What inspired you to work for Therapy Abroad?
I was inspired to work for Therapy Abroad by a deep commitment to merging clinical excellence with cultural sensitivity—a passion shaped by exploring diverse international contexts and innovative community initiatives. My journey into topics such as Belizean history, Bulgarian history, Mayan and Creole culinary traditions, and culturally responsive educational practices revealed not only how traditional customs, language, and heritage profoundly influence health and well-being, but also the critical role that social determinants of health—such as economic stability, quality education, social support, and access to healthcare—play in shaping overall outcomes.
I recognized a global gap where most speech-language pathologists work in only a handful of countries, leaving many caregivers and professionals without essential services, especially in communities facing challenges like food insecurity, unsafe housing, and limited access to care. Witnessing transformative programs like the Mayan Women’s Collective and initiatives such as Drums, not Guns, I became convinced that therapeutic interventions must address these broader determinants and be as dynamic and diverse as the communities they serve.
My passion is to provide students and professionals with this blend of academic insight and real-world impact because I believe it is not enough to simply sit in a lecture to learn about these topics and their impact on the communication outcomes. Learning must be a dynamic and active process, wherein we are provided the opportunity to implement content from lectures in a space that allows us to securely fail yet try again and succeed under the supervision of a qualified professional.
Making unforgettable memories with my family while exploring the beauty of Thailand.
Describe a typical day at work.
The day starts with responding to emails and engaging in Zoom meetings with staff. From there, I develop academic content to better train our domestic students. I also work on content to supplement our international students' skills as they support children with speech, language, communication, and behavioral impairments. Finally, I meet with wonderful special education teachers each week to help them use augmentative and alternative communication devices with their children who have little to no functional speech.
Why do you do what you do?
I do what I do because I believe in bridging the gap between clinical excellence and cultural understanding to create a more equitable world—one where healthcare and education are accessible and relevant to every community.
My work has been deeply influenced by exploring diverse international contexts and the rich cultural heritage of the places I travel to, such as Belize, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Thailand. I am inspired by our international partners who help us merge innovative community initiatives and evidence-based practices to empower underserved communities and promote global health equity.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is coaching caregivers. I derive immense satisfaction from working directly with caregivers, helping them build the needed skills and confidence to support their families in diverse cultural contexts.
Equally rewarding is the process of designing academic content for students so they are better prepared to be culturally responsive practitioners. This content bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world application, enabling participants to understand and embrace cultural differences while developing evidence-based practices.
By mentoring future professionals and integrating practical, culturally sensitive strategies into the curricula, I feel empowered to contribute to a more inclusive field where every practitioner is equipped to address the unique needs of the communities they serve.
This dual focus on direct support and educational innovation not only transforms lives in the present but also helps build a foundation for sustainable, equitable care for future generations.
Rolling through new adventures—sharing laughs and rides with the kids during a fun day out.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
In my current role at Therapy Abroad, I leverage both my formal education and international background to create and implement culturally responsive programs.
My academic training in evidence-based practices and multicultural education, combined with firsthand experiences in diverse contexts like Belize and Thailand, has enriched my understanding of how traditional customs, language, and social determinants of health impact well-being. This unique perspective enables me to develop study materials that integrate global viewpoints and practical strategies for future practitioners, ensuring they are equipped to serve communities with limited access to care worldwide.
Additionally, I use my international experiences to coach professionals and caregivers, drawing on insights from their initiatives, community empowerment programs, and holistic wellness practices.
By melding rigorous academic theory with the lived realities of diverse populations, I strive to foster a new generation of culturally sensitive professionals dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities and promoting inclusive care worldwide.
What challenges do you often face, and how do you overcome them?
One of the most significant challenges I face is the inconsistency between clinical best practices and cultural responsiveness across diverse international contexts. Working in underserved communities, such as those in Belize and Thailand, often means navigating language barriers, differing cultural norms, and varying levels of access to resources and services, particularly in speech-language pathology, where many regions remain underserved.
Additionally, I cannot learn everything about a culture from my computer. I am always humbled, scared, and excited when working abroad because I know I will make a mistake. But that ultimately means I am learning, as will my subsequent student travelers.
What are some current projects you are working on?
