Meet Our Student Ambassador – Abby Barnett

About Abby Barnett

Hi! My name is Abby Barnett, and I am a second-year undergraduate student at Nova Southeastern University. I’m currently in Nova Southeastern’s Dual Admission Speech-Language Pathology program, and my goal is to become a speech-language pathologist with my own private practice once I graduate.

I first heard about Therapy Abroad through an email that one of my professors sent out. The program immediately caught my attention; it looked exciting, meaningful, and like an incredible way to learn more about my future career.

My Favorite Experiences

This summer, I had the honor of attending Therapy Abroad’s Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy program in Bulgaria and Greece for two weeks. It was truly one of the best experiences of my life.

My favorite part of the trip was visiting the Daycare Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities in Bulgaria. The students there were so fun to interact with, and every moment with them reminded me why I chose this field. I also loved Camp Day at the Center for Social Rehabilitation and Integration, also in Bulgaria. Finding and incorporating appropriate, ability-based activities gave me the chance to be creative and try new things while working alongside my peers.

Before the trip, I didn’t realize just how many fun cultural activities we’d get to do together as a group. In addition to our clinical and service work, we explored so many beautiful places, such as visiting Shipka Peak, going on tours of Sofia, exploring Santorini, and even checking off bucket-list landmarks like the Acropolis in Greece. These adventures made the experience even more unforgettable and helped us bond as a group while learning about the incredible cultures we were immersed in.

One thing that shocked me the most was how much I fell in love with Bulgaria. Going into the trip, I thought I would like Greece more, but Bulgaria completely captured my heart. The people, the scenery, and the sense of community made it such a special place that will always hold a place in my heart.

What I Learned

Before going on this trip, I was nervous. As a first-year undergraduate student at the time, I worried that I might be unprepared, and since I didn’t know anyone else going, I was a little anxious about fitting in. However, the second I arrived at the airport and met my group and supervisors, I knew everything would be okay. Everyone was so welcoming, and the connections we formed made the experience even more special. It is important to recognize that everyone in the group is in the same position as you, eager to learn, explore, and connect.

This trip was not only an incredible cultural and personal experience but also a great opportunity to build my resume and gain meaningful observation hours and hands-on experience in the field of speech-language pathology. Working directly with clients and learning from professionals in real-world settings gave me new skills and confidence that I’ll carry into my future studies and career.

I’ve made incredible memories and friendships that have truly changed my life. This trip helped me grow not only as a student but also as a person. I’ve become more passionate about my future career as a speech-language pathologist and more confident, empathetic, and inspired overall.

Advice for Future Students

If you’re thinking about going on a Therapy Abroad trip, do it! Even if you’re nervous or unsure, you’ll come home with unforgettable experiences, stronger skills, and lifelong friendships. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn, explore, and grow both personally and professionally.

A few tips I’d give to future students:

• Pack light! You’ll be moving around a lot, and you’ll thank yourself later.
• Bring comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking and exploring some incredible places!
• Be prepared to step out of your comfort zone. Every new challenge helps you grow.
• Have fun and live in the moment. These experiences go by so fast; enjoy every second.