Program Reviews

Toucan Abroad exceeded my expectations in so many ways! I gained so much hands on experience in the clinics as well as created many connections for my future as a physical therapist! Outside of shadowing, I loved every excursion, adventure, and hang out! I made so many great friends that I would have never connected with if I didn’t take the leap to study abroad. This was very outside of my comfort zone but through the entire experience I was only encouraged to continue to push myself and grow and supported the whole way through the program!

This experience is something I thought I would never be a part of. The program is the best thing that has happened to me in my academic history. The people I met and the clinics I shadowed were truly the best. The people are all so similar and we clicked quicker than I have with anyone else before in my life. When going to clinics, I was expecting to be sitting around doing nothing and just watching the therapists. That was the complete opposite, we were hands on and learning. I learned more on this trip than I have before.

The friendships I made on this trip are ones I’ll treasure for years to come. This is the most adventurous I’ve ever seen myself be in many aspects. The excursions we went on were thrilling and had me smiling and laughing the whole time. Beyond this, I got amazing professional experience in the clinics. The physical therapists we got to work with were knowledgeable and so excited to share their knowledge and culture with us. I got hands on experience and learned more than I ever could in a traditional study abroad. If you’re unsure about applying for this program, do it!

It really was a great 3 weeks! I got to learn alot from the different physical therapists while also exploring what Puerto Vallarta has to offer. I also got to do all of this with a great group of people! Philip Wykowski and Fernando Muñoz did a great job of making this the best experience for each and every one of us! The Physical Therapist are very helpful and you would be able to gain a lot of insight into what Physical Therapy comprises of. This program gives you a chance to step out of your comfort zone which is important in pursing Physical Therapy. Highly recommend!

As someone who never had the opportunity to study abroad as an undergraduate, I decided to apply to Toucan Abroad to begin my Physical Therapy Shadowing journey. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I found it immensely difficult to volunteer in Los Angeles-based clinics because of the initial lack of vaccine resources. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to run into this Physical Therapy shadowing program online, where I was able to volunteer in three different clinics in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I gained confidence in the field, built my professional network, and met some of the most caring human beings that visited the clinics. I gained experience in Neurology, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Sports Injuries, and Wellness Prevention.

Apart from work, we were in Mexico! The food was delicious, the nightlife was great, and the excursions were unforgettable! Phil and Fernando did such a fantastic job organizing this internship-- without them, this entire program would not be possible.

I look forward to reconnecting with them soon and any alumni that happen to be in the Los Angeles area.

This was an incredible experience with incredible people. I learned so much just within my first week of shadowing and made lifelong friends. Starting out as a group of strangers and ending as one big family is a priceless experience. The therapists I worked with are very open and knowledgeable and taught me so many things about Physical therapy. I got plenty of hands on training with the patients and learned techniques I can take with me to my future career. I would highly recommend this program if you are interested in physical therapy. Being able to experience a different culture and learn with a diverse group of people, it is a truly once in a lifetime opportunity.

I had the pleasure to be amongst the first group of interns in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! This experience surpassed everything I expected and I'm still sad I had to leave. You will be placed in settings you've never encountered. There were many occasions where I was uncomfortable being immersed in a culture I knew little about, but thats a part of life and you can't expect to grow while being comfortable. It was incredible to see how much we all changed from start to finish and I know it was for the better! All the PT's and patients were so excited to have us, they even allowed us to be hands on (something you typically aren't allowed to do in a clinic in the US.) Over all I'd recommend this to anyone and I'd do it 100 times over. Living and learning in paradise for 3 weeks felt like an unbelievable dream! I cried on my flight back home because I didn't want to leave my new family, so that should tell you something!

Toucan Abroad is the perfect amount of education and fun. Although it was quite an investment before grad school, I would definitely recommend it. I applied and attended during my gap year. Even though I am accepted into PT school, you can never have too many shadowing hours and I knew this would be great. I worked with pediatrics for the first time on this trip. Such a great way to immerse yourself in a different language and culture, while being surrounded by like-minded individuals who quickly become friends. This was an experience of a lifetime.

This was my first time i ever went abroad alone and i am so happy i decided to go. Starting off with the main reason were here all the physical therapist were great we got to learn so many new techniques and get hands on experience which was somethingwe don'tget to do in the United States, i loved it !! Then i got to meet so many cool people who i got to bond and feel like family with which is what i am going to miss the most . This overall trip was also full of excursions and cool things to do by our hotel so we never had any dull moments . I honestly feel like everyone who participated in this program had a fun time . I 10/10 would recommend.

I found Toucan Abroad through an Instagram ad, and applying + choosing to go is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. I was granted the opportunity to shadow so many physical therapists at three separate clinics in Puerto Vallarta. You not only observe, but learn and practice hands-on treatments that you wouldn’t be able to do until you are in PT school in the US. In the clinics, I loved witnessing the close doctor-to-patient interactions and was able to form relationships/connections with the most kind and welcoming therapists! I practiced electrotherapy, laser therapy, ultrasound, and massage on patients.
For safety, I always felt comfortable with my group or clinic partner during Uber trips/walking around Puerto Vallarta. Phil and Fernando always offer recommendations and assistance, and make sure that safety is a priority throughout the program’s duration.
With Toucan, you will form friendships, grow out of your comfort zone, cross off things from your bucket list, and learn about other cultures - all while gaining observation hours! I would do it all again in a heartbeat!