Study Abroad Programs in Central America

Studying abroad can seem scary and intimidating, however the Costa Rican culture and USAC staff made my journey so welcoming, easy, and fun! The staff were truly so kind and genuinely cared about their students. Any question, concern, or recommendations were happily answered and they followed up with everything. They made my experience so enjoyable and allowed me to fully focus on my academics and experiences.

This study abroad was certainly out of the ordinary for what you would get for a semester abroad. If you’re looking for an authentic experience in countries that are less popular for study abroad, this is for you! This program was incredibly thought-out and well organized and I learned so much that was directly applicable to my studies and work. Please don’t let chatter about safety in Guatemala deter you—I felt safe, even as a woman, and the staff to support you were very prepared about safety concerns. I would recommend this program to anyone willing to experience something unique and that challenges your current ways of thinking. This program is especially applicable to majors in sociology/anthropology, gender studies, Spanish, poli sci, Latin American studies, international relations, race/ethnicity studies, education, journalism and similar things.

I spent two weeks in Guatemala with Maximo Nivel. My Spanish level was minimal when I arrived. I felt like I was able to have a basic conversation and move around the city with the Spanish I learned. My homestay was very nice, and the staff here solved any issues I had; I would definitely do it again.

I had a lot of fun and got to go on trips (apart from the program, mostly) to see a lot of awesome places during the weekends this summer. I learned a lot more Spanish and improved my speaking pace, while also being able to understand a lot more and at a much quicker listening pace as well. That is the thing I think I am most proud of is my improvements with the language. But I am glad I studied abroad because it also gave me a LOT of opportunities to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. I have grown a lot as a person even in just 2 and a half months here. The nature and wildlife here are incredible and worth seeing.

Living in Costa Rica for 4 weeks has been an incredible experience. It helped me integrate myself into the culture, language, and nature of the country. I was able to learn Spanish for 4 weeks with no Spanish to being able to form sentences and talk Spanish in tandem with not only my teachers but with the locals. The staff have been excellent in taking care of all my needs including changing accommodations, health issues, checking up regularly. This experience is 5 stars overall!

My Therapy Abroad trip to Costa Rica was truly one of the most meaningful experiences I have had! I loved the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture while learning more about bilingualism and providing services in a different setting. This trip allowed me to grow as a future speech-language pathologist by expanding my clinical knowledge, improving my cultural awareness, and gaining valuable hands-on experience. I enjoyed connecting with the community, learning from local professionals, and building relationships with my peers. I will always appreciate the memories, lessons, and personal growth that came from this unforgettable experience.

My trip to Costa Rica was the perfect burnout buster before returning to work for the new school year. The only details I had to attend to were deciding what amazing activities to squeeze into our free afternoons. Chad attended to every logistic making the trip an stress-free experience. The energy among the group of SLPs and the insightful coursework made me feel proud of my profession and validated in my practice. Bilinguistics has so many resources for bilingual speech-language caseloads and now I feel more prepared to go back to work with tools to work more effectively. We all felt the spirit of Pura Vida! I look forward to my next trip with Therapy Abroad.

My trip to Costa Rica was the perfect burnout buster before returning to work for the new school year. The only details I had to attend to were deciding what amazing activities to squeeze into our free afternoons. Chad attended to every logistic making the trip an stress-free experience. The energy among the group of SLPs and the insightful coursework made me feel proud of my profession and validated in my practice. Bilinguistics has so many resources for bilingual speech-language caseloads and now I feel more prepared to go back to work with tools to work more effectively. We all felt the spirit of Pura Vida! I look forward to my next trip with Therapy Abroad.

My trip to Costa Rica was the perfect burnout buster before returning to work for the new school year. The only details I had to attend to were deciding what amazing activities to squeeze into our free afternoons. Chad attended to every logistic making the trip an stress-free experience. The energy among the group of SLPs and the insightful coursework made me feel proud of my profession and validated in my practice. Bilinguistics has so many resources for bilingual speech-language caseloads and now I feel more prepared to go back to work with tools to work more effectively. We all felt the spirit of Pura Vida! I look forward to my next trip with Therapy Abroad.

