THE BASIC PACKAGE

Perfect for the practicing SLP or university student with less travel experience looking to capitalize on a 1-2 week break.

You have your client’s best interest in mind

But what do you do when you don’t have share their language or culture?

✗ You don’t know where to find up-to-date professional development courses on best practices when working with bilingual + bicultural populations

✗ You have gaps in knowledge around differential diagnosis and dynamic assessment

✗ You do not have the opportunity to network and collaborate with SLPs working in linguistically diverse settings

✗ Study abroad opportunities are not currently offered for speech pathologists at your job or university

✗ You feel unprepared to effectively work with interpreters + conducting culturally responsive interviews

Confidently Work in Linguistically Diverse Environments

We take care of the logistics so that you can focus on learning.

✔︎ Participate in networking events with local students and professionals, plus attend global communication panels.

✔︎ Complete our course on bilingualism and biculturalism as it pertains to therapy.

✔︎ Apply what you’ve learned in practicum placements with our local partners

✔︎ Take a language learning class. The best place to start when trying to understand a culture better is to learn the language

✔︎ Get involved in the community through volunteer work with local organizations

“I felt supported by the Speech Train team throughout the entirety of my experience. I fell in love with the environment - passionate and driven while also welcoming.”

Kennie, USA

UNIVERSITY PACKAGE

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UNIVERSITY PACKAGE ✢

THE STRUCTURE YOU NEED

THE BASIC PACKAGE

The impacts of multilingualism and multiculturalism effect all scopes of practice for speech language pathologists. 60% of the world speaks 2+ languages. Let us provide you with the structure and encouragement you need to practice at the top of your license.

CONFIDENT. CONNECTED. COMPASSIONATE.

INTERNATIONAL EXTERNSHIP OUTCOMES

INTERNATIONAL NETWORK

Networking events enable you to walk away with a community of local and international professionals you can call upon for support long after your exchange.

INCREASED CONFIDENCE

Up-to-date coursework on best practices when working with linguistically diverse populations + clinical practicums are proven to increase clinical confidence.

EXPERIENCE ABROAD

Navigating life abroad is a great way to strengthen soft skills that are vital to successful therapy - think building rapport and therapy “buy in”.

01

UNIVERSITY COURSE CREDIT

You will be given access to a two hour course on the clinical impacts of multilingualism and multiculturalism on the assessment and treatment of speech and language disorders. Topics covered include: cultural bridging techniques, relevant terminology, types of bilingualism, working with interpreters, ethics, case studies, resources, etc. The course is designed in a neurodivergent affirming manner with video, audio, and written text formatting options. It is interactive and provides you with the opportunity to practice what you’ve learned. Additionally, you will receive ready-to-go downloadable handouts for clinical use. It is required by our partner clinics that Speech Train clinicians complete this course prior to the commencement of their practicum placement to ensure that they have a strong foundational knowledge on bilingualism and biculturalism.

02

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Speech Train maintains a pledge of awareness of the social impacts our exchange programs have on host cities. One of the ways we fulfill this pledge is through fostering long-lasting relationships with local organizations. These organizations regularly share their goals and upcoming projects with us and request volunteer support as needed. Currently, volunteer opportunities involve a “teacher’s aid” position at a children’s art club that focuses on sensory play and exploration through art and speech and language screeners for the schools that are partner clinics serve. Speech Train participants will be interviewed prior to arriving in country and assigned a volunteer placement based on interest, need, language skills, and availability.

03

PRACTICUM/OBSERVATION PLACEMENTS

Speech Train partners with local clinics in a variety of medical and educational settings. Speech Train clinicians will be interviewed prior to arrival in country and assigned a practicum site based on language skills, level of education, and clinical educator availability. Practicum placements include 3-4 hours a day for 4-5 days a week with an additional 2 hours a week of mentorship to review therapeutic questions with their clinical educator. Clinical roles and responsibilities will be reviewed during in country orientation to ensure that Speech Train clinicians feel prepared for their international placements.

04

CULTURAL EXCURSION

Speech Train exchange participants will have the opportunity to attend two cultural excursions lead by local guides. The first excursion is a half day city tour that includes lunch are covers topics such as local architecture and history. The second excursion is a day trip an hour outside of the cityscapes. You will enjoy some time in nature, local cuisine, and stories of local legends. Allowing yourself to get swept away in the differences of your home country and your host country is part of the magic of traveling. During cultural excursions, we recommend taking time to observe and appreciate the new sounds, colors, pace of life, and customs that surround you.

05

ACCOMMODATIONS

You have options here. You can opt to live with a local host family, in a share house with other foreigners or alone. All accommodation types have pros and cons. Whichever you choose, we recommend you take the opportunity to get involved in local life and deepen your knowledge of your host country’s culture. Practice your language skills, ask questions about your host countries, and share about your own perspective and cultural identity. Language learning and cultural emersion are often the two biggest key factors that result in feelings of personal growth (i.e. strengthened soft skills) that travelers express upon returning home. Host families will include you in the events they have scheduled during their exchange as well as help acclimate you to the city, and provide two meals a day.

06

SPANISH OR ENGLISH CLASSES

Language and culture are closely tied. Exchange experiences are richer when participants make an effort to learn and use as much of the local language as they can prior to and during their exchange program. Fluency is not required to study abroad, and even if you come in with a strong level linguistic breakdowns are inevitable. Although feelings of insecurity around making grammatical errors when speaking or having a “deer in headlights” moment when someone speaks to you quickly in your emerging language are completely normal, we encourage you to push through those feelings and give yourself permission to make the mistakes anyways. Just like in therapy, practice makes progress.

07

NETWORKING EVENTS

We value connecting professionals to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. For this reason, the Navigating Nuance networking events are held regularly presential and online modalities. Networking events are organized in a half social and half structured format to allow for connection and ensure depth to conversations. Activities range from round tables and discussion panels where we dive into “hot topics” within the field to learning about cuisine and artistic traditions to celebrate the local customs. Speech Train clinicians are welcomed to attend and participate in these events during their exchange.

NOW ENROLLING

Payment Plan

+ CLINICAL PRACTICUM

+ BILINGUALISM COURSEWORK

+ NETWORKING EVENTS

+ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

+ HOMESTAY + 2 MEALS A DAY

+ LANGUAGE CLASSES

+ 2 CULTRUAL EXCURSSIONS

One Payment

+ CLINICAL PRACTICUM

+ BILINGUALISM COURSEWORK

+ NETWORKING EVENTS

+ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

+ HOMESTAY + 2 MEALS A DAY

+ LANGUAGE CLASSES

+ 2 CULTRUAL EXCURSSIONS

*Students must participate under a professor from their home university/institution. Applications close six months before the trip date, airfare to and from the country is not included. Pricing is based on a 1 week exchange program with all add ons included, but can but adjusted in accordance with length of stay and desired supports.

“I love working with student clinicians and watching them put into practice what we discussed in our mentorship sessions.”

Diana, México

READY. SET. GROW!

It’s easy to get started.

STEP 01

Click the Apply Here button to complete the application.

STEP 02

Respond to our email to schedule an interview.

STEP 03

Check out our resources page and follow along on social media while you await your program start date!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Absolutely! Let us know during your interview and we will be sure to connect with your university or employer to ensure that your exchange meets their requirements.

  • Don’t worry! A practicum abroad is a great way to strengthen your second language. Our two hour course and the mentorship of your clinical educator will provided you with all of the information you need to participate fully.

  • We hope you don’t get sick during your experience, but if you do our team is trained to support you in finding any medical professionals you may need. We recommend all participants enroll in travel insurance prior to departure.

  • The basic package includes all the bells and whistles. It is ideal for less experienced travelers who would like more support throughout their exchange. In contrast, the custom package is ideal for the more experienced traveler. It gives you the flexibility to pick and choose the specific in country supports you would like during you exchange.

  • No, our programs are designed to be flexible and accommodate all levels of college education and clinical experience.

  • We value socially sustainable, lasting partnerships with local clinicians. Our pricing is a reflection of that as we pay our clinical educators to allot extra time in their schedules to provide mentorship and answer all of your questions throughout your practicum. We do offer payment plans to increase program accessibility! See the enrollment section above for details.