What an adventure! This is going on vacation with a purpose! Where you can contribute so much to the people you visit. We were welcomed into the lives and homes of this hospitable nation. From shy smiles to big hugs and thank you speeches from Belizians, they touched our hearts forever. Our hosts Chad and Ellen from therapy abroad were amazing! Their knowledge of the country and programs made it a rich experience, not to mention all the cultural hotspots we visited. It was a perfect balance between therapy and fun! What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it? I took a taxi solo after attending services at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to rejoin our group in a different town, Chad encouraged me when I told him of my interest of experiencing church of Belize. I was all kinds of nervous when I saw the taxi and the driver. But Chad got me the phone number to an approved taxi and checked in on me, even waiting for me on the other end. Therapy abroad is very accomodating to the individual and takes safety seriously.

Therapy Abroad provided a safe, humbling, and fun academic experience! Belize is a beautiful country that unfortunately lacks resources and access to care. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to treat the underserved populations in different settings. Therapy Abroad made home visits possible! Every clinical experience elicited creative juices and teamwork. There was always an opportunity for the exchange of ideas. I strongly believe we grew as clinicians as we learned from each other and our clients. Chad and Ellen were knowledgeable leaders and amazing tours. They both did a great job in introducing us to all the wonderful aspects of the cultures in Belize. Thank you, Therapy Abroad. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Be flexible and open-minded 🙂 Therapy Abroad provides the opportunities. Take the chance!

Going into this program, I had no idea how much I would truly gain as a result of all of the experiences that are given through the two weeks of this program. Before coming to this program, I was not entirely sure that speech pathology was what I wanted to do with my life. However, now there is no doubt in my mind that this is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. Therapy Abroad not only gives students the opportunity to learn more about the life of speech pathologist and common tasks, assessments, and treatment activities but the program also gives the students the chance to implement and take charge in running said activities, while also sprinkling in fun along the way. I cannot say enough to truly grasp the level that this trip and experience truly impacted me, the lifelong friends I made, and all the memories it gave me. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to go into speech pathology. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask anything. This program is an opportunity for you to learn at every opportunity. Don't let the fear of feeling like it's a stupid question stop you from asking it. Get the most out of this trip that you can. Learn and take in absolutely everything, because this truly is a one-of-a-kind experience that once it is done you will wish you could do over and over again

I loved this experience and all of the things I learned while in Belize for two weeks. We led a therapy camp for children with special needs, visited villages for treatments, and also had lots of fun seeing Belize. I gained lots of experience writing SOAP notes, observing licensed SLP's and writing goals for the kids I worked with. We did lots of learning and work during the week, but had lots of fun on the weekends! I would definitely recommend this program to any undergrad or graduate student in communication sciences & disorders! What is your advice to future travelers on this program? One piece of advice I would give to future travelers on this program would be to come in with an open mind and ready to learn. I also would recommend to enjoy every moment, even the time off at night, to get to know the other students and make lots of great memories.

Words don't do this trip justice. The itinerary was spot on with great places to stay, delicious local restaurants, various cultures, breathtaking scenery, awesome group leaders (Chad & Ellen, hey!) , and beautiful people. This trip was nothing short of amazing. This opportunity really served as an eye opener to me. I am even more grateful for all I have and the fact that I am earning my masters in a field that does great things for great people who are so deserving. I wish I never left Belize. I will be back.....SUMMER 2021 I'm coming for ya! If you have the opportunity to study abroad with therapy abroad...YOU MUST DO IT! You won't regret it! 🙂

It was really fun. Good balance of education and free time. The supervisors were great and Ellen was amazing. I loved Monkey Bay and the trip to Caye Caulker was a nice way to unwind after working at narcie for the previous two weeks. The one thing I didn’t love was everything I was expected to know prior to this trip. I am not studying SLP at my university and felt as though I was supposed to already be accustomed with everything we did. It was less about learning and more about applying the information. I wanted to go on this trip to help me decide what I want to do in graduate school and whether or not I wanted to pursue SLP. Other than that it was a great trip. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Bring lots of bug spray and sun screen. Be prepared to have fun.

Belize was an unbelievable experience. I gained clinical knowledge and traveled while doing it! I loved the variety of clinical settings that we experienced (villages, nursing home, schools). The food and juices were amazing. If you have the opportunity, bring items that you can leave for the villages and/or schools. Stickers were a big hit! I would also recommend bringing a whiteboard and markers as they can be a great therapy tool! I would highly recommend coming on this trip if you have the opportunity. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Enjoy every moment of this trip! It is an experience of a life time.

Going to Belize for the two-week program was an amazing experience. The supervisors were nothing but nice, the food was delicious, and the hands-on experience I participated in was exciting. I loved how all of the meals and excursions were paid for and how we got to stay on an island for the last weekend in Belize. Working with the children both at NaRCIE and during home visits in Belize was a humbling experience. I would highly recommend this trip to all who love to travel and speech pathology! What was the most surprising thing you saw or did? I was so excited that we saw monkeys in the wild multiple times at the Mayan Temples!

This is my first time ever participating in any kind of study abroad program and it has been one of the most impactful experiences of my entire academic career. I loved the variety of clinical experiences that I was exposed to from home health to having an open clinic. I appreciated the clinical support from my professors throughout the clinical experiences and also learning more about Belize through meeting locals and exploring different activities thanks to our Therapy Abroad group leaders. Thank you Chad and Ellen for making this experience memorable for myself and my classmates, and for helping us all learn more about Belize, try new things, and be more adventurous. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Come in with an open mind and adapt to your surroundings/circumstances, and adjust to variety of clinical situations and experiences.

I absolutely loved this experience. Chad was the best leader and made sure that we enjoyed our experience as well as ensuring we got the best professional practice available. Specifically, Chad made sure to let us know that we were able to suggest what we wanted from the trip so therapy abroad could do their best to provide that for us which made the trip that much more memorable. Therapy Abroad offered the opportunity for future clinicians to get to work in a place that has limited resources and this challenge itself will contribute to my future as a SLP. What was your funniest moment? Our trip to the river was filled with funny moments.

Traveling with Therapy Abroad in Belize is a once in a lifetime opportunity! The trip is incredibly organized and is the perfect combination of clinical experiences and exciting adventures on the weekends such as cave tubing, zip lining, and visiting an island. Attending a Therapy Abroad program is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with clients while also learning about and being enriched in a new culture. This trip was especially meaningful to me, with my favorite and most impactful part being client home visits in local villages. This study abroad experience has truly allowed me to appreciate the profession of speech-language pathology and the power of helping others communicate. The SLP supervisors on my trip were resourceful, supportive, and overall incredible mentors. I will always be grateful for this opportunity and unforgettable trip. I highly recommend a trip with Therapy Abroad for anyone who is considering a career in speech language pathology, or for anyone who would like to further their studies in the field of SLP. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Try new things! There are plenty of opportunities to try new foods and experiences, so don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

This experience was incredibly beneficial not only educationally, but also socially. The other girls in our group have such great personalities along with the leaders, which allowed us to flow well together and stay positive. I feel I have received a strong perspective of speech pathology through our classroom discussions and observing our leaders. My favorite part of the trip was the home visits and being with the sweet children. Everyone on our trip has been so friendly and helpful! I am thankful now that I have some great resources for the future! What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate? During the trip to the Mayan temples, the tour guide asked our group to try termites -- so of course we did!

This experience was such a unique and exciting adventure. It was the perfect amount of clinical work and cultural experience. I would highly recommend coming on this trip if someone has the opportunity. Chad made sure that he knew our expectations for the trip from the get go and informed us that if we had any urge to experience something that was not on the agenda, we would find a way to do it. I could not thank the staff of therapy abroad enough for the amazing 10 days that we had. I feel the growth as a professional that one can only get in unique experiences like this one. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Take it all in! Even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.

This trip is the most fun and rewarding trip I've been on! To anyone considering going, I would highly suggest it. The staff is so friendly and the other students on the trip have become some of my closest friends. The excursions are phenomenal and working at Tykes Camp was so much fun. I have learned so much more here than I could have imagined: about myself, other people, the belizean culture and speech therapy. If you go, take advantage of everything there is to do. I couldn't have asked for a better trip. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Keep an open mind, try every new thing you can and talk to everyone. Ask tons of questions to everyone, the locals know so many fascinating facts about Belize and you can learn so much from the supervisors about speech therapy.

This trip was amazing. We had so much fun with all sorts of activities like cave tubing, zip lining, visiting a Mayan temple, and snorkeling. The camp that we held for the kids was a great experience that allowed me to learn about different things related to the field of speech language pathology. The home visits to meet people in villages with communication disorders allowed me to learn a lot more about the culture and how people with disabilities are treated in Belize. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone planning on becoming an SLP.

