Toucan Abroad

This experience was absolutely AMAZING! We had plenty of opportunities to explore and go on adventures outside of our shadowing hours. We also were able to pick our own excursions which was nice. Shadowing there was very hands on compared to the US, and it was such a great experience. I learned so much! Everyone on the trip was super welcoming, and I would feel comfortable going again without knowing anyone beforehand! I went with one friend, but we grew really close to the other students on the trip very quickly. If you’re debating on going - sign up! You won’t regret it :)

Toucan Abroad is the perfect experience to explore the field of physical therapy while also fully immersing yourself into the culture of a new country! The program had the perfect balance of gaining experience in clinics while also having fun and exploring Costa Rica! It allowed me to make relationships with other pre-PT students across the country that I will cherish for a long time! The experience of seeing physical therapists in other countries is so unique on a resume and helped prepared me for my future in physical therapy!

This program was an all-around amazing experience! I connected with many peers on the same career path who share a love of adventure and physical therapy. In the clinics, I got to learn from PTs who were genuinely eager to share their knowledge with us. It was incredible to see the techniques different PTs use when approaching different injuries and populations and compare their methods to those used by PTs here in the US. The weekends were packed with adventure with boating, biking, beach-hopping and bonding with the group!

Traveling with Toucan Abroad was an absolute dream. I went in with a group of 15 strangers, and left with 15 new great friends. It was a great balance of work and fun, and Phil does a great job making sure you have the trip of a lifetime. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who is looking for a trip where there is some structure, but you also have the flexibility to do your own exploring. I truly left feeling like a local. There was not a single time where I felt in danger in any way, Cartago is a great and safe city. If you are an aspiring PT,l and want to get a hands-on experience while having a fantastic vacation, this trip is definitely for you.

First off, Toucan Abroad is extremely safe. Going to a foreign country alone is very scary. But from the moment I landed, I felt like I was in good hands. Phil and Fernando made excellent hosts in this beautiful country. When you leave you'll have twenty more best friends and leave with a completely different mindset about life (Pura Vida). And don't worry about bringing any entertainment devices with you; every day will be filled to the brim with activities, including two weekends spent at the beach, surfing lessons, a trip to the hot springs, hiking volcanoes, and swimming through a waterfall. You'll also get to experience physical therapy like you have never done in the past. The PTs there are amazing and will let you practice dry needling, electrotherapy, massages, and ultrasounds among other techniques that you may not be able to do back in the States. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made and am dying to go back. Don't miss out on an experience of a lifetime.