Belize: Communication Sciences & Disorders Program
This two-week program is based in the Central American country of Belize and is intended for upper-level undergraduates (3rd & 4th years), post-bacc, and graduate students ages 18 and up who are interested in pursuing a career in speech-language pathology (speech therapy), audiology, or a related field. This is an ideal program for students who want to take advantage of learning from professional American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) accredited speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and Therapy Abroad staff in order to learn more about this remarkable field of study and earn necessary clinical hours. Students gain hands-on experience rarely found in the classroom, professional observation hours, one-on-one time with SLPs and other professionals, intercultural exchange, a better understanding of global issues, and a chance to help children with special needs and their families.
Belize is the only Central American country with English as its official language, which makes it the perfect place to dive into an overseas learning adventure in communication disorders. Students on this program will have the opportunity to experience a little of everything that Belize has to offer from beaches, eco-lodges, and jungles rich with Mayan ruins to zip-lining and snorkeling. In addition, students will work with schools and other community partners to help Belize meet a huge demand for speech and language services.
Program Details
Therapy Abroad students and staff provide essential services such as speech & language screenings, evaluations, and intervention. Students and staff will also take part in a communications learning camp for children with special needs designed around skill-based stations.
Observation & Clinical Hours
We design all of our programs with our students in mind and we know that observation is a great way to learn more about speech-language pathology. Because you will be completing
observation hours with an ASHA licensed SLP on all of our programs, these hours will count toward your 25 ASHA guided observation hours needed to pursue graduate education in speech-language pathology. Graduate students can also gain clinical hours needed for graduation.
Program Life
- Stay in basic western-style accommodation (small hotels & guest houses)
- Access to Wifi, fresh drinking water, western-style toilets and showers, and laundry services
- Home-cooked Belizean and Western cuisine consisting of rice and beans, chicken, fish, pasta, and other meats along with fresh vegetables and fruits
Benefits For Students Who Participate In This Program Include:
- Hands-on experience
- Build experience and resumé for graduate school admissions
- Guided observation with ASHA licensed SLP
- 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.
- Practice skills in a multicultural environment
- Learn to compare and contrast speech-language pathology 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
- A better understanding of global social change
- A greater understanding of inequalities and differences in world systems
- International travel experience
What’s Included
Travel and study abroad are a big investment and our promise to you is that we will work hard every day to make sure you are going to have the most amazing experience, best staff, tastiest meals, an excellent itinerary full of the best activities and the meaningful hands-on experience that you are expecting. With the exception of international airfare, our trips are all-inclusive!
