Custom University Study Abroad & Faculty-Led Programs

My experience with the Therapy Abroad program in San Ignacio, Belize was truly transformative. As a faculty member accompanying and supervising OT students, I arrived excited to provide services to children and families in an underserved community. What I didn’t expect was how deeply the experience would impact me personally.

Therapy Abroad made the experience feel well-supported from beginning to end. They provided the documentation and clinical resources we needed to prepare and provide services confidently, while our wonderful guide ensured that we not only had a meaningful clinical experience but also an amazing opportunity to experience the culture, people, food, history, and beauty of Belize.

Watching our students step outside of their comfort zones, adapt to limited resources, think creatively, and build meaningful relationships with families was incredibly rewarding. I was especially moved by the determination of the families we served. Despite limited access to resources and services, they continued to advocate for their children and seek opportunities for them to thrive.

Perhaps one of the greatest lessons of this experience was realizing that no classroom or textbook can fully teach you flexibility, cultural humility, adaptability, or what it truly means to meet people where they are. These are lessons that must be experienced. Our students learned to navigate unfamiliar situations, work with the resources available, listen before assuming, and recognize that effective occupational therapy looks different across cultures and communities.

I went to Belize believing I was going to help others, but I returned realizing how much I had been blessed to learn from the children, families, students, and community. The experience challenged me, humbled me, and reminded me why I love occupational therapy and why global experiences are so valuable in preparing compassionate, culturally responsive practitioners.

I am incredibly grateful to Therapy Abroad for creating such a well-organized, supportive, and meaningful experience. San Ignacio, Belize will always hold a special place in my heart, and I would wholeheartedly recommend this experience to OT students and faculty looking for an opportunity that will impact them both professionally and personally.

I had such a great time during therapy abroad in Belize. This was such an amazing experience and I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to be a part of it. I feel like I learned so much throughout the trip. I learned more about speech and language therapy but I also learned a lot about Belize and its culture. I also got to experience everything with such a great group of people which made the trip even more fun and memorable. One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting to learn from the professors and students who attended. I really enjoyed hearing about their experiences and learning from them. I feel like I was able to learn things that I would not have learned in a regular classroom. It was really cool to take what we have learned in school and see how it can be used in real situations. I also enjoyed being able to ask questions and learn from the other students. Ms. D and all of the tour guides who helped make the trip possible were also such a big part of making the experience so great. Everyone was so kind and helpful throughout the entire trip. They made sure we were taken care of and that we were able to enjoy everything we did. I really appreciated all the effort they put into making the trip a great experience for everyone. We also got to do so many fun things while we were in Belize. I loved being able to explore the country and experience things that I normally would not get to do. We got to learn about the culture and see new places. We also got to try new things and spend time together outside of the therapy activities. I think getting to experience all of this with the other students made the trip even better. We had so much fun together and made so many memories that I will remember for a long time. Overall I am so thankful that I got to participate in therapy abroad in Belize. I feel like I learned so much and grew from the experience both as a student and as a person. It was really cool to see speech and language therapy in a different environment. I also learned more about how important communication is and how it can impact people’s lives. At the same time I got to travel and meet new people. I got to experience a new culture and have so much fun. I am especially thankful for everyone who helped make the trip possible and for everyone I got to share the experience with. This was definitely an experience I will never forget. I am so glad I decided to participate and I will always look back on my time in Belize and remember all of the things I learned and the fun memories we made together.

The excursions were very fun and educational! Our tour guide in San Ignacio, Wilson, was so helpful and amazing and made the trip so much more special than I anticipated. Our tour guide for Caye Caulker, Roberto, was also very fun and helpful! Also, the hotel near Hode’s Restaurant felt like home very quickly.

My only complaints are that I was expecting more guidance from the certified clinicians when it came to planning the camp and individual treatment plans, especially considering all of us were undergraduates and have little to no knowledge about clinical practices. It made the first day of camp more nerve wracking than it had to be. My other complaint is that our second hotel in Caye Caulker, which was Caye Caulker Plaza Hotel, did not have good plumbing and kind of ruined the experience on the island, but overall it was a minute problem that was outweighed by the positive experiences on the trip!

My experience consisted of education, enjoyment, and connections! Every day, I learned something new through my peers and professors as well as something culturally about Belize. This trip taught me more than I could have ever expected, and I’m leaving with so many firsts and life long memories. The support in this program is strong and a community is built through various activities! I strongly recommend this program to anyone wanting to gain more experience in their field and make long lasting friendships.

I had the best time in Belize! I didn't know what to expect, but the trip surpassed anything I could have anticipated. I learned so much about Belize's culture and Mayan culture. I learned how to write a SOAP note, how to use sensory strategies to help your clients, and how to stay flexible and self-regulated as a clinician. I also got to enjoy the delicious food of Belize, which is unmatched, and explore the country's unique caves and forests. The hospitality we received was amazing as well and all the staff at Hode's, with Therapy Abroad, and throughout Belize were very accommodating. It was definitely an unforgettable experience and I’d highly recommend going as a college student!

I had such a good experience on this trip! I learned so much about my client, myself, and my fellow classmates. The connections I built with everyone, including my professors, feels strong and I know it’ll benefit me in the future. It was such a rewarding experience that I will carry with me throughout my career. I will also never forget the beautiful Belizean scenery that we got to explore while we went cave tubing and zip lining through the jungle. We even saw monkeys which was awesome. Truly the best experience and I feel so lucky to have been able to go on this trip!

It was fun and we learned a lot! I made lots of memories with new friends!! I wish the housing was a little more cleaner but it’s okay. It was nice working with the kids and I learned a lot that I will take into my future career. I spoke to professors a lot too so I got tips about applying for my masters. I had fun on this trip and I can’t wait to go to Austin and hang out with all the great people I met on this trip. There was good food and so many fun excursions as well. Overall, I think we had a great time and made so many memories!!!

i had genuinely such a fun trip! i learned so much from the SLP, my professors, and the grad student. yay belize super fun!!! love my friends!!! amazing memories. i loved working with the children and growing my skillset in speech and language pathology and behavior management and regulation. i also learned so much about working with others and developing flexibility. all children are different you know! i also loved learning the many cultures of belize and gaining a new appreciation for a country i have never seen before.