Student placement festive feature
Photo: Left; Katelyn MacDonald Right; Jade Shushu Saulnier-Cyr. Hike at Mount Orford for BCS Mountain Day
My fourth clinical placement at Bishop’s University and Bishop’s College School (BCS) in Sherbrooke, Quebec, was a truly rewarding experience. Returning to the place where I completed my undergraduate degree 3 years ago felt very familiar and nostalgic. It was the perfect opportunity to give back to a community that had shaped my early academic journey.
Throughout this placement, I had the chance to apply and integrate the course material I had learned during physiotherapy school as I prepared for entry to practice. Working in a familiar environment with the best support allowed me to focus on developing my clinical reasoning and confidence. My clinical instructor fostered an ideal balance of guidance and independence, giving me space to think critically during assessments and manage patients on my own.
One of the highlights of this experience was revisiting material and skills from my coursework and practicing them with my clinical instructor, with immediate feedback. These exchanges often turned into thoughtful brainstorming sessions where I could compare theory to clinical experience. They helped me solidify my foundations, build confidence, and expand my clinical toolkit through feedback and new techniques.
I would like to thank Katelyn MacDonald, (who practices at the private clinic associated with bishops' university, and works as the PT for Bishops College School), for her mentorship, patience, and enthusiasm for teaching. It is truly inspiring to learn from professionals who are so passionate about sharing their knowledge and supporting the next generation of physiotherapists.
~Jade Shushu Saulnier-Cyr, MScPT student
Image: front desk employee, me, my CI, the chiropractor and the resident PT
My recent out-of-catchment placement was at a private practice clinic in Burlington, Ontario, where I had the opportunity to experience the fast-paced and dynamic environment of outpatient physiotherapy. The transition from hospital-based placements to private practice challenged me to refine my time management skills and adapt to a high-volume caseload. I learned to balance efficiency with quality care, ensuring each client received focused attention while maintaining the clinic’s schedule.
A major learning highlight was developing hands-on confidence with mobilization with movement techniques, which I later explored more deeply through a clinic-based project. I also gained valuable insight into the administrative side of physiotherapy — including navigating insurance claims, Workplace Insurance and Safety Board (WSIB), and Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) documentation — areas best learned through firsthand experience in a clinical setting.
Outside of the clinic, this placement offered the unique opportunity to live and work in a larger city. Experiencing Burlington’s vibrant community and fast-paced lifestyle gave me a glimpse into what professional life could look like in an urban setting. It helped me build independence, adaptability, and greater confidence, both personally and professionally.
My clinical instructor was outstanding — always encouraging, supportive, and eager to involve me in every aspect of patient care. I am sincerely grateful to Dalhousie University and McMaster University for supporting this out-of-catchment opportunity, which broadened my clinical and life experiences in meaningful ways.
~Marina Gobran, MScPT student