Therapy Abroad Belize

Having the opportunity to travel to Belize in the speech-language pathology program was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Going into this trip as a recent graduate, I hardly knew any of the girls I was traveling with. Ultimately, this was the best case scenario; I established meaningful relationships and learned how to connect with those I wouldn't have had a chance to otherwise. While being in a new country can seem scary, the level of organization provided an overarching sense of safety and security. The accommodations--which were charming and comfortable--exceeded my expectations. Everyone was very welcoming and the people I encountered elevated the trip through diverse culture and language. I especially loved how the program focused on the rich cultural heritage of the country, and the amazing and hard-working people who dedicate their lives to molding the children of their community with love and attention. Everyday was packed with exciting experiences, which I accredit to Therapy Abroad's amazing ability to blend service and fun. Besides our time working with children in Belize, my favorite activities involved Zumba in the park and canoeing through a history-rich cave. I accrued greater perspective at every turn and our time working directly with the local population provided a glimpse of the global impact I can make as a future speech pathologist. Overall, this experience solidified my passion for speech therapy by promoting cultural-linguistic diversity---while inspiring me to continue down this path as I move forward with my career.