Students from Florida State have the incredible opportunity to take part in a customized study abroad program in Belize. No other program offers group travel, study abroad, and professional development experiences designed exclusively for communication sciences and disorders.  This unforgettable experience blends hands-on clinical practice—supervised by either your program faculty or one of our US licensed professionals—with rich cultural immersion, local excursions, meaningful community engagement, and time to explore the natural beauty and history of Belize. You’ll stay in locally owned guesthouses or hotels in underserved communities where your work can make a real difference, and wrap up your journey relaxing on a nearby Belizean island with beachside accommodations.

Through our partnerships with Belize’s Ministry of Education and other local non-profits, you’ll gain first hand exposure to how culture, language, and local systems shape healthcare and education—and return home with stronger clinical skills, a deeper sense of cultural humility, and memories that will last a lifetime.

A note from our Founder: Therapy Abroad aims to provide more than just a study abroad program. Our goal is to support academic excellence and experiential education by offering custom program experiences relevant to students in their chosen field of study, along with opportunities for faculty involvement and research collaborations.    

-Dr. Jessica Brown, PhD., CCC-SLP, MT-BC

You will leave this trip having:

• Increase understanding of norms, languages, and cultures of Belize and its educational and medical system 

• Identify and discuss evaluation and treatment techniques that are culturally appropriate and sustainable

• Identify, discuss, and treat individuals from culturally/linguistically diverse backgrounds. Specifically, the various cultures and languages in Belize, and how those languages impact our clinical practice 

• Acquire new therapeutic skills, when provided with specific and timely feedback for improvement and personal growth 

• Implement and modify culturally appropriate intervention plans; develop and use appropriate strategies, approaches, materials, and instrumentation to provide ample opportunities to meet the needs of client/family

• Communicate effectively, recognizing the needs, values, preferred mode of communication, and cultural/linguistic background of the client/patient, family, caregivers, and relevant others

• Identify and discuss the various cultures in Belize, and how those cultures define our intervention, assessment, tools, prompt/cues, and caregiver training

• Identify and discuss the educational and medical systems in Belize, and how those systems are different

• Analyze ethics, global issues, and how one’s own values, ideologies, philosophies, and knowledge affect therapeutic approaches and interaction with different cultures

• Develop career-related knowledge and contacts developed through having constant access to highly experienced professional in students chosen field of study

Known as the "Jewel" of the Caribbean, Belize is a vibrant Central American country rich in history and culture. Formerly British Honduras, it gained independence in 1983 and continues to expand services for its special needs population. Therapy Abroad partners with Belize’s Ministries of Education and Health to support these efforts. With English as the official language and a diverse mix of languages—including Kriol, Spanish, and Mayan—Belize offers the perfect setting to develop cultural competence and clinical skills. Students will gain hands-on experience while exploring the country’s rich history, unique communities, and stunning natural environment.

You will be staying in towns such as Belmopan, San Ignacio, or outside of Belize City all with a great need for services. We will confirm the location during our planning process. Your accommodation will be a locally-owned guest house such as Hode's Place, Drift Inn, El Rey Hotel, Martha’s Guesthouse, Tropical Education Center, or similar. You'll have access to WiFi, fresh drinking water, western-style toilets and showers, and towels and sheets. Student accommodations are shared with individual beds and bathrooms, and rooms will be equiped with either air conditioning or fans. While on the island at the end of your program, you’ll stay in a hotel right on the beach. There is a restaurant on-site as well as within walking distance of many shops. Students and faculty will stay in accommodations with communal areas, meeting spaces, and plenty of outdoor areas to relax and explore. 

Transport will be provided by private bus or van with a dedicated driver. Meals, prepared by local cooks, will feature a mix of Belizean and Western cuisine. Dietary needs can be accommodated with prior notice. The warmth and hospitality of the Belizean people will make you feel right at home!

We work hard to coordinate a group flight for faculty and students to ensure travel is seamless. Therefore, once we secure your program dates and the participant information we are able to coordinate a group flight out of the closest home airport. 

With the exception of international airfare, our trips are fully inclusive—there are no hidden costs or optional add-ons. Tuition covers all activities, materials, meals, housing, and transportation during the program, so students can focus on learning and experiencing their trip without worrying about extra expenses.

The total tuition is $2,750:

• Non-refundable deposit: $250 (due at booking)

• Remaining balance: $2,500 (split into 2 payments of $1,250)

And if you’re worried about payments, we’ve got options to help:

• Explore our Fundraising Guide with strategies and resources.

• Use our new built-in Contribution Page feature—just like GoFundMe, but directly linked to your program's tuition balance! So each time someone donates, you automatically owe less on your next payment.

• To save on extra processing fees, we recommend making your payment by ACH (direct bank transfer).

• Need more flexibility? We can help customize a payment plan that works for you—just ask!

We recommend that students bring about $200 as pocket money for souvenirs any extra snacks they want.

If you choose to cancel, we will hold onto your initial deposit for you to use on a future Therapy Abroad trip. This deposit is not transferable to another person. Refund percentages include the non-refundable deposit:

• 100% refund for cancellations made 90+ days before departure.

• 75% refund for cancellations made 90–60 days before departure.

• 50% refund for cancellations made 59-30 days before departure.

• 0% refund for cancellations made within 30 days of departure.

Safety is our top priority, and we take a hands-on approach to ensure every aspect of your experience is secure. Every location, accommodation, and activity is personally vetted by Therapy Abroad directors. Belize is a safe destination with strong infrastructure, and we work closely with the Ministries of Education and Health to organize every detail of your trip. From departure to return, we provide a seamless, worry-free experience. You’ll always be part of a group led by experienced facilitators—never outsourced staff. Our team ensures access to medical care, clean food and water, and reliable communication at all times.

Sustainability is at the forefront of our mission and a program aspect we hold in the highest regard. In the creation of this program we have taken into account the needs of Belize as well as goals set forth by their respective ministries. There is a significant amount of time factored in for both hands-on teacher training and modeling as well as professional presentations. These aspects are key to continuing the procedures we’ll put in place for students and our counterparts. What makes Therapy Abroad unique in this context is that we are working year round to develop services in Belize. It is not enough to simply “meet the need” for services. Our approach requires working with traditional educational institutions and educators, charitable organizations, non-profits and community groups to help them answer the questions they have about speech-language pathology, occupational and physical therapies, community health, and education within the ethos of their own community, and design a strategy that is socially-minded and financially viable.

Here are some links to our website that are worth exploring:

• Explore TherapyAbroad.org

• Our mission at Therapy Abroad

• Meet our team

• Why travel with us

• Read student and staff reviews

• FAQ

The itinerary on this page is provided as a sample to help guide the next steps in the planning process. Our team at Therapy Abroad will work closely with you to customize an itinerary that aligns with the academic goals and requirements of your institution.

 Welcome to Belize! Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be greeted by Therapy Abroad staff and transferred to your accommodations at the Tropical Education Center. Once you’ve settled in, you’ll join your fellow participants for a welcome dinner and evening orientation. You'll get a full overview of the week ahead—what to expect in terms of clinical work, cultural experiences, and how you’ll earn your observation or contact hours through direct engagement. 

Depending on your flight arrival time, lunch will be on the road during your drive or upon arrival at your local accommodation. After settling, you’ll meet our team for an orientation of the area and our program. This will include safety information, a review of your itinerary, introductions, and hotel information such as WiFi. 

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’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.

After returning to the Tropical Education Center, you’ll participate in a classroom session focused on communication disorders, therapeutic goal-setting, and how to structure your clinical interactions in the days to come. The evening includes a debrief and group discussion to help you process the clinical, cultural, and ethical dimensions of your experience so far.

 After dinner, the day concludes with a night safari at the Belize Zoo. Guided by local experts, you’ll explore the zoo after dark—an unforgettable experience where you’ll encounter native species in their nocturnal habitats and learn about wildlife conservation in Belize. 

Get ready to step into a leadership role. Today, you’ll design and run your own activity stations for children in the community—targeting speech, language, sensory, literacy, and motor skill development. With supervision and support from licensed professionals, you’ll lead small group interventions and work directly with kids to build skills through fun, play-based activities. You'll earn clinical hours through this hands-on experience while developing your confidence and cultural awareness. 

After several meaningful days of clinical work and community engagement, today is all about fun, adrenaline, and adventure. You’ll spend the day exploring the lush Belizean rainforest with two unforgettable experiences.

First, you’ll gear up and soar through the jungle on an exhilarating zipline course, gliding from platform to platform above the treetops. Then, you’ll cool off with a guided cave tubing expedition through Belize’s underground river systems. As you float through cathedral-like caverns, your guide will share stories about the ancient Maya who once used these caves for ritual and ceremony.

This day offers the perfect balance of nature, culture, and recreation—giving you time to recharge, connect with your peers, and experience the beauty of Belize in a completely different way.

Your day begins with a visit to The Inspiration Center in Belize City—an outpatient rehabilitation clinic that serves children with disabilities and developmental delays. During your time there, you’ll tour the facility, meet with local therapists, and learn about how speech, language, occupational, and physical therapy services are provided in a resource-limited environment. You may also observe therapy sessions or engage in conversations with clinicians about the challenges and innovations involved in their work.

Following this enriching visit, you’ll make your way to the water taxi terminal for your transfer to Caye Caulker, where you’ll check in to Island Magic Hotel. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the island’s laid-back pace—whether that means beach time, exploring, or simply soaking in the ocean views. 

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.