When Can I Travel To Costa Rica for Therapy Program
Applications are currently open for Summer 2025. We have a rolling admissions process, which simply means that the window for applications closes when all of the spaces are filled.
Dates: To Be Announced Soon
If these dates do not work with your schedule, please email admissions@therapyabroad.org for details on custom program dates for your University or club. All of our programs offer the same hands-on experience and our award winning curriculum for Physical Therapy students!
Where Am I Going for Pre-Physical Therapy?
Costa Rica is a Central American country known for its lush rainforests, rich biodiversity, and commitment to environmental sustainability. Bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, it features stunning landscapes that include tropical rainforests, lush mountains, and pristine beaches along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The country is famed for its ecotourism, with national parks like Corcovado and Manuel Antonio showcasing diverse wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, and colorful birds. Its vibrant culture is influenced by Spanish colonial heritage and is characterized by friendly locals, known as “Ticos,” who embody the motto “Pura Vida,” reflecting a relaxed and positive lifestyle.
Who Should Sign Up for this Program?
Undergraduate students, graduate students, recent graduates, and post-bacc students. This award-winning program was designed to give every student interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy the opportunity to gain hands-on experience! There are no prerequisites to join.
- May 4 -May 17 (Program Full)
- May 18 -May 31 (Program Full)
- June 1 -June 14 (Program Full)
- June 15 -June 28 (Program Full)
- June 29 -July 12
- July 13 -July 26
- July 27 -August 9
- August 10 -August 23
2020 -2021 Winter Program Dates (Now Accepting Applications)
- December 7 -December 19
- December 28 -January 9
- January 11 -January 23
Why Should I Travel with Therapy Abroad To Costa Rica for Pre-Physical Therapy Program?
More than ever, Physical Therapy (PT) program selection committees are looking for well-rounded students who have a thorough understanding of their respective fields of interest and the ability to work collaboratively across cultures. You will work with and learn from a distinguished group of professional PTs in a cross-cultural setting.
We created this program specifically to help participants not only grow in the above areas, but also gain hands-on experience that’s hard to duplicate in the classroom: professional observation hours, one-on-one time with PTs and other professionals in formal and informal settings, direct experience in public and allied health, and a chance to support local children and families with special needs.
Will I Get Observation And Volunteer Hours In the Program?
Yes! If you are interested in becoming an PT, observing and volunteering are essential to providing you with first-hand experiences within the profession and helping you build your application for graduate school and beyond. Our programs are a perfect way to diversify your experience working in different settings and gain needed observation, clinical, and volunteer hours. Because you will be completing observation hours and clinical hours with a licensed PTs on all of our programs, these hours may also count towards clinical competencies for students planning to pursue graduate education in physical therapy.
What Will I Do? (Pre-Physical Therapy Program Details)
The focus of this program is to collaborate with government organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private clinics, and our local community partner organizations to bring sustainable and culturally relevant therapy services to a variety of populations. Your group will learn from professional PTs and participate in a large range of amazing activities. With an intentional focus on cooperative learning and capacity building for both visiting and hosting professionals, our Physical Therapists will take you through a cross-disciplinary, cross-sectoral and cross-cultural program that will change the way you develop within your field.
Therapy Abroad students and staff provide essential services such as screenings, direct rehabilitation, evaluations, referral and/or care to promote fitness, health and wellness and capacity building in the provision of physical therapy to individuals, organizations, and communities. You will learn about diverse approaches to teaching and implement methodologies for designing and evaluating learning experiences used in the education of patients/clients, students, colleagues, and the broader community.
During your time in Costa Rica, there will also be opportunities for fun, cultural excursions. Places you may visit in Costa Rica, include Paos Volcano National Park, the Rescate Animal Foundation, La Paz Waterfall Gardens or the Hidden Valley Permaculture Farm. You may experience ziplining through the breathtaking rainforests or tasting the history of Costa Rica’s coffee.
See the full itinerary below.
What Is The Itinerary* For Costa Rica Therapy Program?
- Day 1: Arrival & Orientation. Travel to Costa Rica, followed by a Therapy Abroad Orientation and team building activities.
- Day 2: Excursion: In San Jose, visit the Paos Volcano National Park and later tour the Rescate Animal Foundation, an animal sanctuary committed to conserving Costa Rica’s wildlife.
- Day 3: Clinical Experience: Visit a local psychiatric hospital and collaborate with local clinicians.
- Day 4: Excursion: Spend the day at La Paz Waterfall Garden Nature Park.
- Day 5: Clinical Experience: Return to the psychiatric hospital for observation and staff lectures.
- Day 6: Exploration: Travel to Monteverde, a major ecotourism destination, and explore the surrounding areas.
- Day 7: Excursion: Experience the history of coffee on a coffee tour, followed by a tour of their chocolate and sugar cane facilities.
- Day 8: Clinical Experience: Plan activities and host a camp (Tykes Camp) for local children.
- Day 9: Excursion: Explore all that Costa Rica has to offer on a treetop canopy suspension bridge tour. You may choose to zipline or experience the Amphibian Exhibition.
- Day 10: Travel Day: Travel back home!
Where Will I Stay in Costa Rica? (Program Life)
You will be staying in local hotels throughout your travel in Costa Rica.
Every day you will have access to Wifi, fresh drinking water, western style toilets and showers. Meals will be a combination of local and Western cuisine. ? We have a 100% guarantee that you will have plenty of amazing food! We can cater to specific dietary needs as long as you let us know ahead of time. In addition to Costa Rico’s many scenic charms, the warmth and hospitality of the people and culture will make you feel at home in no time!
Benefits For Students Who Participate In Pre-Physical Therapy Program:
- Hands-on experience
- Build experience and resume for graduate school admissions
- Gain clinical hours
- Cultural responsiveness
- Learn from professionals in small discussion
- Practice skills in a multicultural environment
- Learn to compare and contrast physical therapy services in developing countries with that in the United States.
- Intercultural exchange in creative learning environment
- Increased skills of intercultural communication
- Experience in research and collaboration
- Greater international understandings of social issues
- Better understanding of global social change
- Greater understanding of inequalities and differences in world systems
- International travel experience
Program price is $3,570 USD including international airfare.
*Airfare from the Continental US is estimated at $—.
Travel and study abroad is a big investment and our commitment to you is that we will work hard every day to make sure you are going to have the most amazing experience: professional staff, tasty meals and comfortable accommodations, and overall, a well-crafted itinerary full of diverse activities and good people.
With the exception of international airfare, our trips are all-inclusive. All domestic transport, meals, accommodation, all activities, supervision, and all excursions. We won’t try to upsell you on any “additional activities” or “additional optional activities” that aren’t advertised as part of the program. More specifically, your program includes:
- Pre-departure support
- Group flight booking assistance
- Flights team support staff
- Professional and licensed staff (practitioners and academics)
- 24-hour emergency support staff and in-country support
- Airport pick-up in Dominica
- Private transport throughout the country
- Experienced facilitators
- Shared, comfortable accommodations
- All meals
- Snacks and drinking water
- Orientation and curriculum
- All necessary equipment, materials and supplies
- All activities listed in the program itinerary
- Materials, tests and diagnostic tools
- Therapy Abroad t-shirt
IMPORTANT NOTE: This program is designed for those interested in the fields of Physical Therapy. There are no prerequisites for this program, and students from any relevant department or major may apply. Spaces for this program are limited and fill up quickly. All applications will be individually evaluated on a rolling basis.