Education and Training in the United States: A Guide for International Music Therapy Students

Xinsu Chen; Hae Sun Kim; Abbey Dvorak

doi:10.15845/voices.v24i3.3986

Music therapy stakeholders may benefit from a more comprehensive understanding about international students and their process for becoming music therapists in the U.S. The purposes of this paper are to: (a) articulate the international student process from home country to credentialed music therapist in the U.S., (b) outline common concerns and difficulties of international students studying in the U.S., and (c) share best practices obtained from the research literature to support international students through the process from student to professional. The process for international music therapy students from home country to professional includes pre-departure tasks related to information, finances, and student visas; mid-coursework requirements related to clinical practice, curricular degree, and full-time status; and post-coursework aspects of curricular practical training, board certification, optional practical training, and applying for a work visa. Common challenges of international music therapy students include culture shock and racism, academic challenges, financial and psychological issues, and developing music skills and repertoire. Best practices identified from the literature encourage international students to improve language competence, utilize campus support, develop social networks, and increase culture competence. The authors discuss implications for music therapy education and training, provide suggestions for students, and share recommendations for key stakeholders. 本文是一篇关于留学生在美国成为专业音乐治疗师的过程和概述，音乐治疗的相关方可能会从中获得更加全面的了解并受益。本文的目的是：（a）阐述留学生从祖国出发，到获得美国认证音乐治疗师的过程；（b）概述在美国学习的留学生常见的关注点和困难；以及（c）分享从研究文献中获得的最佳实践策略，以支持留学生从学生成长为从业者的过程。音乐治疗留学生从离开祖国并成为从业者的过程包括：与信息、财务和学生签证相关的离境出发前任务；与临床实践、课程学位和全日制状态相关的中期课程要求；以及完成课程后的课程实践培训（Curricular Practical training, CPT）、行业委员会认证、可选实践培训（Optional Practical Training, OPT）和申请工作签证等相关方面。留学生在美国的常见挑战包括：文化冲击和种族主义、学术挑战、财务和心理问题，以及提高音乐技能和曲目库。从文献中确定的最佳实践策略鼓励在美留学生提高语言能力，利用校园支持，发展社交网络并提高文化谦逊。作者讨论了音乐治疗教育和培训的意义，提出了对学生的建议，并分享了对相关方的建议。

Education and Training in the United States: A Guide for International Music Therapy Students

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