Child Life Personal Statement

When I first learned about and became interested in becoming a child life specialist, I started volunteering at Kanagawa Children's Medical Center in Yokohama, Japan as a high school volunteer. I communicated with diverse populations, including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian, and many other populations using two languages, Japanese and English. I started learning sign language to improve my communication skills. I provided activities and play with children, siblings, and families while they waited at the hospital, and that helped me understand cultural, religious, and individual diversity. For example, I implemented origami activity with the patient and the parents from Russia, and it promoted the cultural competency in the hospital setting. I also worked with the patient in a diverse diagnostic group such as the patient with visual impairment. …show more content…
This experience greatly deepened my understanding of cultural diversity and collaboration. I participated in international and multicultural events at the university, and I learned cultures and religions which are different from my own. I also completed more than 700 hours volunteering and learning at two children's hospitals as a child life volunteer and a practicum student. I interacted with patients and families who have different cultures, languages, and religions, such as Hispanic population, and Amish and Mennonite populations. During my child life practicum, I observed the bereavement care provided for an Amish family. I realized that the grief process and bereavement could be different depending on cultures and religions. I learned how I can respect and support the individual differences and diversity in the interventions I provide, and also, I realized the importance of increasing my knowledge of other cultures, religions, and