Pre -Occupational & Speech Therapy Program in Bulgaria
Pre-Occupational & Speech Therapy Program Dates
Applications are currently open for Summer 2025. We have a rolling admission process, which simply means that the window for applications closes when all of the spaces are filled. We also offer discounts to students who apply early!
Dates: June 1, 2025-June 15, 2025 (Program Full), June 19, 2025-July 3, 2025 (Only space for OT students remaining), July 5, 2025-July 19, 2025, July 21, 2025-August 4, 2025
These dates do NOT include your travel day(s) to fly to Bulgaria. The program dates are days on the ground in Bulgaria.
If these dates do not work with your schedule, please email katie@therapyabroad.org for details on developing a custom program for your University or club. All of our programs offer the same hands-on experience and our award winning curriculum for Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy students!
Eastern Europe Speech & Occupational Therapy Destination Details
Bulgaria, located in Southeast Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, is known for its rich history and diverse culture, blending Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences. Its picturesque landscapes include the majestic Rila Mountains, the Black Sea coastline, and the historic towns of Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo. It is one of the oldest states in Europe founded in the 7th century. Bulgaria joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004 and of the European Union (EU) in 2007. The country is famous for its traditional music and dance, colorful folklore festivals, and its delicious cuisine, which features specialties like banitsa and shopska salad. With a unique Cyrillic alphabet and a vibrant cultural heritage, Bulgaria offers a fascinating experience for visitors and a sense of warmth and hospitality to those who call it home. Bulgaria will be your home base for the clinical portion of your program. Finish your journey by traveling to the neighboring country of Greece to take in the sites of Athens & Santorini. Taste your way through traditional markets and wonder the historical cities, explore the ancient town of Akrotiri, explore the acropolis and more!
eligibility Criteria for Speech & Occupational Therapy Program
Undergraduate students, graduate students, recent graduates, and post-bacc students. There are no prerequisites to join. This program is designed for any student interested in pursuing a career in occupational therapy or speech-language pathology (speech therapy). As an interdisciplinary program, you will have the opportunity to work with licensed speech pathologists and occupational therapists!
Why Should I Travel with Therapy Abroad to Europe for Speech & Occupational Therapy
More than ever, Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) 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 Therapists 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 OTs, SLPs, 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.
What Will I Do in Bulgaria and Greece?
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 SLPs and OTs, 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 licensed Occupational Therapists and ASHA-certified Speech 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 will work directly in the pediatric day center alongside a local logopedic providing services and running a camp for kids with special needs. In addition, students will have the opportunity to visit and provide services in a local long term care geriatric facility. In addition to your supervisors, you will have interpreters and guides with you during your entire trip. Each day, students will have group reflections as well as one-on-one time with SLPs, OTs and other professionals.
During your time in Bulgaria there will also be opportunities for fun, cultural experiences and excursions. Examples of places you may visit in Bulgaria include the Devetashka Cave and Krushina Waterfalls, city tour of the capital of Sofia, the Veliko Tarnovo and Tsarevets Fortress, a monastery, and more.
See the full itinerary below.
Excursions: While you will earn observation and clinic hours, there will also be opportunities for fun, cultural excursions. Places you may visit in Bulgaria include the Devetashka Cave and Krushina Waterfalls, city tour of the capital of Sofia, the Veliko Tarnovo and Tsarevets Fortress, a monastery, and an oasis.
- July 5 - July 19
- July 21 - August 4
We have a rolling admission process, which simply means that the window for applications closes when all of the spaces are filled. If these dates do not work with your schedule, CSD, SLP, & OT students can also look at dates for our speech-language pathology and occupational therapy program in Thailand and Belize. All of our programs offer the same hands-on experience and our award winning curriculum for speech-language pathology students and occupational therapy students!
Will I Get Observation And Volunteer Hours?
Yes! If you are interested in becoming an SLP or OT, 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 SLPs and OTs on all of our programs, these hours may also count towards clinical competencies for students planning to pursue graduate education in speech-language pathology.
What's Included in Eastern European Program Itinerary?
- Day 1: Land in Bulgaria either on a group flight (most popular choice) or on your own**
- Day 2: Walking Tour of Sofia, transfer to Stolat and attend a welcome dinner
- Day 3-5: Clinical Activities at a pediatric center and elderly facility (similar to a Skilled Nursing Facility)
- Day 6: Local excursions to the Devetashka Cave and Krushina Waterfalls
- Day 7-8: Clinical Activities at a pediatric center and elderly facility (similar to a Skilled Nursing Facility)
- Day 9: Local excursion to Veliko Tarnovo
- Day 10: Free day to relax, complete documentation, and pack with a farewell dinner
- Day 11: Fly from Sofia, Bulgaria to Athens, Greece
- Day 12: Excursion to Santoini and Akrotiri, Greece
- Day 13: Excursion to Santorini volcano
- Day 14: Return to Athens and explore the Acropolis
- Day 15: Fly home
*sample itinerary can vary based on the group and dates
**students taking their own flight will pay a $300 admin fee to cover the cost of private transportation to/from airports and a Therapy Abroad staff person.
Bulgaria and Greece Program Accommodations
Bulgaria is an amazing place filled with rich history, excellent food and warm generous people. You will stay in boutique hotel accommodations with communal areas to relax and hang out, meeting rooms for group discussions or presentations, and comfortable rooms for getting shut-eye. You will share a room with 1-3 other students and all rooms have private bathrooms and private beds.
Every day you will have access to Wifi, fresh drinking water, western style toilets and showers, and laundry services (laundry will be on site or nearby). Meals will be a combination of Bulgarian 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 Bulgaria’s many scenic charms, the warmth and hospitality of the people and culture will make you feel at home in no time!
Benefits and Learning Outcomes For Students of Pre-Occupational and Speech Therapy Program Inlcude
- Hands-on experience
- Build experience and resume for graduate school admissions
- Gain observation and volunteer hours
- Materials, tests and diagnostic tools
- Therapy Abroad tee-shirt
- Cultural responsiveness
- Learn from professionals in small discussion based groups: Topics include disorder vs difference, oral motor and feeding techniques, applied behavior analysis, working with culturally & linguistically diverse groups and more.
- Learn to compare and contrast speech-language pathology and occupational 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
- Practice skills in a multicultural environment
- Greater international understandings of social issues
- Better understanding of global social change
- Greater understanding of inequalities and differences in world systems
- International travel experience
Tuition Fees and Payment Schedule
Non-refundable Deposit: $1,000
Remaining balance due 60 days prior to departure: $3,250
Total Program price: $4,250 USD not including international airfare*.
*Airfare from the Continental US is estimated at $1,200. Therapy Abroad will organize group flights from New York’s JFK International Airport as soon as airfares have been published.
What’s Included with your tuition for Pre-OT and Speech Therapy Program?
- 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 Bulgaria
- 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
- All domestic transport
- Flights from Sofia to Athens
- Materials, tests and diagnostic tools
- Therapy Abroad tee-shirt
