What inspired you to travel abroad?
A huge passion of mine is traveling abroad and I believe it brings so much warmth and education on topics that can only be acquired through travel. The curiosity of wanting to learn more is what inspires me to continue looking for the next place to visit. Having an opportunity to combine travel along with an educational experience studying abroad is an even more appealing reason to take the leap of adventure. The university of life as I was once taught by my dad has stuck with me throughout my experiences and it gives me the chance to envision traveling as a lifelong learning opportunity that will forever have a place in my heart.
Why did you choose your Toucan Abroad?
I chose Toucan Abroad because it directly targeted my interests in physical therapy. There are certain requirements to be met to apply to PT school and Toucan Abroad offered the exact specifications I needed as an applicant. I also chose Toucan Abroad because of the locations they have to offer and how convenient it is to travel being so close to The United States.
What was your favorite part about Costa Rica?
My favorite part about the location was the opportunities to travel to beautiful places and also meet the nicest people I have ever met. The variety of options in Costa Rica exceeded my expectations as a student and gave me such a great opportunity to indulge in the beautiful culture of Costa Rica and Latin America in general.
Me on a gorgeous beach at sunset in the Dominican Republic. Such a pretty view!
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The key factor of making my experience extraordinary was the staff of Toucan Abroad. They molded a family between the 30 people that went on the session and made the experience unforgettable. Without such a great team of therapists and directors the experience would not have been the same, along with the immersed weekend trips that were organized by the directors. They gave the students a chance to see the beauty of the country and the organization itself.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff did a wonderful job of trying to place students to specific areas of interest in physical therapy while also giving us a variety of clinical settings. They were always there for any type of help along the process whether it was financial, emotional, or just general information needed about the program and experience.
Did Toucan Abroad provide specific pre-departure Covid support? If yes, please tell us what kind of support you received.
At the time of my program experience COVID did not exist, but Toucan Abroad did a great job of listing precautions to be aware of in regards to health and safety. Since we did not have any COVID precautions to worry about, everything was just making sure we were aware that being in a Latin country will not be the same as being at home.
How did Toucan Abroad help you stay (and feel) safe abroad amidst the ongoing pandemic?
The program did an awesome job of letting us be adults and responsible within our own limits, but identified the precautions of the country and experience. We all were in the same hotel and mostly traveled together to keep safety at its highest. All of the directors spoke Spanish and organized safe and confident trips throughout the program.
Sunset in Porto, Portugal. I had such a great time taking in the sites of the sprawling city.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
The one thing I would have done differently is nothing at all as far as the experience went. Financially there is always the regret of not bringing more money, but in some cases there isn't anything that could have been done for that. Toucan Abroad initially tells their students to bring extra money which is a great tip before going abroad.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day started off with the included breakfast in the hotel and then off to where we had to be for the clinical experience. Depending on the setting of the clinic, the experience varied from week to week. After a day of shadowing, we had the option of going to grab dinner with the group or stay at the hotel and order food in. Going to the dinners was one of the best experiences giving us the chance to try new foods and create awesome relationships with other students and directors.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
During my free time, I really enjoyed creating lifelong relationships with the students and directors. The weekend trips forged an unforgettable experience and understanding of Costa Rican culture and geography. I enjoyed getting to know the therapists and how different physical therapy can be along with meeting some of the nicest people I have ever met.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We were accommodated with a double room shared with a student in a hotel that we were all staying at. I loved that they had included breakfast to really grasp the food culture of Costa Rica and immerse myself into the culture. I enjoyed the view from the hotel into the city and the location in regards to the practicality of commuting to clinics.
Out for a swim on a rooftop pool while visiting the city of São Paulo in Brazil.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
It has impacted my life in a way where I am constantly hungry for more. I want to learn more and see more than I ever thought. It led me to where I am now and choose a path I am passionate about and pave a life I love to envision. I'm currently in a Doctoral program of physical therapy thanks to Toucan Abroad and will always leave me wanting more.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Every participant going to Toucan Abroad should really understand that being open minded and curious will make this trip unforgettable. Never stop wondering "what if '' and just do. This is an opportunity to find yourself and also educate yourself on PT and a new culture. Toucan Abroad will create lifelong relationships and experiences, so come prepared to be a part of everything physically and financially.
Would you recommend Toucan Abroad to others? Why?
I would absolutely recommend this program to someone who is trying to apply to physical therapy school or even thinking about it. This diverse experience brings out the best in you professionally and personally. It expands the limits you thought you had and can create amazing future opportunities for the years to come.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is the satisfaction of learning something new and being able to mold a new understanding of the huge world we live in. Endless gratification to what we believe is life and how we live it brings us to seeing the beauty of life itself. It reaches farther than your house, car, and job; it reaches horizons left for us to wander and ask what else is there to see and learn about, and along the process create life changing relationships.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel to me means getting an understanding of how the local people live their daily lives. Learning a new culture is what means the most and is what leaves my heart feeling full. Getting to know someone or someplace to an extent where you can share your culture and then do the same is a beautiful thing to achieve.
