This past June, students from the College of Charleston’s Child Life M.S. program embarked on a transformative journey to Italy, where they applied their expertise in a real-world setting far from home. The international course, tailored for rising second-year graduate students, provided a unique opportunity to practice child life interventions in an Italian hospital, working with non-English speaking children from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Program Director Dr. Susan Simonian emphasizes the significance of this experience, stating, “Immersing students in a program such as this is one of the best ways to effectively teach them to build rapport and facilitate child life non-directive, medical, and therapeutic play programming with non-English speaking populations. Designing and implementing child life programming in an environment and culture that is very different from one’s own can be challenging, and we mentor our students in using non-verbally based communication skills to establish and maintain rapport.”
The students’ efforts in Italy not only expanded their cultural competency but also earned them 50 hours of international child life practicum, a credential that distinguishes them in the highly competitive internship selection process. This hands-on experience abroad is just one example of how the College of Charleston’s Child Life M.S. program equips its students with the skills and experiences needed for successful careers as Certified Child Life Specialists.
At the College of Charleston, we are committed to helping you build a strong foundation for a rewarding career in child life. Whether you’re working in a hospital, a community organization, or an international setting, our program provides the knowledge, skills, and experiences you need to make a positive impact on the lives of children and families. Join us, and take the next step toward a fulfilling career in child life.
