Physical Therapy Shadowing in Costa Rica

Physical Therapy Shadowing in Costa Rica

Location
  • Costa Rica
    • Cartago
Term
J-Term, Short Term, Summer, Winter
Subject Areas
Kinesiology Physical Therapy Public Health

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
Housing
Dormitory

Pricing

$4,195
Price Details
Summer 2025 Programs (3 Weeks, 60 Observation Hours): $4,195
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Some Meals Transportation Travel Insurance Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare
Aug 12, 2024
Jun 20, 2026
7 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Join Toucan Abroad and other students from around the US in this highly enriching program. We aim to expand your perspective and grow into future leaders in the field of physical therapy through exposure to the work of licensed PT specialists. You’ll shadow them while they provide expert patient care. Evolve by developing a more holistic view of yourself, your future profession, and the world through immersion into a different society.
For two weeks, you’ll engage in 40 to 60 clinical observation hours in different PT specialties. You’ll also have time to bask in the breathtaking natural beauty of Costa Rica and experience its rich culture.

Toucan Abroad gives you the opportunity to stand out among other PT school applicants through a unique, unparalleled experience abroad through this program.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers hands-on physical therapy experience with passionate therapists eager to teach, alongside deep cultural immersion in Costa Rica.

Program Highlights

  • Accumulate 40 or 60 hours of clinical observation in different PT specialties, allowing you to gain real practice alongside other undergraduates and licensed therapists.
  • Improve and practice Spanish in the professional health setting.
  • Create meaningful friendships with other students who share your dream of attending a Physical Therapy School.
  • Embark on planned excursions to a stunning rainforest, to beaches, and volcanoes as well as other beautiful places!
  • Immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and learn about the 'pura vida'.

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 68 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.4
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 4.9
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 41 - 48 of 68 reviews
Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Absolutely Unmatched Experience

This program takes students from all over the US and brings them together. I have made 20 new friends from far and wide across the US that I have no doubt I will keep in touch with. Being immersed in a different culture and language while also learning how your profession works in a different part of the world is something you can’t find anywhere else. Mini weekly excursions and long weekend getaways are the best way to get to know your new friends along with learning a new language by immersing yourself in the clinics with physical therapists! You will come out of this program with a ton of new friends, new experiences, and 60+ shadowing hours to put towards your DPT school applications!! The work hard play hard mentality is what will get you through this program and it will change your life completely! We went from a group of 21 complete strangers to a family in a matter of 3 weeks and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

Pros
  • Travel
  • Meeting new people
  • Learning new things
Cons
  • Language barrier can be difficult and a bit frustrating but is the best way to learn a different language
  • No financial aid like university study abroad programs
120 people found this review helpful.
Leah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Toucan Abroad - Physical Therapy Shadowing

My Toucan Abroad experience in Costa Rica was the most amazing trip I have ever been on. The entire group of students on the trip got along amazing, and we were all so close by the end of the 3 weeks. My experience in the clinics was exceptional. Not all the therapists I worked with spoke English, but even if they did not, they used translator apps or other ways to communicate. Each therapist I worked with was a genuinely kind human and taught me so much! I was able to get much more hands on experience during these 3 weeks than I ever have in the states. The clinics are all very easy to find and travel to! Along with the shadowing, we had lots of free time to plan mini excisions and get away for long weekends. Some things I did during the week was visit hot springs, go zip lining, hiking, exploring a waterfall, playing board games in the hotel, and so much more. During the weekends we traveled to the coasts and were able to hit the beach, go on a catamaran, hike, hang out with the group at air bnb/hotel, go out for food and enjoy some drinks, plus so much more! The directors of Toucan Abroad, Phil and Fernando, are two of the most amazing people I have ever met. They helped us plan all of our mini excursions, as well as our large weekend trips. They were both willing to help out in any way possible with no questions asked. They truly created the best experience possible for each and every one of the students of the trip! I recommend this trip to anyone who wants an Abroad experience!