I am currently formalizing pre-departure training for students and courses that enable them to obtain academic credit. I am also working on several other research projects, with one submitted to a journal investigating the impacts of cultural humility training and interprofessional practice experiences (pre- and post-trip surveys) in allied health students.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
If I could speak to my pre-travel self, I would say this:
“Embrace every challenge as an opportunity for growth and connection. Trust your academic training and international experiences, but be ready to learn from the diverse communities you'll encounter. Prepare to face language barriers and cultural nuances head-on by actively listening, engaging, and collaborating with local caregivers, educators, and community leaders. Remember that your work on bridging clinical excellence with cultural sensitivity will require humility, adaptability, and a genuine respect for each community's unique story. Stay open, be resourceful, and let every experience deepen your commitment to promoting global citizenship and responsive care.”
Living my best Middle-earth life—just let me be a hobbit for a day!
What makes Therapy Abroad different from other organizations?
Therapy Abroad stands out from competitors because of our unwavering commitment to integrity, sustainability, and impactful international partnerships. Our track record, highlighted by numerous awards and recognition from industry leaders, attests to our success in delivering high-quality, culturally responsive programs that make a real difference.
We work hand-in-hand with local stakeholders, ensuring that our initiatives not only provide essential services but also create meaningful job opportunities and build local capacity. By leveraging the expertise and needs of communities, we foster sustainable development and empower those we serve, making Therapy Abroad the clear choice for organizations and individuals seeking transparency and ethical practices.
What is your organization's mission, and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to connect clinical best practices with cultural sensitivity, empowering under-resourced communities worldwide through sustainable, culturally responsive care. We achieve this by forming robust international partnerships that deliver high-quality therapeutic interventions and educational programs. These partnerships also create meaningful job opportunities and leverage local stakeholder expertise.
Through continuous collaboration with community partners, investment in training and mentorship for caregivers and professionals, and a steadfast commitment to research-informed approaches, we ensure ethical and impactful initiatives.
Notably, we have several licensed professionals living abroad in the communities we serve. This allows for sustainability and measuring long-term intervention outcomes.
What do you hope participants take away from Therapy Abroad’s programs?
I hope participants leave our programs with a deep, actionable understanding of how to integrate clinical excellence with cultural understanding. Our goal is for them to acquire practical skills and strategies that enable them to address healthcare and educational disparities in diverse, underserved communities.
Beyond the technical competencies, we aim for participants to develop a genuine appreciation for the cultural nuances that influence care, empowering them to build sustainable, community-centered partnerships.
Ultimately, we want each participant to become an advocate for equity—equipped with innovative, evidence-based approaches and a commitment to fostering long-lasting, positive change both locally and globally.
Grateful for the opportunity to do meaningful work around the world.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Traveling abroad is essential because it broadens our perspectives, deepens our cultural understanding, and fosters personal growth. When people experience new cultures firsthand, they gain valuable insights into diverse ways of life, including differing approaches to health, education, and community well-being.
I will always remember the meaning of "community" when I took my 3-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter to Thailand. We traveled over 36 hours to get there and hit the ground running. The kids were not only excited, but also exhausted from day 1. When we went to the night market, my son was not happy - tears, fatigue, anger, loud voice - and can you guess who came to our rescue? A vendor of silver art handicrafts who stopped what he was doing (hammering a beautiful dragon into a silver plate) and gave both of my children a hammer and chisel. He told them what to do, and they had a blast for the next 15 minutes! That is what community means to me now.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel, to me, is about immersing oneself in the lived experiences of diverse cultures and engaging deeply with local communities. It goes beyond sightseeing to involve active listening, learning, and meaningful exchanges that reveal the nuances of a region's traditions, challenges, and aspirations.
What does ethical global engagement mean to you?
Ethical global engagement means approaching international work with a deep commitment to cultural sensitivity, mutual respect, and shared empowerment. It involves actively collaborating with local communities to ensure that initiatives are not only informed by their unique traditions, values, and needs but are also designed and implemented in partnership with them.
For me, this approach is about using our expertise to empower communities rather than imposing external solutions, fostering a reciprocal exchange of knowledge that benefits all parties involved. It’s about being transparent, accountable, and dedicated to sustainable practices that promote equity, social justice, and long-lasting positive change on a global scale.