Therapy Abroad's Dominican Republic program was a well-structured, safe, fun, and unique way to help children, develop clinical skills, and broaden appreciation for other cultures and populations. There was good balance between work and play, with multiple excursions to local hot spots. The support was phenomenal, in terms of both academic and clinical goals from the SLPs, to general safety and well-being. The summer camp truly challenged us as participants, but I think we all came away with a significantly greater understanding of how to structure speech-related activities for kids. Accommodations and food were good. We stayed at a hotel that was walking distance from the summer camp (2 of us per room). The hotel offered a lovely breakfast spread every morning, and it was a comfortable place to unwind at the end of each day. Lunch and dinner was always plentiful and delicious, featuring a variety of local restaurants (mostly classic Dominican food, but also some twists on familiar dishes, like pizza). What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Be ready to jump right in! Although it's not required, it would be helpful to come with ideas of games, songs, or activities, including possibly bringing basic art and craft materials from home. I also wish I had gone in knowing more about the history there, as it would have given greater context to the experience.

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! What is your advice to future travelers on this program? My only advice is to go in with an open mind and an open heart, it will only make this experience greater.

My trip with Therapy Abroad to the Dominican Republic is by far one of the best experiences of my life. Before this trip I had experiences shadowing various SLPs but the exposure I had on this trip was so different, in the best way possible. During the trip I was immersed in their amazing culture, I got to meet so many wonderful people who are passionate about helping others, and I learned so much about the field I love. The accommodations were great, food was delicious and I always felt completely safe. I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in field, everyone at therapy abroad is so kind and helpful. You'll fall more in love with the field and meet so many amazing individuals! I am so grateful to have been a part of this. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Enjoy every single moment because the second you leave you'll be wishing you were still there!

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! If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change? I would have definitely opened up to my group sooner. They are all amazing individuals who took the group from being already a wonderful experience, to an unforgettable experience.

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. What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it? Worrying about working with children and parent's when I don't speak their language and they don't speak mine. A huge part of this trip was to show us that despite a language-barrier, there are other ways to gain someones trust. By showing them I care, putting effort into using different means of communication, and simply just being myself, I was able to gain the trust of caregivers and children, and work with them despite the language.

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. What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate? Thailand has a very different culture from the United States. For example, you often take off your shoes to go in buildings and you throw your toilet paper in trashcans. It takes a couple days to get used to.

Throughout this experience, I was able to learn in an interactive educational environment and enhance core competencies in the field of speech language pathology, as well as enjoy the richness and challenges of service learning and traveling abroad. I was given the opportunity to work directly with clients, receive specialized training, and learn from experts in the field while also contributing to a unique cultural exchange experience. Housing: For the first few days of the trip, I stayed in Monkey Bay. It was dorm style housing. I stayed in a room with 8 other girls in the program. It was charming and SO much fun. Ellen was there every step of the way to make sure we had everything we needed. As a whole, I can't say enough nice things about Ellen! Monkey bay was great. The only downside of this place was the WiFi never worked. It made report writing and sharing very challenging. We tried to overcome this challenge by using and sharing flash drives. Also, the bugs at this location were pesky so don't skimp on bug spray! Next, we stayed at Martha's Guesthouse in San Ignacio. This was another awesome accommodation. The WiFi and AC was a significant upgrade. There was plenty of room to complete our reports. The staff was friendly and the food was amazing. Therapy Experience: The therapy experience was amazing. We were able to see a wide variety of clients. We were not given much information on the clients before seeing them. This forced us to be extremely flexible. Prior to seeing the clients, we were only given their name and a possible date of birth. If you are a student clinician, here is a list of things I wish I had brought: nasal mirror, PECS to leave with families, latex free gloves, English and Spanish visuals with Belizean pictures, a tongue depressor, and ASL visuals. Overall, this experience was incredible. If you are given the opportunity, GO! You will not be sorry. What would you improve about this program? I would recommend that as the program progresses, that Therapy Abroad give more information about the clients to the student clinicians prior to leaving for Belize. This way clinicians can be better prepared with materials and assessment tools. The program only had two formal assessments. If we were provided more information, we could have brought more to help us better assess. The program should also obtain a formal articulation test. Another recommendation for the program would be to have more audiometers. This was a problem throughout the trip as we only had access to an audiometer for one day. Access to an audiometer would allow clinicians to better assess the clients and rule out any existing concerns. One part of the trip that was difficult was leaving. I would recommend a trip where specific groups go for caregiver and/or teacher training. This way we could provide functional communication strategies to a wide range of people.

Therapy Abroad provided me with a once and a life time experience to not only travel the world but provide meaningful therapy to individuals who otherwise could not afford or access services. This unique opportunity provided me with skills that can not be taught in a typical placement or classroom. Working in Belize required quick creative thinking, dynamic assessment, and thoughtful recommendations that were appropriate for the people we worked with. With limited WiFi access and materials, students were asked to get creative and utilize objects, screeners, and materials in new ways to obtain information (e.g., using an articulation picture screener as a tool to assess "wh"-questions). I also evaluated a range of disorders, syndromes, and deficits that I may not have worked with here in the US. Some staff were wonderful to work with. Ellen was a great resource during our time in Monkey Bay. She was delightful, knowledgeable, and eager to help in any way she could. She made us feel safe and made my experience at Monkey Bay memorable. Tyrone was also a great wealth of knowledge and a great person to have around for the trip. We wished he could have been our driver for the entire trip. It was a pleasure working with the community health workers (CHWs) and their work/experience in Belize. They were great translators when we needed them to act as such. One CHW said that she was learning a lot from us as we were learning from her. She came everyday happy and excited to work. I had an amazing trip that was fun, educational, and at some points emotional. Home visits were the most emotionally taxing and most rewarding. Providing families with strategies and ways to support their children or loved ones was such an empowering experience. I highly recommend this trip for students who want hands on experience, challenging clients/environments, and want to be a better report writer (because you write a lot of reports and you need to be through for the next clinician; no detail is too small or unimportant!). What would you improve about this program? There are several things I believe can be improved about the program. While in Belize, we were never such of exactly what we were walking into in terms of expectations (e.g., providing services or just providing education and support to Belize staff) or client disorders/deficits. This provided a great learning experience and is often unavoidable, however, the following suggestions for improvement are provided: 1) Providing a list of potential names and documentation previously submitted to Therapy Abroad (e.g., Evaluation reports and SOAP notes) a week prior to group arrival in Belize. As per parent report, several of the children I evaluated had already been seen by Therapy Abroad on separate occasions, however, I was not provided with other team's reports. It is unnecessary to preform evaluations on individuals who were already identified by Therapy Abroad has having a delay or disorder by other SLPs. My services would have been better utilized by providing these individuals with the treatment they need and dynamic assessment. 2) Client Intake forms. For some school districts or community placements, providing a client intake form might reduce the amount of referrals for non-speech/language concerns and give students an idea of what to assess for the children referred. This would also serve as a document to alert communities of our arrival. There was an instance where a school district was not aware we were coming and felt that the school procedures were being overlooked. Eden was present for this conversation with administrative staff, and the principle required that any documentation be pass on to the school so the relationship was mutually beneficial. 3) Documentation and Materials. Often, the Belize supervisory staff was unsure of the work expectations required of us at a placement. For example, if we were observing or treating individuals at a nursing home. We were directed to leave all therapy and evaluation materials at the hotel because either the expectation was uncertain and/or the placement had materials for us to use. Upon arriving to a placement, it was apparent that having our materials accessible would have been better than having nothing at all. In my personal opinion it is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared regardless of placement. Students should not be instructed to leave materials at the hotel but rather encouraged to bring them in the event they are able to conduct therapy/evaluations. The exception to this was the hospital visit with Ryan which was strictly just a tour of the facility and a learning experience for students. 4) Language used with students. During orientation and several times throughout the week at dinner time the language regarding adult beverages was infantilized. Although the program is considered to be a dry program, my group consisted of graduate students who were 24, 25, and 26 years old and can make appropriate decisions regarding drinking outside of the program. Students and supervisors (both from the college and the therapy abroad program) enjoyed a drink at dinner and reiteration of the policy of drinking was unnecessary at each dinner meal, orientation to the program was sufficient. Furthermore, there were inappropriate comments made by Belize supervising staff regarding religious affiliation of students. My college is not affiliated with any religion and a comment about the assumption that we would act as "good christian girls". This comment was not only unnecessary and inappropriate, it was offensive to those who do not practice Christianity. 5) Provide a translator that speaks Mayan. It's hard to do a speech-language evaluation on a child that only speaks Mayan and no translator. It's unethical on our end. 6) Provide an FM system for Belize staff. On the bus or on tours it was difficult to hear information that was provided by Belize supervisors, tour guides, and bus drivers about the history, culture, and additional information about Belize while traveling.

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. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? I would definitely say go into this with a completely open mind. I went in with a nervous mindset because I didn’t know what to expect, and I knew this was going to be an uncomfortable situation for me, but every reason I was nervous got shot down as soon as we got to Thailand. This trip was so amazing and taught me so much that I would have missed if I was not open to change, or learning, or messing up and having to adapt to situations that may not have gone as planned. Chad said to be like water (to move and flow through obstacles; learn to adapt to your environment to make it to the end of the task at hand even if it’s challenging; keep going even if there are things in the way), and I definitely think that this piece of advice is not only key to this trip, but key to a lot of situations in life.

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. If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change? I would want more time to spend talking to the Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists outside of the Tykes Camp.

