Physical Therapy Shadowing in Costa Rica

Shadowing with Toucan Abroad in Costa Rica was an incredible and unforgettable experience that truly strengthened my passion for physical therapy. I had the opportunity to learn from skilled clinicians, experience healthcare in a different cultural setting, and grow both personally and professionally. The Toucan team was supportive, welcoming, and were our anchor during any time of stress or anxiety. I left with valuable knowledge, unforgettable memories, and lifelong friendships. I highly recommend this program to any student looking for a meaningful international clinical experience.

Toucan Abroad allowed me to learn so much about physical therapy, and I gained so many hands on experiences. Outside of the shadowing hours, I gained some of my favorite memories and SO many new friends that share similar interests with me. I have zero regrets from this experience. From ATV riding in the rainforest to getting to tape and dry needle my friends, I loved every moment of this experience.

I had the most amazing experience with Toucan Abroad this January. I was able to create amazing friendships with others who have similar career aspirations, as well as immerse myself in a new culture, and experience learning from physical therapists in a new environment. The directors truly went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience. I am so glad that I was able to go on this trip and create so many memories that I will never forget.

This experience was honestly some of the best 2 weeks of my life. The directors were super cool and made sure to go out of their way to help us have a good time. I strongly recommend this for anyone who loves to travel and learn.

This is one of the most unforgettable trip I have experienced. I had a blast getting to know the group and the directors, a lot of laughs, and a lot of knowledge learned in the clinics. I have created lifelong friendships. I highly recommend taking the opportunity to travel with Toucan Abroad!

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Toucan Abroad was AMAZING!! I met so many new people from around the world. I had no clue I’d meet my best friends in such a short amount of time. This was my first time traveling internationally by myself. It’s safe to say that I felt so comfortable and safe the whole time. Everyone in Costa Rica is so nice. The program leaders did everything they could to make the most of the 3 short weeks we had. They knew where to go to dinner and where not to go. They were willing to help with finding excursions to do and transportation if the excursion was in a place without service. They provided fun group meals and activities each week. Many times the whole group would do an excursion that wasn’t included. Toucan Abroad is like one big family and I’m proud to be an alumni of such a great program. It truly has changed my life. I came back to the states a completely different person. I highly recommend Toucan Abroad if you are interested in the field of Physical Therapy. It’s a great way to receive 60 observation hours as well as travel internationally and learn a new culture!

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Toucan Abroad is the perfect mix of education and adventure. Throughout the time that I spent in Costa Rica I practiced at three different Physical Therapy Clinics, each one with its own specialization. Each clinic offers a variety of hands-on practice with both manual therapy and equipment. There is opportunity to work in all areas of Physical Therapy ranging from geriatric, athletic, pediatric, special needs, and more. After a full week of shadowing, there is still time to see what else the beautiful Costa Rica has to offer. We traveled to both the Caribbean coast and the Pacific coast for our weekend excursions. Both of these were phenomenal experiences leaving unforgettable memories. Overall, I can not thank Toucan Abroad enough for the opportunity to learn so much about Physical Therapy with unmatched hands-on practice, experience the beauty of this country, and for the life-long friendships that were made along the way!

This program was amazing! Great for any pre pt students. Such good hands on experience at the different clinics. The physical therapists were great to work with. It was so much fun on the weekends going to the beaches. The food was also really good and Fernando had some great reccomendations. We got to experience so many new things and met so many great people. It was also a great opportunity to practice Spanish and be immersed in a different culture. Perfect trip for anyone considering doing pt. I got so much out of this trip and I wish I could do it again.

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Honestly this was one of the greatest things I’ve ever done. When we first got there Fernando said this trip is truly what you make it and he was so right. I took advantage of every opportunity and didn’t ever stop. It was very “work hard, play hard” and I’m so grateful to have experienced it. Puerto Viejo was incredible. Meeting new people was definitely a highlight. It was definitely life changing and eye opening to how much more there is to the world. Thank you for creating this amazing program!

My study abroad experience through Toucan Abroad has been the most amazing and meaningful experience I have had in my life thus far. Getting to learn hands on from physical therapists in Costa Rica has made me learn and grow as a future practitioner. I made friendships that will last a life time and memories I will cherish. The work/play balance was perfect and I got to see so much of the beautiful country. So much thanks to Toucan Abroad!!

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This program was an all-around amazing experience! I connected with many peers on the same career path who share a love of adventure and physical therapy. In the clinics, I got to learn from PTs who were genuinely eager to share their knowledge with us. It was incredible to see the techniques different PTs use when approaching different injuries and populations and compare their methods to those used by PTs here in the US. The weekends were packed with adventure with boating, biking, beach-hopping and bonding with the group!

This trip was absolutely amazing. Not only did I learn so much about physical therapy but I also learned so much about myself. I saw more growth mentally and physically in myself in these 3 weeks than I ever did in my undergrad.would highly recommend toucan abroad to anybody thinking about going into pt or who just wants to travel and have a great time!

I cannot stress how much I recommend Toucan Abroad. I absolutely had the best time shadowing PTs, exploring the country of Costa Rica, and making 15 new best friends. I learned so much from this experience, and am so grateful to Phil and his team for making this the trip of a lifetime

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First off, Toucan Abroad is extremely safe. Going to a foreign country alone is very scary. But from the moment I landed, I felt like I was in good hands. Phil and Fernando made excellent hosts in this beautiful country. When you leave you'll have twenty more best friends and leave with a completely different mindset about life (Pura Vida). And don't worry about bringing any entertainment devices with you; every day will be filled to the brim with activities, including two weekends spent at the beach, surfing lessons, a trip to the hot springs, hiking volcanoes, and swimming through a waterfall. You'll also get to experience physical therapy like you have never done in the past. The PTs there are amazing and will let you practice dry needling, electrotherapy, massages, and ultrasounds among other techniques that you may not be able to do back in the States. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made and am dying to go back. Don't miss out on an experience of a lifetime.

Love the program! Met a lot do great people, created a bunch of connections with PTs and members. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to go into physical therapy and exploring the different ways PTs do things in Costa Rica and exploring Costa Rica as well. Like Phil, it is a work hard, play hard type of program. Work hard during the week, and the weekends are filled with lots of fun and adventure. The most important thing is to get out of your comfort zone as soon as you land, and take it all in.

Whoever is reading this please listen, you’ll have the best time of your life over here, even with the administration team, everybody is so welcoming, and you have so many opportunities to even venture off different places if you want to (with a buddy). I’ve had the best time of my life with the Toucan Abroad program.

This has been one of the coolest experiences of my life. I learned so much in the clinics and all of the physical therapist are amazing. During this trip I got to learn PT techniques that I have never seen before and get a lot of hands on practice. Everyday is a new adventure from zip lining, hiking to volcanoes and waterfalls, going to different beaches, and making great friendships. The toucan team and staff are so nice, fun, and make you feel safe and comfortable the whole time. This trip will push you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible and I’ve made memories that I will hold on to forever. Don’t hesitate. It’s a once in a life time opportunity!

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Through Toucan I was able to experience a field I enjoy in a completely new and amazing environment. The trip is perfectly balanced with work and play, allowing to get the best of both worlds. Worth every penny and wish I could go back.

I never thought I would experience something like this in my life. I met such amazing people, created memories that will stick with me forever and learned so much about Physical Therapy. This program helped me grow while I was there and when I got home. It pushed me to re learn Spanish and to appreciate the little things. Phil and Fernando were such fun leaders that made this program one to remember forever. I got to try new food, learned to dance, hiked to a volcano, and did a lot of other fun activists. This program created friendships and bonds. This trip was eye opening. I will never forget how this trip made me feel and the people I met.

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While in Costa Rica we learned how to do dry needling, electro therapy, ultrasound, different massage and kinesiotape techniques, shock wave therapy, passive gymnastics, cupping, and so much more. I have met so many amazing people from all over the country and have learned so many lessons from them. Costa Rica has taught me to have patience in myself and the world around me. They live such a simple life there and just take one day at a time which I think we all can learn from. This trip has made me even more passionate about physical therapy because I can see how much it can help a person. I can be the one to help their legs move to take them places around the world that I am lucky enough to experience. The world is so beautiful not to be experienced

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