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Toucan Abroad

5 Rating
94 reviews
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Why choose Toucan Abroad?

Join Toucan Abroad and other students from around the US in this highly enriching program. We aim to expand your perspective and grow into future leaders in the field of physical therapy through exposure to the work of licensed PT specialists. You’ll shadow them while they provide expert patient care. Evolve by developing a more holistic view of yourself, your future profession, and the world through immersion into a different society.

For two weeks, you’ll engage in 40 clinical observation hours in different PT specialties. You’ll also have time to bask in the breathtaking natural beauty of Costa Rica and experience its rich culture.

Toucan Abroad gives you the opportunity to stand out among other PT school applicants through a unique, unparalleled experience abroad through this program.

Website
www.toucanabroad.com

Community Photos

Biking home from an awesome group dinner!
Some of the PT’s we shadowed!
Overlook of Sevilla
Beach in Nayarit
Group photo
July 2024 PV México group
Shadowing at RIE Vallarta Clinic
Waterfall Hike
Ziplining
ATV to waterfall
ATV ride to waterfall
Hiking a volcano
Hiking a volcano
Zip lining in Cartago
Amazing food
Toucan family

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Community Awards

  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award

Reviews

Default avatar
Kennedy
19
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Shadow Physical Therapy in Seville, Spain

Toucan Abroad - Seville Summer 2025

Jun 17, 2025

I really enjoyed my experience with Toucan Abroad! It was a great way to get a bunch of shadowing hours, learn new PT techniques, meet and establish connections with new PT’s, and a great way to travel (explore the great city of Seville!! Also Granada and Cadiz) and meet a bunch of new people and lifelong friends! Toucan Abroad is truly one of the best experiences I have ever been apart of, I would recommend this program for any pre-PT looking for some shadow hours or someone who is on the fence for a career field of PT or maybe OT. Super helpful in furthering my career choice and also LOTS OF FUN!!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
When I started the program I was really nervous about traveling overseas by myself and wondering if I knew enough Spanish to really get a good experience out of this program. After going through it now traveling overseas by myself wasn’t bad at all, you can easily communicate with your group and you’ll probably travel on some of the same flights even! Also in regards to not knowing enough spanish over there… all of the clinics I went to were very good at knowing english, and from hearing from some of my classmates if they didn’t know english they were happy to help translate to you using an app. They were also very happy and excited to speak spanish with you if you know it too!
Pros
  • Gaining 60 shadowing hours
  • Getting to travel and explore the awesome city of Seville
  • Meeting so many new friends!!
Cons
  • Spending more money then I had hoped to
Some of the PT’s we shadowed!
Biking home from an awesome group dinner!
Default avatar
Kristen
22
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Shadow Physical Therapy in Seville, Spain

Toucan Abroad in Sevilla, Spain

Jun 17, 2025

This experience in Sevilla, Spain was one of the most rewarding experiences as a pre-PT student that I have ever done. It was definitely a step out of my comfort zone to travel with completely new people who I’ve never met before and being in a country that I’ve never been in with a language that I can’t speak, but I think getting such an amazing experience out of it despite coming into the trip with all of these unfamiliarities was the best part of Toucan Abroad. I learned so much from the PT clinics in Spain, and not only learned a lot about their work style and culture, but also their social culture and lifestyles of people that live there. The people I traveled with were so fun and kind, and everyone was in the same boat of being out of their comfort zone so it was a great time!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Definitely the most nerve-racking moment was having to communicate with the people there since I didn’t know any Spanish, but I tried my best to communicate with Google Translate, body language, and context clues and people were very reciprocative!
Pros
  • Meeting new people with similar career aspirations
  • New experiences in a foreign country
  • Insight into how the same career works in other countries
Cons
  • Homesickness is a possibility
Overlook of Sevilla
Default avatar
Caleb
21
Male
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Physical Therapy Shadowing in Costa Rica

Costa Rica Summer Session

Jun 15, 2025

The trip is not only filled with rich shadowing experience, but also includes fun activities that foster cultural immersion as well as connections with your peers and life long friends. Don't be afraid to spend money because it truly adds to the experience the more you partake in. When shadowing try to speak to the other Physical Therapists in Spanish because it adds to the experience and helps you gain more from the trip. Make sure to always Work hard and Play hard. Not only will this trip help you satisfy some PT hours and boost your resume, it also will give you a more positive outlook on life and show you what all life has to offer beyond the US.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make the most of the experience and be involved. Break out of your shell and do things you normally wouldn't.
Pros
  • Shadowing hours
  • Cultural immersion
  • Life long friends
Default avatar
Gabriel
25
Male
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Shadow Physical Therapy in Seville, Spain

