About the Program
Hi, my name is Daysha Smith and I am fundraising for the opportunity to Study abroad for the International Dementia Care European tour through Virginia Tech. This is a 4-week program between (June 22 - July 20) that will allow me to examine the global prevalence of dementia, national responses addressing care practices and policies, and multicultural approaches to care practices and policies. Places we will visit include Riva San Vitale, Switzerland; Amsterdam and Middelburg, Netherlands; Bruges, Belgium; Cambridge and Stirling, UK
During the program, we will attend lectures, visit dementia-friendly cities, visit museums, and when possible, conduct observations and services at senior centers. Students will also have free time to explore.
About me: My professional and academic experiences and how this opportunity will support my future goals
I recently graduated Cum Laude from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech. I graduated a semester early this past Fall 2021 and received my Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and minor in Disabilities Studies as a First-Gen! I valued my leadership experiences at VT; as a Resident Advisor, Treasurer of the Occupational Therapy Club, and Committee Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Participating in this International Dementia Care tour will help me in reaching my personal, academic, and professional goals. This fall, I will be attending graduate school to become a geriatric occupational therapist (OT). I chose this field because I have a strong desire for helping older adults achieve their functional goals and increase their well-being. As a geriatric OT, I will be caring for aging individuals, including those with memory challenges. Through this program, I hope to expand my knowledge about dementia and learn different care practices that I can implement in the future field of occupational therapy.
What I look forward to most is gaining knowledge and awareness in a diverse environment with those who are looking to care for patients in the same matter and respect as I am. I’m excited to see how other communities approach hands-on dementia care. This international collaboration will help me learn new contexts and increase my intercultural competence, skills, and cultural awareness. This is so important as a future occupational therapist that will work in a multitude of settings with individuals of different backgrounds. I will have an attitude of openness and humility in order to contribute to a successful program experience and help understand our impact in diverse contexts.
I believe my previous involvement with dementia care makes me a strong candidate for this program. Last semester, I worked as a field student at the Virginia Tech Adult Day Service (ADS) Center. ADS is a center that provides innovative community programming and services for families aging in place. While working here I learned the importance of person-centered care, which has allowed me to understand what it means to design a treatment plan that meets the needs of a unique individual. Utilizing the skills I have obtained through event planning as an RA and my previous experience in cognitive research in older adults, I have been able to effectively create and lead 7 recreational programs weekly for 8 individuals with dementia or an intellectual disability through cooking activities that refresh the mind or body, stimulate positive sensory reminiscence, and work individuals’ fine motor abilities. These are experiences I am thrilled to continue in the future.
I am grateful for my engagement with Adult Day Services which equipped me for my current job as a personal care aid. As an aid, I provide personal care in the home of an elderly patient from my church who has early-onset dementia. I strive to create a beneficial experience for her with the education and tools I have while her primary care provider works. Although I have previous involvement with dementia care, I feel that there is so much more I can learn. I really want to challenge myself through this opportunity in order to build my confidence, refine my skills, and incorporate the new techniques I will learn to my current job as an aid and to my future career.
Lastly, I’m confident that this opportunity will be a great way to meet others who have similar interests and engage with experienced professionals that I can connect with and learn from long term. Overall, I have no doubt that I will greatly benefit from such a unique and rich experience. One where I will gain a greater understanding and new perspective from other cultures, students, and professionals, while also gaining a deeper understanding of my personal values and self.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I am VERY excited about and anything helps! Even if you can't donate, please consider sharing it with others!
If you would like to learn more about me and my experiences, here is the link to my LinkedIn!
Program Expenses
I have included a list of expense fees below. You can also find these fees on the program website under the "financial matters" tab.
Estimated Program Fee: $5,500
Estimated Airfare: $1,600
Meals not included in the fee: $850
Cost of Required Course Materials: $80
Hi, my name is Daysha Smith and I am fundraising for the opportunity to Study abroad for the International Dementia Care European tour through Virginia Tech. This is a 4-week program between (June 22 - July 20) that will allow me to examine the global prevalence of dementia, national responses addressing care practices and policies, and multicultural approaches to care practices and policies. Places we will visit include Riva San Vitale, Switzerland; Amsterdam and Middelburg, Netherlands; Bruges, Belgium; Cambridge and Stirling, UK
During the program, we will attend lectures, visit dementia-friendly cities, visit museums, and when possible, conduct observations and services at senior centers. Students will also have free time to explore.
About me: My professional and academic experiences and how this opportunity will support my future goals
I recently graduated Cum Laude from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech. I graduated a semester early this past Fall 2021 and received my Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and minor in Disabilities Studies as a First-Gen! I valued my leadership experiences at VT; as a Resident Advisor, Treasurer of the Occupational Therapy Club, and Committee Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Participating in this International Dementia Care tour will help me in reaching my personal, academic, and professional goals. This fall, I will be attending graduate school to become a geriatric occupational therapist (OT). I chose this field because I have a strong desire for helping older adults achieve their functional goals and increase their well-being. As a geriatric OT, I will be caring for aging individuals, including those with memory challenges. Through this program, I hope to expand my knowledge about dementia and learn different care practices that I can implement in the future field of occupational therapy.
What I look forward to most is gaining knowledge and awareness in a diverse environment with those who are looking to care for patients in the same matter and respect as I am. I’m excited to see how other communities approach hands-on dementia care. This international collaboration will help me learn new contexts and increase my intercultural competence, skills, and cultural awareness. This is so important as a future occupational therapist that will work in a multitude of settings with individuals of different backgrounds. I will have an attitude of openness and humility in order to contribute to a successful program experience and help understand our impact in diverse contexts.
I believe my previous involvement with dementia care makes me a strong candidate for this program. Last semester, I worked as a field student at the Virginia Tech Adult Day Service (ADS) Center. ADS is a center that provides innovative community programming and services for families aging in place. While working here I learned the importance of person-centered care, which has allowed me to understand what it means to design a treatment plan that meets the needs of a unique individual. Utilizing the skills I have obtained through event planning as an RA and my previous experience in cognitive research in older adults, I have been able to effectively create and lead 7 recreational programs weekly for 8 individuals with dementia or an intellectual disability through cooking activities that refresh the mind or body, stimulate positive sensory reminiscence, and work individuals’ fine motor abilities. These are experiences I am thrilled to continue in the future.
I am grateful for my engagement with Adult Day Services which equipped me for my current job as a personal care aid. As an aid, I provide personal care in the home of an elderly patient from my church who has early-onset dementia. I strive to create a beneficial experience for her with the education and tools I have while her primary care provider works. Although I have previous involvement with dementia care, I feel that there is so much more I can learn. I really want to challenge myself through this opportunity in order to build my confidence, refine my skills, and incorporate the new techniques I will learn to my current job as an aid and to my future career.
Lastly, I’m confident that this opportunity will be a great way to meet others who have similar interests and engage with experienced professionals that I can connect with and learn from long term. Overall, I have no doubt that I will greatly benefit from such a unique and rich experience. One where I will gain a greater understanding and new perspective from other cultures, students, and professionals, while also gaining a deeper understanding of my personal values and self.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I am VERY excited about and anything helps! Even if you can't donate, please consider sharing it with others!
If you would like to learn more about me and my experiences, here is the link to my LinkedIn!
Program Expenses
I have included a list of expense fees below. You can also find these fees on the program website under the "financial matters" tab.
Estimated Program Fee: $5,500
Estimated Airfare: $1,600
Meals not included in the fee: $850
Cost of Required Course Materials: $80
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