Mobility Week in Occupational Therapy
Since 2009, the Institute of Occupational Therapy has been organizing this international student and faculty exchange. The primary goal of the week is to provide students with the opportunity to meet with peers from both domestic and foreign backgrounds and engage in discussions about occupational therapy in various countries within and outside of Europe.
Mobility Week Network
What began in 2009 as an exchange between two Swiss Occupational Therapy Universities from Winterthur and Lausanne, has become open to students and faculty from various universities in different countries. Not only has the number of participating universities increased, but since 2014, Mobility Weeks have also taken place at two partner institutions; the Hogeschool van Amsterdam and since 2015 the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm joined as a third partner. All three weeks share the overarching theme of "Professional Identity" in the current global context.
Mobility Week 2025: 15 - 17 May
Since 2024, the Mobility Week has a new look. On the one hand, it will take place in spring instead of winter, lasting for three days (1 ECTS) from Thursday to Saturday. The international days will now be themed "Building Bridges for a Sustainable Future – Occupational Therapists in Action" and will be held from May 15 to May 17, 2025. Below are the program details, along with additional information in the following flyer. The registration form will be made available in October 2024. Registration ends on February 28th 2025.
Program Thursday and Friday
You will participate in a two-day workshop and dive deep into one topic. In an international team, you will work, facilitated by experts in the field. There will be a pre-course online meeting where you get to know each other and discuss issues related to your workshop topic, with each student bringing in their country's perspective. During the registration, you will have the chance to decide to participate either in workshop A or B (first-come, first-served basis):
Workshop A) Inclusive Societies:
According to the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, they have the right to be an inclusive part of the society and to participate in all areas of public life. This requires major transformations, including in the areas of work, education and housing. Therefore, countries have to develop a strategy and action plan to end the institutionalization of all persons with disabilities, with measures to prevent trans-institutionalisation and to support the transition from institutions to life in the community. But there is a big gap between the legal basis and their actual implementation. Discussions with experts with a disability, inputs and intensive work in groups will analyze the actual situation and develop solutions for a more inclusive society.
What you will learn in this workshop:
- analyse how de-institutionalisation effects societies on a micro-meso and macrolevel
- learn to develop action to contribute towards more inclusive and just societies
- work as part of an international team
- communication and collaboration with peers in a professional and personal manner
Workshop B) Planetary Health:
Planetary Health presents the connection between the functionality of ecosystems and health. It becomes clear that human health is directly dependent on ecosystems. Consequently, the threats posed to human health by the environmental crisis must be taken seriously and structural solutions found. With the help of the concept of Planetary Health, the entire healthcare system, including occupational therapy, can develop and accompany climate- and health-conscious activities together with the people. In this way, the health system assumes its responsibility for the health of the population. A core element of occupational therapy is people's everyday activities. In carrying out these activities, the use of resources contributes to the environmental crisis. By influencing activity, occupational therapy has a great potential to implement aspects of the Planetary Health concept. In this workshop you will learn about the potential of Planetary Health for occupational therapy and work out common approaches using concrete examples from different countries.
What you will learn in this workshop:
- analyse the need for action regarding planetary health on micro-, meso- and macrolevel
- learn to develop specific actions on micro-, meso- and macrolevel for enhancing planetary health
- work as part of an international team
- communication and collaboration with peers in a professional and personal manner
Workshop C) Health Equity:
Health is a fundamental human right. Health equity is achieved when everyone can attain their full potential for health and well-being. Health and health equity are determined by the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, play and age, as well as biological determinants. Structural determinants (political, legal, and economic) with social norms and institutional processes shape the distribution of power and resources. Equity is achieved, when unfair, avoidable or remediable differences among groups of people are absent. People’s living conditions are often made worse by discrimination, stereotyping, and prejudice based on sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity, or disability, among other factors. Discriminatory practices are often embedded in institutional and systems processes, leading to groups being under-represented in decision-making at all levels or underserved.
This workshop focuses on understanding the key factors contributing to health inequity, such as the social and structural determinants of health. On the other hand, ways to move health equity forward will be intensively discussed.
What you will learn in this workshop:
- health equity situations from selected countries with varying health care systems
- ideas and actions for change in making health more accessible and inequitable
- experience of working as a member of an international team
- communication and collaboration with peers in a professional and personal manner
Program Saturday: Un-conference – Working Together for a Sustainable Tomorrow
Exploring the theme of sustainability, we are organizing an un-conference for students and staff. In this participant-driven event, attendees collaboratively shape the agenda and guide discussions. Unlike conventional conferences, unconferences empower participants to lead sessions, fostering open dialogue, active engagement, and knowledge exchange on various sustainability-related topics. We are excited to co-create our first international un-conference together with you!
