. But let me let you in on a secret that helped me become the most balanced I’ve been: the best way to clear your head isn’t coffee, energy drinks, or back-to-back all-nighters at the library, but rather a relaxing day spent exploring nature.

Coming from out-of-state, I was concerned that I would become stressed with school and not have access to the usual methods I had to calm me down at home (which were usually playing with my two dogs–Star and Sky– and my mischievous cat–Luna). Fortunately, one of my first classes at USC was OT-250, where I quickly realized that occupations–meaningful activities that hold value in one’s life– have a direct correlation with one’s overall well being. So I set on a path to find an occupation that both filled my life with joy and allowed me to get away from the busy life of undergrad and relax; eventually this path led me straight to my new favorite occupation: exploring nature! I realized that while academics fed my mind, nature fed my soul. So here’s how and why you should make room for both!

Visit local beaches:
During my freshman year, my friend group helped support my quest to make balance a priority in my life, and they were all also in love with the idea of doing so through nature. Visiting local beaches with a friend group is a fun way to immerse yourself in nature. Not only does going to beaches with friends make transportation easier, but it’s also nice to have someone there with you to share the experience. So far, I’ve been to Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica, and Malibu, and Catalina Island! Malibu was my most recent adventure and the first time I went on a hike in California. It was nice to get out of my comfort zone by adding the physical challenge of a hike to the usual relaxation I find within nature. If you are an out-of-state student like myself or do not have a car on campus, I highly recommend using the metro with your U-Pass or renting a car with a group of friends (I recently used ZipCar and it is beginner friendly!).

You can explore nature anywhere:
Exploring nature also allows you to explore the world! I was concerned that I would lose touch with my new love for nature when I went back home this summer, but nature is truly all around us. I found that outdoor walks and gardening allowed me to still engage in nature-based occupations at home. When I went on a cruise this summer, I even convinced my dad to do a nature-based excursion, where we went on a hike and slid down waterfalls in the Dominican Republic. It was the perfect duality of tranquility and thrill. Moral of the story, don’t let your mind limit you on how you can engage with nature, nature is everywhere!

Easy to add into your routine:
Exploring nature is rather easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Not every interaction has to be to along a hiking trail or at a beach; you can get your daily dose of nature by taking an outdoor walk, studying on the lawns on campus, or starting to care for a small plant (tip: start with a succulent if you’re a beginner like me). I also found that you can incorporate nature into other occupations. Before finals season, my friends and I went to The Getty and found ourselves drawn to the Garden Exhibit. It was so calming that we didn’t even notice we spent all our time there! If you’re a music lover, try taking a walk outside while listening to your favorite playlist! Or if you love journaling, try writing your next entry under a tree!

Why Nature?
You may be wondering: why? Well, nature-based occupations have several health benefits:

• Depression and Anxiety: Nature’s calming effect reduces cortisol, which reduces stress and anxiety.
• ADD and ADHD: Spending time in nature improves attention and cognitive function, which can help with focus and clarity.
• Human health: being outdoors and engaging in physical activity also encourages sunlight exposure, which can help regulate circadian rhythms, boost Vitamin D levels, and improve sleep quality.

Exploring nature has allowed me to explore myself: Who is Ciara? What works for me? What doesn’t? How am I genuinely feeling right now? Nature has seemingly become my safe haven and has brought me closer to my community, my friends, and most importantly, myself. The balance involved with nature-based occupations is only the tip of the iceberg of benefits it has in one’s life. If you’re interested in starting your nature journey and don’t know where to start, consider the USC Peace Garden; you can check out the updated hours HERE. So, the next time you find yourself overly stressed, don’t panic: take a break outside, let your mind reset, and come back to your task ready to to take on the day.