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. What was your funniest moment? Being the only guy on the trip was so funny cause I became everyone’s personal photographer.

From the day I arrived in the town of Cabarete, I felt at home because everyone on the team gives you a warm welcome. The people of Cabarete are very welcoming; I never felt unsafe in the town. Having the opportunity to work with kids was an unforgettable experience, you learn and grow so much. The camp was 6 days and we worked with 9 children with speech problems. My partner and I were in charge of pretend play and everyday we planned new activities to have the children engaged. We were also assigned to observe a child throughout camp and later we met with our child's parents and teachers to exchange information and write an observation report. I also noticed how much they are in need of speech pathologists in Cabarete and the rehab center in Puerto Plata, which is why I would love to go back once I become an SLP and advocate for my Latino community. If you are planning on becoming a speech language pathologist I definitely recommend Therapy Abroad. You will have an unforgettable experience that will follow you through your career. What was your funniest moment? There were many but one of them was when we would sing the songs we sang with the kids at camp at random times. We would be in the bus or out having dinner and someone would start singing one of the songs. One of them was "vengan a ver la selva es hermooosa..."

This is the only bilingual speech therapy program out there! It was such an amazing experience to get to meet others with the same passion as you. I learned so much about the development of children regarding speech and fine and gross motor skills all in Spanish. I think that prepping this camp was a great opportunity to see what planning and working with children with different disabilities would be like. It gave me hands-on experience working with these children. Also, observing the bilingual speech therapists on the trip during their screenings of children helped me gain a better understanding of the evaluation aspect of this field. This program expanded my knowledge on vocabulary in Spanish in this field and helped solidify my passion to become a bilingual speech-language pathologist. What was the most surprising thing you saw or did? We climbed down a ladder on our hike to this cave pool and dove in!

This experience was incredibly special and unique. I had the opportunity to set up a speech and language camp that was designed to help nine local children. We were all assigned a child that we would be responsible for observing the entire camp. After the camp, we had to write observation reports about our child. This gave me so much hands-on experience, and taught me things about this field that I would have never learned in a classroom. I was the only participant from Iowa, and because of this trip I am excited to present to everyone everything I learned. Having two licensed and very experienced SLPs on this trip with us was also amazing. We were able to observe informal clinical observations of a variety of different children from the DR. The best part of it ALL was that every single part of it was in Spanish! I grew as a student and as a person because of this program. What was the most surprising thing you saw or did? The most surprising thing we did was going to eat at this amazing Indian Retreat place. They had all of us sit inside a tent on pillows. All of our plates were just big leaves, and when our food came out we could only eat with our hands. It was bizarre and a great experience.

This program met all my expectations and further, going above and beyond to make us 12 students feel comfortable, safe, and have fun! We ran a 6-day Tykes camp for children with communication disorders and delays, observed some screenings, and went on many fun excursions, like jumping in cave pools and going to the beach. Almost every night we had dinner on the beach, and we even learned bachata and went out dancing for Latino night! The hotel was right by the school and many dinner locations, and had a pool to dive into after a sweaty morning's work! There was always enough down time in the afternoon to rest up for the evening and the next day. This experience is wonderful for anyone looking to garner experience in bilingual speech-language pathology and have lots of fun along the way! What would you improve about this program? I think there were some excursions, like meeting the only SLP in the Dominican, that could be more organized, and additional water activities could be added. It would also be cool to have more hospital observations of therapy, because our observations were primarily screenings done by the SLPs in the program. That was an awesome experience, but seeing actual therapy would be an improvement! The camp was a great idea, though more selectivity in what kinds of campers can come would be advised. However, the leaders are awesome, and I know they're already looking into improving upon many of these things!

This program exceeded every expectation I had for it. I got to experience things that most studying SLPs will not get the chance to experience until Grad school. We were given the opportunity to perform speech and hearing screenings in schools, run a special education camp for students, and observe treatment sessions in the homes of children in the area. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in every way possible, but in doing so it made me into a stronger, better person. I came out of this program with a new sense of confidence in myself and my abilities as a clinician. I was able to learn things about behavior regulation, working with special education students, lesson planning, thinking on my feet, cultural competence in regards to the SLP profession, and most importantly I learned how to use my failures to my advantage and grow and change from them. Being surrounded by 12 likeminded people I was able to create lifelong friendships and connections with undergraduate students from across the US and Canada whom I never would have had the chance to meet otherwise. I was also able to create connections with 3 practicing SLPs from across the US and Australia who I know I will be able to turn to for help and advice in the future, as well as for letters of recommendation in applying to grad school. In addition to all the hard work we put into to bettering the lives of children in Belize, we got to experience the best of what Belize has to offer including incredible local food, cave tubing, zip lining, the Altun Ha archeological site, and snorkeling on Caye Caulker Island. I am beyond grateful to therapy abroad for this experience and everything they have done for me. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? I would say to go into this program expecting to fail. This program will teach you to learn from your mistakes and accept guidance and support from your supervisors. If you let it, this program will mold you into a better clinician, student, and person, but you have to come into it with an open mind and just be a sponge for all the valuable life lessons it will teach you.

Therapy Abroad gave me an opportunity to gain cultural knowledge and experience in my field of interest. I got a glimpse of what it would be like to work as a speech-language pathologist in a school setting. I was exposed to aspects of speech-language pathology that I have not yet seen or learned about in my education. Therapy Abroad provided hands on experience, which is a great way to learn outside of a textbook. My time in Belize was unforgettable. Besides learning how to work as a clinician, we were able to experience and learn about Belizean culture. I was also able to seek advice from my supervisors and fellow peers. I have made connections with students and professionals from all over the country, which I feel will benefit me in the long run. What would you improve about this program? I think that Therapy Abroad can improve by having more discussions and reflections. We were given journal topics in our travel itinerary, however we never once discussed the topics. I expected to learn more about speech-language pathology from my supervisors. Our conversations were very surface level, and the students were the ones that had to ask questions and initiate conversations. I wish I could have learned more about their personal experiences as clinicians (e.g. how they have overcome struggles they have faced as SLPs, what they wished they would have known as undergraduates). There was also quite a bit of down time each time, from around 3:00 or 4:00 until dinner at 6:00. There is very limited things to do at Monkey Bay, and we would have liked to have a fuller schedule so that we weren't just sitting there for a few hours doing nothing. It was too hot to be inside, so we would have to sit outside. This would be a good time for discussions or some other learning module.

Two weeks in the beautiful country of Belize changed me in more ways than I can count! Our time was filled with learning, growing, seeing, meeting, eating, failing, achieving, adventuring, hammock-ing, and so much more. Being able to interact directly with local children and families, while also witnessing some of the most beautiful scenes in the country, this made for the perfect balance of work and play. The food was incredible, as the people of Belize and Monkey Bay are filled with hospitality. I know for a fact that my experience would not have been what it was if we wouldn't have stayed at Monkey Bay Sanctuary. This immersion into the environment was irreplaceable; the locals who worked there, the nature all around us, and of course, the hammocks. I left Belize having more trust and confidence in myself. On the last day, my team leader asked me what my biggest lesson I learned was while on the trip. I thought about it for a while, and finally I said to her, "If I could put this trip's lesson into one sentence, it would be, "I can do this."" I wouldn't trade my time in Belize for anything! What would you improve about this program? While a lot of the students were at the same grade level in their undergraduate careers, we were all at very different places in regards to content of our courses. If I would have been a freshman or sophomore on this trip, I can see how it would have been very overwhelming in the academic areas. A lot of the content I learned during my junior year helped me tremendously to feel comfortable and competent. Chad mentioned creating a program for students who are earlier in their undergraduate track and I thought it was a great idea. Additionally making sure that the supervisor is aware of what levels the students are at, to maximize his/her teaching, is ideal.

What an amazing experience! I enjoyed so many things on this trip! One thing I will never forget is the feeling of self-satisfaction by making a difference in Belize. Learning to make quick decisions and being flexible is the key to this program. I am so happy that I was able to get first-hand experience of screenings and treatment. This is a program for you if you want to grow in the field of COMD. The coordinators and co-founder of Therapy Abroad have a lot of knowledge of Belize. They were very encouraging on immersing travelers on the Belizean culture! That was definitely great advice because I was able to get the most out of the trip by doing so. Aside from the program, Belize is filled with nice people and I felt very welcomed. Belize now has a special place in my heart! This is an experience I will never forget. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Speak up. If you are unsure about the itinerary, goals for the day, experiencing culture shock or just not feeling well, say something. There is a lot of support through this program. I have been apart of other abroad programs and this is by far the best one for supporting its travelers!

