Graduate Studies in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology in Dominica
Graduate Studies in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology in Dominica
- Program for MA-SLP and AuD graduate students
- Gain hands-on experience working with diverse children and adults in various areas of audiology and speech-language pathology
- Participate in cultural activities to learn about the history and culture of Dominica
This program is designed for graduate students in speech-language pathology and audiology at the University of Kansas who have an interest in working with people with different types of disabilities. The program will have an overnight in Miami, Florida before traveling to Dominica. The group will work with local non-profit organizations and government ministries to offer the local communities services. Clients will be of any age: from children to adults. Most days the morning will be spent doing clinical work and the afternoons will be for cultural activities and excursions.
Dominica is a sovereign island nation in the Caribbean Sea and is located a short distance from Martinique and Guadeloupe. It's known as "The Nature Island" because over half of the island is forested. In addition to the tropical rain forests, Dominica boasts natural hot springs, mountainous terrain, and a variety of plant and animal life. The island is 29 miles long and 16 miles wide at its widest point and the average temperature year-round hovers in the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit.
Dominica is a mixture of European and African cultures and is home to the Caribbean's only remaining population of pre-Columbian Carib indigenous people, the Kalinago, who mainly live on the eastern side of the island. The population of the island is just over 70,000 and people speak English and Dominican Creole. Dominica has won awards for its natural beauty, conservation efforts, and sustainable tourism practices.
Two or three hours of academic credit are granted by the University of Kansas upon successful completion of the program. MA-SPL students will enroll in 2 credits and AuD students will enroll in 3 credits of SPLH 752: Examining Global Perspectives in Speech-Language-Hearing.
During the Spring semester, the group will meet 1-2 times (for 2-3 hours total) to review client files and plan for the screenings and evaluations.
While abroad, MA-SLP and AuD graduate students will participate in supervised evaluations and screenings, as well as facilitate short-term therapeutic intervention activities. Students will receive contact hours toward their ASHA requirement while participating in direct patient-contact activities.
Students will be housed in double or triple occupancy rooms in a hotel in Miami, Florida. When in Dominica, the group will stay in the Castle Bruce area. The housing is dorm-style rooms with two or three students per room and bathrooms in the hallway. There is Wi-Fi on the floor with the rooms and in the communal area. The ground floor has a dining room where the group will eat their meals and a laundry room, if needed. All meals during the program will be included.
Traveling to Dominica in one day can be challenging, so the program will have an overnight in Miami, Florida. Additionally, Therapy Abroad is organizing a group flight for students with a fixed cost for the airline ticket, so students will be able to pay Therapy Abroad directly for their flights Kansas City-Miami--Dominica-Kansas City. While in Miami, there will be an orientation to introduce the group to the Therapy Abroad staff and go over the plan for the time in Dominica. The next morning the group will fly to Dominica.
Over the course of the week, it's planned that the group will work with various groups on the island, which could include the following:
- The Dominica Infirmary is the oldest institution in Dominica providing care for senior citizens. Many of the patients suffer from mobility issues as well as speech and language issues due to stroke.
- The Alpha Center is a school that teaches kids in kindergarten through 12th grade who have disabilities. It's the only school like this on the island so some kids travel long distances to arrive. The Alpha Center seeks to provide comprehensive education that will allow children to function at their maximum potential, so they offer instruction in sewing, wood working, gardening, and cooking.
- Castle Bruce Primary School serves nearly 150 students and there will be opportunities to work directly with teachers and students in a classroom setting.
- Yes, We Care is a program that facilitates personal home care for the elderly and handicapped who are housebound. They send people in the health field into the community to visit in their homes and help with Speech, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and nursing. They serve approximately 50 homes.
Additionally, students will go on a walking tour of the town of Castle Bruce, visit the market, and hear from a guest speaker on the cultural and linguistic diversity of Dominica. It's also planned that the group will visit an organic farm to learn about traditional Dominican organic farming and there will be time for students to snorkel near the reef formations that are protected and managed by marine reserves.
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in cultural activities to learn more about the island. Some of the planned activities include the following:
- Snorkeling at Champagne Beach, where a rich array of coral reef and marine life can be found. The beach got its name from hot vents that continually emit volcanic gasses, causing a "champagne" effect while swimming and snorkeling through the water.
- Touring the Old Market in Roseau. Historically it was one of the major trading markets in the Caribbean, but now has transitioned into a center of arts and crafts where artisans can sell their creations.
- Visiting the Kalinago Territory, home to the descendants of the island's original people.
- Visiting Emerald Pool, located at the bottom of a 40-foot waterfall.
- Going on a whale watching and dolphin cruise.
- Attending a local cultural show.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Considerations for Belize
The U.S. Department of State has indicated that LGBTQIA+ people may face discrimination while in Belize. Read more in the “Local Laws and Special Circumstances” section of the Belize country information. Therapy Abroad has not received reports of incidents of this type with any of their students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the program coordinator.
Additional Resources
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
All students must be graduate students in the KU Speech-Language-Hearing or Audiology program. The minimum GPA requirement is a 2.5, though exceptions are considered after submitting a petition.
Professors Krysta Green (krystagreen@ku.edu) and Kate DeJarnette (kmdejarnette@ku.edu) are directing the program. Both have previously led study abroad programs to destinations such as Belize, Bulgaria, Peru, and Turks and Caicos.