Belize Communication Sciences & Disorders Programs
What You Need To Know
The Belize Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students passionate about speech-language pathology, audiology, or related health and human science fields who want to gain hands-on experience in a cross-cultural setting. Ideal candidates are those seeking immersive clinical observation hours, exposure to global health perspectives, and opportunities to work alongside local professionals and peers. Therapy Abroad offers four distinct program lengths to accommodate various academic and scheduling needs: the 17-day program includes an intensive clinical observation track that helps students fulfill the full 25 ASHA-required hours, making it ideal for those nearing graduate school applications; the 12-day program blends clinical and community-based activities with ample professional development opportunities; the 10-Day program focuses on interdisciplinary care and allows students to learn from SLPs and OTs in a collaborative and fun environment and the 8-day option provides a compact yet meaningful experience focused on cultural exchange and foundational field exposure, perfect for students with limited time who still want to make an impact.
Belize CSD Destination Details
Nicknamed the “Jewel” of the Caribbean, Belize is a unique Central American country nestled between Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea. Belize was previously known as British Honduras before gaining its independence from Great Britain in 1983. Labeled a developing country, Belize is working hard to bring much needed services to its special needs population. Because of Belize’s history with Great Britain, the official language of the country is English. However, there are about eight different prevalent languages spoken throughout the country. Each language comes with its own bit of history and culture. Throughout your time in Belize you’ll have the opportunity to see and learn about the varying cultures and how they all blend together to create the unique experience that is Belize. Read more about all of our locations below!
Belmopan
Belmopan is the capital city of Belize, situated in the central part of the country, roughly halfway between the Caribbean coast and the Guatemalan border. Belmopan is characterized by its modern layout and relatively recent development compared to other Belizean cities. The city is set amidst lush greenery and gently rolling hills, offering a more serene and spacious environment than the bustling coastal areas. Key landmarks include the National Assembly Building, the Civic Center, and various government offices.
Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda, often referred to as PG, is a charming town located in southern Belize along the shores of the Caribbean Sea. It serves as the administrative center of the Toledo District, being the district’s largest town. It is known for its laid-back atmosphere and rich cultural diversity. The region is a gateway to some of Belize’s most remote and unspoiled natural attractions, including the Toledo District’s extensive rainforests and the nearby Mayan archeological sites. PG is located in the most rural part of the country surrounded by many small villages.
Punta Gorda is a melting pot of cultures, reflecting the diverse ethnic composition of Belize. The town is home to a mix of Mestizos, Creoles, Maya, and Garifunas, each contributing to the area’s vibrant cultural makeup.
San Ignacio
San Ignacio is a vibrant town located in western Belize, near the border with Guatemala. Nestled along the banks of the Macal River, this picturesque area is surrounded by lush rainforests and rolling hills, making it a gateway to the natural wonders and archaeological treasures of the region. San Ignacio boasts a rich cultural history influenced by its Mayan heritage and a blend of various ethnic groups, including Mestizos, Creoles, and Garifunas. The town has a warm, welcoming atmosphere with a mix of traditional and contemporary elements.One of the highlights of San Ignacio’s culture is its vibrant market scene, where you can experience local life, sample traditional cuisine and purchase handmade crafts.
Eligibility Criteria for belize Program
Undergraduate students, graduate students, recent graduates, and post-bacc students.
This award-winning program was designed to give every CSD/SLP student the opportunity to gain hands-on experience!
- May 4 -May 17 (Program Full)
- May 18 -May 31 (Program Full)
- June 1 -June 14 (Program Full)
- June 15 -June 28 (Program Full)
- June 29 -July 12
- July 13 -July 26
- July 27 -August 9
- August 10 -August 23
2020 -2021 Winter Program Dates (Now Accepting Applications)
- December 7 -December 19
- December 28 -January 9
- January 11 -January 23
Why Should I Travel with Therapy Abroad for Communication Sciences & Disorders
More than ever, speech-language pathology /speech therapy program selection committees are looking for well-rounded students who have a thorough understanding of their respective fields of interest and the ability to work collaboratively across cultures. SLP graduate programs, clinical rotations, and clinical fellowships are increasingly difficult to get into. In this program, you will work with and learn from a distinguished group of professional SLPs in a cross-cultural setting. We created this program specifically to help participants not only grow in the above areas, but also gain hands-on experience that’s hard to duplicate in the classroom: professional observation hours, one-on-one time with professionals in your field for formal and informal settings, direct experience in public and allied health, and a chance to support local children, adults, and families with special needs.
