What inspired you to travel abroad?
I wanted to go abroad to be able to explore Latin America while also learning more in physical therapy studies. I really wanted to travel abroad to learn more about the latin culture and fully immerse myself in the culture while also gaining a more holistic view of my profession. Lastly, I wanted to push myself to go outside of my comfort zone and really take this opportunity to learn more about myself and grow as a person.
Why did you choose Toucan Abroad?
I choose to go with Toucan Abroad because of their engagement with Latin America. This program uniquely gives students the opportunity to explore the beautiful and vibrant regions in Latin America while continuing their physical therapy studies. The culture and language immersion Toucan Abroad offered was unlike other programs. Furthermore, Toucan Abroad offered unparalleled excursions that allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the latin culture while also pushing us outside of our comfort zones.
Group photo of us shadowing at the clinics while in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
What was your favorite part about Mexico?
My favorite part about going to Mexico was the culture. I personally love the latin culture and the people. The people of Latin America were the most hospitable and welcoming people.
The Latin traditions that include family, respect, and religion help keep them connected to their roots and form their identity as part of a larger community. Yet, the one that stood out to me the most was to act with intention. Small acts of kindness lead to bigger impacts and these people work passionately to ensure the world around is a better place. Not to mention the food there is some of the best I've ever had, especially the tacos!
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
This program is so uniquely designed and authentic that it brought so many wonderful people from all over the place. During my time abroad, I was able to create so many meaningful, lasting friendships. These friendships truly made my experience abroad. Being able to explore another country alongside these amazing humans was an unforgettable experience.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The staff of this program are truly one of a kind. They are so welcoming and kind and work tirelessly to ensure everyone in the program is taken care of and feels safe and comfortable. The staff of this program genuinely cares about each of their participants and works hard to ensure that everyone is getting a holistic and authentic experience abroad.
This stunningly gorgeous and beautiful view was from the Mirador Cerro de la Cruz.
Did Toucan Abroad provide specific pre-departure Covid support? If yes, please tell us what kind of support you received.
I did not attend this program during the global pandemic, however they did take various measures to protect the staff and participants admit the pandemic. The director of the program was at the airport to greet everyone upon arrival and ensured everyone got to the hotel in a private shuttle safely. This has been in place pre and post covid.
How did Toucan Abroad help you stay (and feel) safe abroad amidst the ongoing pandemic?
The directors of this program ensured safety and comfortability at all times. Everything we did was with a group and if it wasn't everyone went in pairs. Eating out at restaurants and going to other excursions were also safe and they made sure that everyone felt okay doing things as planned. Safety and comfortability was their number one priority.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
Looking back on my time abroad, there is not much that I wish I would have done differently. Going abroad, I told myself that I would say yes to everything and anything that I was asked, and I lived by this. I said yes to all excursions, all foods, and all experiences and this easily was one of the best decisions that I made. The only thing I wish I would have done differently was packed lighter, because I was definitely over packed!
One of the best parts of the trip was going on excursions with a group like this!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day with Toucan Abroad looks like waking up and eating breakfast between 7:00-7:45 am. After breakfast, we have clinics from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. During this time, we are shadowing various physical therapists in different specialties and settings.
The therapists are amazing and truly adapted to us and taught us as much as they could. The amount of hands on experience I was able to get during my shadowing hours was uncanny. After 1:00 pm, we had some free time and then usually had a group excursion and then dinner afterwards.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
During my free time abroad, I really enjoyed walking through the streets of Mexico and really just taking everything in. I fully immersed myself in everything I did and truly wanted to get a unique experience. Walking through the streets of this beautiful town and meeting the locals was by far some of the most memorable parts of this trip.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We stayed in a hotel that was in a very residential part of Mexico. Although Puerto Vallarta is a very touristic city, we stayed in a place that was more residential. I think that might have been my favorite part about this place.
I felt like a local and was able to walk everywhere I wanted to go. Staying in a place that was in a more residential part of town allowed me to fully experience the latin culture and life around me.
Taking selfies while on an ATV tour on the mountain Sierra Madre! We had a great time!
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I realized how happy I was during this trip with no unnecessary material possessions. The group of people that I was traveling with filled me with pure, unfabricated joy. I had never been with such a humble and intricate group of people.
This experience impacted my life through the knowledge I gained but also from the relationships that continued to grow once I was back in the States. These people came into my life at a time I didn’t know I needed it.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
One thing every future participant should know about Toucan Abroad before their program begins is that it will truly be the most life-changing and impactful three weeks of your life. When looking into this program, I know that three weeks with people you've never met before can sound really intimidating but these people will shortly become family.
Would you recommend Toucan Abroad to others? Why?
I would highly recommend this program to those interested in shadowing physical therapists abroad while also gaining an authentic experience in Latin America. This program gave me so much professional experience in the physical therapy world and allowed me to learn more about myself and grow as a person.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad was opening my eyes to the world around me. Through this trip, I realized how much of an impact the people around me have on my personal happiness and personal growth. Travel creates opportunities to meet people you wouldn’t give a second thought to walking down the street.
It strips away the artifice and lets you walk away with some of the best friends you’ll ever know- friends who will be there your whole life, ready to pick up right where you left off. Little do you know, these people will become some of your biggest blessings. Isn’t it amazing how people can feel like home?
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
For me, travel means many things. Travel is freedom and being able to do what I want and fill my day with excitement. Travel was elsewhere, a place where exciting things and people resided. To me, humanity is so beautiful and amazing.
We can recognize and acknowledge the absolute beauty and gift that is inherent in all of human life. Humanity is incredible and eminently capable of deep, meaningful change. Embracing this story is perhaps the single most important thing we can do to build the more just, sustainable, peaceful, prosperous and free global society we want and need.