Social Events
During the first two evenings student lead social events will take place. You will be able to discover Winterthur and have time to network, get to know each other and have fun. There will also be an international buffet to which each participant will contribute with specialties from their region.
For further information on how to get to the campus and places to stay, follow the Link to our international Winter School below. A few beds are reserved in the Hostel Depot 195 which is close by, use “OT Mobility Week” as a reference.
Dates | 15 to 17 of May |
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Course Hours | 08:30-17:00 |
Social Events | Thursday and Friday evening |
Language | English |
Cost | CHF 50.- |
Credits | 1 ECTS (30 hrs), including a pre-course online meeting with your team |
Grading | Pass/Fail (if you need a grade, there will be a Post-Task) |
Registration | starts end of September 2024, ends on February 28th 2025 – on our website |
Accommodation and practical information | Plan accommodation and budget before enrolling in the course. Further infos see Practical information below |
Contact |
Verena Langlotz Kondzic, International Coordinator: verena.langlotz-kondzic@zhaw.ch Angelika Echsel, Modul Lead: angelika.echsel@zhaw.ch |
Practical information for incoming students
Location and Campus Life
The courses take place at ZHAW School of Health Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland. The city of Winterthur is a very pretty, small town near Zurich. The cities of Zurich, Berne and Lucerne as well as the Swiss mountains with its skiing resorts are easily reachable by public transport.
Transportation
Accommodation
Organisation and booking of accommodation are in the responsibility of each participant.
- Youth Hostel: Depot 195 – Hostel Winterthur
Hostel Depot 195 is just around the corner of ZHAW School of Health Sciences. It has a cosy vibe and features a kitchen with communal area. We have reserved several rooms (with four beds) at a special rate of CHF 37.- (approx. EUR 39.-) per bed and night, which are available on a first come first serve basis (bathroom on the floor) or CHF 44 per bed and night (shower/toilet ensuite). Payment at arrival at the hostel by card or cash CHF. Please use the following form to book: Reservation ZHAW MWE25 – Depot 195. You will receive a confirmation from the hostel (max. 2 days after you made your reservation).
Additional rooms might be available via the Youth Hostel website, please mention the code “mwe24” when booking via the website (prices might differ when booking via the hostel website directly). - Airbnb Winterthur
- Couchsurfing
Leisure
Entry requirements for Switzerland
Please note that, as Winter School participant, it will be your responsibility to ensure that you have the valid travel documents required to enter Switzerland for the duration of your booked Winter School courses (and the additional travel days before and after the program).
Students from EU and EFTA countries need a valid travel document (i.e. passport or identification card) in order to enter Switzerland. For students from the new EU states, interim regulations apply. Please contact the Swiss embassy or consulate in your country for information about the exact procedures that apply for you. You can find a list of Swiss representations below.
Students from outside the EU and from non-EFTA countries who wish to enter Switzerland for a stay of up to 90 days (within a 180-day period) can apply for a Schengen visa. Please note that this visa is not suitable for full-term exchange students and degree-seeking students who wish to study at ZHAW. You can find more information on the Schengen visa below.
Insurance
Participants are responsible to ensure adequate insurance coverage in Switzerland. Recommended are
- Health insurance which covers medical costs in case of illness an accidents and repatriation to the participants home country in case of emergencies (or a travel insurance that covers these risks)
- Personal liability insurance
Before you leave your home country, please check your personal insurance coverage, and find out from your insurance provider whether it is sufficient to cover liability for the entire period of your stay in Switzerland.
Past Partners since 2009
- Artevelde Hogeschool, Gent (B)
- Alice Salomon Hochschule Berlin (D)
- Curtin University, Perth (AUS)
- Ecole d’études sociales et pédagogiques, Lausanne (CH)
- FH Campus Wien (A)
- FH Gesundheit Tyrol, Innsbruck (A)
- Hochschule für Gesundheit Bochum (D)
- Hogeschool PLX Hasselt (B)
- Hogeschool van Amsterdam (NL)
- Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen (NL)
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm (S)
- Saitama Prefectural University, Koshigaya (JPN)
- Teesside University, Middlesbrough (UK)
- University College South Denmark, Haderslev (DK)
- ZHAW, Institute of Occupational Therapy (CH)
Additional information
Studying in Switzerland
Switzerland supports students from other European countries studying at the ZHAW.
Counselling
We offer students a range of confidential counselling services free of charge both before and during their studies.
Studying in Switzerland
Counselling
Campus life
Switzerland supports students from other European countries studying at the ZHAW.
We offer students a range of confidential counselling services free of charge both before and during their studies.
The campus of the School of Health Sciences at a glance.