Student Blog
Tanya

Connecting, growing, and navigating new beginnings ⟩
April 9, 2025, by Tanya

Beginnings and Endings Community International Living in LA

At the start of this Post-Professional Master’s of Occupational Therapy (PP-MA) program, I often wondered if I would truly make the most of the Person-Environment-Occupation fit I was hoping for. Fast forward to now, and we are nearing the end of the Spring semester, and I can confidently say that this journey has been a transformative one.

Stepping into the unknown with the PP-MA program felt like embarking on an adventure, one filled with excitement, fear, and anticipation all at once. But maybe that is the point. The discomfort, the uncertainty, the moments of doubt - these are not barriers but catalysts, pushing me toward experiences I never imagined for myself. Being away from home and out of my comfort zone has made me confront and learn new things about myself.  It has opened my eyes to new perspectives, strengths, and vulnerabilities. This journey has been more than just an academic pursuit; it has been a quiet, steady unveiling of self. A reminder that growth often happens in spaces where comfort does not exist.

Adjusting to my new role as a student was something I had to learn to embrace, and now, I have grown to enjoy every moment of it. The routine of readings, assignments, quizzes, and presentations no longer feels foreign or overwhelming. They have become a regular part of my academic life, and I found myself discovering new knowledge that bridges the gaps in my understanding - knowledge that I am looking forward to apply when I return back into practice.

As I continue my studies, I am constantly amazed by the vast body of knowledge in occupational therapy and the humbling realization of how little I know. We often get caught up in treating clients, but I have learned to question the evidence behind our practices and truly reflect on whether we are as evidence-based as we think. It will be a lie to say that all has been smooth sailing. There are moments when I miss my previous occupation as a working adult. As I pursue the Sensory Processing/Sensory Integration Graduate Certificate and begin managing my caseload at the clinic, I cannot help but feel a sense of nostalgia for the certainty and routine of my previous career. Yet, in these moments of uncertainty, I realize how much I have grown and how much I still have to learn.

Being far from home, with a 15-hour time difference, made staying connected with family and friends challenging. Technology helped bridge the gap, but time zone differences meant missed calls, delayed responses, and moments when I simply could not share my experiences in real-time. No matter how much I valued those relationships, there was an inevitable disconnect - a gap between my world here and the one I left behind. What truly kept me grounded in this new chapter of my life was my social environment - my classmates and housemates. They became more than just people I studied or lived with; they were my biggest source of support, encouragement, and comfort. They turned what could have been a lonely experience into one of growth, shared memories, and unexpected friendships.

One of the greatest surprises was discovering how my classmates, despite our differences, fit together like a puzzle. We came from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and personalities - some were quiet and introspective, others loud and full of energy, and some a mix of both. But somehow, when brought together, we complemented and strengthened each other.

It was through them that I learned and grew the most, not just as a student, but as an individual. They challenged my perspectives, encouraged me when things got tough, and made even the most stressful moments more bearable. Whether it was discussion, bouncing around ideas, or gathering for a meal, there were always ways to uplift each other with both encouragement and laughter. I have learned simple phrases in Korean, Spanish, and Tagalog while also refining my Mandarin speaking abilities.

Beyond academics, they became my family away from home. We explored new places in LA, introduced each other to foods from our cultures, and even navigated unforeseen situations together — like the recent fires. There was something deeply reassuring about knowing that no matter what, I had people to turn to.

Stepping into a new environment can feel daunting, but the connections you build can define the experience. Here are some lessons I’ve discovered along the way.

1. Be open to people & experiences
It is easy to stick to what is familiar, but real growth happens when you open yourself up to new friendships and different ways of thinking. The people around you have so much to offer - culturally, intellectually, and personally — if you take the time to connect.

2. Support goes both ways
Just as much as you seek support from others, be there for them too. A strong support system is built on mutual encouragement, whether it is celebrating small wins, helping each other through tough times, or simply being a good listener.

3. Embrace differences
Living and studying with people from different backgrounds means encountering different habits, beliefs, and perspectives. Instead of seeing these as challenges, view them as opportunities to grow and expand your understanding of the world.

