Bulgaria & Greece: Pre -Occupational & Speech Therapy Program

My Therapy Abroad trip exceeded my expectations. I went into this trip open minded and very, very new to my SLP program. I learned not only so much about speech-language pathology, but so much about myself, why I chose my field and just the world. I learned how to be more patient, more optimistic and more open-minded. Our guides were so good and although at some pointsy surroundings made me a tiny bit nervous with just being in such an unfamiliar area, I always felt safe and relieved whenever I turned and saw my guides. I think this trip is worth every penny—and I fundraised!!! Definitely recommend that as well, if that is what’s holding you back.

This trip exceeded my expectations! As an OT student I was able to learn how to prepare for therapy sessions, perform assessments, identify sustainable practices, practice creativity with minimal resources, and so much more! As a young adult, I was able to gain new perspectives that traveling gives you and have fun while also feeling completely safe the whole trip. Even getting to know other students on the trip and making friends was beautiful. Lastly, I will forever remember our three guides that did the most for us. They cooked countless meals, drove the vans, translated at the clinic, and became our friends. They displayed the kindness of Bulgaria. I could not recommend this program enough.

This trip was so much better than I could have ever imagine. I felt safe every step of the way, the communication from staff and mentors was timely and accurate, and every person made sure the trip was as smooth and fun as possible. The “guides” went above and beyond to explain things to us or make us more comfortable. I left the trip with friends and professional mentors that I still talk to!! I also recommend the trip for resume/skill building. I learned so much about the career and day-to-day of an SLP while on this trip. I was immersed in clinical work and exposed to such a breadth of information in a digestible way.

I love to travel and I love to volunteer, so when this opportunity came up I was so excited. I would be able to travel and volunteer as an SLP (I just graduated right before going and didn't need any clinical hours :)). This experience is something I will never forget. I could have easily stayed another month in Bulgaria. The country was beautiful, but the people were what made this. Our guides were some of the best people I have met in my life and the people that we got to work with will always have a place in my heart. If you have the opportunity to do this trip, do it. I just got back and I am already thinking of going back (hopefully as a supervisor)! I felt safe, supported, cared for, and appreciated the whole time. We had people in our group from all different levels of becoming/being an SLP from undergrad students, to current grad students, recently graduated SLP's, and our supervisors. This trip is for anyone. Greece was fantastic too, but Bulgaria has my heart.

I would recommend Therapy Abroad to anyone. While I didn’t really know what to expect when I signed up, I truly ended up having the most amazing time, I met lifelong friends, endured life changing experiences, saw awesome places, and expanded my knowledge. The resources and skills I learned from this trip, later helped me greatly when building my resume for Occupational Therapy school. I got accepted to my program at Mizzou a year early after attending therapy abroad. This trip helped me grow a lot professionally and as a person. The memories made will last a lifetime, the students I met were truly some of the coolest and funniest people and we all built such a special bond as well as with all our staff members and guides. I later even traveled to another state to visit friends I had met on this trip. Overall, Therapy Abroad is an amazing program that brings students from all over together to help them pursue professional goals in cool places!

I had the most amazing experience with Therapy Abroad!! Not only were these two countries incredible, but the hands on experience was like no other. All of us got to work with adult and child patients in Bulgaria and really enhance our basic skills in speech pathology. Though it was hard with the language barrier, our supervisors and staff were so supportive and I learned so much in such a short amount of time. I would recommend therapy abroad to any student, it is an experience like no other!!!