My trip to Costa Rica was the perfect burnout buster before returning to work for the new school year. The only details I had to attend to were deciding what amazing activities to squeeze into our free afternoons. Chad attended to every logistic making the trip an stress-free experience. The energy among the group of SLPs and the insightful coursework made me feel proud of my profession and validated in my practice. Bilinguistics has so many resources for bilingual speech-language caseloads and now I feel more prepared to go back to work with tools to work more effectively. We all felt the spirit of Pura Vida! I look forward to my next trip with Therapy Abroad.

My trip to Costa Rica was the perfect burnout buster before returning to work for the new school year. The only details I had to attend to were deciding what amazing activities to squeeze into our free afternoons. Chad attended to every logistic making the trip an stress-free experience. The energy among the group of SLPs and the insightful coursework made me feel proud of my profession and validated in my practice. Bilinguistics has so many resources for bilingual speech-language caseloads and now I feel more prepared to go back to work with tools to work more effectively. We all felt the spirit of Pura Vida! I look forward to my next trip with Therapy Abroad.

My trip to Costa Rica was the perfect burnout buster before returning to work for the new school year. The only details I had to attend to were deciding what amazing activities to squeeze into our free afternoons. Chad attended to every logistic making the trip an stress-free experience. The energy among the group of SLPs and the insightful coursework made me feel proud of my profession and validated in my practice. Bilinguistics has so many resources for bilingual speech-language caseloads and now I feel more prepared to go back to work with tools to work more effectively. We all felt the spirit of Pura Vida! I look forward to my next trip with Therapy Abroad.

My trip to Costa Rica was the perfect burnout buster before returning to work for the new school year. The only details I had to attend to were deciding what amazing activities to squeeze into our free afternoons. Chad attended to every logistic making the trip an stress-free experience. The energy among the group of SLPs and the insightful coursework made me feel proud of my profession and validated in my practice. Bilinguistics has so many resources for bilingual speech-language caseloads and now I feel more prepared to go back to work with tools to work more effectively. We all felt the spirit of Pura Vida! I look forward to my next trip with Therapy Abroad.

I have traveled with Therapy Abroad and Bilinguistics and I had a good experience overall in terms of obtaining CEU sessions, comfortable stay and airport transportation. Therapy abroad has a very systematic way to make the international travel experience comfortable for the participants and their families. I will recommend it to any SLP planning a summer travel for both learning and experiences outside the United States.

I am happy to report that I’ve had a magically adventurous time here, my Spanish has noticeably improved, my hosts were kind and accommodating, and the Maximo and Inca Trails staff were wonderful. Special shoutout to Martha and Susan! They are amazing teachers and people. I’m sad to be leaving but happy to be heading home renewed, inspired and closer to fluency. You all run an excellent program!

First exposure to Therapy Abroad. I attended as a guest. Great location, wonderful group events, well organized and supported. Loved meeting everyone and felt very welcome even though I am not attending for workshops. Would definitely attend another!

This is my second time traveling for the International Conference on Multilingual Practice in Speech Language Pathology. Both times I've had a wonderful time. Therapy Abroad's leaders have a lot of experience in cultivating experiences like this (and traveling in general) and it really shows! Everything is well organized in advance and hosts are easy to contact with questions. Once in the country abroad they make things easy for participants as well. It's been so much fun and I've learned a lot. Can't wait to go for a third time!

This is the 4 th time that I have attended one of these conferences with Bilinguistics and Therapy Abroad. This year’s event was outstanding. The city, the hotel, the way it was organized were remarkable. The therapists that attended were fun, engaging, and energetic. The information that I received was so valuable. Each year it’s different. I always gain something new that I can apply as soon as I get back to work. It’s like looking at your favorite movie or reading a favorite book only to discover things you missed the first time. Scott and Ellen are top tier presenters. Overall, if I have a chance to come a 5 th time I will. It’s that good. I recommend it anyone whose interested in this area.

There used to be a lot to do in the Jaco area, but most activities are more strenuous. I enjoyed Ellen and Scott who are both exceptional speakers and knowledgeable in their field, and met a great bunch of people. The trip was well organized and I would highly recommend it.

All of the conference days were well organized. The presented material was meaningful and practical. Ellen and Scott are very knowledgeable and shared their wealth of information with us. They also shared the numerous freebies on their Bilinguistics website and encouraged us to share with others. I will be able to easily implement their ideas, strategies, and suggestions! Costa Rica was a beautiful country to visit! There was so much to do in Jaco. Additionally Chad, from study abroad, was very helpful and kept us updated on the schedule and travel logistics. It was a wonderful experience