4. Communicate & set boundaries
Especially in shared living situations, setting expectations early helps prevent misunderstandings. Respect each other’s space, communicate openly, and do not be afraid to address small issues before they turn into bigger problems.

5. Find joy in the little moments
Some of the best memories are not made in big, planned events, but in the little things — conversations in the kitchen, impromptu outings, and moments of laughter after long days. Appreciate these, because they often turn out to be the most meaningful.

Looking back, I realize that my classmates were not just part of my academic journey, they were an integral part of my experience as a whole. They made a foreign place feel familiar, turned challenges into shared struggles, and celebrated victories together.

If you find yourself in a new program or environment, take the time to build a support system around you. Be open to new friendships, create a space where everyone feels valued, and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Some of the people you meet might just become more than classmates or housemates - they could become lifelong friends and, in many ways, family.

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Pursuing a Sensory Integration Graduate Certificate: My Journey So Far ⟩
March 5, 2025, by Tanya

Classes Fieldwork International School/Life Balance

Sensory Integration (SI) has been an area where I’ve always wanted to delve further and bridge my understanding of its theory and practice. While I was confident in addressing factors (e.g., fine and gross motor challenges) that impacted occupational performance in children, I could not ignore the strong association between sensory integration and occupational therapy, especially in pediatric settings. Like many occupational therapists, my knowledge of pediatrics was built through formal education, journal articles, continuing education courses, and hands-on experience.

This led me to question: Am I truly practicing Sensory Integration? Am I offering the right treatment?

And that’s what led me to USC, the birthplace of Sensory Integration theory. USC offers a Sensory Processing/Sensory Integration Graduate Certificate, that can be taken as part of both the Post-Professional Master’s of Occupational Therapy (PP-MA) and Post-Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD) programs. The program spans over the Fall and Spring semesters, being a cumulative learning experience that includes in-person and online lessons, assignments, exams, case discussions, and hands-on clinical work with your own portfolio of clients.

Now, as I navigate the clinical aspect of this course, I would say that this has been a huge learning experience. There have been challenges, surprises, and plenty of moments where I had to pause and rethink everything I thought I knew. Here are some key lessons I’ve learned along the way:

1. Unlearning and relearning
Did you know that sensory strategies and Sensory Integration (SI) are not the same thing? This was a huge realization for me, and I had to relearn and understand the implications of SI, exploring the sensory systems in a much deeper way. It can be easy to interchange key concepts, and as such, revisiting the foundations of SI has been essential in strengthening my clinical reasoning.

2. Expanding my toolbox
I learned about new concepts surrounding praxis, motor planning in relation to sensory systems, and the impact it has on occupational performance. I also had the opportunity to learn and practice new assessments like the SOSI-M and COP-R on my peers, all under the supervision of our professor. Getting hands-on experience with these tools has made such a difference in my confidence and understanding!

3. Rolling with the unexpected — being flexible
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Things do not always go as planned. Sometimes, you do not get placed at your preferred clinical site. At times, the treatment plans go completely off track. Other times, your caseload and schedule shifts, requiring you to adjust your travel plans. Speaking of travel, I have truly learned to embrace what people have warned me about the LA traffic — almost 1.5 – 2 hours is spent commuting home each time I go to the clinic. I have also woken up extra early to carpool with my peers so they could see their caseload and we could save on transport costs. Staying open-minded and adaptable has been key to making things work.

4. Managing energy, not just time
Balancing clinic and coursework in the Spring semester has been an adjustment, especially coming from Singapore, where long commutes were not part of my daily routine. I quickly realized that time management is not just about fitting everything in — it is about knowing when I will have the energy to do it. Instead of leaving work for the end of the day when I am exhausted, I use small pockets of time between classes or while waiting for my peers to finish at the clinic. A little planning goes a long way!

5. Finding confidence in not knowing
SI is complex; assessing and providing intervention does not come with a straightforward or clear answer. I am still learning to be comfortable with not always knowing the ‘right’ responses. Sharing my thoughts with my clinical mentor and professors can feel intimidating — what if I sound ridiculous? However, I am learning that the best way to grow as a clinician is to ask questions, share my clinical reasoning, reflect on the treatment, and even being wrong is part of the learning process.

