Graduate Health Sciences Adventure in the Caribbean

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This was such an amazing experience and allowed me to grow so much in just one week! I learned so much about how to approach medical needs based on different cultures. I was also able to experience the island. There was a good balance of work and exploring which was so nice! Some things were organized for us to do outside of clinic and plenty of time to venture on our own as well! Transportation was provided so we did not have to worry about organized that! We also had housing taken care of so we just had to show up!

What an amazing opportunity it was to be able to provide audiological services to the local students and spend time on the beautiful island! The students were so welcoming and kind to us from the moment we walk onto the school campuses. They had never had their hearing screened before so they were excited to play our “listening games.” It was really cool that we could work and do clinic during the school hours and then go to the beach for some fun in the sun! My favorite part on our fun day was getting to snorkel for the first time!

Our week in Turks & Caicos was magical! From snorkeling in the middle of the Atlantic to going into the schools and getting to spend time with the kids and teachers of those communities. This experience will affect how I move forward as a clinician. I learned so much from collaborating with my classmates, the audiologist students, the local SLP, the students and the teachers. Not to mention all the wonderful food, swimming, and fun we had. Thank you, study abroad, for providing such a unique and valuable experience.