The Belize Semester Abroad program offers students the opportunity to take 18 credits over a spring semester studying sustainable development in Belize. Students take field-based courses and complete a service learning project. They study the unique ecology, biodiversity, indigenous cultures and development challenges of Belize while living in villages, a wildlife reserve and on a marine biology research station. The program aims to give students hands-on experience applying concepts of sustainable development and intercultural competence.

1. Belize Semester Abroad
Program in Sustainable Development
Spring Semester, 2013

2. 2013 Program Features
--18 credits
--Three field-based courses
--Six credits of service-learning

3. Belize
• Only English-speaking
country in Central
America
• Unique combination of
Caribbean and Latin
American geography
and culture
• Geographic area the
size ofMassachusetts
• ½ the population of
Vermont

4. Why Belize?
Ideal location to study
sustainable development

5. Ecological diversity
• Last intact tropical
forest north of the
Amazon
• Longest barrier
reef in the
western
hemisphere
– UNESCO
World Heritage
Site

6. Biological diversity

7. Cockscomb Wildlife Reserve
World’s only jaguar preserve

8. Largest cave system
in the Western
Hemisphere--many
sacred to the Maya

9. Community co-management
Unique approach to managing
protected areas

10. Pioneer in Ecotourism

11. Belize’s Cultural
Diversity
– Mestizo
– Creole
– Garifuna
– Maya
– East Indian
– Mennonite
– Chinese

12. “When it comes to rich cultural heritage, incredible nature on land
and sea, spectacular beauty and a truly warm and friendly
people, Belize makes my own top five list of the world’s best
places to see and experience.”
--Costas Christ, senior editor, National Geographic Traveler

13. Development Pressures

14. Mass (Cruise Ship) Tourism

15. Solid Waste Management

16. Population Increase
• At the current
rate, population of
Belize will double
in 20 years

17. Six courses: 18 credits
• Development & Indigenous
Peoples
• Linking Ridges to Reef:
An Ecosystem Approach to
Biodiversity Conservation &
Development
• Wildlife Conservation and
Communities: Issues &
Approaches
• Intercultural Competence
• Applications of Sustainable
Development
– Service learning (6 credits)

18. Weeks 1 to 3: Discover Belize “Unplugged”
Macal River Camp
Orientation and introductory classes

19. Laguna Village
Development and Indigenous Peoples: The Maya

20. Hopkins Village
Development and Indigenous Peoples: The Garifuna

21. Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife Conservation

22. IZE Marine Biology Station: South Water Caye
Linking Ridges to Reef

23. Weeks 4-6: Settle into Cayo
Complete work for Development and Indigenous Peoples,
Linking Ridges to Reef, and Wildlife Conservation

24. Weeks 7-12
Intercultural Competence and
Applications of Sustainable Development
Intercultural
Competence
•Analyze what constitutes a
"culture“
•Experience arts, foods,
religions, Maya archeology,
Kriol language
•Compare subcultures in
Belize
•Consider what it means to be
a “global citizen”

25. Applications of Sustainable Development: Part I
(Service Learning)
2012 Projects:
• environmental education
at a rural primary school
• nutrition education and
gardening at an urban
primary school
• planning/building a
sustainable community
for abandoned children
• Developing educational
materials on HIV/AIDS
for a battered women’s
shelter

26. Environmental Education

27. Nutrition Education and Gardening

28. Sustainable Community for
Abandoned Children

29. Educational Materials on
Domestic Abuse and HIV/AIDS

30. Weeks 13 and 14: Get Dirt on Your Hands
and Sand in Your Shoes
Caye Caulker

31. Applications of Sustainable Development—Part II
• Partner with Ocean
Academy, a
community high
school
• Projects include:
– Easter vacation
enrichment camp
– Tutoring
– Classroom
construction

32. Volunteer Activities

33. CDAE Majors
• CID Major: Receive credit for
– CDAE 102
– five of “choose 7” electives
• PCOM Major: Receive credit for
– CDAE 102
– up to two of “choose 5+” electives
(depending on nature of service learning projects)
• CENT Major
– CDAE 102

34. Minor in
Community & International Development
(CID)
• Fulfill three of five required courses
• Take CDAE 061 and CDAE 002
(preferably fall semester)

35. Financial Details
Tuition
– Pay tuition to UVM (instate/out-of-state)
Program Fee
– Approximately $6,000
– Includes
• All lodging
• Meals or meal allowance in all locations
• All program-related in-country transportation and
admissions
• Service learning project expenses
• Use of personal cell phone provided by program

36. Financial Aid
UVM financial aid applies
Additional aid may be
available
– Belize Program
financial aid
– Service-learning
Teaching Assistant

37. Additional Expenses
• Airfare
– ($500-$1,000)
• Personal
expenses
– (souvenirs, gifts)
• Personal travel

38. Program Dates
Thursday, Jan. 10
– Students are met at
the Belize Int’l.
Airport and
transported to the
Macal River Camp
Thursday, Apr. 18
– Students are
transported from
Caye Caulker to the
Belize Int’l. Airport

39. Key Points
• UVM financial aid
applies
• Additional program
scholarships may be
available
• All courses in English
• UVM courses; no
transfer credit issues

40. Information Sessions
Wednesday, Apr. 25
5:30 p.m.
Lafayette L308
Thursday., Apr. 26
7:00 p.m.
Davis Ctr. room 402

41. Application Process
1. Application
– Complete and return to Jay Ashman no later than
Monday, April 30, 2012
2. Interview
– May 1 - 9
3. Admission
– Notice sent by e-mail in early June
4. Deposit
– Non-refundable $500 due with acceptance of offer
of admission

42. Selection Criteria
• Year and major
• Recommendations
• Academic performance
• Community service
• Our perception of
– your commitment to
maximizing the
benefits of this
experience, personally
and for others
– “intangibles”
• flexibility
• sense of adventure
• ability to “roll with
the punches”

43. For more information:
jay.ashman@uvm.edu
learn.uvm.edu/travel/belize