The newest group of Occupational Therapy Assistant students presented at a cultural fair, an assignment that is part of their second core course, “Human Occupation and Development across the Lifespan.” The assignment seeks to increase student awareness of some of the world’s cultures to better prepare them for treating patients of all kinds by increasing their cultural competence. Each pair or trio of students research a culture of their choosing and share what they learned with the rest of their class. Special note is made as to the clinical implications of the cultural nuances. Additionally, they are to identify an activity, unique to that culture and teach it to their classmates. Activities include culture specific dances and customs, as well as the sharing of food and language.

OTA Cultural Fair March 2015 (1) OTA Cultural Fair March 2015 (2) OTA Cultural Fair March 2015 (3) OTA Cultural Fair March 2015 (4)