We are so excited that you're joining us on our SLP-based education abroad program. We know that this program provides a valuable and unique experience - Spanish learning, cultural immersion, and the opportunity to learn more about being an SLP in a different country. It aids us in understanding that communication, communication disorders, and assessment and treatment can differ, as well as better understanding how our own cultural biases, value systems and expectations are embedded in our understandings of our discipline. And how those biases can affect our work with others. In addition, you will have the opportunity to learn best practices for working with bilingual clients - ways to understand typical and atypical bilingualism.
Our program works with a number of medical and educational sites where individuals with communication disorders are served. During your time on the program, you will be placed in one of these settings to learn about how they work with individuals with a variety of communication needs. Depending on the setting you will have opportunities to observe and interact with individuals in assessment of treatmetn of communication disorders.
There are a wide variety of settings we work with. These include private and public clinics, schools, technical training sites, regular educational settings and settings specifically for children with disabilities. You will be matched to a clinical settings based on your background, Spanish proficiency, and your interest. Note that there are many more SLP services for children than adults so it is much more likely you will be working with children.
Participants will be doing a variety of activities in these settings. We might be observing medical professionals, designing and providing services to individuals being assessed or treated for communication disorders, working with other participants in the program. We will be interacting with Ecuadoran professionals in all of these settings. Antonio and Angela will regularly visit all of you in these settings, providing certified clinical supervision for students as well as assistance and monitoring for professionals.
It needs to be emphasized that we are not coming in as professionals with all (or any) of the answers. We're not in the US and we don't know what is needed or what works in other cultures. We see our experience as primarily a learning experience for us as well as an opportunity to exchange information with Ecuador professionals. While many may not have advanced degrees, the practical experience and training of individuals is impressive.
Every year our clinical sites change a little; in 2022 they may change more as a result of pandemic impacts.