Pros
  • Experiencing a new culture.
  • Meeting tons of new people.
  • Hands of experience inside of physical therapy clinics.
Cons
  • The only con I can think of is that it becomes a quite expensive trip. In my opinion it was completely worth every dollar that I spent, but I did spend a lot.
127 people found this review helpful.
Kennedy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Toucan Abroad

Studying abroad with ToucanAbroad was one of the most impactful things for my career, networking, and relationships. Experiencing different PT techniques than generally accustomed to helps broaden the perspective of the limitless possibilities of this career. Aside from using skills and knowledge, this study program helps create new and lasting friendships as well as expanding horizons for travel. Overall, ToucanAbroad has helped push me out of my comfort zone to try new things & meet new people.

Pros
  • Learning different methods of physical therapy
  • Creating life-long relationships
  • Experiencing new culture
121 people found this review helpful.
Mykaela
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

you won’t regret it!

Let me start off by saying, this was truthfully the best experience ever. I have gained so much knowledge from the therapists that I have shadowed with, I gained a greater perspective of lens of the world by being here for the ample amount of time. In addition, I gained a family from the session! The directors of the program were the cherry on top and definitely made the experience even more cherishing. Studying abroad not only has given me a new appreciation of other cultures, but it has taken me out my comfort zone in so many great ways. If you are questioning to study abroad, or are scared too, JUST DO IT!!! you won’t regret a thing, and you will gain so much more than you know! <3

Pros
  • Knowledge from the therapists
  • Appreciation of other cultures
  • Going out your comfort zone
Cons
  • None
  • None
  • None
108 people found this review helpful.
Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Toucan Abroad (May 21- June 11, 2022)

Hands down one of the most incredible experiences of my life. To begin, anyone who may be skeptical or hesitant to participate in this program, rest assured it is legit. At first glance this program may seem too good to be true, especially since there are not many Physical Therapy study abroad programs, but it is real and so worth taking a chance on! Toucan abroad provided an exciting and safe environment that allowed its students to truly immerse themselves in Costa Rica’s rich culture. Phil and Fernando were super fun and helpful! They were always willing to suggest fun things to do or great places to eat. The therapists were amazing as well! They were super eager to teach us their techniques and answer any of our questions. There was also no need to worry about the language barrier, as the therapists were excited to be able to practice their English, and they would also use google translated if needed. Overall the three weeks I experienced in Costa Rica with Toucan Abroad was better than I would have ever imagined! ¡Pura Vida!

Pros
  • Shadowing hours
  • Meeting incredible people
  • Exploring a new country
119 people found this review helpful.
Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Physical Therapy Abroad

Going on Toucan Abroad was one of the best decisions that I have made. It is such a unique experience that allows you to get hands on experience while exploring Costa Rica at the same time. All of the physical therapists are so welcoming and make sure you get the most out of your time in their clinics. Not only did I walk away from this experience with a much deeper knowledge of physical therapy I also met such amazing people along the way. I recommend it his program to anyone who is interested in PT

153 people found this review helpful.
Ananda
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience!

Applying to Toucan Abroad was a big step outside my comfort zone. I did not know what to expect. However, I’m so happy I decided to go. Toucan Abroad was an amazing experience and opportunity. I received hand on experience at different physical therapy clinics and learned different techniques that’s not very common in the States. I also developed real genuine bonds with the other members and physical therapists while having so much fun living in the Costa Rican culture . I would 110% recommend!
#safe #structured #lifelongbonds

145 people found this review helpful.
Juan Paulo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best study abroad experience

Toucan Abroad is an incredible program that not only offers you hours of observation in physical therapy, but also allows you to enjoy an incredible country and meet amazing people. Therapists are the best, they will always be willing to teach you and make you feel like home. They are excited to meet new people, people who are passionate about physical therapy as much as they are. Before this trip, I never imagined the impact that this country and these people would have on my life. I take with me a lot of knowledge and incredible memories, but above all, friendships that I hope to keep the rest of my life. Thanks to the people I met and the therapists I worked with, I came back home more inspired than ever, willing to continue studying and become a great physical therapist. If you applied to this program and were lucky enough to be chosen, do not think about it to much and take the opportunity, it will be an experience that you will never forget.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most amazing thing I did during this trip was parasailing in a beautiful beach and jumping from a boat into the ocean.
145 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers