Today you’ll fly from the US into Belize City International Airport - Our staff will meet your group at the airport for a private transfer to your accommodation at the Tropical Education Center, where you will spend your first three nights.  After settling in, you’ll meet our team for an orientation on the area and our program. This will include safety information, a review of your itinerary, introductions, and hotel information such as WiFi and things you need to know, like tracking your ASHA observation hour goals, tracking tools, and expectations for the weeks ahead.

Enjoy a welcome dinner consisting of traditional Belizean food.

 Your day begins with a half-day visit to Ms. Emily’s Resource Center, a locally run initiative that supports children with diverse learning and developmental needs. You’ll spend the morning interacting with staff, learning about the challenges and triumphs of inclusive education in Belize, and getting a firsthand look at how local caregivers and educators work with limited resources to make a meaningful impact. It’s a powerful introduction to the social and educational context of your clinical work.

In the afternoon, you’ll head to Hermit’s Blue Hole, a serene freshwater cenote tucked in the forest. You’ll have time to swim, relax, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings before heading back to the Tropical Education Center. The day blends heart, perspective, and nature—giving you a grounded start to your journey in Belize.

Today, you will spend the day at the Tropical Education Center preparing for the clinical portion of the program. A classroom session introduces foundational concepts in communication disorders and the ASHA observation framework. This is a chance to get to know more about your supervisors and start planning for Tykes Camp. In the evening, you will set out for a nocturnal safari at the Belize Zoo, experiencing the country’s native wildlife and big cats under the stars. 

After breakfast, your group transfers west to San Ignacio, where you will stay for the next ten nights. Upon arrival, students participate in a cultural immersion session led by a Garifuna or Mayan speaker. Later, you will meet to plan the structure of the upcoming Tykes Communication Camp, assign roles, and set therapeutic goals. 

Tykes Camp Preparations

Tykes Camp is a learning camp for children with special needs designed around skill based stations - speaking, listening, learning, sensory, STEM, and fine and gross motor skills. The philosophy of Tykes is simple: Provide evidence-based practice in a group setting for children with a variety of disorders and disabilities. Speech, language, and occupational therapy goals will be targeted in the broader context of play, academic skills, and activities of daily living. 

This philosophy is important for three reasons: 

- Group interventions are effective, fun, and create a social network; 

- Treatment intensity (i.e., frequency and dose) predicts the best outcomes; and 

- Academic readiness and strong behavior regulation leads to high-quality outcomes. 

 Tykes Camp officially begins, with students taking the lead in running stations and working directly with children. Stations focus on communication, sensory activities, STEM-based problem solving, and motor skill development. Under the guidance of licensed SLPs and OTs, students implement interventions in a group setting, learning to adapt in real time. 

This afternoon you'll head up to visit Cahal Pech Archeological Site. You’ll have a private, guided tour to learn all about the history and culture of the Maya people. The site was a palatial, hilltop home for an elite Maya family, and though the most major construction dates to the Classic period, evidence of continuous habitation has been dated to as far back as 1200 BCE during the Early Middle Formative period (Early Middle Preclassic), making Cahal Pech one of the oldest recognizably Maya sites in Western Belize.

Camp continues with students adjusting their strategies and building rapport with campers. In the afternoon, you will debrief with your supervisors, write up your notes, and enjoy a free afternoon by the pool or exploring San Ignacio. 

This afternoon you'll head up to visit Cahal Pech Archeological Site. You’ll have a private, guided tour to learn all about the history and culture of the Maya people. The site was a palatial, hilltop home for an elite Maya family, and though the most major construction dates to the Classic period, evidence of continuous habitation has been dated to as far back as 1200 BCE during the Early Middle Formative period (Early Middle Preclassic), making Cahal Pech one of the oldest recognizably Maya sites in Western Belize.

Today you’ll head to Jaguar Paw for an adventure. You’ll first fly through the jungle while zip lining! It’s a beautiful, thrilling experience. You’ll have harnesses and helmets to wear and be guided throughout the trip by professionals. 

After lunch, you’ll cool off in the river while going cave tubing. You’ll have life jackets, helmets, and head lamps. It can get a little dark inside! Don’t worry though, our guides take good care of everyone.

On the final day of Tykes Camp, students facilitate closing activities and reflect on the week’s clinical progress. That evening, they participate in a traditional chocolate-making workshop, engaging in hands-on cultural learning.  

 Today, you’ll head to a local school where you’ll take part in language and hearing screenings for Belizean students. Working in small teams under the guidance of Therapy Abroad staff and licensed professionals, you’ll help conduct basic screenings designed to identify potential speech, language, and auditory needs. You’ll gain valuable experience using screening tools in a cross-cultural setting and interacting with children in a supportive, educational environment. 

Take the Belize Water Taxi to Caye Caulker or San Pedro today. Settle into your new accommodations. We will provide a brief orientation to the island and review safety information.

Spend the afternoon relaxing in the sun, swimming, shopping, or exploring the island. There is a beautiful sunset spot our staff will show you. 

Head out on a boat excursion today for guided snorkeling to see nurse sharks, rays, and many beautiful fish and coral! The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world, and the largest in the western hemisphere. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Belizeans work hard to manage this resource sustainably. Our snorkel provider will provide snorkel equipment and life jackets we require all students to wear during the snorkel trip.

Spend your final afternoon relaxing in the sun, swimming, shopping, or exploring the island. Tonight we will have a farewell dinner at one of our favorite spots on the island.

Take the water taxi back to Belize City to catch your flight home! Exchange information with new friends to stay connected! Please reflect back on all of the amazing things you did on your trip.

Share your experience with family, friends, peers and professors! Please be sure to tag us in your social media posts and leave us a review on GoOverseas.com.