Therapy Volunteers International

Program Reviews

Christine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Most life-changing experience

I don't think there are enough words to describe how wonderful my experience was with Therapy Volunteers International (TVI). As a faculty member and Clinical Instructor to our students, the whole experience; from our arrival to departure, was safe, memorable, and inspiring. The trip was structured and organized, staff was friendly and knowledgable, and the volunteering was beyond all my expectations. Our accommodations were clean and safe, the food was AHHHHHH-MAZING!!!! Thank you so much TVI!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Being able to go out into the community, within the Belize City, to work within a classroom and adapt a wheelchair for a young child.
Pros
  • EVERYTHING! The community, accommodations, adventures, clinic experience, food, travel!
Cons
  • Our stay was too short!
Allie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Fieldwork Experience

As a faculty member, I am always looking for outstanding opportunities for my students to live out our College's Motto: "While We Live, We Serve". This was an extraordinary opportunity to provide a Faculty Led service fieldwork in Belize. The clinic space was incredible, and was well stocked with the supplies we needed to execute our treatments. Naomi and Amy worked diligently to make sure our schedule was filled. I am not sure who got more out of this experience, ourselves or the patients. As a faculty member, I feel that we were able to grow and stretch ourselves, learn to love and share community with the families in Belize, and be a small part of their story. It was such a blessing to follow the Lord's calling to go and serve others!

What was your funniest moment?
Growing as a group through therapy moments as a group. I highly recommend this as a Level I experience for students to grow in confidence with their skills.
Pros
  • Great clinic environment
  • Great accommodations and food
  • Outstanding families, kiddos, and staff
Rylee
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unique Experience - Therapy Adventures

As I am a current OTD student, this was a great experience for me. My experience was faculty led, and it was very helpful so I can say that it has definitely helped prepare me for my future endeavors. I am so grateful I received this opportunity and it was such a positive experience for me. From this experience, it has helped shape me, and I will be a better clinician because of it. I not only gained professional growth, but I gained personal growth. I couldn't recommend this experience enough for not only students, but everyone in general. It is such a beautiful thing to be a part of.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My most nerve wracking moment was learning to talk to the parents of the children within the community. I have not had a lot of experience with talking to parents, so it was definitely a learning curve for me. But with feedback from faculty, I was able to learn and adapt. With practice of talking over and over, It became like second nature and I knew exactly what to say and what to ask about the children.
Pros
  • Professional Growth
  • Making connections within the Belizean Community
  • Social Growth
Mackenzie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Therapy Volunteers International - Belize

My experience with Therapy Volunteers International in Belize was amazing! This trip was part of my level 1 B fieldwork for my occupational therapy doctoral program at Presbyterian College. This was truly the best fieldwork experience I could have asked for. It was a trip that I will never forget and I cannot explain the professional and personal growth I gained in just this one short week. The children, families, and workers that I met will forever hold a special place in my heart and I am so grateful that I was able to be a small part of their lives and make an impact on them. I would recommend anyone to volunteer with Therapy Volunteers International!

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment is when the day was over and my group went back to the dining hall for dinner where we were staying and we saw a tarantula and everyone screamed
Pros
  • Professional experience
  • Growing community
  • Helping individuals in an underserved area
Cons
  • No cons!
  • No cons!
  • No cons!
Alexis
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience!!

I am a 2nd year OTD student and traveled to Belize on a level 1 FW for 1 week. During my time we stayed at the TEC where we ate the best meals, met the kindest people and learned about the food in Belize while having the opportunity to cook a meal! We had a driver every day from the TEC to the clinic and he was absolutely amazing! I had some stomach issues while on the trip and he did absolutely everything to make sure I was okay! The patients and their families at the clinic are absolutely amazing and I enjoyed being able to work with all of the children there. The children were absolutely amazing and the staff at the clinic was so supportive and kind! During our stay we went on 2 excursions and they were some of the best excursions I have ever been on. If you are thinking on doing a FW abroad or volunteering for this company, I 100% recommend it and promise you wont regret it and you will grow significantly as a person and practitioner!!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
During the trip our excursions included cave tubing, zip lining, and snorkeling. I have to say all of these excursions combine all of my worst fears. I was able to get through this and overcome my fears very easily with the support of our driver, my group, and all of the people and staff that were on our trips. Every staff member was by my side whenever I needed it, they encouraged me and pushed me in the best way!
Pros
  • Learning new cultures
  • Growing as a person and practitioner
  • Making an impact on the Belizian community
Cons
  • N/A
  • N/A
  • No cons, I loved every moment!!
Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life-changing experience

