Our Story as 3 Occupational Therapy Students in Psychology Internship from Copenhagen to Galle

Last Updated: March 21, 2025

Hi, we are Catrine, Freya, and Maria, three occupational therapy students from University College Copenhagen who joined on an unforgettable journey to Galle, Sri Lanka, as part of the psychology internship program organized by FDIP to help children with special needs.

Today, we would like to share our experience of the psychology internship program which we joined to help the children with physical and mental disabilities in Galle.Our shared passion for improving children's lives and our strong friendship made this journey particularly meaningful and fulfilling.

Arriving at Sambhodi Orphanage Home and B.R. Dissanayaka School, we immediately felt welcomed. From the beginning, it was clear how significant our contributions could be, as we worked closely with 133 physically and mentally handicapped children. Our goal was simple yet powerful: to enhance their well-being, independence, and quality of life through occupational therapy.

Drawing on our experiences from Denmark, we brought along carefully chosen toys and materials, allowing us to create engaging and therapeutic activities that promoted motor development and social interactions. Our days were filled with purposeful play, individualized therapy sessions, and collaborative planning with local staff to foster an inclusive environment where each child felt valued and encouraged.

Catrine's past experience as an au pair in the USA enabled her to connect effortlessly with older children, understanding their developmental needs and inspiring confidence through compassionate interaction. Her outgoing personality created a vibrant atmosphere, encouraging children to explore their potential actively.

Freya, with her extensive background from working in daycare, excelled in nurturing the younger children, patiently helping them build fundamental motor skills and daily independence. Her genuine warmth and enthusiasm were contagious, creating countless joyful moments that resonated throughout the orphanage.

Maria brought her keen interest in neurology into action, thoughtfully designing activities to support cognitive and neurological development. Her cheerful and approachable attitude facilitated meaningful connections, turning our internship into delightful learning experiences.

Over our six-week internship from February 3rd to March 14th, 2025, we grew a  lot, both personally and in our skills. Every little win, every step forward the kids made, just fired us up more for occupational therapy. We saw some remarkable progress together, the kids got stronger, more confident, and way better at hanging out with others. It really showed us our teamwork’s paying off big time.

Beyond our professional contributions, exploring Sri Lankan culture enriched our perspectives immensely. Our adventures outside the orphanage and school deepened our appreciation for the country's warmth, hospitality, and vibrant traditions.

This internship has profoundly impacted us, strengthening our dedication to occupational therapy and our passion for working collaboratively to improve children’s lives. We will leave Sri Lanka with awesome memories, valuable insights, and tighter friendships, feeling pretty  sure we’ve left a good mark here.

Many thanks to Michael, the orphanage and school staff, the whole FDIP team for their cooperation and support from the very beginning of our journey!

- Catrine, Freya, and Maria: Occupational Therapy students from University College Copenhagen