Students from the University of Texas - Austin 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

While all Therapy Abroad programs focus to a large degree on skill acquisition in the areas of evaluation and treatment, we have designed our program so that master’s and bachelor’s level students from universities can effectively work together on the same program. Students at the master’s level will be able to receive supervised clinical hours while bachelor’s level students receive their guided observation hours. We collaborate closely with your program to ensure all academic and hourly requirements set by your institution are fully met.

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 either outside Belize City or in Belmopan, both are areas with 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, Bull Frog Inn, or similar. 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. 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 en-suite bathrooms, and most rooms have AC, though a few nights may have fans.

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 staff 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 if you wish.

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 $3,250:

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

• Remaining balance: $3,000 (split into 2 payments)

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.

Arrival into Belize City International Airport - Our staff meet your group at the airport for a private transfer to your accommodation in San Ignacio or Belmopan (approximately two hours away)

Enjoy a welcome dinner consisting of traditional Belizean food.

Begin your morning with a walking tour of town, visit the market, and hear from a guest speaker on Education, Cultural and Healthcare in Belize.

Today you'll have time to review information on clients and materials we have for screenings, dynamic assessments, treatment, and Tykes Camp. Once we know the make up of the students and their levels, we will determine the clinical experiences. All of this information will be shared with you prior to departure via a Google Resource Folder. Client files will be located in there along with speech therapy resources, packing list, final itinerary, and more!

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. 

Get ready for a full morning of impactful community engagement! You'll have the opportunity to provide personalized therapy treatment sessions and empower caregivers directly in the homes of individuals within the community. You may conduct screenings, dynamic assessments, and/or individual treatment. This is where you'll see the real-world application of your skills and learn more about life in Belize. We'll break for a refreshing lunch, then head back out to continue into the community.

This afternoon students are off the the Maya Women’s Group. Organized to primarily offer a sustainable way to keep their culture alive, this tour will take students to the village of San Antonio in the Cayo district. The Yucatec Maya Village is nestled in the Maya mountains bordering the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Students will learn to prepare traditional food & make pottery.

This morning you’ll complete screenings, assessments or treatment with your faculty. You may visit local schools, work with families in our clinic, or conduct trainings and parent coaching.

After lunch, get ready for Day 1 of Tykes Camp! This afternoon you’ll you have your first day of Tykes Camp! You’ll work through the stations you designed with your assigned camper. Your supervisors will be there to support you throughout the afternoon.

This morning you’ll head to a local school to complete screenings and dynamic assessments, if necessary. This will be a great chance to meet typically developing children to hear the local dialect and meet those who may have delays and get a taste of your clinical experiences to come.

This afternoon you’ll you have your second day of Tykes Camp! 

This morning 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.

After lunch you’ll you have your second day of Tykes Camp! Make adjustments from yesterday. You’ll be getting to know your camper better and feel more confident.

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.

Take the Belize Water Taxi to Caye Caulker 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.