Being a part of the assessment process and contributing to the evaluations given by administering hearing, speech and/or language screenings gave myself a first-hand look at what our career does along with a valuable experience. A shared goal accompanied by true dedication with like-minded people taught me countless lessons about myself, life in general, communication disorders, what it means to be a speech-language pathologist, culture awareness, diversity, BELIZE, etc. And I cannot forget to mention all the friends and bonds I have made during this trip that I will forever cherish. Seeing the profession at all different levels: SLP, SLPA, undergrad student's, with the professor's assistance, gave all of us a great insight of how much hard work, dedication, and willingness to exceed expectations is within each of us. Combining the work with fun activities made this trip even better. This was a one in a life time experience that I will never forget and only solidified the fact that I am in the right and best profession there is! What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Experience as much as you can, enjoy yourself, speak up and be open and willing to try all foods, activities, and lessons. I personally kept a journal that included all my notes from meetings, ideas, and a daily journal entry of the day's activities and my corresponding feelings, which I plan to keep as a memory and a reminder of how much good we do in this profession.

Therapy Abroad does an amazing job at making your two weeks in Belize the best time you could ever have. This was such an incredible and unique experience where I was able to learn so much about speech-language pathology and also have a blast. Belize is such an amazing and beautiful country and Therapy Abroad does a great job at ensuring that we work and get to play! I am so thankful that this program allows students of all skill levels to learn and grow together. During this trip you not only learn so much but also create friendships that will last a lifetime. Everything about this trip is organized and very well done, Therapy Abroad does a great job at planning and keeping their students safe! Whether I was teaching kids or swimming with sharks, it was the best experience of my life and I would love to do it again someday!

A week in Belize under this facility-led Therapy Abroad program was one of the most memorable weeks I’ve ever experienced. I have so much love for the people I met along this journey, as well as the supportive & brilliant team that made this experience so incredible. We got to go out into city, meet Belizean locals, and offer our services—all while learning their unique stories. These are people who’ve left a forever lasting impression on me. Chad, one of the program directors, did a great job of taking us around to all the best sites and restaurants. We were able to experience such a variety if Belize! Moreover, the final 2 days in Caye Caulker at the end of our trip was the perfect way to end it. Belize now has a very very special place in my heart. I’d 100% recommend this program to anyone! What would you improve about this program? This program went very well, in my opinion. If there’s anything I could improve, it mi

This was my first time out of the country and it definitely will not be my last. I truly enjoyed the experience and opportunity to learn from my teachers and classmates. I recommend every student with a heart and mind for learning to take the chance of doing a therapy or study abroad trip. You get a chance to have hands on experience outside of the classroom and take what you learned into your career path. My favorite part were the memories I shared with my teachers and fellow classmates. We were all able to comfort and support one another when we were faced with situations, and that allowed us to learn how we can adapt to one another with different personalities and mindsets. We all had to learn to be flexible and be open to the conditions we were faced with, but it allowed us to grow and learn. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? My advice to future travelers will be to always have a buddy with you, no matter what. Enjoy the experience with a friend or a classmate that you’ve always wanted to talk and bond. Enjoy every moment and try new foods unless you are allergic to anything. Ask questions and learn new concepts of the area you are in. Always stay hydrated and make memories.

This was my first time leaving the country and I was excited but a little apprehensive. Luckily, I had amazing support from the faculty who came with me and from the Therapy Abroad staff. This program was an incredible stepping stone to my graduate career. I feel so much more prepared to be a graduate clinician because of the challenging experiences I had while in Belize. SLP services are not readily available in Belize, and the infrastructure of the schools reflect that, so we were never doing screenings, evals or treatments in the most ideal conditions, but this really forces you to be creative and use your problem-solving skills. Besides the academic and vocational benefits, the people in Belize were also some of the best that I've ever encountered, and the landscape there is beautiful. I would encourage any SLP student who has the opportunity to do this program, it will change your life! What would you improve about this program? Sometimes things felt a little unorganized, but I feel like that was the nature of the situation we were in.

Once in a lifetime experience! I felt safe the whole time, and I knew we were really making a difference. Our patients wouldn't have had a chance to be helped without us. There is only one speech pathologist on the entire island! If you are thinking about going on a similar trip... do it! What would you improve about this program? To make a structured therapy clinic on a property we control. It was hard being at the whim of the schools and clients because things changed without any warning. Therefore, if we had more control on the environment, we would make even more of a difference!

The itinerary of this Belize program was a perfect blend of clinical hands-on experience and cultural exposure. The clinic sites were brimming with sweet children and friendly staff who were eager to help us get started. I will never forget the children's faces. It was hard to leave the clinical sites, I would have loved to have stayed longer to work with them more. The Belizean people I encountered were truly happy we were there to offer our help. Also, the excursions of the itinerary were educative and highly enriching. Belize is full of history, and it will not disappoint those with special interests in this area of study. I felt completely safe the entire time, and I truly enjoyed the accommodation locations provided. This trip met my expectations and more. I felt challenged but nurtured, and I feel compelled to return to this beautiful place. - The food was wonderful as well!! What is your advice to future travelers on this program? My advice is to soak in all of the nuances of this country, which has a unique history all its own. Enjoy the friendliness of the local people, and savor the beautiful backdrop nature provides. Belize is home to a range of wildlife and beautiful jungles. One of the most surprising moments of my trip occurred when I heard the clamorous shrieking of the howler monkeys outside of my hotel room.

The amount of time allotted for work and learning and fun was just right. We had plenty of time to learn and play. I enjoyed working with this wonderful team of my classmates and professors to make a difference in the lives of several children and adults. While doing so many back to back screenings in one sitting was hard, it was exciting to challenge myself and be able to actually practice what I have been preparing to do for 3 years now. I got to work with schoolage children, preschoolers, and the elderly. We were able to do language, hearing, and articulation screenings. Every area was covered during our experience! We also got to learn all these things in a new cultural context. Through the help of our Belizian staff, Eden, we were able to prepare ourselves with information about dialect and cultural differences between Belizians and Americans. What would you improve about this program? I wish we were able to do more screenings and evaluations! Maybe 2 more days of therapy work would be good and would not be too overwhelming.

This program was a great experience not only to learn about other cultures and their educational system but, also the field outside of the USA. The staff especially Ellen, is awesome. She is knowledgeable, respectful, fun, and truly cares about the students. The supervisor Denise, was excellent. She was passionate, caring, and had fantastic teaching style where she would show you something if you didn’t known instead of just telling you. We had a great group and we all got along wonderfully. I think that fact that it was only 5 grad students made it better. But the undergrad were great too. Make sure you; bring $, lots of sunscreen, and are OPEN-MINDED don’t expect US’s standards in someone else’s country. Belizians are welcoming & the food is delicious. S/o to Monkey Bay’s kitchen staff!! You’ll miss their food once you come back. I’d highly recommend this program to any student. What would you improve about this program? -updated assessment tools and more choices. -more resources on multilingual/multicultural population specifically for Creole speakers if available -for grad students I will include maybe a little workshop on the most common dialectical differences e.g. /t/ for /th/ before conducting assessments -revise the evaluation form and create a more cohesive and organized format -provide with a standard sample of the assessment form so all look and have the same information -have a format for OSME those students on the 1st year might have never done it - talk to Monkey Bay owners about the WiFi not working in the rooms during night time (I think they might turn it off) -tell students that it is appropriate to tip drivers & those going snorkeling with you-they were excellent and always made you feel safe (Tyrone, David, & Alex)

This was a great program to attend before heading into my first clinical placement. I can say that I am more comfortable leading evaluation and treatment sessions after just one week of exposure. Ellen and the supervisors were very insightful and made sure that we were provided with information about the country, school system, and set clear expectations for the week. Everyone had a different style which I loved because no supervisor will ever be the same and you will need to be flexible! This program was very rewarding and I think that everyone should experience this at least once. Every lead/supervisor was organized, professional, and good communicators. It was a wonderful learning environment and I without a doubt would do it again with no hesitation! What would you improve about this program? The opportunity to extend the program past one week! I would have loved if it were two weeks or even 12 days.

The week that I spent in Therapy Abroad’s Graduate program is an experience that I would not take back. It allowed me to create great connections with students and SLPs, receive eclectic speech therapy experience unlike anything I have done before, and to explore a new place! You will not be disappointed by the accommodations at Monkey Bay. The staff there are some of the sweetest people that are willing to help you in any way. My speech therapy experience allowed me to better understand school systems in developing countries. It also made me realize the need of speech and language pathology services in developing countries like Belize. Then, in your down time you are able to explore the country (even the islands!) If you are thinking about it, go!!!! If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change? Travel light and ask everyone questions. That way you will get the most out of your experience.

Be ready to have a lot of fun and learn a lot about how to work in a multi-cultural setting! Bring multiple changes of clothes, lots of bug spray and a love for learning about new cultures! Don't be afraid to dive in and talk to every one you meet as you will meet some truly amazing people both from America and Belize. Studying with those from different backgrounds and schooling allowed me to learn about many different schools of thought that exist in this field and I learned so much! I am very grateful that I went on this trip and was able to have so much hands on experience. I hope to both stay in touch with my group members as well as come back as a team leader some day! It is very exciting that therapy abroad is expanding to different countries. Why did you choose this program?

I chose therapy abroad because it provides students with the opportunity for a lot of hands-on learning. It can be hard going through and only taking classes. This trip was a wonderful way to apply what I have learned so far and give a reminder of why we write all those papers and take all those tests!

