It’s been a bumpy ride, and we haven’t left yet!

Here we are two occupational therapy students, kindling a friendship and preparing for our third clinical placement in New Delhi, INDIA. 

Here’s an overview of what we’ve been through so far…

Around this time last year, we learned about International Placements. Leaving for Christmas break, we each had to write application letters and get supporting letters.

The first hiccup occurred when Emma “failed” her mOSCE examination, leaving her without an option for a supporting letter from faculty, let alone the option of an international placement.  Thankfully, this was only a miscalculation, and the journey continued.

Next came our seminar where we learned about our summer placements.  It was here that we received our acceptance letters.  It didn’t take long for Steph to beeline it to Emma, asking if she would be interested in going to India with her. Love at first sight?

Immediately started the searches for a placement location - something we had to set up ourselves. After help from Sandeep, teacher assistant at McGill and Maureen Simmonds,  then-director of the School of  Physical & Occupational Therapy- who taught us the “how to” for elegant emails - we began mass emailing google search locations we had found (thanks to Steph’s color-coded Excel file). 

Then, we got a whole bunch of replies, which we sat on for a little while.

Things got quiet…. Steph got mono, the second hiccup. She even contemplated annexing the placement. Through Emma’s prodding, we met, in the heat of the summer, at Emma’s place and figure out where we were heading with this project. Being back on track, a pros and cons list was made and our minds were set: Shristi Learning Center it was !

We informed Caroline Storr and she, along with Croce Filteau, kindly helped us in the affiliation process. Third hiccup, Priya, who was an asset and part of this group, unfortunately had to stay in Montreal for her placement. Many thanks to you, amazing lady, for all you’ve done! You are traveling with us, in our hearts.

Down to the nitty gritty details: plane tickets, visas and accommodation had to be figured out. We, genius, bought our plane tickets even before we got our contract signed. Way to go girls! The very least we can say is that we had faith! Luckily, things worked out for the contract.

Accommodations got us worried for a bit. We were challenged with this responsibility - not quite easy to find a place in India from such distance! Thanks to all of those who advised and guided us in this process. We did mention it to our clinical supervisor and chairman, Dr. Rajiv Nandy. Two months later, excellent news were waiting for us in our mailbox: we will share an apartment with an old friend of the family, in a safe apartment complex. Emma (and her North American mind): “Will the kitchen be equipped?” Hahaha! No worries people, it will!

Visas – lots and lots of stress associated with the procedure; but passeports are finally back and visas are IN! Curry for everyone!

It’s now T – 12 days.

The duo, STEM – Steph & Emma - is heading to New Delhi on December 26^th, 2010.

Pray for no more hiccups until this date :-)