Toucan Abroad - Seville Experience

Jun 14, 2025

My experience in Seville through Toucan Abroad was truly something unforgettable. Not only was everyone very inclusive and kind from the moment we all met, but the personal and professional memories made alongside each and every one of them made it even more special. For anyone wanting to explore the physical therapy profession while also being immersed into a new culture abroad, I highly recommend embarking on this journey with Toucan Abroad. It truly makes a difference being with like-minded individuals who are pursuing the same career. Without question, this program solidified my focus and confirmed my decision to pursue physical therapy as a career.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Whatever may be inducing any second thoughts about joining the program, ignore it and just join! It is one of the best investments you will ever make as a pre-pt student who is still gaining experience and exploring the profession! Doing this abroad is definitely a plus when it comes to being included and getting involved with hands-on experiences.
Pros
  • The excellent, super chill directors.
  • The group members you learn and adventure with.
  • The opportunity to immerse yourself in an unfamiliar environment for personal and professional growth.
Cons
  • No
  • Cons
  • Whatsoever
Default avatar
Josephine
21
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Shadow Physical Therapy in Seville, Spain

My Unforgettable Toucan Abroad Experience

Jun 9, 2025

Participating in the Toucan Abroad program was truly the best experience ever. Not only did I gain an incredible amount of knowledge and insight into the field of physical therapy, but I also made unforgettable memories and lifelong friendships. From hands on learning opportunities to immersive cultural experiences, every moment was filled with growth and excitement. I had the chance to observe and engage with professionals in real clinical settings, which deepened my understanding of physical therapy far beyond what I could learn in a classroom. But what truly made this journey special were the people I met along the way. The friendships I formed during this trip are ones I’ll cherish forever we laughed, learned, explored, and supported each other through every new adventure. If you’re considering Toucan Abroad, do it. It’s more than just a program t’s an experience that will shape your personal and professional life in the best way possible.

What was your funniest moment?
A few of us decided to go on a joke and went off the trail! Unfortunately, this was very dangerous but we all made it through and made the best memories, the funniest jokes were founded and i would not have changed it for the world!
Pros
  • the Spanish culture
  • Seeing physical therapy from a different perspective
  • The people
Cons
  • a very big group: feel pressure to do everything together
  • not as much independent explore time as i had hoped
  • spent a LOT of money
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Programs

Displaying 1 - 3 of 3

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Ashleigh Lenick

Program
Physical Therapy Shadowing in Costa Rica
Job Title
Social Media Manager
Ashleigh is the Social Media Manager for Toucan Abroad. Not only does she work for the company, but she also participated in the program in the Summer of 2019.
Ashleigh Lenick

What is your favorite travel memory?

One of my favorite travel memories was during a spontaneous trip to a waterfall in Costa Rica.

I remember driving through the Costa Rican jungle thinking “Wow I’m really out here in Costa Rica living my best life with such amazing people.” My pure joy overcame me at that moment. When have I ever before just decided to go to a random waterfall that turned out to be so beautiful?

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Since working for Toucan Abroad, I’ve grown a stronger interest in the field of physical therapy. Toucan Abroad has made me have a better appreciation for physical therapy techniques and the ability to share my love for becoming a PT will fellow students who have the same passion.

I love being able to share my love online and connect with so many people.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

My favorite story from a returning student would have to be from all the amazing friendships made during the sessions. So many people who meet in Costa Rica continue their friendships after the program whether it be in the same hospital shadowing other PTs or visiting each other all over the country. I personally have had the honor to meet so many people through this program from all over North America.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I may be biased but the summer programs that are 3 weeks long were some of the best days I’ve ever had. Three weeks in a foreign country sounds intimidating, but those 3 weeks flew by so quickly. The weather in Costa Rica is amazing during the months of May-August.

The larger programs are so much fun because everyone gets involved as a group to have a blast at shadowing or during the travel weekend trips.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I love that this program is specifically designed for gaining hours toward your PTCAS application. That is something that no other program I’ve found to offer for students wanting to pursue a DPT degree. But also allows travel time for the participants. The program gives everyone just enough guidance and freedom to learn, explore and have fun!

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I think the biggest factor in the success of the company would have to be how every person who goes on the trip has the time of their lives, then tell their friends who apply for the next trip. Many of our participants applied because of recommendations from previous students. That speaks volumes for the integrity and excitement our company offers.