Physical Therapy Shadowing in Puerto Vallarta

When I first signed up for Toucan Abroad, I thought it would be mostly physical therapy shadowing with a few activities scattered here and there. After going on the trip, I can confirm it was much more than that. Almost every day of those 3 weeks I was in Puerto Vallarta felt action packed and had met its full potential. I was constantly having fun and experiencing new things. A lot of the things I experienced were not listed on the trips original itinerary and instead came as pleasant surprises. These included things such as surfing, going on a yacht, clubbing, visiting private beaches, and going to amazing restaurants.

One of the best things I liked about the program was the amount of freedom you got. Outside of your shadowing hours, students are free to choose whatever they’d like to do and get to be creative with their choices. You are treated as a responsible adult and I like that.

The shadowing is great as you get a chance to work in a raw environment, and are treated as if you’re just another worker. You get to bounce between 3 clinics each week and can choose what specialties you want to observe. I found the experience to invaluable, as I learned a lot and made multiple relationships with the therapists. I even got to use one as a reference when applying to PTA school.

As I’m writing this, I’ve been home for only a few days but I still find myself missing the trip, the friends I made, and the things I got to do. I HIGHLY recommend this program to anyone who is interested in the physical therapy profession. I think Phil and everyone else at Toucan Abroad has done a great job putting this together and I can’t wait to watch it grow and reach more people.

I cannot recommend this program enough!! If you have the time and money to do it, you should. The physical therapy in Mexico was much more hands on and interactive than in the US, and it helped me learn so much. This is a great opportunity if you’re wanting to improve your Spanish skills or learn some Spanish as well. This was the best experience of my life and there was a great balance of learning and fun! It truly goes by so fast and you become close with everyone so quickly, it doesn’t even feel like you’re away from home.

I would highly recommend shadowing with Toucan Abroad! This experience was unlike anything I’ve done in the United States while getting shadowing. Everyone was great, from the fellow students, to the director, to the therapist. Everyone was very interested in us learning. Although there was a language barrier, it didn’t stop us from communicating. You get out what you put in, so give it your best effort and you’ll have the best time! This program is 100% worth it!! I’m so thankful for this opportunity with Toucan Abroad.

Being able to further my passion for physical therapy and immerse myself in a different culture was a great experience! I recommend to anyone who wants to pursue health care. I loved the clinics that we shadowed, the people I got to meet, and the activities that we did outside of the clinic. I do wish there was a bit more structure when it came to group activities, but it all worked out in the end! It made me even more excited to apply for this year’s cycle and look more into PT schools that offer clinicals in other countries.

This was the most incredible experience. It had the perfect work/fun balance. I learned so much about PT & I experienced so much culture. It was a beautiful trip. If I had it my way, I would live like that. My only advice is to save up as much as you can to take with you. There will be so much shopping & food that you will want to partake in! It was incredibly safe, the hotel was clean & the Blaze staff is so helpful & sweet. Go into it with an open mind & be brave. Speak the language even if you can’t, be nice, be humble & patient. Dive head first & enjoy it. 3 weeks was not enough. I could go on forever.

There’s so many things that could be said about this program. It is honestly life changing.
It was such an experience being able to learn Physical Therapy Techniques in a different country. I was able to bring back new information to share with therapists in the states.
I also met some of the most genuine and amazing people that I wouldn’t have crossed paths if it wasn’t for this program. 💛
I am forever thankful for Phil & Fernando for being superb leaders and organizing such a great experience.
11/10 reccomend

Ohh my gosh!! I don’t even know where to begin!! The clinic settings were all very different and the PT’s were wonderful, they explained everything they were doing with their patients and even let us be really hands on! Felipe and Fernie were absolutely amazing and had the best adventures for us when we were not in the clinics! The group I was with got along insanely quick! As well as the hotel staff that did an exceptional job at taking care of us all🫶 It was one of the best times of my life!! P.S first time traveling internationally by myself!! Will definitely do that a lot more!!❣️

I was super hesitant to go on this trip. I had never flown by myself let alone go out of the country. However, I decided to take a chance and I am so glad I did. Not only did I learn a lot from the therapist I shadowed but I created friendships that will last forever. I got to explore Puerto Vallarta in such a unique way and the locals were so sweet and amazing which makes the experience even better. If you’re having doubts, this is your sign to go. This was uncharted territory for me but now I have found people I can turn to no matter what, reach out to physical therapist in other countries, and have the urge to travel more overseas now that I have done this trip.