 

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How I Muster Up Motivation On The Days I Have None ⟩
September 11, 2025, by Katelyn

Life Hacks School/Life Balance

There are mornings when I just wake up on the wrong side of my bed. Brushing my teeth feels like I’m running a marathon, and my to-do list glares at me menacingly like a villain. These are the days that I feel like my motivation somehow took an unexpected vacation, and I am left trying to drag myself through the day. While I desperately want to curl up in my warm, cozy blankets and have them ward away responsibilities, I do my best to fight back.

This is especially true now that I am in my second year of the E-OTD program. I juggle many roles and responsibilities, from being a Student Ambassador, serving as president of Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE), working at the HSC gym, to making time to network. On paper, it looks like a lot.

I used to think that my lack of motivation on some days meant I was lazy and unproductive. But over time, I’ve learned that motivation isn’t meant to be constant. It’s not a random magical spark that appears daily. Rather, it’s something that is to be created, nurtured, and sometimes borrowed.

Here are some tips I have learned to help me get motivated:

• Start Small - When I think back to when I was working to understand motivation, I find some of these “small tasks” embarrassing and can’t help but laugh. Some of my personal favorites were “just sit in the chair,” “just put on your socks,” or “just turn on the computer.” While they felt like embarrassingly small tasks, they helped me kickstart my engine. Sure, my engine would sputter, stall, and maybe end up with me back on my bed (or sometimes on the floor), but all I needed was that one good crank to get momentum again.
• Enhance Your Environment - Once kick-started, I’d continue my momentum forward by changing my environment to be engaging. For me, that looked like lighting a candle, putting on some calming music (looking back, upbeat music worked better to keep me awake), or moving around the house.
• Reward Yourself - After I’ve set myself up for success, I’d reward myself. This is where it can get a little dicey. Rewards encouraged motivation, but the wrong ones could kill it. I discovered the perfect reward for me was chocolate or something sweet. If I tried a show, my phone, or other forms of screentime, I’d slip down a never-ending rabbit hole of doomscrolling. So remember: reward yourself early on, and find out what reward works best for you and your motivation!
• Borrow Energy From a Friend - Sometimes, all of these tips won’t work. That’s okay! It’s okay to ask for help. Some days, I simply don’t have the energy to generate motivation all on my own. On these days, I call my boyfriend or chat with a friend. Borrowing their energy, even for just a quick moment, to jumpstart my day when my own spark was missing worked like a charm.
• Reframe Your Thinking - In my opinion, this was the hardest part of finding motivation and meaning. It’s easy to think “just get this done” or “get this finished so I can do something else.” Instead, reframe it as “I’m building the skills for the work I want to do.” As an Ambassador, I remind myself that every tabling event or conversation helps me represent the program I believe in. As PTE president, I see each meeting as a chance to foster and lead the community. At the gym, I remind myself that supporting others’ health aligns with my own values. And networking provides me with leadership and professional development. Tying each of these responsibilities helps me transform the things just “in my calendar” into meaningful steps towards the kind, professional person I want to be.

It’s funny. Only now, as I write this blog, do I realize I employed Occupational Therapy (OT) tactics and thinking on myself. Breaking down into smaller steps, changing my environment, or even finding meaning in what I’m doing all mirror many core principles of OT. I guess in a way, I’ve become my own client.

Reflecting now, I realize this is why I love OT so much. OT isn’t just about the clinical settings; it’s about everyday life. Everyone has those days where motivation feels out of reach, but OT gives us the tools to adapt, create, and reconnect with what matters. I hope to continue to take the lessons I learn myself to my future clients.

So, if I caught you on a day that you feel like doing nothing, know that you aren’t lazy or broken. You’re just human. Start small, be kind to yourself, and remember that even the tiniest, most embarrassing step forward counts.

Ta-ta for now!

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My Summer Reading Picks ⟩
August 7, 2025, by Cara

School/Life Balance

At the start of the year, I made a resolution to read more – at least one book a month. A couple of years ago, I bought two trending books, but they ended up just sitting untouched on my desk. Between school, work, and extracurriculars, I rarely found the time to sit down and read.

