Therapy Volunteers International

Program Reviews

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Angelina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Can’t Belize It!

So many awesome experiences and adventures - from swimming with sharks to visiting Xunantunich, a famous Maya archeological site. I also found it super helpful in getting experience as an undergraduate student and making valuable connections. But I think this would be a great experience for people of all experience levels. The women here were so kind and I’m grateful to have got to know them. Additionally, it was very fulfilling to be able to help kids who have very few resources and to be part of that initiative to improve Belize’s disability resources.

Pros
  • Friends
  • Life long memories
  • Volunteer work
Cons
  • Bugs
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erica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Belize volunteer opportunity

This experience was a great way to bring me back to my roots and why I got into this profession. We get so used to our day to day schedule and volunteering in Belize reminded me why I do what I do. I went in July with a great cohort of new friends and we did more of a camp style were we worked on play skills with the kids and also brought them out in the community. I was nervous I would be bored without the structure but honestly you just have so much fun interacting with the kids and parents you just zone in on the service you’re providing. On our off days we got to explore what Belize had to offer. I highly recommend therapy adventures!

Pros
  • Meeting new people
  • Seeing profession in different country
  • Applying skills to children/families who may not have resources
Cons
  • Mosquitos in July
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Michelle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An amazing experience!

This volunteer opportunity had such a positive impact for my personal and work life. It was a great way to give families support/strategies while learning from other therapy disciplines. I found encouragement in working as a team and discovered new ways to connect with my kiddos to facilitate expanding on their language skills. Our group leader, Grace, helped everyone feel comfortable and provided everyone with great feedback. It was a bonus to do excursions with this team of therapists and build upon relationships outside of a work environment. I highly recommend!

Pros
  • Building connections across therapy disciplines.
  • Supporting families who would not easily be able to access therapy services for their children.
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Danica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Therapy Adventures Belize

This trip truly changed my life. It was my first time ever traveling internationally and alone, and I am so glad I did it. I got first hand experience in speech pathology and clinical application. We also went snorkeling, ziplining, and hiking! Amazing meals were provided and the workers were incredible. Not a HUGE amount of direct, hands-on experience; this was understandable, however, because the group I attended with was fairly young. I 100% would recommend this trip to anyone looking for an adventure.

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Olivia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Helping those in need and seeing the beautiful country!

This was my first study abroad experience and it was so amazing to meet other people from across the US. I loved getting to work with them in Belize to aid the therapist in play based therapy. I learned a lot of helpful tools I can bring into my future in the speech therapy field.
All the excursions were amazing too! We did snorkeling which was my favorite! I enjoyed seeing all the culture and the Mayan ruins. We experienced all the classic Belizian dishes provided by the tropical education center and restaurants near by.

Pros
  • The amazing food
  • Drivers from the Belize Zoo
  • Getting to see where locals go for food and fun
Cons
  • Not enough communication about the other people on the trip.
  • The last day flying back home, our flights were far apart so I had to wait at the airport.
  • I would have liked some recommendations for which travel insurance to get or what the best time to buy plane tickets.
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Amber
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Therapy Adventures

This trip was the perfect blend of being a volunteer and a tourist. We spent 3 days completely dedicated to working and volunteering with the professionals in their everyday clinic. The other 3 days were spent doing excursions and exploring the country. I met so many wonderful kids and learned so much from observing them in school and in their therapy sessions. The children are just the best and it’s really amazing to see how excited they get when they are pulled to go to therapy.
It’s very interesting to see the differences in two different countries and I think it’s an opportunity that just can’t be passed up. I also met so many wonderful people including the professionals and other volunteers. They made this experience so much fun. The professionals I got to work alongside were very kind and helpful; they answered any questions I had for them. I would 100% recommend this to someone. It was an experience like nothing I’ve ever done before.

Pros
  • The children made it so much fun! They were so excited to be there.
  • Perfect blend of volunteering and exploring.
  • The people you will meet and the food you will eat
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Victoria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Therapy Adventures Belize

This trip was AMAZING! I would highly recommend Therapy Adventures and look forward on going on another trip with them. This is a great opportunity for both students and professionals as you gain so much insight on speech, occupational, and behavioral therapy abroad. The trip was well balance, organized, and having water and food included in the trip was SO nice. I look forward to sharing this opportunity with my university and applying what I learned during this trip into my graduate school experience.

Pros
  • Safety
  • Excursions
  • The trip was truly eye opening and impactful - both in and out of the clinic
Cons
  • Getting used to the heat and humidity but nothing too bad and as expected
  • Getting more time in the clinic to not only observe but to also work with clients
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Karla
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Belize Trip 01.2023

On this trip to Belize, we were able to assess the needs of the families out in Belize. It was a great experience where I brought my skills and knowledge to support the staff in Belize and provide in vivo support to the families. In addition, I learned the importance of cultural diversity and how challenging it can be for families to obtain services that are easily accessible to families in the states. There was also time for fun; my favorite excursion was cave tubing. This was a well-balanced experience!

Pros
  • Providing support to families
  • Cultural Inclusion
  • Excursion
Cons
  • Volunteers personal agendas
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Elena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Therapy Adventure-Belize Program

I have worked in the field of ABA for the past four years and have received my master's in ABA, but with that being said, I have been feeling burnt out in the area and haven't been making an impact on the kiddos I support in the states. But this trip helped rebuild my love for ABA. It was terrific to work with others in the field who live all over the U.S., to learn from them, and helped me understand and create new skills. I would recommend this trip to anyone who loves working with families and wants to impact the world of ABA significantly. I truly loved this experience, and I'm ready to go back!

Pros
  • One on one support with the lead BCBA
  • Was able to work with others and share different expertise
  • Also was able to have "fun day" and experience new adventures after the work day was complete
Cons
  • Long travel days to different work sites
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Jessica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Therapy Adventures Panama Trip

I’m a seasoned therapist and I’ll be forever grateful I was able to go to Panama with Therapy Adventures. It greatly exceeded my expectations in every way. It was incredibly organized, well put- together and I felt safe and supported from the moment I arrived at the airport until departure. Our trip leader was fantastic, the accommodations were wonderful and the volunteer experience was truly life changing. We were provided an orientation day prior to visiting the orphanage which I felt was very necessary and super helpful. The experiences I had at the orphanage were memorable and meaningful and I was able to collaborate with the other therapists and participate in therapy sessions and provide hands on care. It was so special connecting with those kids and I hope to return for a longer duration someday soon. Panama itself is a vibrant and beautiful country and Therapy Adventures provided us with the perfect balance of sightseeing, free time and volunteer work.
I highly recommend a Therapy adventures trip to students and therapists alike.