What Will I Do in Belize
The focus of this program is to collaborate with government organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private clinics, and our local community partner organizations to bring sustainable and culturally relevant therapy services to local school-age children. Your group will learn from professional SLPs, and participate in a large range of amazing activities. With an intentional focus on cooperative learning and capacity building for both visiting and hosting professionals, our ASHA-certified Speech Therapists will take you through a cross-disciplinary, cross-sectoral and cross-cultural program that will change the way you develop within your field.
Therapy Abroad students will learn about diverse approaches to teaching and implement methodologies for designing and evaluating learning experiences used in the education of patients/clients, students, colleagues, and the broader community.
During your time in Belize, you will participate in a variety of activities that may include both formal and informal assessments, group therapy (Tykes Camp), individual therapy sessions, school-based screenings and dynamic assessments, caregiver training, and time working and learning from other healthcare professionals.
Excursions: Ziplining through the rainforest, cave tubing, snorkeling in the world’s second largest barrier reef, exploring a Mayan archeological site, and more!
You’ll receive a full itinerary prior to departure.
Belize Communication Sciences & Disorders Program Accommodation
Students and faculty will stay in accommodations with communal areas to relax, meeting areas for group discussion, and plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces to explore with fellow students. You will be transported to different locations via a private bus or van with your dedicated driver for the duration of your program.
Every day you will have access to Wifi, fresh drinking water, western style toilets and showers, and towels and sheets. Students sleep in shared accommodations with individual beds and shared bathrooms. Most accommodations have air conditioning in the bedrooms; however, you may have 1-2 nights with fans to keep you cool. It’s all part of the Belizean experience!
Homemade meals provided by our local cooks will be a combination of Belizean 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. In addition to Belize’s many scenic charms, the warmth and hospitality of the people and culture will make you feel at home in no time!share
Free Time Cultural and Adventure Activities in Belize
Students with Therapy Abroad will find out that we pack a lot of activities into a two week program, but we will also make sure you have down time to relax, write in your journal, use the internet, talk to our staff and explore. Our Staff are a great source of advice and are here to help you make the most of your time abroad. If you have any questions about any opportunities not listed in our program, want to try some new food a friend has told you about or just try something different, then let us know any time before or during your program and we will do our best to make it happen.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes for Students of CSD Program Include
- Hands-on experience
- Build experience and resume for graduate school admissions
- Up to 20 hours of observation with ASHA licensed SLP
- Learn & practice Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- Cultural responsiveness
- Learn from professionals in small discussion based groups: Topics include disorder vs difference, oral motor and feeding techniques, applied behavior analysis, working with culturally & linguistically diverse groups and more.
- Practice skills in a multicultural environment
- Learn to compare and contrast speech-language pathology services in developing countries with that in the United States.
- Intercultural exchange in creative learning environment
- Increased skills of intercultural communication
- Experience in research and collaboration
- Greater international understandings of social issues
- Better understanding of global social change
- Greater understanding of inequalities and differences in world systems
- International travel experience
What’s Included in Communication Sciences and Disorders Program Belize
We got you covered: Travel and study abroad is a big investment and our commitment to you is that we will work hard every day to make sure you are going to have the most amazing experience: professional staff, tasty meals and comfortable accommodations, and overall, a well-crafted itinerary full of diverse activities and good people.
With the exception of international airfare, our trips are all-inclusive. We won’t try to upsell you on any “additional activities” or “additional optional activities” that aren’t advertised as part of the program. More specifically, your program includes:
- Pre-departure support
- Group flight booking
- Professional ASHA licensed staff
- 24-hour emergency support staff
- Airport pick-up in Belize
- Private transport
- Experienced professional staff
- Safe shared accommodations
- All meals
- Snacks
- Orientation
- All necessary equipment, materials and supplies
- 24-hour in-country support
- All activities listed in the program itinerary
- All domestic transport
- Materials, tests and diagnostic tools
- Therapy Abroad tee-shirts
Explore All of Our Belize CSD Programs Below
When you are ready to apply for a trip, click on Book Now.