6. Learning is better together
One of the best parts of this experience has been learning alongside my peers. Whether we are brainstorming intervention ideas, analysing cases, or simply processing our experiences together, having different perspectives has made learning so much more meaningful. At the clinic site that I am at, I also get to interact with E-OTD and PP-OTD students, which has added another layer to our growth. We are all figuring things out together, and that has been incredibly reassuring.

Pursuing the SI graduate certificate has been a journey that has been filled with challenges, unexpected twists, and plenty of “aha” moments. It has pushed me to rethink what I know, step outside my comfort zone, and embrace both the uncertainty and growth that come with learning. Some days feel overwhelming, and I would be lying if I said it has been a breeze. Be open, lean on your peers (they are such a great support system), ask questions — even the ones you think sound silly — and trust that every challenge is shaping you into a better clinician. Growth does not happen in perfect, predictable steps; it happens in the messy, uncertain, and in-between moments. So, take it one day at a time, and enjoy the journey!

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Taking my first exam, more than a decade later ⟩
November 12, 2024, by Tanya

Beginnings and Endings Classes International

The anxiety that hit me on the morning of my first exam in a long time was one I had not experienced, one that felt so foreign. Perhaps it is because I was not used to it as it has been a while, and not to sound dramatic but it felt worse than going for a job interview or presenting in front of a large audience. Everything felt so uncertain and unexpected, and I, as a person who valued control and preparedness, felt quite lost and nervous.

Even the platform that the exam was on seemed foreign, with the entire exam being digitalized. This is a stark contrast from the days when my biggest worry was that I had multiple sharpened 2B pencils to shade the correct option in a multiple-choice exam. I was amazed that the paper could be downloaded before the commencement of the exam, and the exam software came with tools such as the highlighter and timer visible on your screen.

I was overcome with a sense of relief mixed with anticipation of how I performed once I saw the green screen notifying me that the submission was successful on my screen.

Given the option, I would have much preferred to have written a paper instead, as this would have allowed me to weave in my thoughts and opinions supported by evidence. When I reflected on the entire experience, I would say my anxiety stemmed from the unfamiliarity of the advancement in technology as well as the entire examination process that felt so foreign rather than the actual content. And this was yet another way for me to learn how to adapt to changes and move with the times.

If you have not been on the academic journey for some time, here is what I did to help deal with these changes. It did not remove the nerves completely, but it helped me settle into it faster.

1. Having stationaries that help with note-taking
If you are like me and prefer to organize and write down notes on paper to visualize the information learned, it will be helpful to bring some writing implements or sticky notes that you are used to back home.

2. Follow your usual sleep pattern
Hearing some of my classmates share about the later times they sleep and how they feel more efficient or productive, made me consider this choice and attempt it. I usually head to bed by around 11 pm and decided to try staying up till 1 am. Sad to say, this was counterproductive, and I was less efficient and felt even more lethargic over the next 2 days. Know your body system and do what is best for you, you do not have to change your routines despite adopting a new role.

3. Enjoy leisure amidst the exams and assignments
Along with midterms also come assignment submissions, this can be a lot, and you may feel overwhelmed by it. It may feel that every minute should be channeled to studying or reading another article, however, engaging in leisure does clear your mind and refreshes you. It is the little things that can have a greater impact.

4. Planning ahead to ensure you have sufficient groceries
I usually travel on the bus to get my groceries over the weekend, as it is nice to browse and select my items. However, it can be a little time-consuming when it is ‘crunch time’ due to the additional time spent on commuting. It is helpful to plan and purchase additional groceries with a longer shelf-life to last for the upcoming week. Another helpful way is to purchase your groceries online. There are various stores online, such as Instacart, Weeee, etc that are helpful when other factors are deterring you from going out.

5. Be a little more courageous
That’s what I tell myself when I do not understand the concepts or have questions about the topic being taught in class. It could be my personality or how I am used to academic lessons back home that make it more challenging for me to ask questions. However, I would encourage you to raise your hand and ask, or go to an office hour appointment to clear the doubts that you may have. If you don’t, the person that is at the losing end will eventually be yourself. As they say, knowledge is power, so do not leave the module with an unanswered question.

