Kaila Oshiro

Kaila is a physical therapy student at Pacific University. She joined the VACorps program in September 2025 and participated in a PT internship at a school for children with special needs.

My 2.5 months in South Africa have truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Working at Athlone School for the Blind has been life-changing, both personally and professionally. I loved having the opportunity to see what physiotherapy looks like here compared to physical therapy in the U.S., and the differences gave me a new appreciation for the flexibility and creativity this field can require.

One of the things I am most proud of is how adaptable I became during this rotation. Athlone has far fewer resources than what I’m used to in school or in U.S. clinics, which meant I had to be very creative with my exercise prescriptions. Every student has a unique skill set and different impairments, so tailoring each session to the individual pushed me to think quickly and problem-solve in real time. This challenged me in the best way and helped me grow significantly as a future clinician.

The VACorps staff were incredibly supportive throughout my time abroad, and the weekly activities were a great way to get out, explore, and truly experience Cape Town. Overall, this program exceeded my expectations, and I’m so grateful I had this opportunity. I will definitely be back!