Frequently Asked Questions

+ What is the shadowing experience like?

Program participants should be ready for clinical experiences ranging from strictly observational to a more hands-on approach. Each week students rotate to a new practice, giving them a chance to shadow at 2/3 different clinics. At the end of the program, every student receives a certificate signed by the program director and the appropriate physical therapists verifying the completion of the hours.

+ How many observational hours will I acquire during the program?

During the summer trips, you will receive 60 observational hours in 3 weeks. In winter trips, 40 hours in 2 weeks.

+ Will I be able to apply my observational hours to my PTCAS application?

Yes, your observational hours will be verified by our partnering licensed PTs so they can be counted towards your PT school applications.

+ What sort of rooming and accommodations should I expect?

During the program students stay in one of our partnering hotels, which have been carefully selected by our program staff. Our accommodations are clean, safe, and centrally-located. Students will share a room and bathroom with one or two other students.

+ Are meals provided?

During the program, students are provided free breakfast each morning. Additionally, there are 5 or 6 included group meals when the group is together on a planned excursion. For all other meals, students can visit the many nearby affordable restaurants and grocery stores.

+ Is airfare included?

Students’ airfare costs (airline ticket, checked baggage, etc.) are not covered in the Toucan Abroad program. However, if students need any assistance with planning their air travel, our program staff are happy to share advice and booking recommendations.

+ How does ground transportation work and are costs covered?

Costs for airport pick-ups/drop-offs and for group travel to planned excursions are included, and these rides are planned and conducted by Toucan Abroad staff. Students’ daily trips to PT clinics, restaurants, and activities are not included in program fees, and students primarily use Uber or public transportation for local transport.

+ Will I have free time to explore and travel?

Students will have some free afternoons and weekend time to explore on their own. It is strongly recommended to travel in groups for safety, and it’s way more fun! We have awesome small-group trip suggestions!

+ Who should attend Toucan Abroad?

Toucan Abroad is a PT-shadowing program for college students and graduates interested in pursuing physical therapy.

+ Why should I choose Toucan Abroad?

Toucan Abroad offers pre-PT students an exciting opportunity to complete their required observation hours in a unique immersive experience, observing licensed physical therapists while enjoying the natural beauty and rich cultures of our locations.

+ Do I need to know Spanish?

Students are not required to know or speak Spanish. However, we highly encourage students to study language basics and biological terms before arrival.

+ How do I apply?

To apply to join an upcoming Toucan Abroad session, please complete our online application here: https://www.toucanabroad.com/application. Upon receiving acceptance of your application and admission to your session, you will need to make a $500 deposit to hold your place in the group.

+ How much does the program cost?

Visit our Programs pages for individual program costs.

+ Are there financial aid or scholarship options available?

Students can explore options such as fundraising, scholarships, and Affirm Loans to evaluate additional means of financing their participation in the Toucan Abroad program.

Fundraising - Students can fundraise for the Toucan Abroad trip by organizing events, launching online crowdfunding campaigns, seeking sponsorships from local businesses, and engaging in creative initiatives to gather support from their community.

Scholarships - Students can check with their institution's study abroad office to explore potential scholarship or grant opportunities that may be available to assist in funding their participation in the Toucan Abroad program.

Affirm Loans - Students can utilize Affirm loans as a financial option to pay for their Toucan Abroad program, allowing them to spread out the program fee into manageable installments and make the trip more accessible.

https://www.toucanabroad.com/financing-aid

+ Can I change my selected session once I have been accepted?

Yes, with enough notice we can change your program session as long as there is still space available in your new selection.

+ This is my first time traveling abroad, is that OK?

Yes! We host many students who are new to traveling outside the US, and we have designed our program to ensure you will feel confident and safe during your program session.