This 9-day international study abroad program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at the University of Kentucky to explore global models of communication sciences and disorders through structured clinical observation, academic exchange, and cultural immersion. Traveling through Italy, students will engage with universities, special education organizations, and school-based therapy programs to compare service delivery models, professional training pathways, and interdisciplinary practices. The program intentionally integrates clinical learning with cultural and historical context, allowing students to examine how language, hearing, disability, and accessibility are addressed across diverse healthcare and educational systems. Through guided reflection and faculty-led discussion, students will develop cultural competence, professional insight, and a broader understanding of their future roles as clinicians in an increasingly globalized field.

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

Global Communication Sciences & Health Systems

• Compare and contrast international approaches to speech-language pathology, audiology, and special education in Italy, with attention to clinical training models and service delivery systems.

• Gain insight into diverse healthcare and educational frameworks supporting individuals with communication, hearing, and developmental disorders.

• Examine how language diversity, healthcare policy, and community resources influence assessment, intervention, and access to services across countries.

Intercultural & Linguistic Competence

• Develop cultural awareness and sensitivity through engagement with international clinicians, educators, and students in academic and clinical settings.

• Analyze how cultural values, beliefs, and traditions shape communication norms, disability perspectives, and therapeutic practices.

• Demonstrate respectful, adaptable communication in multilingual and cross-cultural environments relevant to professional practice in speech-language pathology and audiology.

Cultural & Historical Literacy in Health and Education

• Analyze how historical, political, and social contexts influence public education, healthcare infrastructure, and disability services through site visits.

• Examine the role of European history, migration, and multilingualism in shaping contemporary approaches to communication, inclusion, and accessibility.

• Reflect on how urban design, architecture, and public spaces impact communication access and participation for individuals with speech, language, and hearing differences.

Personal & Professional Development

• Demonstrate increased professional confidence and independence through international travel, interdisciplinary learning, and collaborative group experiences.

• Strengthen reflective and critical thinking skills through faculty-led discussions, clinical debriefs, and guided reflection activities connecting theory to practice.

• Build global perspectives and professional networks that support future academic study and careers in speech-language pathology, audiology, and related fields.

🇮🇹 Italy, located in Southern Europe and extending into the Mediterranean Sea, has played a central role in Western civilization since ancient times. As the heart of the Roman Empire, Italy profoundly influenced law, language, medicine, architecture, and education across Europe and beyond. During the Renaissance, Italian city-states such as Florence, Milan, and Venice became global centers of art, science, and humanism. Today, Italy has a population of approximately 59 million people. Italian culture is shaped by strong regional identities, family-centered traditions, and a deep appreciation for art, history, and cuisine. Roman Catholicism has historically been the dominant religion, and the Vatican City remains an important spiritual and cultural presence within the country.

This country has amazing places filled with rich history, excellent food and warm generous people. You will stay in 3* hotel accommodations with communal areas to relax and hang out, meeting rooms for group discussions or presentations, and comfortable rooms for getting shut-eye. You will share a room with 1-2 other students and all rooms have private bathrooms and individual beds. Every day you will have access to Wifi, fresh drinking water, western style toilets and showers.

Meals will be a combination of local and Western cuisine. We have a 100% guarantee that you will have plenty of amazing food! We can cater to specific dietary needs as long as you let us know ahead of time. The warmth and hospitality of the people and culture will make you feel at home in no time!

We can arrange a group flight or students may book individual tickets from their preferred home airports.

Your trip is fully inclusive with the exception of airfare—there are no hidden costs or optional add-ons. Program fees cover 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: $500 (due at booking)

• Remaining balance is split into 3 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-$300 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 59-46 days before departure.

• 0% refund for cancellations made within 45 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. 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.

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.

Your journey begins with an international flight to Rome, marking the start of an unforgettable adventure in Italy. As you soar toward Europe, prepare to immerse yourself in a dynamic blend of cultural discovery, historical exploration, and therapeutic education.

This program offers more than just travel—it invites you to engage deeply with local communities, learn from international health and education institutions, and broaden your global perspective. Each location promises to inspire, challenge, and enrich your professional and personal growth.

Benvenuti a Roma! Our exciting journey through some of Italy's most beautiful cities begins here in the 'Eternal City'. Spend time relaxing after your travels or take a short walk along the ancient streets, before joining your travel companions and travel director for dinner and orientation drive through Rome's intoxicating cityscape. 

Overnight at hotel San Marco 3*, or similar located in the heart of the city.

After breakfast at your hotel, our tour will start through the maze of narrow streets and picturesque squares in Rome’s historic center, uncovering famous landmarks and hidden gems in the Eternal City. With a local guide, explore the Colosseum, an emblem of Rome, originally near a statue of Nero at the Dooms Aurea. The tour will continue through the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, where ancient political life and law and courts mingled with open-air markets and shops. 

Afterwards, lunch in a local restaurant, followed by free time. As the sun sets over the seven hills of Rome, people-watch in one of Rome’s beautiful squares or admire the Trevi Fountain.

The group will start the day with a visit to a local non-profit organisation called Centro Comunicare, focused on speech therapy, giving students a chance to learn about educational and therapeutic practices for children with special needs. 