Volunteering in Belize was beyond magical for me with beautiful views, amazing food, and learning more about the culture every day. The opportunity to provide services to families in a different environment was truly unforgettable, and I will forever cherish the memories I made with the wonderful group of therapists I volunteered with. The excursions were out of this world! Swimming with the sharks, touring the local zoo, and seeing all kinds of animals I have never seen before were some of the highlights of my trip. Already looking into my next trip with Therapy Volunteers!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would book a longer trip
Pros
  • Transportation
  • Accomodations
  • Support
Cons
  • Bugs
  • Humidity
  • I didn't bring snacks
Bethany
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life!

I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer in Belize, and it was truly a life-changing experience! I will never regret investing the time and money into this trip. While I wish we could have stayed longer to do even more intervention, the time we did have was so meaningful and gave me a perspective I had never experienced before. The excursions were amazing, but the volunteer work was just as impactful. I’ve already recommended this trip to my coworkers—and honestly, to anyone who will listen!

What would you improve about this program?
I would love to have stayed longer, or had more tools to be able to help the kids more.
Pros
  • Volunteer work
  • Meeting new people
  • Excursions
Cons
  • N/A
  • N/A
  • N/A
Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life changing experience

If anyone is thinking about going on this trip this is your sign to do it. I went into this not really knowing what to expect, but it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I never once felt unsafe, we had a driver who took us to every location and the schedule was very easy to follow. Working in the clinic was difficult but rewarding work simply because the country has so few resources for slp’s, ot’s, and pt’s. However it was the most amazing experience and I cannot stress enough the importance of the work the volunteers are completing in Belize. You will leave the week feeling exhausted but having experienced so much culture while making an amazing impact on children’s and families lives within Belize!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Definitely bring som snacks for yourself! The food can get old quick especially if you’re not one for rice so definitely bring a few snacks to help with that, and you will get hungry on the trips to and from the clinic!
Pros
  • Great group of people
  • Beautiful scenery
  • Amazing food
Cons
  • Food can get old
  • Work is definitely hard
  • Days are long
Tyra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience as a SLP Volunteer

💛 Traveling with Therapy Volunteers was such a heart-filling experience. As an SLP, providing therapy to kids in a group setting with limited access was so meaningful — but beyond that, the people were incredibly welcoming, the food was amazing 😋, and all the details like transportation and health insurance were taken care of, which made everything stress-free. Between the therapy, the culture, and little adventures (cave tubing, zip lining, snorkling with sharks/sting rays, night zoo 🦇✨), it was the perfect mix of giving back and making memories I’ll never forget. 🌎💕

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go with an open mind and an open heart — take time to appreciate the culture, connect with the people, and soak in every moment. Those little connections will stay with you long after the trip is over. 🌎💕
Pros
  • Food/culture
  • Transportation/excursions
  • Giving back
Cons
  • Mosquitos
  • Limited wifi
  • Heat
Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

1-Week Belize Trip

Everything was well planned out; the excursions, the meals, clinic days, transportation, etc. Our itinerary was well organized and our driver was great at keeping us on time and getting us where we needed to go.

I thought the cost of the program was very reasonable for the value of the trip. The excursions were amazing and we certainly made the most of each day we were there!

I would highly recommend this trip for anyone that wants to make a difference working with kids and their families in another country!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be prepared for the heat! Bring lots of bug spray, sunscreen, and a water bottle to refill throughout the day. You don’t want to miss out on any activities or be uncomfortable because you weren’t prepared!
Pros
  • Working with fun kids & their wonderful families
  • Meeting new people
  • Experiencing Belize culture and going on excursikns
Cons
  • At least 50 mosquito bites
  • VERY hot
  • Sometimes the adults outnumbered the kids in the clinic