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

NYU provided the information that the program was available. They did not provide any further support or information. I was in charge of applying and making sure that the trip time fit with my school break. My supervisor on the trip was in charge of making sure my supervision hours sheet was filled out.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Be ready to apply what you have learned but also be open to learning from others (supervisors and students). I really enjoyed going with students from many different schools to learn about their school's of thought/experiences/knowledge. Be ready to try things on the fly in a very safe environment with a lot of support and direction.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

You are fed WONDERFUL food, you go to a school or center and spend the day either doing assessments or treatments. At night, you have ample time to enjoy Belize, write your reports and get to know the other students. Be ready to adjust to a slightly different life style and try to put your phone down as much as possible.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I was not sure that this program would be applicable to where I am currently in school. All of the staff was willing to work with me to make my experience the most beneficial for my skills and knowledge while also allowing my opportunity to try new things and learn on the spot! Everyone was very kind and supportive, which made it very easy to learn.

Will I be living somewhere with tons of bugs and dirty bathrooms?

Nope! If you follow the recommendations of treating your clothes ahead of time and utilize baby oil/coconut oil and bug spray, you will not have issues. As for the housing, it was AMAZING. Clean, warm showers and toilets that flush.

Every graduate SLP degree offers academic classes and clinical practicums, and transitioning to the latter can be a struggle. Our Therapy Abroad trip to Belize provided an incredibly valuable opportunity to ease that transition in an extremely supportive and real-world environment. We performed evaluation and treatment sessions rotating through various supervisors. Our mentors had different styles, so we were able to learn something unique from each of them. We also rotated our small teams of 3 so we could also learn from our peers. We received excellent guidance/feedback during the session prep, the session itself, and the report writing afterward. The supervisors who accompanied us were approachable and experienced. My only suggestion for improvement is to provide students with more prep time before sessions to improve the quality of service we provide to clients. If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change? I would love to have eaten more Belizean food at the resort we stayed at and perhaps done more hiking/swimming in less touristy spots.

I came with a custom NYU group. Therapy Abroad worked with us to create dates that matched our school schedule. Once there, the supervisors were excellent! The Therapy Abroad employees were wonderful to work with, and I hope to return on another Therapy Abroad trip in the future. I absolutely loved my experience working with the children. I felt that I gained a lot of important clinical skills, and I strengthed my report writing skills as well. I enjoyed my time on the trip. The hotel acommodations were great. I enjoyed the excursions, and I would highly recommend this trip to others! We went snorkeling, we ate local food, we went out dancing one night, and we went swimming. The Therapy Abroad staff is very responsive to questions, concerns, and suggestions. I do intend to work with them again in the future, whether as a student, team leader, or supervisor at some point. I loved traveling with this organization! What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Bring a lot of sunscreen and bug spray! I did, and I avoided sunburn and mosquito bites. Others on my trip got bitten, and it seems the people who got bitten were wearing black the day we went to the Mayan Temples. Wear colors to the temples!

If you are in a position to go on a trip with Therapy Abroad, do it. As a student who attends a university that doesn't offer a major in Communication Sciences and Disorders, only a minor, I firmly believe that Therapy Abroad is the strongest experience on my resume to help prepare me for graduate school. Chad, Jessy, and all of the organizational staff are diligent about maintaining thorough communication with participants throughout the program, whether it be providing details about flight logistics, offering medications and remedies to students whose bodies are having trouble adjusting to their new environment, or outlining the time frames for upcoming plans in the program. I did a study abroad program through my own undergraduate institution, but Therapy Abroad's program is far more organized. They remove the worry of tackling the nuances of getting around a foreign country by planning a group flight to Belize, making restaurant reservations, and arranging lodging, all of which are a tremendous comfort, especially to people who haven't traveled outside the country before. Having all the details taken care of prior to your arrival allows students to really focus on why they are joining in on the trip in the first place: to get hands-on experience in their chosen field. Having certified SLPs as chaperones and supervisors in the program was a crucial component to the program, since they were our go-to people to consult regarding decisions about planning the Tykes Camp curriculum. Their expertise and guidance helped our camp to run smoothly, and the reflection time we shared with them at the end of each day provided us with enlightening advice to help improve each subsequent day of clinical work. The insights I accumulated from that direct experience working with both typically-developing and developmentally-disabled campers, combined with the constructive feedback of my supervisors, was of paramount importance in solidifying my chosen career path. I have recently been accepted into graduate school, and feel much more confident in my ability to handle clinical situations with poise and competence than I otherwise would have. I feel so fortunate to have found out about Therapy Abroad, and highly recommend it to interested students, because you will gain clinical time that is difficult to find in the States and develop close relationships with the other students and supervisors in your group. What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it? This trip isn't all about clinical hours, though it is certainly the primary focus of the program. Therapy Abroad really makes an effort to balance work and play, so that students can experience Belize more fully in their two-week visit. Some of the more touristy/fun activities that you do during your stay includes cave tubing, which is where you are literally sitting in an inner tube, roped together with 4-5 other people in your group and a guide. All of you wear headlamps as you float through this otherwise dark cave, exploring the rock formations carved inside by ancient civilizations. While I trusted my guide, the experience as a whole felt pretty eerie, and as someone who isn't particularly adventurous, the concept made me a bit nervous. I definitely went outside my comfort zone with that outing.

I had such an incredible experience on this trip! I grew so much as a clinician and really busted out of my comfort zone. It was really great to work with kids of different cultures to see how important it is to make cultural considerations when providing therapy for them. I had so much fun on all of the weekend activities planned. I think this was a really great way to balance work and fun and was a big reason why I signed up for this trip. I also really enjoyed having Ellen as our coordinator the entire week! She was so fun and knowledgeable about the are. She really made the trip a fun and stress-free experience. Going to Caye Caulker the last weekend of the trip was a really great way to end! The island was so beautiful. I especially enjoyed doing speech and language screenings. The children were super friendly and engaging at the school! What would you improve about this program? I would maybe just give people a heads up about the hot water situation! Not that this would be a deal breaker for me- but it would have been nice to mentally prepare haha.

This trip was amazing! The support that was given from the faculty within my program was appreciated. Being able to go to them when I had questions about my education or even just about life was extremely helpful. This trip helped me learn what it could be like in the daily life of an SLP. Furthermore, this trip allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone professionally. Having the faculty and the graduate students there to guide me was awesome. I felt very supported throughout this entire trip. Ellen was also amazing! Her knowledge of the country helped me feel extremely safe while there. Whenever I had any questions about the people, culture, and even the food, Ellen was always able to answer. Having someone who is familiar with the country with us the entire time is a definite necessity. If fundraising starts early for next year, I would definitely come back! What would you improve about this program? I would improve the length of the program. Traveling back to campus the day before classes start has left me feeling very tired. I think if it is going to be done over spring break, a 7 day program would be preferred. Other than that, I truly enjoyed the trip!

I couldn’t have asked for a better therapy abroad experience. The amount of culture and therapy observations I learned was so interesting and exciting. Ellen and Chad were fabulous team leaders that constantly kept us on top of things and made sure everything turned out amazing. My group always felt comfortable and safe with our team leaders. Therapy abroad helped me open my eyes to a bigger picture as continuing my college career. Many countries across the world have very slim therapy resources. What challenges these countries the most is not being aware of the resources available to help people who have speech and language difficulties. To be specific, Belize was very unaware of many interventions to help others. There is only ONE speech pathologist available in Belize and in a country with almost a 400,000 population is bizarre. The culture and upbringing of Belize is unique and because of that receiving therapy or seeming “different” is frowned upon. Thankfully, that is what my program taught me is whenever you are able to help others take the chance no matter how much time or money it requires. Tyke’s camp turned out super cool and fun. I was stationed in the play planning and pretend play which was my number one choice. The amount of items available to us was amazing we didn’t have to buy a single thing everything we needed for the camp was provided for us. Obviously, the choices were small but we worked with what we had and made it happen. I can honestly say my Therapy Abroad experience has led me to fall even more in love with what I plan on doing for the rest of my life. Speech therapy has always been my passion but my involvement with this program has absolutely changed my perspective on life. The services at Monkey Bay were wonderful. I really enjoyed the home cooked meals and I applaud the women whom prepared the meals. They will surely not be forgotten. Monkey Bay was clean and surely made it feel like a second home for my group. What I loved most about my experience is being able to be mentored by graduate students. The graduate students made learning easier for the undergraduate students to grasp. The variety of dialects in Belize was tricky to work with. What amazed me was having the first hand experience of the different phonemes pronounced in one language and not the other. Many of us found this the most challenging to deal with over the course of Tyke’s camp. We really tried our best to put our minds together to help the kids figure out what they needed to focus on the most. After all the observations and evaluations of the children took place we were able to talk about it as a group and everyone could agree that we made sure the kids were having fun and learning at the same time. The kids were so cooperative and sweet. Although, it is too funny the last day we were two campers short and somehow we ended up with five boys. They were a mess but they continued to participate. We provided SOAP notes of each individual kid to the schools and health records because they will not get help until they are referred. I am very grateful for the friendships I have formed because of Therapy Abroad. I feel like each girl got close with one another and no one ever felt left out. The girls will forever be my friends and I say that in the most genuine way possible. My therapy abroad experience will never be forgotten and I hope I will be able to go again next year. I love Belize and the stories behind the culture of the Belizeans. What I do know, is that Belize is a hard working country with the most beautiful people. Every encounter I made with any Belizean was positive. Caye caulker was much different compared to the islands I have been to before. The transportation on the island was golf carts and bikes I had never seen anything like it. We went snorkeling the last day of our trip and I had never been that close to a shark before. Yikes. But it was so cool and I wish I could have my experience all over again. Luckily, I look forward to seeing Chad and Ellen again they didn’t disappoint and I hope everyone loves and appreciates Therapy Abroad. Life changing and unforgettable. What would you improve about this program? I wouldn't improve much, everything went great. The Therapy Abroad staff was fantastic and you could realize how above and beyond they will go to make sure everything goes well. Therapy Abroad is determined to help students really blossom into who they are supposed to be. Going to Belize made me realize everything I have to offer to the world when it is my time. I cant thank Therapy Abroad enough for helping expand my knowledge on how to becoming the best SLP. The camp went great and it will truly be an unforgettable therapy experience.

