Dr. Anne Carswell, a faculty member in the School of Occupational Therapy, was honoured with a Visiting Professorship at Kobe Gakuin University in Kobe, Japan for three months from October 2011.  During that time, she conducted a total of 28 lectures to the undergraduate students in their occupational therapy program with the content ranging from assessment and intervention in persons with dementia to occupational therapy research in Canada.  During her time in Japan, Dr. Carswell also presented to occupational therapy graduate and undergraduate students at Hiroshima Prefecture University and Kobe University; attended a number of research seminars with members of the Faculty of Rehabilitation; advised physical therapy and occupational therapy faculty members; and was the keynote speaker at a day long conference on Inter-professional Education and Practice.

Dr. Carswell found her time in Japan to be “an exhilarating and fantastic learning experience” that will be remembered for many years to come, particularly the opportunity to be immersed in Japanese culture and participate in educating Japanese students.  She and her partner Shelley also travelled through Honshu and Kyushu Islands visiting historical sites, temples, shrines and onsens.  It is hoped that the association with Kobe Gakuin University Occupational Therapy will continue and build upon Dr. Carswell’s experience and contributions.