About Us

Background

The NAPA-OT Field School in Antigua, Guatemala will be entering its fifteenth year in Summer 2023, as a project of the National Association for the Practice of Anthropology, a section of the American Anthropological Association.

Vision

Our vision is to facilitate transdisciplinary learning among students in occupational therapy, global health, applied anthropology, and related fields. The goal of the field school is to promote social and occupational justice, which it enacts through partnerships with NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in and around Antigua, Guatemala. By providing integrative field word opportunities within occupational therapy and anthropology, we believe that ideals of social and occupational justice can be systematically refined by a set of concepts, theories, bodies of knowledge, and tools for implementation as practitioners and researchers in real-world contexts.

“I truly cannot express how incredible this experience has been between the group of students and professors, the experience of living in Antigua, and the satisfaction of the research projects. I have been empowered with the ability to understand and critically think in a new way and I think this has really helped me grow personally and professionally.” —Student 2014

“This school is both challenging and rewarding. It challenges students to think outside typical paradigms and focus on bigger picture structural aspects affecting occupational justice. It rewards them with the meaningful experience of listening and gaining a valuable understanding of a larger society, while teaching an effective approach toward approaching occupational injustices.” —Student 2013

“This trip was a powerful experience for me. I’ve been on other study abroad trips but this one was really special. I felt so inspired by and close to the other students and our mentors. Everyone was so passionate about what we were learning. I feel so fortunate to have been a part of it.” —Student 2012

“The field school is an invaluable experience where you will be stretched and challenged, consider and discuss current human rights issues with a historical perspective, receive insightful and nurturing mentorship, and get hands-on experience. The integration of anthropology and occupational therapy provides a unique and comprehensive perspective.” —Student 2012

“You can read all you want on global health, but until you study it firsthand in an applied context, you can’t say that you truly understand the issues, challenges and potential solutions to health disparities in developing countries. This field school gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in that context and challenges them not only to do in-depth, qualitative research but also to embed their findings in the wider social context, developing recommendations for heath interventions that are practical, culturally-sensitive, and effective. —Student 2011