This was my first time out of the country and it was the best experience of my life! I had an amazing time learning about the culture of Belize and applying that knowledge to our field of speech-language pathology. Meeting each child and interacting with them through Tyke's camp was such a fun time and I loved getting to know each one of their personalities. Chad and Ellen did a wonderful job of showing us the country, taking us on fun leisure activities such as cave tubing, zip lining, and snorkeling, and teaching us all they know! Each activity was filled with lots of history and educational information for us to learn! This program is great for any student studying speech-language pathology who wants to get hands-on experience through the eyes of a different culture. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? My advice to future travelers would be to get out of your comfort zone and try new things you would have never done before! Push your limits and see how far you go!

I was in Belize with Therapy Abroad for 10 days! We did Tyke's Camp in Belize City and also did screenings at a school in Caye Caulker. This trip was amazing and I learned so much from everyone who went and from Chad and Ellen. I am a junior at East Carolina University so it was an amazing experience to learn from graduate students, professors, and Therapy Abroad staff. It was also a great opportunity for me, as an undergraduate student, to get hands on experience working with kids in the camp and doing screenings. We worked with kids a lot during the week but we also went snorkeling, zip lining, and cave tubing! Belize has so much to offer and Therapy Abroad made sure we got to experience as much as we could during our time there! I really enjoyed my time in Belize and hope to go back one day! What was the most surprising thing you saw or did? In Caye Caulker we got to go snorkeling one afternoon and we swam with nurse sharks! It was a lot of fun but I was a little nervous at first because there were so many sharks.

As an undergraduate student, this experience was an adventure to remember. If you're going to do this program, be prepared to work all day long. Although it's a lot of work, the experience gained is worth it. Also, be ready to be flexible, especially when working with the children. Despite how prepared you are before Tyke's Camp, situations will come up that you are unable to prepare beforehand. For example, the day before camp, my group was scheduled to receive five children. At 7 pm that evening, the number went up to seven and the day of camp, five kiddos showed up. The second day of camp, seven children walked through the door, and we had to create more supplies for those children. Other challenges you cannot prepare for are the different types of expressive and receptive language disorders you will encounter in the various children. Throughout the whole program, you have to be able to work on your feet and be ready for anything. I'm so glad I did this program though. I was able to observe assessments, treatments and even participate when testing a child as an undergraduate student. I would definitely come back and do this again if I could.

We began the trip by meeting our group leader, Ellen, who stayed with us from the beginning to the (almost) end of the trip and then Chad hung out with us the rest of the trip. They always make sure to keep you updated as to what is going on, where you need to be when, safety procedures, etc. They did a very good job about organizing this trip. I felt a little uninformed about the trip as a whole before we came to Belize, but as soon as we got here we had a meeting to go over the itinerary which cleared things up a lot. There was a lot of intensive work/camp throughout the week but the fun excursions on the weekends definitely made up for all the hard work. I really enjoyed doing the work, because then the excursions felt so much more worth it. Overall, this trip and the people who run it was incredible and I would definitely do it again and recommend it to anyone in the therapy field. What would you improve about this program? Explicitly state living conditions that people coming will be staying at.

This experience was definitely one of my favorite parts of my undergraduate career. I highly encourage everyone to take this opportunity and be a part of this program! This program also set me apart from other students when applying for graduate programs. Not only are you able to gain unique and valuable hands on clinical experience, but you also get to learn about the culture and how to work with individuals from various backgrounds. You may also discover and learn about things that you didn’t even know you were interested in! As a result of this program, I left with a deeper love and passion to serve others in the field of speech language pathology in ways I wouldn’t have known if I did not attend this program. Overall, I had an amazing time- I was well taken care of, as I got to do what I love, in such a beautiful place!

I went on this trip not knowing a single other person and came out with the greatest of friends from all over the country that I never would have known otherwise. I also came back with more knowledge than I've ever had on speech-language pathology, Belize, and my own abilities I didn't know I possessed. I had always wanted to study abroad, but never found any programs specifically for CSD and that weren't an entire semester long - which would throw off all of my classes (especially with being a senior). When I heard about Therapy Abroad, it was the exact thing I had always been looking for. At first, it may seem too good to be true, but it IS true and you will not regret it. You get to work hands-on with children of all different levels and practice doing real things used in therapy. I learned things here that I never would have learned in my Undergrad classes let alone applying them. Even in such a short amount of time, you can possibly see progress and changes happening among the kids. There's no need to worry about your level of knowledge going in because the SLPs/supervisors teach you and allow you to trust in yourself with what you do know. Our supervisors were incredible and helped us to not be scared, but to trust that we can do this and to learn from one another. I discovered strengths and weaknesses I never knew I had. Yes, it was incredibly hot and humid which wasn't always easy, but I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself if I let that hold me back. I felt completely safe at Monkey Bay and everywhere we went. The food and people are absolutely wonderful. Zip-lining, snorkeling, cave tubing, and walking the ruins were also SO incredibly fun and I am so glad they were incorporated in the trip. Going to the island is such a fun time and you'll wish you could stay! Learning about the culture of Belize is amazing and I was genuinely sad to leave what honestly started to feel so comfortable after just two weeks. You work hard and get to experience something incomparable to anything else with a special group of people who you will always share that with. You will be pushed to limits and face challenges that will only help you grow in your CSD academics and also a personal level. This trip has developed a heart in me to want to provide speech services internationally in my future career. This trip gives you the opportunity to start a small part in changing some lives and also changing your own. To me, it opened up a whole new world of what speech pathology can be. It was pretty much the best thing I ever did and would love for as many people who can, to also experience it!! What would you improve about this program? I really can't think of much! Developing an easier payment plan could be helpful instead of the large increments. I think it could also be helpful to explain the camp in more detail prior to the trip and just to make sure to bring bug spray that's not just for mosquitos.

What Sarah Has To Say About Us | Testimonials - Therapy Abroad

Traveling with Therapy Abroad to Belize for two weeks was an experience I will treasure forever. The hands-on learning was nothing like anything I had done before. We were able to come up with and execute plans for a day camp, and also work with licensed SLPs in the process. During my trip, we were able to travel to a school and give hearing screens as well as assist in taking speech samples that were used to determine if the students should be recommend for treatment. We also traveled into the community and observed the SLPs giving language screenings to at risk populations who were unable to travel to clinics in town. On the weekends we were able to do SO many fun and unique things! We went cave tubing (during the hike I held a tarantula!) and zip lining the first weekend. Both were activities I had never done before. I felt completely safe and had an amazing time during both experiences. The last weekend in Belize we traveled to a near by island. This was where we got to go snorkeling!! (With sharks and sting rays!!!) Again, this was an activity I had never done before, and I felt safe and was never pressured. It was definitely a once in a life time opportunity that I will never forget! What would you improve about this program? The only thing I can think of is that I would love to see a little more information about the itinerary of the two weeks sent out slightly more in advanced. (This really was not that big of a deal, I just like to plan).

I was unsure what was in stock for in on my Therapy Abroad journey starting out and I'm so glad I got the experience I did! Traveling to Belize during the summer of 2018 I had hands-on therapy experience every day. Working with amazing SLPs I was given a chance to practice without the fear of a grade looming over my head. Getting to experience all of this while making connections with other students from around the country gave me 12 lasting friendships that we have continued after returning home. On top of the therapy, we also were given the chance to go on fun excursions that I will never forget. The knowledge I obtained during my time in Belize helped me immensely throughout my following semester and made me feel like I had a leg up starting out my final year of college strong! What would you improve about this program? I think it could be improved by having a little more structure and explanation of what to expect.

