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Conference in Germany, 2017
If I had to define my experience at the Occupational Science Europe Conference, many words come to mind:
Occupation. People. Meaning. Context. Critical Thinking. Social Transformation. Multi perspectives. Exciting. Research. Knowledge. Sharing. Health. Wellbeing. Inspiration. Creativity. Evidence. Occupational Justice. Occupational Science...
My experience as an assistant at the conference was wonderful. I look forward to 2019 and having the chance to attend the next Occupational Science Europe Conference. This will be in Amsterdam, in August 2019. On 7-9th of September, we learnt and shared a lot of things. We discussed about Occupation-based social transformation, and attending many different and diverse talks about occupational justice, critical occupational therapy, creativity, precarious employment, immigration, refugees, etc. The content of the discussion was very rich and it opened my mind to other beautiful points of view.
Furthermore, we met people from different countries - Australia, Canada, USA, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Norway, Spain, Portugal, Brazil... I observed our cultural diversity, which was rewarding! We learnt about how occupational therapy is in other countries and we discussed about how occupational science is taking into account. Furthermore, the fact that some assistants were from other degrees was fantastic, because it let us understand how occupational science is important for many other professions.
I also felt many emotions when some of the committee showed us the settings where Occupational Therapists work in Hildesheim. For instance, nursery school and services for people who are socially excluded or experience poverty. It was great to find out and appreciate which emerging OT practices are being carry out in other places around the world.
In conclusion... The experience was magical and fantastic. I recommend it to everybody.
I look forward to meeting some of you in Amsterdam in 2019!