Serve With Us As A Student

International Volunteer Opportunities for Students

Students pursuing careers in therapy and related healthcare fields have a unique opportunity to gain hands-on clinical exposure while serving communities in need.

Through Therapy Volunteers International, students can participate in international therapy treatment, outreach, clinical observation, and supervised learning experiences that support children with developmental and physical disabilities.

Whether you are studying occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, physical therapy, or applied behavior analysis (ABA), our program provides an opportunity to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact in underserved communities.

This experience is available for:

Occupational Therapy (OT) Students

Our program offers valuable opportunities for occupational therapy students seeking clinical experience, community outreach, and global health involvement.

Students may participate in:

Level I Fieldwork: Provides early exposure to therapy practice through hands-on learning and clinical observation while helping students begin developing practical skills and meet university fieldwork requirements.

What students typically do

Join occupational therapy evaluations and treatment sessions
Assist clinicians with therapy activities
Help with screenings and basic assessments
Participate in team discussions and reflections about cases
Learn about culturally responsive care and therapy in low-resource settings

Level of responsibility

Mostly observation and guided participation
Increased hands-on opportunities as the week progresses, dependent on prior exposure in pediatrics
Always supervised by licensed clinicians

Level II Fieldwork (Extended Placement): An extended clinical experience designed to help students develop hands-on therapy skills while fulfilling their university’s fieldwork requirements.

What students typically do

Deliver therapy sessions under supervision
Participate in and lead occupational therapy evaluations
Develop treatment plans
Write clinical documentation and progress notes
Work with interdisciplinary team

Level of responsibility

Lead full caseload within approximately 6-8 weeks
Students may lead group therapy activities while the clinician supervises
Significant involvement as a member of our team

Capstone Experience (Project or Research-Based): Apply advanced knowledge to create sustainable programs or research projects that benefit the community.

Examples of capstone projects

Students might:

Develop caregiver training programs
Create occupational therapy resources for teachers
Conduct needs assessments for local schools
Design therapy curricula or intervention materials
Track therapy outcomes and analyze results
Develop programs that improve access to therapy services

Focus of capstone

Leadership
Program development
Research or evidence-based practice
Sustainable impact in the community

Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Students

Speech-language pathology students gain exposure to language and communication support in diverse cultural settings.

Students may participate in:

Clinical Placement: Provides exposure to therapy practice through hands-on learning and guided supervision while helping students begin developing practical skills and earn university-required clinical hours.

What students typically do

Participate in and lead speech therapy treatment sessions
Help with screenings and basic assessments
Assist clinicians with therapy activities
Participate in team discussions and reflections about cases
Learn about culturally responsive care and therapy in low-resource settings

Clinical Externship (Extended Placement): A Speech Language Pathology Externship (Extended Placement): clinical experience designed to build independence and advanced clinical skills in speech-language therapy as an upcoming entry-level professional.

What students typically do

Deliver therapy sessions under supervision
Conduct and lead evaluations
Develop and implement individualized treatment plans
Complete clinical documentation and progress notes
Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary team members as a member of our team

Level of responsibility

Manage a full caseload within approximately 6–8 weeks
Lead individual and group therapy sessions with increasing independence over time
Function as an integral member of the clinical team

Physical Therapy (PT) Students

Physical therapy students gain valuable experience supporting pediatric rehabilitation and functional mobility programs.

Students may participate in:

Service Trip: Participate in a meaningful service experience providing pediatric rehabilitation support in underserved communities while gaining valuable experience for your future career and clinical rotations.

What to Expect:

Join licensed therapists in community clinics, schools, and outreach programs
Support children with developmental and physical disabilities
Assist with therapy sessions and hands-on interventions
Learn how physical therapy is delivered in resource-limited environments
Develop clinical skills and cultural competence under guided supervision
Make a direct, lasting impact through purposeful service

Clinical Rotations: A Physical Therapy Clinical Rotation provides graduate PT students with an immersive clinical experience designed to strengthen clinical skills under the guidance of licensed physical therapists, while fulfilling academic requirements.

What to Expect:

Observe and assist with evaluations, consultations, and individualized treatment sessions
Gain exposure to therapy delivery across diverse clinical and community settings
Develop confidence and clinical reasoning while deepening your expertise in pediatric rehabilitation in an international context
Receive guided supervision from experienced clinicians to support your growth and help fulfill your university’s clinical requirements

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students exploring therapy careers can gain early exposure to pediatric therapy and global health work.

Typical activities include:

Shadowing therapy sessions
Assisting with therapy activities
Preparing therapy materials
Participating in community outreach

This experience can help students determine if careers like OT, PT, or speech therapy are the right path, while also providing valuable experience for their future careers and graduate school applications.

Who Students Serve

Therapy Volunteers International (TVI) serves children from infancy through late adolescence who have a variety of diagnoses, including:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Developmental delays
Cerebral palsy and other motor disabilities
Speech and language delays
Sensory processing challenges
Cognitive and learning disabilities

Students may serve in:

Pediatric therapy clinic
Special education schools
Community programs serving underserved children

Level I Fieldwork or Clinical Experience

Benefits of Being a Student Volunteer

Students gain both professional and personal growth through this experience.

Clinical Exposure Students observe real therapy sessions and gain insight into pediatric therapy practice.

Cultural Competence Working in international settings helps students develop cultural awareness and adaptability – skills highly valued in healthcare.

Professional Development The experience strengthens applications for:

Graduate school
Clinical placements
Healthcare careers

Global Health Perspective Students gain understanding of healthcare challenges in underserved communities and how clinicians innovate with limited resources

Program Logistics

Program Length
Student experiences may range from:

Short-term placements: 1-2 weeks
Extended placements: 12+ weeks (depending on program availability)

Supervision
Students volunteer alongside licensed and experienced clinicians.

Housing & Safety
Programs include support with housing coordination, local logistics, and orientation to help ensure a safe and meaningful experience.

Apply to Serve as a Student Volunteer

If you are passionate about therapy, global health, and serving children, we would love to have you join our program. Students gain valuable experience while making a lasting impact on communities that need therapy services.

Submit your application today to learn more about available student opportunities.

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What language(s) do you speak?*

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What area of discipline are you interested in?*

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)

Physical Therapy (PT)

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)

Other

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to find housing abroad?
Therapy Volunteers coordinates all housing, ensuring safe living accommodations and a hassle-free experience.

Does a placement with Therapy Volunteers count as credit toward my graduate academic program?
Yes! We work closely with universities to ensure your experience meets all the essential criteria of your graduate program.

Do I need prior clinical experience?
No prior clinical experience is required for most programs, though graduate students will benefit most from prior coursework.

Is supervision provided?
Yes. Students work alongside experienced clinicians who provide mentorship and oversight.

How long is a graduate placement with Therapy Volunteers?
The duration of Therapy Volunteer graduate programs varies, with opportunities ranging from 1 week to more extended placements. Your experience is customized based on your preferences and program requirements.

How far in advance should I apply?
Students are encouraged to apply several months in advance, especially if coordinating with academic programs.

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