Belize: University of Louisiana Monroe
Join us April 10-16, 2023 for our 3rd annual study abroad experience in Belize, Central America.
This program is a collaboration between the award-winning study abroad program facilitators at Therapy Abroad, and The Unversity of Louisiana Monroe Speech-Language Pathology Program, Hillside Healthcare International, and The Belize Ministry of Education. You will have an opportunity to travel to the beautiful beach town of Punta Gorda, Belize. Explore new places, cuisines, cultures, ways of living, and approaches to supporting individuals with disabilities. This 7-Day program offers students the opportunity to earn clinical clock hours and addresses most of the competencies in cultural and linguistic diversity outlined by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), and many more competencies that will advance your cultural humility.
Register Now
The total program fee is $2,400 and includes all local transportation, all accommodation, most meals, snacks, all materials and supplies and all cultural and adventure activities. A $500 deposit is required to confirm your space and the remainder of the program fee will be collected 30 days prior to travel. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us at 949-423-6165 *Group flight is not included in the price but one will be arranged by Therapy Abroad so students can travel together
Join us in Punta Gorda, Belize April 10-16, 2023
It's Time to Travel Again. It's Time to Learn More About Each other. It's Time to Develop Your Clinical Skills and Cultural Humility On Your Journey Becoming an SLP!
Per ASHA (2020), developing cultural competence is a dynamic and complex process requiring ongoing self-assessment and continuous expansion of one’s cultural knowledge. It evolves over time, beginning with an understanding of one’s own culture, continuing through interactions with individuals from various cultures, and extending through one’s own lifelong learning. Cultural competence is increasingly important to eliminate long-standing disparities in the health status of people based on racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds
Cultural humility goes beyond cultural competence. It is a dynamic and lifelong process focusing on self-reflection and personal critique, acknowledging one’s own biases. This program seeks to help professionals grow through an immersive, relevant, and impactful experience.
Coursework is designed to bridge theory and practice, providing evidence-based practical tools that you can immediately put to use in your practice as a speech-language pathologist while broadening your cultural perspectives and experiences.
Our Study Abroad Programs are packed with clinical activities, discussion points, and opportunities for active learning. Below is an outline of the courses. Each day will involve time discussing a variety of topics with your SLP supervisors, providing screenings, dynamic assessments, and interventions, along with culturally relevant and enriching activities. You will work with our community partners at a clinic, local schools, and non-profit organizations, and through home health care in rural villages, while learning about local culture, religion, and customs.
ULM Belize Picture Gallery
Hands-On TX + Cultural Immersion +Adventure Activities
Day 1
- Arrival to Belize & Transfer to Punta Gorda
- Welcome, Overview and Goals
Day 2
- Program Orientation. Morning: Walking Tour & Guest Speaker / Afternoon: Screenings
- Language and Cultural Influences in Belize
- Afternoon school visits to neighboring Mayan and Garifuna Communities to conduct speech & hearing screens
Day 3 -5
- Clinical Field Days
- These three days will be dedicated to working with our community partner, Hillside Healthcare International. Each day will include a variety of activities including speech-language evaluations, intervention (TX), and home visits
- Experience a range of pediatric and adult clients in multiple settings
Day 5
- Outdoor Adventure Day
- Today you will venture out into the beautiful Belizean countryside to experience the beautiful rainforest, waterfalls, rivers, and tropical ecosystems.
- Activity: Rain Forest Zipline Adventure
Day 6
- Village Home Health & Caregiver Training Visits
- Spend the day visiting the homes of the families you have worked with to provide in-home services and parent/caregiver training to families
- Lunch with Families
- A professional exchange between SLPs, teachers, and community members
Day 7
- Transfer to Belize City
- Today you will end your adventure and head back to Belize City for your flights home. Private transport will be arranged and all meals included
Program Pricing and What's Included
The total program fee is $2,400 and includes transportation to and from the international airport in Belize City, transportation to all program events, all accommodation, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and some dinners + all materials, activities, ASHA CCC-SLP supervisors, guides, cultural events and 24/7 support included in the program.
Space is limited to 12 students.
Here’s how to get started:
Follow the link below register and pay a $500 deposit.
Once your registration is confirmed, you will receive a detailed email from Therapy Abroad, including information on flights, and how to prepare for your trip.
Important Note:
Safety is a systematic and comprehensive process and we understand that safety concerns are a part of planning for any overseas travel. As such, we have made safety our highest priority. We have organized this program from beginning to end so that we can account for all of the details. Our goal is to provide you with a smooth and worry-free educational travel experience and portal for professional development.
Program price includes:
- Pre-Departure Support
- 24/7 In-country Support
- Accommodation
- Most Meals
- All domestic Transport
- Private Guides
- All coursework
- Professional Facilitators
- All Activities listed in the Schedule
- Certificate in Cultural & Linguistic Diversity
What’s Not Included:
- International Flights to BZE
- Travel Insurance
Is there a refund policy and what about COVID? Therapy Abroad has held events during and since the pandemic. They choose countries that have been hyper-vigilant about health and safety because of their dependence on tourism. We are confident this trip will be a success. If it is canceled, you are guaranteed a full refund.
FAQs
Everything except international flights, travel insurance (optional), and a few meals.
Local accommodations will be a locally owned hotel, shared student rooms with western-style showers, toilets, and facilities. Located near the beach in the heart of Punta Gorda, the accommodation is within walking distance to dozens of restaurants, markets, coffee shops, shopping, etc.
All participants are required to attend 7 of the 10 activities in order to receive partial credit.
If you attend all events you will receive 20 ASHA CEUs.
Yes, your team will work with children and adults to provide speech & hearing screens, dynamic assessments, Therapy (TX), and parent /caregiver coaching.
Yes, you will be supervised by licensed CCC-SLPs and all of your clock hours will count.
Yes! Most of our students do some type of fundraising and many raise all of their funds including flights.
Questions About Covid-19
- We highly recommend COVID-19 vaccinations for all travelers
- COVID compliant airport pick-up and transfer to hotel
- COVID-safe conference space and facilities as well as access to masks, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies according to country and location-specific standards.
- Access to COVID testing
- Medical and accident insurance that covers COVID-related illness
- Cultural activities and reflection that emphasize safe, local exploration geared to the specific context of being abroad
We recognize not everyone is going to feel comfortable traveling abroad despite the risk mitigation outlined above. Should you register for this program and then choose to defer to a future program we will work with you to make that happen. We want everyone to have an amazing experience and that means feeling good about their travel decisions.
At Therapy Abroad, we also believe that we are all part of a global community and that we have some shared responsibilities as part of that community. Our programs are all about people –working with people, helping people, sharing ideas with people, and learning from people. Thank You