Physical Therapy Shadowing in Costa Rica

Toucan Abroad is the perfect experience to explore the field of physical therapy while also fully immersing yourself into the culture of a new country! The program had the perfect balance of gaining experience in clinics while also having fun and exploring Costa Rica! It allowed me to make relationships with other pre-PT students across the country that I will cherish for a long time! The experience of seeing physical therapists in other countries is so unique on a resume and helped prepared me for my future in physical therapy!

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!

Traveling with Toucan Abroad was an absolute dream. I went in with a group of 15 strangers, and left with 15 new great friends. It was a great balance of work and fun, and Phil does a great job making sure you have the trip of a lifetime. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who is looking for a trip where there is some structure, but you also have the flexibility to do your own exploring. I truly left feeling like a local. There was not a single time where I felt in danger in any way, Cartago is a great and safe city. If you are an aspiring PT,l and want to get a hands-on experience while having a fantastic vacation, this trip is definitely for you.

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.

I can't recommend Toucan Abroad enough for any pre-PT or pre-allied health student!!! The clinics we got to work with offered exceptional teaching and hands-on learning opportunities. Phil and Fernando are some of the most fun, caring, adventurous and encouraging people I have ever met which made the trip that much better. The program, the people, the clinics, the weekend trips, and all the simple moments in between were some of the best moments of my life. After participating in Toucan Abroad I feel even more confident in my decision to go into the field of Physical Therapy.

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.

This program I would describe as a work hard and play harder program. It consisted of over 65 hours of hands on physical therapy shadowing over the span of 3 weeks in Cartago. Along with that each day we participated in different excursions like hiking volcano, exploring coffee farms, discovering hidden waterfalls and even learning how to Latin dance. On weekends we drove to different beaches in Costa Rica where we were able to learn to surf, ride ATVs to waterfalls, and snorkel. I highly recommend this program for anyone interested in going into physical therapy! Also I hope to be able to participate in the Mexico trip as well next year!

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!