Therapy Volunteers International

Program Reviews

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Bramley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Level 1 OT Fieldwork Experience

If you’re wondering… should I go abroad for a super cool volunteer trip that will have a direct impact on a small community? The answer is yes, and you should totally do it through this program. They do very well with balancing in clinic days with exploration/adventure days where you get to really see where you’re visiting. They also provided so many opportunities to learn about the culture, customs, and history of Belize while learning and participating within the scope of practice within the clinic.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
We snorkeled with actual sharks and stingrays. It was equally terrifying and amazing all at the same time.
Pros
  • Experiencing another culture while completing a FW for school
  • Belize was absolutely gorgeous
  • We were able to work directly with kids living within the community we stayed in
Cons
  • Bugs… ‘nough said
  • I wish it could’ve been longer
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Carly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Level 1 OT Fieldwork Experience

Completing a level 1 fieldwork experience in Belize was truly an unforgettable experience! It was an amazing way to immerse myself into the culture and get to know the way of life. They are in need of therapists so getting to help make a difference was so rewarding. All the staff were so supportive in helping us get the best experience. We tried amazing food and went on some awesome adventures, my favorite being Caye Caulker. I would definitely recommend this to any student considering it! Thank you to everyone who made this trip happen!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Fully embrace the culture and immerse yourself in every aspect of this experience. You’ll gain so much more from it and grow both personally and professionally as a future therapist!
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Katie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

OT Capstone in Belize City

My time working with TVI was a uniquely transformative experiences that allowed me to grow as a student, as a (future) practitioner, and as a person. Under the mentorship of TVI and other community leaders, I was able to create educational opportunities for parents of children with autism, and experienced firsthand the positive impact of this volunteer organization. I was immersed in the rich culture of Belize and my connections made with the students, teachers, and community members will be cherished for a lifetime. TVI is a wonderful experience for doctoral capstone students who are out of the box thinkers with a passion for therapy. TVI will work with you to create a project that follows the guidelines of your OT program, while ensuring that you make the greatest impact possible during your stay. I’ll never forget my time in Belize with TVI!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice is to have a flexible mindset, to follow your adventurous instincts, and to remember your sunscreen
Pros
  • I was able to travel to most of the districts
  • The program will work with your personal and academic goals to ensure you meet your own program requirements
  • The connection to the students!! The opportunity to work with such amazing kids
Cons
  • The heat can be an adjustment
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Isis
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fieldwork experience!

The overall experience was great! The country is beautiful and very unique with many languages spoken. The sight seeing days were amazing and I enjoyed every second. Therapy adventures did a great job at accommodating many changes in the schedule that would come up. Also, the occupational therapist that we had was wonderful and knew what she was doing! She was able to guide and teach us specific strategies to regulate a lot of the kids which was our main goal for therapy. I do think a longer stay would have been helpful to the kids, we stayed for a week.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be prepared to sweat!
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Leah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Belize - OT Level I Fieldwork Experience

Having a level II fieldwork placement in Belize was truly unforgettable! From immersing in a new culture to taking part in meaningful excursions and providing care at both a local school and clinic, every experience was impactful. Amy, our CI, was incredible in guiding us through the unique structure of services there, which is different from what we are used to in the States. She does remarkable work, and the staff and students at the school were just as inspiring. We also got the opportunity to shadow Tammy, the SLP, who was so insightful and fun to be around.

What was your funniest moment?
About halfway through our stay at the Tropical Education Center (TEC), we were moved from air-conditioned rooms to dorms without A/C or private bathrooms. As a group, we were nervous about the heat and using outhouses. But, we ended up freezing the first couple of nights! The bathroom situation was always an adventure, we couldn’t stop laughing about it..especially when we had to share the space with frogs, lizards, and spiders.
Pros
  • Hands-on experience
  • Exploring and learning about a new culture
  • Exposure to different educational systems and perspective on various diagnoses
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Madison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

MSU Occupational Therapy (OT) Level 1 Fieldwork in Belize

This was such an amazing experience! I had the opportunity to spend a day in Caye Caulker to snorkel and explore the island. On another excursion, I went cave tubing and ziplined through the jungle. The most invaluable part of this experience was working with the students at Stella Maris and the kids in the clinic. Amy, an occupational therapist, and Tammy, a speech therapist, were amazing educators who would answer all of our questions, explain their reasoning for interventions, and overall enriched our learning. I loved leading an OT activity that really helped me to apply what I have been learning in my OT program. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would recommend to anyone who wants to get out of their comfort zone, improve their therapy-related skills, and make an impact on the children and families in Belize! Thank you, Therapy Adventures International, for this trip!