This year, however, I made it a priority to set aside time to read. As a result, I’ve read 8 books between spring and summer. Each one has left me with something valuable –  whether it was a new skill, a life lesson, stress management tools, or better self-awareness. If you’re looking for something new to read, here are some I recommend. 

1. The Comfort Zone by Kristen Butler

This was one of those books I bought years ago, but I’m glad I didn’t ignore it any longer. It challenges the common belief that we need to step outside of our comfort zones to thrive, and instead argues that your comfort zone is the powerhouse for growth. Inside your comfort zone, you can focus on your strengths and passions, boosting both motivation and confidence. That doesn’t mean never stepping out, just doing it thoughtfully so you adapt without stress. Simply put, setting small achievable goals. The diagrams, mindfulness exercises, and journal prompts included throughout the book not only helped me retain the concepts but also gave me tools to refer to whenever I find myself outside my comfort zone.

2. Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson

 

Part of what drew me to this book was its funny title, but also its focus on communication and personality types. It classifies people into four colors – red, yellow, green, blue – which represent different ways of thinking, feeling, perceiving, reacting, and being productive. The main takeaway is that if you want to connect better with others, you need to adjust how you communicate based on their style, not just your own. It really helped me recognize my habits and the ways in which I interact with others, both personally and professionally.

3. Dharma Is Everywhere by Revs. Bob and Patti Oshita

 

I grew up Buddhist, and this book is a collection of messages from two retired reverends at my church, shared during their time serving the California State Assembly. Being away from my local temple, this book has given me a comforting sense of home. I could picture myself seated in the hondo (main hall), surrounded by the sweet fragrance of burning incense, with my head bowed, eyes shut, and hands pressed together in reverence for the reverend’s speech. Each message is heart-felt and thought-provoking, and I often return to certain ones when I’m facing situations similar to what Rev. Bob and Patti experienced, using their reflections to help me find a solution.

4. The Courage To Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

 

I’m halfway through this book, and I like that it’s written as a discussion between a philosopher and a young man, which makes me feel like I’m right there listening to their conversation. It breaks down theories from Adlerian psychology and focuses on the notion that we aren’t trapped by our past but shaped by the goals we pursue. So far, it’s helped me realize how much I’ve let others’ opinions affect me, and why it’s important to stay true to myself.

Taking the time to read has cultivated a lot of meaning and self-growth for me. I hope one of these books can do the same for you. Happy reading!

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Practice Immersion Edition: Shifting from Pediatrics mindset to Geriatrics mindset ⟩
July 29, 2025, by Az

Classes School/Life Balance

Hello! In this blog, I wanted to talk about navigating and shifting from the pediatrics mindset from Spring semester to the geriatrics mindset for this semester. There are a lot of switching gears and understanding two opposite populations’ perspectives and goals in their activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

To begin, my first immersion at USC Chan was in pediatrics. Right after winter break, I was a little nervous and excited about starting my pediatrics immersion and learning about the unique aspects of children. Throughout my Spring semester, I experienced a hands-on experience that helped me understand the different types of clinical correlates that is relevant to the pediatric population. In labs, we were taught about dysphagia, holding babies, writing, and different assessments to use depending on the age group and the domain of the assessments. It was a fun immersion and allowed me to connect with my friends in the cohort. Shout-out to my friends Sam, Lilia, Aliza, Shanan, and Haeun.

In Geriatrics, I quickly realized that the use of universal “we” is not as common as it had been in pediatrics. This shift challenged my communication style within the older adult population. Moving away from phrases like “Let’s do it together” and “we are going to [activity]” mindset to a more client-centered and individualized approach that fits the older adult population.

During my first standardized patient in geriatrics immersion, I found myself using the universal “we” when I instructed them to do the activities in a sequential order. It was a clear understanding that there are different approaches that are needed for different populations. Transitioning from a pediatric to a geriatric mindset has been a challenge and I am eager to learn more and expand my understanding of occupational therapy in this population. Below is a picture of me during a small group lab for assistive technology for low vision individuals.

Anyway, that’s it for now 😊

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