May Term Study Abroad

My immersion program with Maximo Nivel was incredible. I did six weeks of group class for four hours a day, and over the course of those weeks I had five different amazing teachers who I am so grateful for. Then I began a volunteer program working with the kids of adolescent mothers which was one of the most fun and rewarding things I have ever done. Throughout the entire time (three months total), I lived with an amazing local family which I know feel like I am truly a member of. Overall, what an incredible experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Being in Cusco was way better than I had imagined (and I had imagined it a lot hahaha)! Maximo just had the best and most welcoming team, with great teachers and an energizing environment. I already had a good level of spanish, but now I know a lot more and I feel confident to practice everywhere I go! I can't wait to be back here :)<3

I loved being at the Aauja site. Everyone was so welcoming and I felt so appreciated and felt like they were open to the information and therapy we could offer. All the cultural experiences were awesome. The elephant sanctuary was amazing and I loved seeing a temple first hand.

Dayana was great a great teacher! Also great to be in a class with the students of the same level and desire to progress. I had a great time and I cannot thank Maximo Nivel and thew international team enough for it!

me gusté de todos las actividades, Recelrá muchas atención todos los dias, del profesor y del personal. Aprendi español porque la profesora Martha es una excelente maestra. Es muy atenta y se preocupa por el bienestar de los estudiantes. Los profesores visten de forma adequada y con sus mejores galas. Me gustó mucho la cafeteria; tenía muchos bocadillos, tanto salados como dulces, a precios accesibles. Agradezco que haya café, leche y té disponibles. Regreso ao Brasil encantada y con todos en mi corazón. Agradezco a todos los que contribuyeron a mi felicidade en Máximo Nivel. Agradezco a Patrick, Maia, Reese, Gabby, Nico, Nora, Edson, Ni, Profesora Martha.

I really liked the theoretical classes, the dynamic classes and also the class outside, and especially the theater. I really enjoyed the week's activities, especially conversation. Thank you to Maximo Nivel

This was such a great experience, filled with memorable moments and unique opportunities for learning. Once we arrived, there were so many opportunities to explore the community and experience Thai culture beyond the classroom and clinic. One of my favorite activities was the cooking class, which was amazing. Preparing food offered a hands-on way to learn about the culture while enjoying the experience with our group. I also appreciated how our guides responded to our interests. When we expressed interest in visiting temples, they planned an opportunity for us to go into the community and explore them. Seeing the temples in person was beautiful and gave us a greater appreciation for the traditions and cultural significance of these spaces. Visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary was another unforgettable experience and truly a highlight of a lifetime. Being there was something I will always remember and felt incredibly special. Overall, this trip offered much more than I could have learned through coursework alone. The combination of cultural experiences, community exploration, and shared learning made it meaningful. I am grateful for the thought and planning that went into these opportunities and for the memories and perspectives I will carry with me moving forward.

I enjoyed each activity that was planned for us! I appreciated how our group leaders listened to our needs and were flexible with our schedule so that we could participate in all of things that we wanted to do. Each guide was kind and cared about what we were doing. Translations were timely and accurate!

This was a great trip! I really appreciated Pooi, Pan, and Amber's planning and adaptability. It was very well organized and I couldn't believe they managed all 25 of us. They were great at answering our questions and helping us around the city. It went very smoothly and I had the best time ever.

Truly wish experience was so amazing and it wouldn't have been without the help from the TherapyAbroad team they truly became like family to us and we all cried leaving them and saying goodbye at the airport. I cannot describe in words how meaningful this trip went to me, I will remember it forever.

I had an incredible time with this experience. I learned so much about therapy in another part of the world and about the Thai culture. It helped me to see from another perspective that will contribute to how I am as a future OT practitioner. The foundations we were at were very supportive of our learning, allowing us to think outside the box and feel like real OTs. I also think the cultural experiences (especially the elephant encounter) were extremely meaningful to being fully immersed in the culture and created memories that I will never forget.

Getting to see multiple parts of Thailand was incredible, from the clinical site to the elephant sanctuary to the adaptive rock climbing. I loved getting to see more of the country than just the square.

I was unsure about traveling to Thailand at first. By the end of our first day, I was sure that this was going to be an amazing trip. By the end of the trip, I was overwhelmed with excitement by the amount of memories made and experiences had.

I chose AIFS Abroad because I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and experience a new culture through a program that offered support before, during, and after going abroad. I participated in the Barcelona Maymester program in summer 2026, and it was an experience I will always be grateful for. The pre-departure process was stress-free, which made preparing to study abroad feel much less overwhelming. Once in Barcelona, I loved exploring the city, trying new foods, going on excursions, and experiencing everyday life in a new culture. One of the most meaningful parts of my experience was learning to navigate a new city independently, as well as making lasting friendships with the people around me. I got to live in an apartment in the coolest part of the city all while living with my best friends. I was so grateful to be able to go to classes and become so independent in an unfamiliar city. I would recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking to experience a new culture, make lasting memories, meet new people, and grow both personally and professionally.

I cannot be more thankful for Pann, Pui, and Amber and their guidance throughout our trip. They really made this experience for me. The entire program program was flexible and adaptable to changes, very kind and welcoming, provided plenty of cultural experiences, and also very helpful as far as translation and providing cultural insight. I'll cherish it forever. Thank you!

They were excellent hosts that provided a great balance of education, cultural experiences, and fun! They were very open to any questions. The activities planned were great to do as a group, and meals were great for exploring culture.

I had an amazing experience with Therapy Abroad. Amber was a huge help when communicating with my client, and with her support, I was able to develop a really positive relationship with her. All of the activities were meaningful and gave me the opportunity to apply what I have learned in occupational therapy school in a completely different cultural setting. I also loved getting to experience Thailand outside of the clinical setting. The elephant experience was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip, and the food was so good. Before coming, I honestly did not know very much about Thailand, so it was really exciting to learn more about the culture, the people, and the environment while actually being there. Overall, the trip was such a positive experience, and I am very grateful for everything I learned and the relationships I made. I would absolutely love to come back to Thailand someday.

Overall, the trip with TherapyAbroad was lovely. Everything was so organized and it really strengthened our ability to be fully immersed in the culture and experience as a whole. I would recommend anyone travel with this program in the future.

My experience in Chiang Mai, Thailand, was one of the most eye-opening and special experiences I have ever been a part of. It was such a privilege to be able to work with the community and individuals there.

This experience was so incredible! I learned and experienced so much. I already want to go back and also this experience lit a fire in me to continue doing international experiences related to OT. The therapy abroad/progression facilitators were AMAZING and made the trip so smooth so that we could just fully immerse ourselves into the culture and fieldwork experience.