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Maci
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

OT Fieldwork Rotation

Had an amazing experience in Belize with Therapy Volunteer International! I valued the opportunity to work in both school and clinic settings, gaining insight into the local culture and the importance of therapy services. It was inspiring to see the creativity and dedication of therapists working with limited resources. This experience deepened my understanding of global healthcare and strengthened my passion for pediatric occupational therapy. I’m grateful for the connections made and the lessons learned along the way.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Journal daily: Reflecting on what you’ve seen can deepen your learning and help process emotional moments.

Be ready for limited resources: You might see creative, low-cost therapy methods that inspire you.

Stay connected: If possible, build ongoing relationships or look for ways to support the organization after your visit.

Understand the community context: Kids may face challenges beyond their disabilities (e.g., poverty, limited access to care). Empathy is essential.

Learn about local conditions: Familiarize yourself with common diagnoses or developmental concerns in the region.
Pros
  • Beautiful location
  • Positive attitudes
  • Exploring the country
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Aubrey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Level 1 OT Fieldwork in Belize

I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Belize with a group of five, and it was truly one of the best experiences of my life. The entire process—from planning to arriving back home—went smoothly, and the trip was both meaningful and exciting from start to finish.

While there, I worked closely with two incredible professionals: Amy, an Occupational Therapist, and Tammy, a Speech Therapist. They were both so knowledgeable, supportive, and passionate about their work. I learned a great deal from observing and collaborating with them, especially in a hands-on, real-world setting.

Even though we were only there for a week, we packed in so much. We had the chance to snorkel with nurse sharks and manta rays, go cave tubing through ancient river systems, and zipline through the jungle. These adventures helped us experience the natural beauty of Belize in such a memorable way.

One of the most impactful parts of the trip was working with students at a special needs school. We provided occupational therapy services and had the chance to interact directly with the children, which was incredibly rewarding. It really opened my eyes to the importance of therapy in underserved areas.

We also spent time learning about Belizean culture and came to understand just how valuable therapy services are to the people there. The entire experience was both professionally enriching and personally meaningful, and it’s something I’ll carry with me for a long time.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The Tropical Education Center (TEC) provided almost every meal for us. It was amazing every time. I am a very picky eater and it was perfectly balanced between unfamiliarity and comfortable food. I ate every meal and I was so thankful for the staff there!
Pros
  • Emersing yourself into the Belizian Culture
  • Hands-on experience in a school/clinic setting
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Ethan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

MSU OT Belize Trip!

There are not enough words to describe the experience that I had down in Belize working with Therapy Volunteers. This was my second time in Belize and I still can't get over how beautiful the country is. From spending the day at Caye Caulker, to tubing through the jungle, the excursions were such an amazing experience. But, my favorite part of the trip was working with the amazing staff kiddos. Amy and Tammy both fostered fantastic learning environments, answering any questions and explaining their intervention process for each kid that we saw. We were very fortunate to have such an amazing staff down there to help us learn during our Level I experience. This was such an amazing experience and I would recommend this trip, and any other trip, to anyone. Thank you again!

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Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Belize SLP Volunteer Trip

Therapy Volunteers provided a unique and fulfilling way to give back, as I worked with children to evaluate/improve their communication skills. It was inspiring to see the progress made in just a short period and to witness the positive impact on the lives of those I helped. The beauty of Belize added an extra layer of enjoyment to the trip, making it not just a volunteer experience but also an unforgettable adventure. The Therapy Volunteers team was incredibly supportive, providing training and resources to ensure we could make a meaningful impact. I would highly recommend this experience to current students. As a graduate student, I was challenged to go out of my comfort zone and was able to apply new/prior knowledge during my interactions with the kids.