After lunch at a local restaurant in the area, visit St. Peter's Basilica, located near the Vatican, a must-see landmark in Rome. Take a leisurely walk across St. Peter's Square, enjoying the atmosphere and photo opportunities. Continue the day with a walk along the cobblestone streets to Castel Sant'Angelo, a historic fortress with fascinating stories of power, protection, and escape.

In the morning, take the high-speed train from Termini station to Bologna Centro (the connection between Rome and Bologna is 2 hours and 25 min). Travel north, through the Apennines, to the medieval city of Bologna, perhaps best known for the delicious pasta sauce that bears its name.

Transfer to hotel Smy Bologna Centrale 3+* or similar and check in. After a short break to rest, lunch follows. Explore Bologna with your local guide on a half-day walking tour. Lovingly nicknamed “La Grassa” (“The Fat One”), Bologna is the food capital of Italy. Beyond amazing food, Bologna has a lot more to offer. Also known as “La Rossa” (“The Red One”) and “La Dotta” (“The Learned One”), Bologna is home to Europe’s oldest university, founded in 1088.

During the tour, you will see the major attractions as the Piazza Maggiore Square - the heart of the city, the Neptune fountain, and the sprawling San Petronio cathedral. Moving on to the historic Archiginnasio, delve into its ancient halls, including the intriguing Teatro Anatomico, showcasing the city's rich history of learning. Next, explore the lively Quadrilatero Market, brimming with sensory delights. Then marvel at Bologna's iconic skyline dominated by the majestic Due Torri, symbolizing its medieval heritage.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the University of Bologna, Speech and Language Therapy (Logopedia) department, focusing on diagnosing and treating communication, language, voice, and swallowing disorders through theory, labs, and clinical internships in healthcare settings.

Afterwards, we'll take you to a small trattoria to indulge in the traditional Raghu alla Bolognese, taste and learn why the authentic Parmigiano Reggiano is so special, sample 8-, 12-, and 25-year-old balsamic vinegars from Modena, enjoy a carefully selected charcuterie sampler from Emilia-Romagna, and savour homemade fresh pasta created by Bologna’s very own sfogline - pasta makers. Then, as we end our savoury stroll through the city, you will get to enjoy the best artisanal gelato in town

Free time for shopping and leisure. 

Sit back on the high-speed train, bound for Florence, and watch the Tuscan landscape go by. (the connection between Bologna and Florence is 55 min)

Join a local guide on a walking tour to gain insights into the city's Renaissance treasures. View the Ponte Vecchio, almost 700 years old, straddling the Arno River. 

Visit the striking Piazza della Signoria with its impressive sculptures and featuring Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. Amble through the charming cobblestone lanes to the multi-coloured marble Duomo and Baptistery, before admiring the scenic view of the Ponte Vecchio. 

After lunch, spend the rest of the afternoon sauntering through Florence's historic center, shopping for the high-quality leather the city is famous for, or admiring the artistic contribution of the Medici at every turn. Late afternoon, get back to Bologna by the high-speed train.

Today check out and transfer to Padua by comfortable air-conditioned coach. (the distance between Bologna and Padua is 130 km ~ 2 hours). After a short break for lunch, you'll have your third clinical visit at the University of Padua - Logopedia (Abilitante alla Professione Sanitaria di Logopedista) to learn about their programs, meet with faculty and potentially Italian students study speech therapy.

Afterwards, visit MUSME—the Museum of the History of Medicine. The Museum is located in the fifteenth-century palazzo that was home to the city’s first hospital. It was here that, for the first time in history, students of medicine began to learn and apply clinical practice in immediate contact with patients – an approach that laid the basis for the modern teaching of medicine.

Continue to Verona, often referred to as the 'City of Love' due to its association with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. This UNESCO World Heritage City offers an unparalleled blend of history, art, fine dining, shopping, and much more.

Transfer to hotel Best Western CTC 3+* or similar and check in.

Your guided tour will start from Piazza Bra, with its impressive buildings as the famous Arena, which was built before Rome’s Colosseum and is still used for cultural events.

Walk to Juliet's house to see the famous balcony and the statue of Juliet. 

Experience the allure of Verona, the city of love. Learn about the romance, drama and family feuds of Verona that led Shakespeare to choose the city as the setting for Romeo and Juliet. Continue to Herbs Square, where you’ll find a lively market, the Lamberti Tower, and the ancient Domus Mercatorum. Next, make a stop at the historical Signori Square.

Sit back on the train, bound for Venice, and watch the Veneto landscape from the Euganean Hills and the Dolomites to the Venetian Lagoon go by.

Glide through the canals of Venice by private launch, visiting some of the jewels in the crown of the 'Queen of the Adriatic'. Then it's on to St. Mark's Square to admire the profound beauty of the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. See the Bridge of Sighs, so named because of the sound prisoners would make when taking one last longing look at their beloved city before being imprisoned. Later, you’ll have the rest of the day to indulge your inner explorer and discover the many treasures of Venice your way.

Late afternoon, get back to Verona by train and celebrate a farewell dinner in the local restaurant. 

As you prepare to head home, take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey you’ve just completed—spanning multiple cities, multiple languages, and a wealth of cultural experiences.

This program has not only offered academic enrichment through visits to esteemed institutions but also fostered personal and professional growth through immersive, firsthand learning. Return home inspired, enriched, and empowered by the connections you've made and the stories you'll carry forward.