Thailand: Physical & Occupational Therapy Service Program

This trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity for those pursuing PT/OT fields. Not only does it challenge you to use your critical thinking skills, but also pushes you out of your comfort zone to give your kids the best patient care possible! Although intimidating at first, every person in charge of this program provides both professional and emotional support throughout the entire program to ensure the best experience possible. Leaving this program, I came back with so much more knowledge about myself and learned how to build trusting relationships with people of cultural backgrounds different from my own. Thailand has such a rich culture, you see the importance and respect of this everywhere that you explore. Getting to experience this first-hand is truly breathtaking. Everything from the food, live performances, temples, elephant sanctuaries, etc... only amplified this trip! If you are hesitant about embarking on this journey, DON’T be. No words can describe the amazing time I had in Thailand, both professionally and personally, all I can say is how GRATEFUL I am to have made the connections with the locals as well as the instructors and students on this trip. DO IT! You will not regret it!

Mosquito repellent is definitely a necessity! And just when you think you sprayed enough you may need more! Although I only received 3 or so bites, my friends received 50+ bites, Yikes! Overall, an amazing trip balanced with fun activities ranging from nights at the market to rock climbing. It was also full of learning and support by the program coordinators and Physical Therapist. I learned more terms related to the PT and OT realm, as well as techniques to use in my field. A large portion of this experience is hands on and involves at times last minute planning, which greatly prepares one for how the workforce actually is. I really enjoyed being able to work with individuals from different backgrounds and the variety of age groups. This is definitely a overseas experience that I would participate in again!

Therapy Abroad in Thailand gave me a much better experience than I was ever expecting. We were put into an intensive hands-on environment working with special needs kids that was both mentally and physically exhausted. However, the staff prepared us so well that I gained so much experience and skills. There was a nice balance of therapeutic work (as well as visiting an elephant hospital to get perspective on therapy not just on human beings), as well as activities that made us learn and experience the land of Thailand, from visiting temples, tuk tuk rides, waterfalls, and more. This trip made me more confident in myself and gave me the ability to see that I am able to explore my own ideas and execute them in a therapeutic setting, but taught me that it is ok to fail, as long as you get back up. The skills I learned and the relationship I built with the children and parents form RICD and Thomas House and the overall cultural experience will definitely be something I carry with me into my professional career. Lastly, I couldn't of asked to be a part of any other group of people. Without the staff and all of the laughs, it wouldn't be the same; and I made the best connections with incredible people I know I will continue to be in touch with, despite out location differences.

This trip was so eye opening to me. I have always wanted to wait to go to Asia until I was with people who knew the culture, and this was the perfect opportunity. The two Thai guides were amazing at making us feel welcome and showing as all the amazing aspects of Thai culture, with a little humor as well. Additionally, all the leaders were great at challenging the group while also checking in to make sure we were settled nicely. In the therapy portion of this program it is important to be on your toes and be able to adapt, while also being confident in the work you produce. It is tough, but it is so worth it. Additionally the fun activities and the excursions were so memorable as well. Be sure to bring an extra bag for all the souvenirs you get! Since all the people here are interested in the same things I’m interested in, I’ve made great connections and overall this was a trip I’ll never forget.

Going into this program, I really didn’t know what to expect. I received an email about it one day and decided to give it a go based on my desires to go to Thailand and become a physical therapist in the future. I had no previous experience with going abroad or physical therapy, as I just finished my first year of college, so I was a little nervous for this trip the closer it came to leaving. However, I’m glad to say that any nervousness I had quickly dissipated when I met the staff and other students who were all so welcoming. I was able to build SO many amazing relationships that I know will last a lifetime, and I learned so much at the Tykes camp and at Thomas House. I was challenged each day we worked with these children, but I’m proud to say I’m leaving here with more experience, cultural competency, adaptability, and a new and improved outlook on life. I really don’t think this trip would have been the same without the staff and amazing students. They made each activity engaging and fun, whether it was a visit to a Temple or a night out at the Night Bazaar. I leave this trip with so many unforgettable memories, and I will always be beyond thankful to have been a part of this program.

This trip was truly one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. It was such a humbling experience working with kids and being able to help make a difference in their lives. Everything was well planned out and our activities were great. From the World’s first elephant hospital to riding through old Chiang Mai on the Tuks Tuks and seeing all the beautiful temples were just a couple of the great adventures we had. Oh and the Thai Massages were probably my favorite part. The memories I have will last a lifetime along with the amazing friendships I made. The group of people on this trip, I instantly connected with day one and I know I will forever keep in contact with them because they are my second family. I truly recommend this trip for anyone who isn’t considering a field in occupation or physical therapy because aside from the many excursions, we were challenged in preparing the Tykes Camp for the children and had to step out of our comfort zone but it helped me and everyone else to grow as individuals.

Everything about this trip exceeded my expectations. The history, food, knowledge, experiences, and most of all the people. I love every aspect about this trip. I was able to gain so much information about PT/OT and learning about Thai culture throughout the trip has enlightened me in my perspective of living. The wisdom I’ve gain from the staff, the laughs of my team that I now call family, and the satisfied bellies from the delicious meals from the restaurants planned by the staff. The temples we have visited, the cultural songs we listened to, and amount of smiles I’ve encountered helped me learn how different the culture is from America. I am truly grateful for this experience and there’s nothing I would trade this for. Thailand truly is the land of smiles.