Despite various deadlines that you need to meet, it is important to stop and pause, and also look at your surroundings as you commute on the shuttle bus or to your apartment. LA has very beautiful sunsets and skies, but you will miss it if you are just focused on thinking about your to-do list.

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From Worker to Student: A New Occupation ⟩
September 26, 2024, by Tanya

Beginnings and Endings Community International Life Hacks Living in LA School/Life Balance

It is week 3 of school and perhaps with the exploration of Occupational Science, it made me reflect about the current journey I’ve chosen to embark on; a new occupation. I am no longer a working adult but one who is back in school — an adult student. It has been approximately a month since I said goodbye to the familiar, the known and the expected. Things are no longer as familiar, and navigating through this change has not been the easiest, to say the least.

I have stepped into the unknown and the unfamiliar in the decision to pursue the Post-Professional Master’s degree here at USC Chan, and if I were to use the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model (Law et al., 1996) to frame my life, you could say that I am still learning to maximize the fit to attain the same occupational performance I had back home. There is not just a literal change, in the physical change in environment, but also a change in my social environment. Social supports that I could turn to immediately had a 15 hour time difference. Even though this is not the first time living alone in a foreign country, it does not get any easier. There are some days I still get teary looking at pictures or Instagram videos and wish I could teleport home to be part of a special event, to comfort a friend or just to get a physical hug from a loved one. Leisure activities which I could engage in frequently are harder to access as I do not drive, or are things that I could not bring over (e.g., my sewing machine).

Even the most simple things require unlearning and relearning — take the metric systems — I am still learning how to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, Pounds to Kilograms and Miles to Kilometres. It does get better with practice and of course, consulting with Google Converter, especially when I am at the grocery store, has been such help to me. Exploring the transportation systems might be a little tricky, but I am thankful that I got the chance to explore with my course mates, who are becoming a different sort of support system.

Having a new occupation as a student comes with new expectations and responsibilities. I used to read journal articles that I received from my monthly BJOT subscription or when I was reading up on the evidence of interventions that I would like to use. However, being a student means reading and trying to synthesize the contents of the articles for each module that you take. Living alone also means that that are other things you need to manage and set aside time for, such as meal-prep, household chores, figuring out how the dryer works and grocery runs.

Though the Occupation and Environment has changed, one thing that remained constant is the Person (that’s me). The changes might seem overwhelming initially but your abilities that enabled you to navigate the challenges, difficulties and new seasons in your life in a place of familiarity and comfort do not change amidst the change in the environment. The routines that you have created for yourself back home can also be replicated here — it just takes a little time to figure and analyse what is better and suitable. I’ve resumed my curiosity in cooking and explored the different dishes and cooking hacks on social media. This has not only provided me with affordable and delicious meals, but it has been a nice and relaxing activity and a way for me to connect with my housemates.

Being a planner, I have plans to crochet and hit the gym with my house/course mate Kate — we will get to it soon! Being away makes you grow as an individual as you reflect and learn to see things from a different perspective — who knew that just having dinner and chatting by the pool with friends is something so enjoyable and refreshing, an activity that I hope will be part of my new routine. Change is hard but it can also be an experience that will shape, develop and make you a better OT as you view things from new and different perspectives. It is also important to be intentional, not just here, but with the people back home, technology in this case is truly a blessing. Being 8811 miles away does feel shorter with the texts and calls.

One thing I am thankful for are my course mates, they make home feel a little less far. My new social environment, but one I am thrilled to share the remaining year with as we learn, laugh and eat together.

Stay tuned if you are interested in finding out what my remaining year will be like as a new adult student — I personally know it will be an amazing one and one that I will proudly say that I have maximized the PEO fit at the end of it.

Reference
Law, M., Cooper, B., Strong, S., Stewart, D., Rigby, P., & Letts, L. (1996). The Person-Environment-Occupation Model: A transactive approach to occupational performance. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63(1), 9–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/000841749606300103

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