Physical Therapy Shadowing in Costa Rica

When I first heard of Toucan Abroad, I was apprehensive to join the program. I thought I had signed up for a interesting shadowing trip where I would gain great shadowing experience, which I did. But I didn't realize the friendships I would also gain during the trip. Not only did the entire group become instant best friends but the relationships with the therapists were so special. Before the trip was even over, we were all planning another trip to see everyone again. The therapists were such great hosts and truly wanted you to learn as much as you possibly could in the short time you spent with them. I cannot recommend Toucan Abroad enough. I actually envy those who get to sign up for a new program because I won't get to be there! Huge shoutout to Phil, Fernando and Luis Da for having such an incredible program and for being such great friends.

Going on this trip was the best decision I've made hands down. I have made so many special memories with incredible people that I will never forget. Not only did I meet lots of wonderful people, but I also made life long friends and a family. The physical therapist I shadowed will always have a special place in my heart. I learned so much information and techniques from the PTs over the three weeks. All of the PT's are very passionate about their jobs and patients. They are very eager to teach you and want you to learn from them. Every one of them is so welcoming and makes you feel like you're a part of their family. We also got the chance to immerse ourselves in the Costa Rican culture by eating delicious foods, learning Spanish and exploring the beautiful country on the weekends with friends. I highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in Physical Therapy. It is a once and a lifetime experience you will never forget. I was extremely happy that I got to be apart of this trip and amazing opportunity! Shout out to Phil and Fernando for making this trip possible. They are amazing directors and do everything they can to make you feel at home. They have impacted my life so much and I can't thank them enough for that. I miss everyone so much already because we built such great friendships in a short amount of time. This was the best three weeks of my life. You will not regret coming on this trip. Pura Vida!! :))

This has been the most life changing trip I have ever had in a professional standpoint and also a personal standpoint. The amount of information we are taught really gives a clear view of what physical therapy is all about. The therapists are amazing as far as adapting to us and teaching us as much as possible in the time we have. Three weeks with people you have never met before could sound intimidating, but it turned out to be the best 3 weeks of my life. The bonds that were formed were extraordinary and these people will forever have a special place in my life. I couldn’t be more grateful to the program and the whole staff. I love everyone and this post doesn’t do it’s justice. If you have the slightest interest in physical therapy it’s a decision you won’t regret. PURA VIDA

Toucan Abroad has made a huge impact on my life. I will never forget all the memories I made with my new lifelong friends and the therapists. I miss all of them already and can’t wait to see all of them soon! The experience in the clinics is much different than any clinic I’ve been in the US. The therapists treat you like family and they want to help you learn as much as possible. Even with the language barrier, it was still manageable to understand what they were saying. Also, they try their best to speak English! I left Costa Rica with no doubt in my mind that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Phil and Fernando are amazing individuals and I can’t thank them enough for starting this program and impacting my life forever. To anyone who is thinking about pursuing a career in PT, please take the leap of faith and join this program. You will not regret it.

This trip was an incredible experience because we had the perfect group of people who loved to travel and all came into the program with an open mind and open arms. Relationships are built quickly and it will seem like you’ve known your group for years just from spending three quality weeks with each other. Overall the free weekends are the best because you get to see the pure beauty of Costa Rica. You will see anything from a volcano, to waterfalls, to beautiful beaches, to local swimming holes with rope swings. Costa Rica is full of adventurous surprises so it is important to always keep an open mind. During shadowing you with built relationships with the patients as well and they can provide you with all the local hot spots for good food places or awesome travel spots.

The three week shadowing program I did through Toucan Abroad was hands down the best experience of my life. The shadowing and clinic opportunities couldn't be compared to those I have been a part of here in the U.S. If you are ever questioning what you want to do as a career, and have even the smallest desire to do PT- go study abroad! Toucan abroad provided real life exposure to what the field may hold and I fell in love. Along with the academic side, this program gave me the opportunity to travel and discover all the beauty that is Costa Rica. We were fortunate enough to visit volcanoes, beaches, plantations, restaurants, and much more. I made some of the best friends and memories in these three weeks and I could not imagine a better experience.

I am so incredibly thankful that I had the opportunity to go on this trip. This was the experience of a lifetime and probably the best 3 weeks of my life. I don't think there are any words that would do this trip justice, but I'll try my best. To start, the people were absolutely amazing. The directors, Phil and Fernando, were so dedicated to making sure every person had the best experience possible, both educationally and culturally. The therapists as well, were so welcoming to us. They seemed equally excited to have the opportunity to teach us their ways of practicing physical therapy. Being in a completely new country and different setting, the people really make a difference, so I was very thankful to have the directors, therapists, and amazing group I did. As for the actual shadowing, it exceeded my expectations. I shadowed in two different clinics, one was a pediatric setting working with kids with cerebral paralysis and one was based on aquatherapy. These settings were so rewarding and enriching to my learning experience, I could not have asked for anything better. Unlike the United States, I was able to work hands on with the patients and really get a feel for what it was like to practice different techniques and new skills. I think one of the best parts of Toucan Abroad is how it's set up, in terms of education and travel. We shadowed throughout the week and traveled on the weekends, which was the perfect ratio. The weekends were really a time to embrace the beautiful country we were in. We had 2 free weekends, which we spent traveling to 2 different coasts and immersing ourselves into the Costa Rican lifestyle. The 3 weeks that I spent in Costa Rica were some that I will always cherish; I made lifelong friends, ate some of the best food, hiked a volcano, got to see toucans, sloths, and monkeys in the wild, and gained 60 hours of shadowing. Plus so much more. If you are considering studying with Toucan Abroad, I hope my review helped with your decision. It is so worth it. Pura Vida!

Nothing will ever compare to the experience I had while in Costa Rica thanks to Toucan Abroad! I honestly was hesitant about whether or not to spend the money/make the commitment to go for 3 weeks, but I am so so so glad I chose to do it! This program is the perfect balance of getting an educational/clinical physical therapy experience along with being able to explore and have a little vacation in this gorgeous country! The therapists welcomed all of us with open arms and were so willing to teach us all they could. I felt like I learned more in the 3 weeks I was there than I have in multiple settings I’ve gotten to see in the USA which made it all the more worth it. Even if you are just considering physical therapy as a future career, I highly recommend this program as it gives you such an insight into the physical therapy field all while in a new culture. The 3 weeks I spent in Costa Rica will never be forgotten, and I will forever cherish all that I have learned and gained educationally and through the relationships we all made while on this program! Take the leap and join this program - you won’t regret it!