Toucan Abroad offers pre-PT students an exciting way to complete their required shadowing hours with an exceptional guided experience through some of the world’s most beautiful places. We passionately believe in the positive impact of studying abroad, particularly the life-changing effects of being immersed in a different culture. We determine our selected partners and programming schedule with meticulous planning, extensive collaboration, and profound dedication. As a result, we bring to our students a robust and unique experience that often inspires them not only to continue in physical therapy but also to deepen their understanding of communities beyond their own.
Our Mission
Our mission at Toucan Abroad is to provide transformative international experiences for aspiring physical therapists, fostering cultural immersion, professional and professional growth, and global perspective through clinical observation and meaningful engagement with local communities around the world.
Who We Are
Philip Wykowski
Founder and Program Director
Philip was born and raised in Virginia and holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Dallas. He founded Toucan Abroad in 2018, inspired by his own studying abroad experiences and personal travels throughout Europe, as well as North, Central, and South America, where he currently resides. Having played multiple competitive sports for many years, Philip has spent a lot of time working with physical therapists as a patient and has developed a strong knowledge and interest in the field. Before founding Toucan Abroad, Philip worked in software sales and marketing. He now solely focuses on expanding and ensuring the success of Toucan Abroad and its students.
Fernando Muñoz
Regional Director
Fernando hails from Cartago, Costa Rica, and works closely with Philip for all onsite functions and logistics. In addition to his role at Toucan Abroad, Fernando is also a professional chef. After studying at Chef Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, Fernando worked at a five-star hotel and restaurant in Barcelona, Spain. With Toucan Abroad, Fernando manages clinical partner relationships and development, program logistics, and more.
Ashleigh Lenick
Social Media Manager
Ashleigh is a current student at the University of Central Florida and is in the process of applying to DPT schools. She is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences with a minor in Mass Communication: combining her passion for physical therapy and her creativity. She hopes to become a pediatric therapist but also wants to travel as much as she can. She traveled to Cartago and will definitely return there soon. Part of her childhood was spent living in Germany and plans to return to Europe one day to travel other beautiful countries.