Graduate Health Sciences Adventure: Speech, Occupational, Physical & Behavioral Therapy

A group of 8 speech pathology grad students, 2 professors, and about 8 Therapy Abroad professionals were part of the team which traveled to the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands. The Special Needs Unit of the Dept of Education hosted us very generously and we enjoyed the beaches and local food. We met families of children with communication difficulties, did evaluations, and ran a camp for three days. I had the privilege of working with four autistic boys between ages 3 and 6 as well as some overlap with other campers whose diagnoses varied. I loved seeing their comfort level change from day one (clinging to the parent's leg, teary-eyed) to day three (running in to the gym for a hug and leading me by the hand to our first activity). I think we could have been more effective if we had meetings with the campers' parents and completed informal evaluations of the kids before we launched into camp. This was the first time Therapy Abroad ran a camp like this in Turks and Caicos, so it served as a good starting place. It was also interesting to visit schools and observe members of our team strategizing with local special needs advocates to work on ways to improve access to services throughout the country. In our spare time, we enjoyed a truly unforgettable boat tour and I was introduced to a bright, colorful world under the ocean's surface as we snorkeled. We also enjoyed a fish fry in the community and visits to local restaurants. Overall, this experience was intensely difficult and intensely fun - very formative for me as a student clinician, a traveler, and a friend within my cohort.

The Therapy Abroad trip I took to Turks and Caicos was one I will never forget. It was the first time Therapy Abroad had gone to Turks and Caicos, so there was some typical bumps and miscommunications as we got set up and provided evaluations to some kids and therapy camp for other kids for 3 days. The amount of growth that each child and student had was unbelievable. The staff on the trip was warm and welcoming, and when we weren't providing services to the children of TCI we were making memories together!

This Therapy Abroad trip to Turks and Caicos was a wonderful experience in which I gained a lot of experience doing speech therapy with autistic and non verbal children. There is a large need of services in the area, and I hope that others get the chance to go back. The activities that were done outside of the therapy camp were super fun, and the area was beautiful! We went snorkeling and to the beach often. The hotel we stayed at was very nice and I felt safe there. Overall, very glad I went and it was totally worth it!

My experience was unique because it was the first every speech-language pathology therapy aboard to Turks & Caicos island. I had the opportunity to work with other professionals like PT/OT, behavioral specialist, other SLPs, and the TCI special needs unit. I gained so much clinical knowledge and hours towards my graduation requirements for my masters degree. I also learned a lot of skills involving parent and teacher education. I gained more cultural competence working in the Turks and Caicos Islands!

Traveling abroad to provide services to children on the Turks and Caicos islands was the most fulfilling and educational experience I have had so far in my life. I learned so much about working with children with Autism,. dealing with children's sensory needs, working with different cultures, schools and services in other countries, AAC use with young children, and working with other professionals, all while influencing young childcare's lives and forming life long relationship. I cannot wait to hopefully return someday.

There was equal amounts of having fun and learning new stills and topics while on this trip. I highly recommend it to any student that is planning on going into the SLP field. I now have over 30 hours of observations and learning. I got to meet so many amazing peers who enjoy our field and build connections and relationships. I also got to work with SLPs who have worked in multiple states and countries to ask them questions about their daily lives as an SLP. On our days off, we got to hang out together doing things such as swimming, tubing, ziplining, and snorkeling.

Therapy Abroad was an amazing and worthwhile experience! It allowed me to build my clinical skills, meet new people, build better relationships with my friends, and encounter amazing adventures (cave tubing, hiking), foods, and cultures! Everyone was super helpful and supportive, and the advice I was provided will be very beneficial in my future career! Do not miss this opportunity to help others, step out of your comfort zone, and grow your love for speech therapy! Also, this trip is perfect for a students of all experience levels!

This week was one of the most impactful times in my life. Therapy abroad allowed me to take new perspectives, grow closer to my classmates, and re-spark the passion that pulled me towards speech pathology! I could not recommend this program and beautiful country more. I will definitely be coming back!

This program provided hands on unique experience that opened my eyes to different cultures and needs. Belize's diversity was one of my favorite parts of the trip. I learned valuable lessons and skills that I will take with me as I return back to school. I believe that this trip made my cohort better clinicians in many aspects.