What inspired you to work for Therapy Abroad?
My inspiration around my work goes beyond the clinical aspect of teaching and learning about conditions. I want to inspire others to think about their impact and viewpoints from a global perspective, with the hopes and aspirations of being a better global citizen.
A memorable moment in Thailand with Therapy Abroad’s dedicated staff and passionate participants.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
As the Dalai Lama once said,
“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.”
I believe this is immensely important. As cliche as it sounds, be open to new ideas, new cultures, new food, and new experiences, all of which shapes individuals to be more understanding.
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
Therapy Abroad was founded on the belief that study abroad and service learning should go beyond travel—they should create lasting, sustainable change for both participants and the communities involved. We emphasize the value of community-based research and long-term, purpose-driven partnerships that are built on trust, respect, and shared goals.
Unlike many traditional study abroad models, which can unintentionally lead to dependency, lack of continuity, or culturally insensitive practices, our approach focuses on responsible engagement. We actively work to avoid short-term fixes and instead prioritize programs that empower local communities and ensure mutual benefit.
At the core of our model is a commitment to collaboration and equality between our international partners and the students, universities, and professionals we support. By fostering real relationships and listening to local voices, we strive to create meaningful experiences that contribute to sustainable development and cultural understanding in every country we work in.
Therapy Abroad in the Dominican Republic—where learning meets service, culture, and community.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
It’s Therapy Abroad’s mission to create engaging, real-world learning environments where students and professionals can strengthen core skills in their field. Through immersive programs, participants gain valuable clinical experience while embracing the unique opportunities and challenges that come with service learning and international travel.
We believe that education should be dynamic, hands-on, and culturally enriching—offering growth not just academically and professionally, but personally as well. By combining clinical development with meaningful community engagement, we empower participants to expand their global perspective and make a lasting impact both in their future careers and the communities they serve.
As a physical therapist and an educator in the physical therapy realm, I've often reflected on my own self and how I can help inspire and instill in others the humility to learn from others.
What do you hope participants take away from the programs of Therapy Abroad?
I hope participants take away from our program that they have much more to learn, and ultimately, recognize that they will spend the rest of their lives learning. Having experiences abroad is a wonderful privilege in this world, but we must also recognize that these experiences are only scratching the surface of learning and understanding others' cultures.
Having a meaningful discussion with a Thai partner during a cultural exchange with Therapy Abroad.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
I believe the experiences of traveling abroad and experiencing new cultures really open one's eyes to the origin or birthplace of many things we think of as norms in our own culture. For example, as I have primarily served as a supervisor in Thailand, the most common food dish that comes to mind when we think of Thai food is "Pad Thai".
But have you ever wondered where "Pad Thai" comes from? Why is it a national dish of Thailand? What about the complexities of the food itself? Perhaps different regions of Thailand make “Pad Thai” differently. These differences and learning about all the components are what I love about learning and experiencing new cultures, in hopes of ultimately becoming a better global citizen.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel has many definitions to me. What everything boils down to, for me, would be having respect and curiosity of the culture around you.