Therapy abroad was by far the best experience I have had. The staff is awesome and you get to spend two full weeks with students like yourself learning, bonding, and experiencing everything the beautiful country Belize has to offer. As for the clinical aspect of the program…IT WAS AMAZING!!! Therapy abroad sets up a program called Tykes Camp where children that have been previously screened are chosen to attend the two week long camp. You get paired up with another aspiring SLP on the trip with you and the two of you get assigned a kiddo. You spend the first day of the camp evaluating their speech, communication, and behavior skills. Then it is up to you and your partner to come up with a diagnosis, as well as a plan for the future. For the two weeks you are there, you work with the kiddo based off of your plan, and when you leave the next person after you can continue your plan with the child. I was able to evaluate, diagnose, and follow through with lesson plans, and SOAP notes as if I was a real life practicing clinician. The supervisors are great and they are there to teach you and guide you, but they take a step back and let you run the show. If something went wrong (and trust me it will) they were there to step in and help. Not only does this program allow you to advance your skills, but it also changes the lives of so many children. In the entire country of Belize there is one practicing SLP, so they need as much help as they can get. ALSO…. there is so much more to the program. Yes the best thing is getting to go to another country to help others, but therapy abroad does a nice balance of work and play. On the weekends you will spend your time adventuring through the Mayan Ruins, go cave tubing, snorkeling, and so much more. And the friendships you make on this trip are for a lifetime. I still talk to all 14 of the girls that were on the program with me. This program helped me to understand myself better as a clinician and a person and I would recommend it to every aspiring SLP. Please, please, please do it, you will not regret it one bit. What would you improve about this program? Everything about this program is amazing. However, one thing I would change would be to have more experience in other aspects of this field. Maybe do a home visit, or hospital instead of just doing the Tykes Camp?

My first experience volunteering abroad was with Therapy Abroad, which I heard about through my graduate program. The staff was extremely supportive and made sure that all of our needs were taken care of. It was made clear in the beginning to let someone know immediately if you have any needs or discomforts. The lead therapists were considerate and made sure everyone was comfortable on a daily basis. The housing was clean and comfortable. There were community areas with wifi. Food was made daily with a variety of options. There were food options for various dietary restrictions as well (you just have to let the staff know). In regards to therapy, I experienced a great balance of work and fun. I had the opportunity to learn more about clinical aspects and experience cultural immersion. We also had the opportunity to see a few local attractions.

Therapy Abroad provided me with insane experiences from learning about Belizean culture and wildlife to getting hands on experience working with speech pathologists and linguists. We went zip-lining, cave tubing, to a zoo, to the Caye Caulker island and had a blast! Aside from that fun weekend stuff, I was able to actively participate and ask questions, and kept a thorough journal of everything I did in my time there for the future. We did community based rehab and was able to trail the speech pathologist/linguist doing the assessment, as well as learning how to do an oral mechanism exam! These are opportunities that are not presented in the United States because of safety and security reasons. I am so grateful for the people I've met and the opportunities presented to me. I would definitely go again. What would you improve about this program? I was not particularly fond of the living conditions, but I'm also from a city setting so it's partially a culture shock.

I had an amazing time! Everyday was something new, but I really loved that we were able to learn more about S.O.A.P. Notes and how to write a lesson plan before we went into the city to have our own client. I appreciated how fun and lighthearted everyone was. I also loved that I was getting hands-on experience. My patient was a three-year-old with a hearing loss. Being around others from different schools and in different years at school, we were able to bounce ideas off each other and learn new techniques. I was very nervous about not knowing enough, but I enjoyed that the supervisors gave more learning tools to everyone and held mini classes. I was able to learn more about taking data, developing goals, and developing objectives. Aside from the classroom aspect, I loved that I was also immersed in the culture and had a great time. This experience is one that I will never forget! What would you improve about this program? I loved everything about the program. However, I would suggest having a clear outline of the topics students learn in a more efficient time frame. I ended up stressing about developing S.O.A.P. Notes and staying up late. I would also recommend developing a clear outline of how many hours students have completed three days before the end of the trip -- because my group had complications with this and we ended up getting our hours certified about a month or two after our trip had ended. I would also suggest modifying the number of hours provided on the website, because my group did not end up achieving the hours being guaranteed.

I had an amazing personal and professional experience with Therapy Abroad's Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) Program. I was surrounded by positive and passionate mentors and given a leadership role to help, with a team of fellow peers, to create a week and a half long camp providing no technology resources, giving children, adolescents, and young adults with complex communication needs a voice. We orchestrated a fun camp with many stations (science, drama) while assisting and teaching target students how to communicate using a no technology system. Models and support were provided for data collection and report writing, which was a reasonable load. Living quarters were comfortable: bunk beds in an adorable cabin with a toilet inside, and then outdoor shower facilities. I had so much fun on the excursions (snorkeling, zip lining) and the program really made things easy, providing all meals, transportation, and stopping at shops when supplies were needed. The trip went well above and beyond all of my expectations. As a graduate student, I felt challenged and grew in my AAC knowledge base as well as cultural competency. My only real challenge was dealing with some mosquitoes! Invest in Deet, not natural mosquito deterrents like coconut oil, and you'll be set! I would definitely recommend this program to any student interested in speech therapy.

I honestly was not sure what I was getting myself into, I know my friend was applying and she did her research, but I just kind of followed lead for the experience of learning over seas. It was probably one of the best experiences I could ever have. I will say I was beyond nervous going to Belize by myself and leading a camp definitely brought out my lack of confidence in my own skills, but with my fellow goers and the support of the clinician supervisors, I say it really improved my own confidence in my knowledge and skills as I continue to work on becoming an SLP and the knowledge that working with these kids is why I fell in love with Speech Therapy. Aside form the fun, having more hands on experience enhanced my learning more than a classroom setting could provide. It really helped to with starting graduate school applications to learn about different programs across the state and creating a network for our future careers. What would you improve about this program? I would recommend improving the wifi at monkey bay, I know there are limited resources Belize at times, but for students whom may be homesick, it was difficult not being able to communicate with home in a place we stay at for two weeks. I had to ask my parents if I could have data just to talk to them because of being homesick.

This was the best thing I did in grad school. I learned SO MUCH and I left Belize with an insane amount of confidence in my clinical abilities and my report writing. The supervising SLPs were incredibly supportive and I never felt like I didn’t have anyone to help me. I loved the tourist activities we did and I definitely made some lifelong friends. I loved helping out in the community and trying new things. I had never worked with children who had syndromes and I was able to do language/artic/feeding evaluations on children with all kinds including Macroglossia, cerebral palsy, ASD and a few other children with cleft palate. Everyone I have talked to since then I have told them they need to do this program. It helped me grow so much as a clinician and was a huge eye opener to how other parts of the world live.

This experience is an excellent way for SLP students to gain experience in the field before entering graduate school. It is challenging and motivating to plan a two-week camp for children with disabilities that is both appropriate for their cognitive abilities and engaging. Students learn about the paperwork and documentation progress as well which is essential for graduate school. The professionals on the trip have different therapy styles and strategies that help the students learn what works and doesn’t work for their personal therapy style. This program created lifelong friends and connections within the program. The girls in my group still talk all the time, and I was able to connect with Kristofer Brock, an SLP on the trip, at ASHA! I highly recommend this program to learn about SLP in an area where there aren’t a lot of services, and gain essential skills for graduate school. Belize is a beautiful country, and a great place for people who haven’t traveled a lot to learn about life outside of the United States. We have a lot of fun on this trip zipling and cavetubing and visiting the Mayan Ruins! What would you improve about this program? I’d love for the program to be longer, and for students to see areas where there aren’t SLPs yet, like hospitals to understand the gaps in health care more fully.

Therapy Abroad was my first chance to volunteer and learn more about Speech Language Pathology in Belize. The staff went above and beyond in terms of preparation. I was very comforted The constant communication and aid made my travels much easier — especially because I was travelling from Vancouver, Canada. Observing the SLPs and leading a communication camp has allowed me to gain real-world experience that I will forever cherish! My favourite experience was when we observed the SLPs and children during the home visits. It was an eye-opening and humbling experience to be allowed into the children's home and allowed to observe various communication and swallowing disorders. The cherry on top was the chance to experience Belize through various activities such as snorkelling, ziplining, cave tubing, and more. For more information about my amazing experience with Therapy Abroad, please take a look at this blog post: https://www.thetravelingtraveler.com/therapy-abroad-program/

This program is so unique because it provides hands on experiences in the field of speech-language pathology that do not present themselves in the United States. It is a program that puts you one step ahead of your peers. I was able to improve my skills in many facets by running the tykes camp, conducting speech and hearing screenings, and observing in-home therapy. I also expanded my knowledge on cultural awareness as it was a main factor while working with citizens of Belize. I learned skills that I will take with me as I continue onto graduate school and my professional career. I also made some of my forever friends in Belize and we all had a blast together. This program is ran by a great group of individuals who only want you to be the best you can be and push for your personal development. I am forever grateful for the experience I had with therapy abroad.

I absolutely loved my experience in the Belize Therapy Abroad Program this past summer! It gave my needed observation hours in a very fun way! Not only was I able to do hands-on work and learn that way, but I also had a ton of fun with my group! We had such a fantastic tour of Belize. We not only saw the communities, but also saw Caye Caulker and did touristy activities as well. It was a fantastic blend of activities over the span of 2 weeks. It was so fun being able to get to know a group of people from all over the states. I didn't know anybody going into this, but I made so many new friends by the end of this trip! I can not stress that you should do as much as you can during this trip!!! They give so many activity opportunities during a short 2 weeks. Do as much as you can, take as many pictures as you can! This truly is an adventure of a lifetime. The instructors are there to help you every step of the way. Utilize them during, and even after the trip!

