Thailand: Communication Sciences & Disorders, Pre-Occupational Therapy + AAC Program
This is our top pre-professional program for CSD and Pre-OT Students looking to gain hands-on experience and build their resumes for graduate school and beyond!
When Can I Travel?
Applications are currently open for Winter 2024/25. We have a rolling admission process, which simply means that the window for applications closes when all of the spaces are filled.
Dates: June 30- July 13- Just Speech/Communication Sciences & Disorders
Now Accepting Applications for Winter: December 28-January 11
Where Am I Going?
Thailand, a captivating and culturally rich nation in Southeast Asia, beckons travelers with its enchanting blend of ancient traditions and modern allure. Nestled between Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, Thailand boasts a diverse landscape that ranges from lush jungles and pristine beaches to bustling cities. The country is renowned for its warm and welcoming people, often referred to as “The Land of Smiles,” who embrace visitors with open arms. With its intoxicating mix of tradition and modernity, Thailand offers a travel experience like no other. Whether you’re exploring ancient temples, savoring delectable street food, or relaxing on pristine beaches, Thailand promises an unforgettable journey that leaves a lasting imprint on the heart and soul.
Who Should Sign Up?
This specialized two-week program is intended for undergraduate students, recent graduates, and post-bacc students ages 18 and up who are interested in pursuing a career in speech-language pathology (speech therapy) or Occupational Therapy and learn from experts about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Why Should I Travel with Therapy Abroad?
More than ever, SLP and OT program selection committees are looking for well-rounded students who have a thorough understanding of their respective fields and the ability to work collaboratively across cultures and disciplines. Our Communication Sciences & Disorders, Pre-Occupational Therapy + AAC Program is the ultimate interdisciplinary program for students looking to gain an edge with graduate school selection committees. designed for students who want to work with (and learn from) a distinguished group of professional SLPs and OTs
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 SLPs, and OTs and other professionals in formal and informal settings, direct experience in public and allied health, and a chance to support local children and families with special needs.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There are no prerequisites for this program, and students from any relevant department or major may apply. Spaces for this program are limited and fill up quickly. All applications will be individually evaluated on a rolling basis. Students on this program will primarily be working with children, so all applicants should be comfortable working with children and be creative and flexible to get the most out of their experience.
- December 28 - January 11
- June 30 - July 13
Applications are currently open for Spring and summer 2024. We have a rolling admission process, which simply means that the window for applications closes when all of the spaces are filled. We also offer discounts to students who apply early!
What Will I do?
The focus of this two-week program is to provide an opportunity for students to implement sustainable and culturally relevant therapy for local school-age children, learn from professional SLPs and OTs, and participate in a large range of amazing activities.
You will tour the old city of Chiang Mai, visit clinics, work with youth and families, prepare and run an interdisciplinary camp for children with special needs, shadow local professionals, visit temples, work with horses and elephants, and much more!
Each day, students will have group reflections as well as one-on-one time with SLPs, OTs and other professionals.
See the full itinerary below.
What is The Itinerary?
Day 1: Depart for Thailand
Day 2: Travel Day
Day 3: Arrival Day/Orientation. Team building and getting to know your peers and clinical supervisors. Walking Tour of Chiang Mai Old Town.
Day 4: Clinical Experience: Visit to Partner Organization-Working with youth and families
Day 5: Clinical Experience + Thai Culture & Language. Navigate your way through a fun “scavenger hunt/amazing race” type activity
Day 6: Preparation for play and family-based, speech and occupational therapy camp designed as a model for play based 3-day intervention.
Day 7: Clinical experience: Visit and shadowing at local interdisciplinary outpatient clinic
Day 8-10: Clinical Experience: Tykes Camp -Interdisciplinary Therapy Camp for Kids with Special Needs
Day 11: Activity Day: Temple Tour and Hike / Thai Market Tour and Cooking School
Day 12: El Caballo Equine Assisted Therapy Experience
Day 13: Clinical Observation OT & SLP Interventions with AAC
Day 14: Activity Day: Visit to Mae Rim Elephant Home
Day 15: Fly home
*sample itinerary can vary based on the group and dates
Where Will I Stay
This program will be based in Chiang Mai, Thailand – an amazing place filled with rich history, excellent food and the friendliest people on the planet. You will stay in boutique hotel accommodations with communal areas to relax and hang out, meeting rooms for group discussions or presentations, and comfortable rooms. Accommodations have Western-style amenities.
Every day you will have access to Wifi, fresh drinking water, western-style toilets and showers, and laundry services (laundry will be on site or nearby). Meals will be a combination of Thai and Western cuisine consisting of rice, curries, noodles, spicy salads, some fried foods along with fresh vegetables and exotic fruits. 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 Thailand’s many scenic charms, the warmth and hospitality of the people and culture will make you feel at home in no time!
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Free Time
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 downtime to relax, write in your journal, use the internet, talk to our staff or just explore on your own. 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 explore something different, then let us know any time before or during your program and we will do our best to make it happen.
Benefits for Students Who Participate in this Program Include:
- Hands-on Speech Language-Pathology, Occupational Therapy & AAC experience
- Small discussion-based groups led by experts:
- Culturally/Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Population Considerations
- Assessments and Report Writing
- Low-Tech AAC Interventions and Resources
- Communication Partner Training and more
- Experience in evidence-based practice, research, and collaboration
- Build experience and resume for graduate school admissions
- Observation hours licensed SLPs and OTs
- Learn & practice Appliers d Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- Cultural responsiveness
- Learn to compare and contrast therapy services in developing countries with that in the United States.
- Intercultural exchange in creative learning environment
- Increased skills in intercultural communication
- Greater international understandings of social issues
- Experience with Equine Therapy
- Letters of Recomendations for graduate school by your SLP and OT supervisers
Tuition
$3,950 (15-Day Program)
Airfare from San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York is estimated at $1,500 -$2,000. Therapy Abroad will organize group flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), or John F Kennedy International (JFK) as soon as airfares have been published. **In some cases group flights are not available and students will be given arrival and departure information and asked to book their own flights.
What’s Included
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. Your tuition covers: All activities. All materials. All meals. All housing. Everything. We want you to arrive and participate fully in the program and take advantage of each learning experience without ever thinking about how much money you are going to spend. More specifically, your program includes:
- Pre-departure support
- Group flight booking (When Available)
- Flights team support staff
- Professional and licensed staff (practitioners and academics)
- 24-hour emergency support staff
- Airport pick-up in Thailand
- Private transport
- Experienced facilitators
- Shared, comfortable accommodations
- All meals
- Snacks and drinking water
- Orientation and curriculum
- 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
IMPORTANT NOTE: There are no prerequisites for this program, and students from any relevant department or major may apply. Spaces for this program are limited and fill up quickly. All applications will be individually evaluated on a rolling basis.