Custom University Study Abroad & Faculty-Led Programs

I was unsure how this trip was going to go. I knew my instructor (whom had invited me to join her on this opportunity) and a classmate from the cohort ahead of mine. I can say without a doubt that this trip changed me for the better. I have had little experience working with young children, even less experience working with children with special needs. We were only there treating the children for 5 days, but it was nothing shy of amazing seeing the progression these children had in such a short amount of time. This program was a win for all parties involved. It encouraged interprofessional collaboration that allowed for me (DPT student) to learn about what SLPs do. Unfortunately there were not any OTs that had signed up, but this would add to this valuable aspect even more. A wonderful benefit of this program was that it brought 3 groups of us together, some from Pennsylvania, some from Oklahoma, and us from Iowa. I can say without a doubt that I made some friends that I fully intend on staying in touch with. It should be noted that this trip was not all work, it was a wonderful opportunity to experience a different culture and food that I simply cannot get here in Iowa. I will never forget the absolutely stunning beaches that I was able to visit multiple times per day. I would be honored to go back or go elsewhere in the future if the stars align.

It was overall a great experience. The housing, activities, and camp were all wonderful! The government liaison were wonderful and treated us great! It was fun to try all the new foods! It was so rewarding to work with the kiddos there and see their lifestyle. It was cool to see Grand Turk (More remote) and Providenciales (more popular tourist area)- both were great! Turks & Caicos is a great place to start up a new program! Once the program is more established, a more structured itinerary would be helpful! 😊.

This is the second trip to Turks and Caicos I have been on with Therapy Abroad as an OT/PT consultant and faculty supervisor. I have taken students on multiple international volunteer trips through the years and Therapy Abroad offers the best professional hands on experience I have ever been involved with. Chad is a great communicator and gives excellent support to the faculty and students. Therapy Abroad makes sure everyone’s needs are met with safe clean accommodations. We are given plenty of resources to provide quality therapy interventions. The focus on sustainability and building local capacity is also why I will continue to work with Therapy Abroad.

This was an amazing trip that I cannot recommend highly enough! It was perfect for our diverse group of students. We had many first time international travelers and it was awesome getting to see them flourish with the staff's help (especially Chad and Katie)! This trip was also great for experienced travelers. I wasn't too sure how much I'd enjoy a large group experience but Therapy Abroad was able to find an excellent balance between collaboration in the schools and encouraging independent exploration during our free time.

The program coordinators understand the importance of building relationships in the communities we were working in and it made all of the difference. The food, housing, transportation, and cultural education were all provided by local Belizeans. All of the little details add up when traveling and this program was thoughtfully and intentionally built around the little things.

I walked away feeling like a more culturally competent clinician and even more confident in my ability to travel in the future. I would highly recommend Therapy Abroad and I hope to travel with them again next summer.

I had never been abroad prior to this trip, so I was understandably nervous about how I would handle myself in a new environment without having prior clinical exposure due to being an undergraduate student, I had no idea how this trip would be, but I was extremely relieved by how organized, helpful and friendly the therapy abroad team was throughout the trip. The trip allowed me to become more confident in myself as a clinician, producing some of the best experiences I’ve had! (food was amazing)

Therapy Abroad has an amazing team. Our group leaders made sure we were where we needed to be and handled unexpected events with professionalism and grace. I'm so thankful that I participated in this program because I grew as a clinician and as a person. The people in Belize were so kind and welcoming, and the food (especially breakfast at Martha's Guest House!) was fantastic. There was a nice balance of work and play. We provided services at multiple sites and still had time each day to enjoy something new in Belize. I can't wait to go back.

I had such an amazing experience on this study abroad trip. I appreciated Therapy Abroad's organization in regard to the food, excursions, and clients. It was great to have our food orders already in when we went to restaurants, and it was great to have the activities/excursions already on the schedule. The excursions were so much fun, and I learned so much from the experiences about Belize culture, history, and the natural environment. I also loved working with clients on this trip. I got great experience with screenings, evals, and therapy and learned valuable skills relating to cultural humility. The housing arrangements were great. Our room was spacious and had a beautiful view of the city and mountains from the balcony and bathroom window. Breakfast every morning was delicious, and there was a wide variety of options. Staff were super friendly and responsive. San Ignacio as a whole was a great location for this trip. We were in a good location for both fun activities and clients. Overall, I had an amazing time on this trip and would definitely recommend that others go!

This trip was so much fun! I would recommend it to anyone. Not only did we have a great time, I learned so much - more than probably all of my 4 undergraduate semesters combined! The lessons learned and friendships made will last forever. I’ll never forget all the wonderful people we met in Belize. As an undergraduate student, it was the first time many of were able to get hands on clinical experience. It was great to do this under such wonderful supervisors who were so helpful and understanding. Everyone seemed so thankful for our help and I really felt like we made a difference in their lives - and I know they made a difference in ours!