The cohort is very small, so it's easy to get to know your fellow SLP/AUDI-hopefuls and gain insight from each other about the career and how to further your goals. My time in this program had two SLPs on-site with us, guiding us, and having fun with us. This program opens your eyes to the different experience an overseas SLP has compared to back at home, and how SLPs are very needed in a non-first world country. We had clinic observation hours, in-house call visits, and so much to do and see. Belize is a beautiful country. The 'field trips' for both in-house calls to learn from or 'just for fun free time' trips to caves (cave tubing!) or beaches (visit to Caye Caulker) were what made me remember this trip fondly. I also made international friendships here, of like-minded people, that I likely would never have made without this program. I still keep in touch with them, since it's easy with social media these days. What would you improve about this program? There is little/nothing that I can think of that needs to be improved.

There are not enough words to describe the Therapy Abroad Belize experience. Chad and his family truly go above and beyond to make it a wonderful experience. It's a project that is near and dear to their hearts and you feel it from day one. From personally meeting everyone at the airport to planning tons of activities/lessons, a lot of care and thought is put into every day of the trip. Belize is a beautiful country and you'll get to experience it to the fullest. Beyond learning about and getting hands on experience in the field of Communication Disorders, you'll learn about the wildlife, the locals, and the culture of Belize. It's a truly enriching and one of a kind experience that I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the field of Communication Disorders and travel.

Therapy Abroad provided 2 weeks full of: curriculum planning, supervised screenings / assessments, community based rehab, case conferencing, family fun day activities — not to mention the fun parts: zip lining, amazing jungle hikes, sightseeing, cave tubing, Xunantunich touring, shopping, swimming with sharks, and an amazing weekend at Caye Caulker. What I worried most about before this trip were bugs, housing and food. Looking back, there was no need to worry about housing and food because Monkey Bay provided a great place to sleep + clean restrooms with amazing staffs. The food was also delicious and gave all of us energy to go about our days without feeling hungry or tired. This experience is like no other because it provides such a solid educational insight (+ boost on your resume) while having some fun. The professional SLPs acted as not only supervisors, but also mentors who helped with questions about grad schools, praxis exams, license, etc. Thank you Therapy Abroad for an experience that I will never forget!

Therapy Abroad gave me the opportunity to learn new skills and taught me the value of teamwork. Not only were we able to perform community based rehab and conduct a summer program for children with special needs, we were able to explore Belizean culture. This holistic program offers a wide variety of experiences tailored to the needs of its participants. My favorite memory was getting to build strong relationships with almost everyone that I met on this trip. Chad and his team really know how to create an inclusive, family environment. What would you improve about this program? Better living accommodations could be a future improvement. Although Monkey Bay is beautiful, the termite infestation was a lot to deal with.

Going on this trip was an incredible experience! I gained a greater appreciation for my field and the great work that speech-language pathologists do. The country of Belize has only one speech-language pathologist and limited access to other services such as physical and occupational therapy. There is a great need for services there and it was so fulfilling to be able to provide them. It was so rewarding to be able to put into practice all of the theories and ideas I learned in class. I was able to participate in screening, evaluating, and treating the children. It was also wonderful to get to interact with the Belizean people and learn more about their culture and way of living. I also got to meet students and professionals in this field of speech-language pathology from across the US. It was great collaborating and networking with all of them. The entire team is so knowledgeable and helped me develop my skills as a clinician and confidence in my abilities. The team also takes you on awesome adventures cave tubing, zip lining, visiting ancient ruins, snorkeling, and more. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

I would recommend to anyone either looking for an internship credit, or even going for the experience to attend this trip. For 2 weeks, you help administer therapy, that seems more like play, to typically and underdeveloped children. By providing them with different activities to work on their skills and develop new ones, you truly get to see the joy in each of the children as they learn. There was also a lot of opportunities to travel around Belize with the group and make new friendships. I loved the Therapy Abroad experience and staff. The Speech Therapists on staff were so kind and understanding. I would do this trip again in a heartbeat. What would you improve about this program? NA

Therapy Abroad does an amazing job of infusing academic curriculum into a hands-on learning environment. Though Therapy Abroad and my time in Belize I was able to gain incredible experiences, meet amazing people, and learn even more about Communication Disorders on a global scale. Programs like this help you to realize the possibilities are endless when it comes to practicing speech-language pathology.

I love to travel. I knew I wanted to do some sort of studying abroad while at college but with the speech therapy program at my school it is rather difficult to do so. This is why I love Therapy Abroad, I was able to to study abroad and have it apply to my field. I learned how to do different types of screenings, target certain aspects of speech and language through summer camp activities, as well as write case reports. The staff was amazing with providing feedback to how I was doing. They also made themselves available to answer whatever questions I may have had. We also had the opportunity to shadow the staff while they did assessments in various settings, like a home or school.

I knew I wanted to go abroad since I started college, but paying just to attend random classes that wouldn't benefit me career-wise seemed like a waste. Finding Therapy Abroad was a blessing because it gave me the cultural experience that I wanted while also allowing me to learn, explore, and be physically involved in an area I'm passionate about. The program's curriculum includes planning and executing a speech camp for local children, learning how to do different types of screenings (such as a hearing screening and an oral mechanism exam), observing speech therapists at work, and eventually performing your own basic screenings on local children. Free time included playing games at camp with the other students, going to the Belize Zoo (it's amazing), zip-lining over the jungle canopy, cave-tubing, and exploring Mayan Ruins. A trip to the islands is also included at the end of the program. It was an amazing first experience abroad. The company owners are welcoming and the information they give you prior to departure is very helpful. I felt fully prepared and safe throughout the trip. I would definitely recommend the program to any hopeful speech pathology or audiology students. What would you improve about this program? Though no program is perfect, this was exactly what I was looking for in a study abroad experience.

Therapy Abroad is an amazing opportunity for me. I learned more in the two weeks I was in Belize than three years at school. I was able to put all of my skills to the test, while simultaneously gaining more knowledge. Not only did I learn about what it takes to be an SLP, I learned about Belizean culture, language, educational system, and special needs services. I made friends that are going to last a lifetime and learned from people who I would have never encountered if not for this program. This is a special kind of program set in a beautiful program. It's expensive, but I was able to fundraise every penny so SO CAN YOU! I highly recommend it! Why did you choose this program?

I had been looking for an internship type program for my major – anything that really got me into the field, but I found nothing. When I discovered Therapy Abroad, it really fit me. It combined travel, education, hands-on learning, diversity training, and so much more. I also really liked the fact that we got to do some really touristy things!

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The program provider offers support in every way. From buying your plane tickets to meet up with your group, to finding ways to help you cover the costs of the trip, Therapy Abroad was always willing to help. Even if I hadn’t asked, I received emails about travel insurance and what to bring. However, I did not receive the email about flights until after I had already booked mine.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I believe I got all the information I needed, and certain things (like culture awareness) just has to be learned while there to make it meaningful. I only wish that the information came more frequently, to keep me excited about the trip! One piece of advice: BUGS SUCK! Our American bug spray with "deet" doesn’t work against these suckers. I highly recommend coconut oil.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program? The most typical day starts with an amazing fresh breakfast, full of fresh fruits, juices, eggs, and my personal favorite: FRY JACKS! Then off to Tykes Camp where we all have a little buddy to mentor in speech and language. We all also get to lead an activity with a co-leader. The activities are: fine motor, gross motor, story time, behavior regulation, basic concepts, and imaginative play. Camp is over by 12, which means it’s lunchtime! Sometimes, we go out, and sometimes we are provided our own. Afterwards, we hop on our bus back to Monkey Bay (our housing) where we go up into the classroom to learn about a selected topic, for example oral mechanism exams. Finally, we have some free time (which we spend in the hammocks) until our 6 o’clock dinner. Night time is usually free time; my group spent our time watching movies or playing a game called Spy. Sometimes, our team leader would schedule an activity such as karaoke or a night tour of the Belize Zoo. It’s off to bed now for another exciting day. Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change? My biggest fear going into this program was if I was going to make friends with my fellow students. Honestly, I’m not sure if it’ll be this way with every group, but my group was just a giant family. We had separation anxiety from each other. We hated when we were told one half had to go one way and the other goes the opposite direction (we always got out of it). We currently still have a big group chat and a snapchat. What is your favorite story from this trip? My favorite story from this trip was when we went to Santa Elena to do oral mechanism exams, speech, language, and hearing screenings. We walked in, and my friend came up to me and pointed at a little girl. She told me that she had seen the girl using American Sign Language with her mom. I was the only person in the group who was a fluent signer, so I excitedly took her on. I performed all of my tests on her using only sign. We tested her hearing and learned that she was not completely deaf in her left ear, meaning she may be able to benefit from a hearing aid. Her mom had been told that she was profoundly deaf, but we showed her that was not the case. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget.