UNIVERSITY PACKAGE

A mini-mester program designed for the university undergrad or graduate student.

Professors want the best for their students

But what do you do when you don’t have the time or resources to organize an international practicum?

✗ The current curriculum does not prepare students to work with bilingual + bicultural populations

✗ Clinical rotations focusing on cultural and linguistic diversity are not available in your area

✗ Students do not have the opportunity to network and collaborate with speech pathologists from abroad

✗ Study abroad opportunities are not currently offered for speech pathology students at your university

✗ Students report feelings of unpreparedness with working with interpreters + conducting culturally responsive interviews

Confidently Equip Students Prior to Graduation

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

✔︎ Practicum rotation abroad with a focus on multilingualism + multiculturalism

✔︎ Mentorship session with clinical educators (2 additional hours per week)

✔︎ Course (2 hours) covering the foundational knowledge of the clinical impacts of bilingualism and biculturalism

✔︎ Networking events with local and international professionals in related fields

✔︎ In country orientation and continued support throughout exchange

“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 ✢

SET YOUR STUDENTS UP FOR SUCCESS

UNIVERSITY PACKAGE

The impacts of multilingualism and multiculturalism effect all scopes of practice for speech language pathologists. 60% of the world speaks 2+ languages. Students need this foundational knowledge to practice at the top of their licenses upon graduation.

CONFIDENT. CONNECTED. COMPASSIONATE.

INTERNATIONAL EXTERNSHIP OUTCOMES

INTERNATIONAL NETWORK

Networking events enable students to walk away with a community of local and international professionals they can call upon for support long after graduation.

INCREASED CONFIDENCE

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

EXPERIENCE ABROAD

Time abroad is a great way to strengthen the soft skills that are vital to successful therapy - think building rapport and therapy “buy in” - but hard to teach.

01

BILINGUALISM COURSE

Student clinicians 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 students with the opportunity to practice what they’ve learned. Additionally, students will receive ready-to-go downloadable handouts for clinical use. It is required by our partner clinics that Speech Train student 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 student 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. Student 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 students 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

HOST FAMILY

Living with a host family is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in local life and deepen your knowledge of your host country’s culture. We encourage you to practice your language skills, ask them questions about their country/cultural identity/experiences, 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. Professors have the option to stay with a host family or have an independent accommodation organized for them.

06

LANGUAGE 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 student clinicians and visiting professors 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 EXCURSIONS

One Payment

+ CLINICAL PRACTICUM

+ BILINGUALISM COURSEWORK

+ NETWORKING EVENTS

+ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

+ HOMESTAY + 2 MEALS A DAY

+ LANGUAGE CLASSES

+ 2 CULTRUAL EXCURSIONS

*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 week long exchange program, but can but adjusted in accordance with length of stay.

“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 allot time into student clinician’s schedules to complete university coursework during their exchange.

  • Don’t worry! A practicum abroad is a great way to strengthen your second language. Our two hour course and the mentorship of clinical educators will provided students with all of the information they need to participate fully. Additionally, the in country orientation is designed to be relevant to visiting professors as well as students - specifically the portion on host country acclimation.

  • For the time being, we do not have the capacity to offer paid externships or employment to therapists. Many of our partner clinics look to previous speech train program participants when hiring. You are encouraged to submit your resume after the completion of your exchange to join our partner clinics applicant pool. The Speech Train Exchange CEO often reads through these when looking to hire for the Speech Train team.

  • We love collaborating with professors and their universities to make international clinical practicums fit with their institution’s requirements. Our team will be in close contact with you leading up to departure to make sure everything is in order for you and your student’s arrival. We work hard to take care of the logistics so that you can focus on your students and enjoy the experience abroad. Additionally, our in-country program coordinator will be available support you and your students throughout the time on 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 students clinical questions throughout their practicum. We do offer payment plans to aid in program accessibility! See the enrollment section above for details.