Why are you passionate about service?
There is more happiness in giving that in receiving. Helping others is an ability. It also represented what you have and how much you can give – not only the material life but also the spirit. Moreover, we can learn how to communicate and cooperate with partners, how to interact with participants and get some time for reflection from different viewpoints.
Tell us your favorite service memory
I participated in Traditional Medicine Services of National Taiwan University for three years, and also was the leader of physical therapy team (PT team). This volunteer medical social service was aimed to provide medical care and health education in rural area of Taiwan. The area we served in Taiwan was in the mountains. Every morning, people can wake up with birdsong and enjoy the beautiful landscapes. We also tried to live and work as the aboriginals in their church to understand the residents’ life styles and possible reasons of their diseases.
The most special point is: this service was composite of Chinese traditional medicine, western medicine and physical therapy. Therefore, we can not only provide the service for residents but also interact with other professions. It is a great opportunity to promote PT – from general population to clinicians!
Nai-Jia participating in the Traditional Medicine Services event at the National Taiwan University
How has servant leadership impacted your professional career thus far as a student?
In National Taiwan University, teachers and students have been taught to share what we have and help others all the time. We have lots of opportunities to join services when we were students, such as volunteers of sport competitions, World Figure Skating Championships and Boccia. With these experiences, people are reminded to give, share and think for others. Meanwhile, there are more possibilities and opportunities for PT were created, because people know more about what PT can do and these physical therapists have related experiences as well.
What are your service plans/ideas for PTDOS?
We plan to combine PTDOS and the activities we hold in National Taiwan University (for example, the service for athletes provided by volunteer PT students). I hope the service spirit could be reminded again through this act. As a founding member of Asia Physical Therapy Student Association, we will also promote PTDOS in Asia region. Looking forward to the results and event photos of PTDOS after Oct 17!
