The first stop is...

Helloooooo everyone and welcome to my blog!! I am so excited to start this journey and travel the world for the next 5 months. In five days, I will be leaving my house at 3:45am for Newark International Airport. You might be asking, where the heck are you going Jor??

Well the first stop is.......BELIZE!!!

I am so excited to announce that I will be doing an ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association) led program down to the beautiful country of Belize. This program is primarily a service trip, but also an opportunity to continue my education as an aspiring speech language pathologist. I will be accompanied by 10 peers, and many ASHA credited professionals that will be giving me the hands on education many SLPs only dream of. Most people, including myself go into this field with a passion of helping others. Never did I imagine I would be going to a new country, just to help children with special needs overcome their communication/language disorders.

The Therapy Abroad program sets up a camp titled the Tykes Camp right outside of Belize City. This is a camp where parents can send their children who have a language/communication disorders. My peers and I will be working with these children on speaking, listening, learning, sensory, and fine/gross motor skills. We will also be performing speech and hearing screenings on these children, as well as teaching classes to parents and the community on how to support these children more. Not only will I be working with some amazing SLPs, but I will also be working along side some of the best physical therapists and occupational therapists.

In our itinerary, the majority of our time spent in Belize is working with the children, however we also have a lot of other things planned. Some of these events include sightseeing old Mayan ruins, ziplining through the rain forest, cave tubing, and snorkeling. If you know me, than you know that I have never done anything like this before. I am truly stepping out of my comfort zone, hanging up my heels, and living the simple life. I am so excited, a little nervous, but most of all grateful for the journey ahead. Please follow along with me as I take on what will be a crazy, but life changing experience.

XOXO - Jor