I have volunteered with TVI the past two summers in Belize and I would go back again in a heartbeat! As a seasoned OT, I felt so much fulfillment from providing services in an underserved area where my skills were highly appreciated. I learned so much from the other clinicians on the trip with daily collaboration. The experience was well run from providing therapy, transportation, meals and lodging. Don’t forget the excursions including an island/snorkeling day, cave tubing and zip lining. TVI found a way to effortlessly blend my love of therapy and travel into an amazing journey!

If you’re wondering… should I go abroad for a super cool volunteer trip that will have a direct impact on a small community? The answer is yes, and you should totally do it through this program. They do very well with balancing in clinic days with exploration/adventure days where you get to really see where you’re visiting. They also provided so many opportunities to learn about the culture, customs, and history of Belize while learning and participating within the scope of practice within the clinic.

Completing a level 1 fieldwork experience in Belize was truly an unforgettable experience! It was an amazing way to immerse myself into the culture and get to know the way of life. They are in need of therapists so getting to help make a difference was so rewarding. All the staff were so supportive in helping us get the best experience. We tried amazing food and went on some awesome adventures, my favorite being Caye Caulker. I would definitely recommend this to any student considering it! Thank you to everyone who made this trip happen!

My time working with TVI was a uniquely transformative experiences that allowed me to grow as a student, as a (future) practitioner, and as a person. Under the mentorship of TVI and other community leaders, I was able to create educational opportunities for parents of children with autism, and experienced firsthand the positive impact of this volunteer organization. I was immersed in the rich culture of Belize and my connections made with the students, teachers, and community members will be cherished for a lifetime. TVI is a wonderful experience for doctoral capstone students who are out of the box thinkers with a passion for therapy. TVI will work with you to create a project that follows the guidelines of your OT program, while ensuring that you make the greatest impact possible during your stay. I’ll never forget my time in Belize with TVI!

The overall experience was great! The country is beautiful and very unique with many languages spoken. The sight seeing days were amazing and I enjoyed every second. Therapy adventures did a great job at accommodating many changes in the schedule that would come up. Also, the occupational therapist that we had was wonderful and knew what she was doing! She was able to guide and teach us specific strategies to regulate a lot of the kids which was our main goal for therapy. I do think a longer stay would have been helpful to the kids, we stayed for a week.

Having a level II fieldwork placement in Belize was truly unforgettable! From immersing in a new culture to taking part in meaningful excursions and providing care at both a local school and clinic, every experience was impactful. Amy, our CI, was incredible in guiding us through the unique structure of services there, which is different from what we are used to in the States. She does remarkable work, and the staff and students at the school were just as inspiring. We also got the opportunity to shadow Tammy, the SLP, who was so insightful and fun to be around.

This was such an amazing experience! I had the opportunity to spend a day in Caye Caulker to snorkel and explore the island. On another excursion, I went cave tubing and ziplined through the jungle. The most invaluable part of this experience was working with the students at Stella Maris and the kids in the clinic. Amy, an occupational therapist, and Tammy, a speech therapist, were amazing educators who would answer all of our questions, explain their reasoning for interventions, and overall enriched our learning. I loved leading an OT activity that really helped me to apply what I have been learning in my OT program. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would recommend to anyone who wants to get out of their comfort zone, improve their therapy-related skills, and make an impact on the children and families in Belize! Thank you, Therapy Adventures International, for this trip!

Had an amazing experience in Belize with Therapy Volunteer International! I valued the opportunity to work in both school and clinic settings, gaining insight into the local culture and the importance of therapy services. It was inspiring to see the creativity and dedication of therapists working with limited resources. This experience deepened my understanding of global healthcare and strengthened my passion for pediatric occupational therapy. I’m grateful for the connections made and the lessons learned along the way.