IIHS Physiotherapy Student Roshan speaks of his study experiences in the US

International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS) the premier healthcare education provider in Sri Lanka is the 01st and only institute in the Sri Lankan healthcare education market to train and send Physiotherapy students for higher studies to the USA. The 01st batch of IIHS Physiotherapy students transferred to State University of New York, USA for the final year of the Associate Degree in Physical Therapy through IIHS in August this year, after completing their two years studies in Sri Lanka at IIHS.

Roshan Indika Peiris was the best performing student during his studies back in Sri Lanka at IIHS with the highest GPA of 3.6 and won the “Cyril Surasinghe Memorial Award for Most Outstanding Student”. For this high achievement in academics, he was also awarded with a USD 4,000 scholarship from the State University of New York at Canton ( SUNY Canton). His batch mates too obtained scholarships of more than 30% of the university payments, as all of them achieved very high GPA scores.

Roshan shared his thoughts and experience about the program as follows. “My name is Roshan Indika Peiris. My father is a businessman, mother is a house wife and my only sister is studying in grade twelve. I obtained my primary education at Akuramboda Central College and then at President’s College in Avissawella. In 1998 I was selected to Rajasinghe Central College for further educa- tion through the grade five scholarship examination, and that’s where I completed my secondary education.

With the intention of becoming a Doctor, I did my Advanced Level in the Biology stream in August 2007. Though I worked hard I did not qualify for university entrance to fulfill my desire. As I fell short of university entrance again in 2009, I decided to accomplish my dream to become a doctor by following a private university programme. During this period I got to know about the increasing demand in the field of ‘Physiotherapy’ the world over. With that I became interested in Physiotherapy, and decided to become a Physiotherapist. I reali z ed t hat t he need for Physiotherapists are much more than most of the other professions.

Fortunately I got to know about the International Institute of Health Sciences ( IIHS) located in Welisara, an institute which offers various kinds of Healthcare Diplomas and Degrees, and also provides precious opportunities to study overseas. I joined IIHS in September 2009 for the Diploma in Physiotherapy, which was one of the most definitive milestones in my life. The programme is a three year Diploma, where after two years the students could transfer their credits to the final year of the Associate Degree in Physical Therapy. It was quite difficult for me to study medical subjects, because there were lots to memorize and sometimes there were things which were difficult to understand, especially the theories related to various physiologies. But fortunately IIHS has amazing lecturers and a staff who helped me to overcome all my difficulties.

Further I would like to reveal, within the past years of my college life, I learned many things, and I have improved my abilities in many ways such as, knowledge about physical therapy, presentation skills, scientific research methodology, personality, attitudes and behaviours and the passion of working to achieve a set target. As a part of the programme our batch went through several online exams and practical evaluations that were conducted by SUNY Canton. Those exams were evaluated by the same professors, who are currently teaching us in the University. It was an amazing experience for all of us to perform in front of renowned professors, and the things we learned from them were remarkable. Also we were fortunate enough to have a good practical experience through the newly established, fully equipped, modern Physiotherapy Department of IIHS, “IMPULSE”.

The knowledge I gathered through my studies at IIHS and the practical exposure I got through “Impulse” adequately prepared me and gave me the confidence to study in USA and all my batch mates also feel the same. We are currently studying with the local students in USA and other international students and it’s wonderful to share the multicultural values amongst us. We have all performed really well during our examinations/assignments in USA and we have already set an example for our peers at SUNY Canton and made our motherland proud. We are expecting to perform well and to complete the Associate Degree and sit for the Physical Therapy Assistant licensing examination in USA. Afterwards my intension is to complete the Bachelors and also to continue my academic pathway up to the DPT ( Doctor of Physical Therapy) qualification as well in USA. All staff and lecturers at IIHS and SUNY Canton are really great and they help us in every way they can. I would like to extend my deep g ratitude to Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, Deputy Chairman of IIHS for his guidance and for creating this opportunity for us. I would also like to say a special thank you to Ms. Marela Fiacco Director of International Programmes who helped us immensely during the application process, accommodation and orientation and Dr. Deborah Molna- PTA Programme Director at SUNY Canton who has been a great asset to us.

I have now seen all the advanced mechanisms and treatment used in USA and my objective is to become an internationally qualified physical therapist and come back to my motherland, to serve the disabled and the people-in-need with modern technology, up-to-date knowledge and a kind heart. If you have the same passion to become a world class Physiotherapist join IIHS to make your dreams a reality.

Registrations are now on for the October 2012 intake of Associate Degree in Physical Therapy programme. More information could be obtained from IIHS at No. 704, Negombo Rd, Welisara or from Hotline0114651144, Kushan0774142398, Sandamali0727115114, Amila- 0773114381 or Website- www.iihsciences.com