Therapy Abroad

Program Reviews

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Mallory
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great trip

The location of this trip was a dream. The beach was incredible and it was in the center of tons of shops and restaurants. Academically, I learned so much about the field and about myself on this trip. I learned how to become flexible with time and materials when giving speech therapy. It was a wonderful experience. The students were exceptionally polite and it was clear how grateful these teachers were to have our help. They went out of their way to help us be successful in providing services.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Conch
Pros
  • Beach
  • Location
  • Grateful people receiving services
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Molly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Turks and Caicos Therapy Abroad

I had an amazing experience with Therapy Abroad! It was extremely rewarding to be able to rule out hearing loss for children with speech and language disorders. Because there are no audiologists on the islands, I know that our work was critical for the children and adults of TCI. We were able to empower people with answers about their own hearing status or that of their students.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Conch
Pros
  • Provided services for individuals with little-no access to audiology care
  • Experienced a new culture and place
  • Created meaningful relationships
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Abby
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Belize Therapy Abroad

The staff were all so incredibly kind, fun, and knowledgeable. The academics were a great challenge but not severe enough to make it unenjoyable. We made an impact on students, saw amazing sights, ate delicious food. We also gained valuable clinical observation hours that will be useful while applying to a graduate program.

The highlight of my trip is hard to pinpoint, but it might be snorkeling in San Pedro. We swam through beautiful reefs and saw so much marine life.

I would certainly come back to Belize and I recommend this Therapy Abroad program for CSD students!

Pros
  • Food
  • Beach
  • Helping students
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Savannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Savannah Smith Turks and Caicos Therapy Abroad

Spending a week working with the children in several Turks and Caicos schools was a life-changing experience. Coming into this trip I was nervous as a first year grad student feeling like I haven’t had enough clinical experience yet. Leaving this trip I have found a greater confidence in my clinical skills and I am certain that as I continue to learn and grow I will often think back and reflect on my experiences in TCI. I know that I will forever think about the people I met and all that I learned.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Embrace every minute of your trip. When you’re nervous and anxious about stepping into this new experience, completely embrace it. I promise that once you leave you’ll be changed for the better. I know I will carry what I learned in TCI with me forever.
Pros
  • I saw great growth in my clinical skill set
  • I gained confidence in myself, I realized I know more than I give myself credit for
  • After this trip I feel very prepared for future clinical experiences.
Cons
  • Not knowing what we are walking into each day.
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Bridgit
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

The Turks and Caicos SLP program helped me grow immensely as a graduate clinician and expanded my perspective on the education systems in other countries! This is my second study abroad experience with Therapy Abroad, and it was yet again another incredible experience to learn about different cultures and immerse myself in environments that are unfamiliar and exciting. The excursions were fun and great ways to explore and enjoy our time outside of the academic portion of the trip. The schools were eye opening and gave me a new perspective on the special education systems in other countries.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Keep an open mind and stay flexible! You may not have resources that are familiar to you, so be able to do things on the fly and allow situations to let themselves unfold.
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Gifty
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience

This experience was very great and rewarding. I learnt a lot about their wonderful culture. I was grateful to work with an amazing professionals who lead me to incorporate the amazing therapeutic OT services to each students. I saw how wonderful the team worked together and to figure out what is beneficial for them he children. I saw collaboration and parent/caregivers and aid very happy with all of us for providing a wonderful cheerful environment for therapy services for their children and for them to learn as well.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Conch chowder and conch fritters
Pros
  • Conch fritters were very good and melted in the mouth including it unique flavors
Cons
  • Conch chowder from one place very chewy did not adjust with my stomach
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Sabrina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Take that leap of faith!!

I was super nervous going into my Therapy Abroad trip as I did not know anyone going and had never done 1-on-1 work with kids before — I LOVED it!! This program gave me such a boost of confidence and it was both fun and fulfilling to work with the wonderful people in the town of San Ignacio, as well as the group I travelled with. Everyone was so nice and welcoming, and it was great to collaborate with all of them. Shout out to my supervisors for the trip, Elizabeth and Jen — they are the BEST and had such awesome input and advice to give us. I could not have asked for better people leading this experience. Overall, this was such a fantastic opportunity to dip my toes into the clinical space, and it was so much fun! I would definitely do this again.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would go out and explore the town more!
Pros
  • Fulfilling experience
  • Meeting amazing people around the world
  • Learning about a new culture
Cons
  • Overwhelming at times
  • Tired because it is go go go!
  • Having to go back home after :(
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Kendyl
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a lifetime experience!

My Therapy Abroad trip exceeded my expectations. I went into this trip open minded and very, very new to my SLP program. I learned not only so much about speech-language pathology, but so much about myself, why I chose my field and just the world. I learned how to be more patient, more optimistic and more open-minded. Our guides were so good and although at some pointsy surroundings made me a tiny bit nervous with just being in such an unfamiliar area, I always felt safe and relieved whenever I turned and saw my guides. I think this trip is worth every penny—and I fundraised!!! Definitely recommend that as well, if that is what’s holding you back.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
If I am being completely honest, a big part of why I chose this trip was because of Greece, I knew it was going to be beautiful. BUT, I was so shocked at how BEAUTIFUL Bulgaria was and all of the scenery we saw. You stay in the countryside, and it’s amazing. So peaceful and secluded, but safe as well. I was so shocked at the natural beauty and loved when we would pack up to go to the children’s center, because although the ride was a little lengthy, it was so pretty to look at.
Pros
  • Gaining knowledge for your future career
  • Meeting new people
  • Scenery
Cons
  • Food, if you are picky just be prepared! They do the best to accommodate to you, though.
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Reagan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An enriching and fun experience abroad!

This trip exceeded my expectations! As an OT student I was able to learn how to prepare for therapy sessions, perform assessments, identify sustainable practices, practice creativity with minimal resources, and so much more! As a young adult, I was able to gain new perspectives that traveling gives you and have fun while also feeling completely safe the whole trip. Even getting to know other students on the trip and making friends was beautiful. Lastly, I will forever remember our three guides that did the most for us. They cooked countless meals, drove the vans, translated at the clinic, and became our friends. They displayed the kindness of Bulgaria. I could not recommend this program enough.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Your supervisors are there for you, so come with questions and a curiosity about the world of therapy! They have great advice and wisdom to share.
Pros
  • Clinical experience in a new environment
  • Connections with students and therapists
  • Plenty of time to explore Bulgaria & Greece
Cons
  • I would have loved to bring more toys/resources for the clients
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Abby
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Belize therapy abroad trip

I had the most amazing time with therapy abroad! I felt apart of the local community and met so many incredible people. I was really nervous for the experience initially but after the first few hours in Belize I felt so comfortable! I did not want to leave and cried at the airport when I had to say my goodbyes! Highly recommend the program! Now that I have Graduated with my masters I am ready to go back as a supervisor and supervise students that were in my place last year to learn and grow as a future speech therapist.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Do the program sooner!
Pros
  • The Experience
  • A good mix of work and fun
  • Meeting new people and making connections