Belize Semester Abroad Program in Sustainable Development

1. Belize Semester Abroad Program in Sustainable Development

2. Agenda • Belize • Galen University/San Ignacio • Curriculum • Field Trips • Housing and Meals • Financial Details • Application Process • Questions

4. Why Belize? • Ideal location to study sustainable development • Biologically diverse • 93% of land under forest cover • 40% of land under legal protection

5. 300 miles of Caribbean coastline • Second longest barrier reef in world

7. Rich culture • Diverse population • Maya, Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, East Indian, and Mennonite

8. Ancient Maya temples and sacred caves

9. Galen University • Galen University’s mission • “…a unique focus on sustainable development throughout its courses, programs, and service”

13. San Ignacio

17. Curriculum Required courses for UVM students: • Service learning course • 4 credits • Team taught/supervised by UVM and Galen faculty • Equal number of UVM and Belizean students

18. 2007 projects • Alternative energy systems • Mayan education center • Good governance • Cultural tourism and sustainable income for indigenous groups • Environmental education in schools • Analysis of media in HIV/AIDS education

19. 2. Sustainable development course • Taught by Galen University faculty • Choose from: • Principles of Sustainable Development • Development: An Indigenous Perspective

20. 3. Cultural awareness • 1 credit • “Maximizing Your Belize Experience”

21. Other UVM courses: • CDAE 157 Consumer Law • CDAE 195 Strategic Writing • CDAE 195 Organizational Development

22. Galen courses cross-listed as UVM courses: • Adventure and Eco-Tourism • Sustainable Tourism • Environmental Problems • Environmental Economics • Social Issues in a Developing Country • Maya Archaeology • Garifuna Culture and Language • Small Business Venture • Research, Writing and Project Management • Can complete four of five courses for CDAE minor in Community & International Development (CID)

23. Weekend Field Trips Programme for Belize La Milpa Field Station

24. South Water Caye

25. Course-Related Field Trips

26. Housing: Martha’s Inn

30. Martha’s Guest House

33. Martha’s Restaurant

34. Financial Details Tuition • Pay tuition to UVM (instate/out-of-state) • Program Fee • $5550 • Includes • Housing and 5 breakfasts per week • Meal allowance ($70/week) • Field trips (two or three weekend trips) • Daily transportation between San Ignacio and Galen • Use of personal cell phone

35. Financial Aid • UVM financial aid applies • Additional aid available • Belize Program financial aid • need-based up to $1000 • Service-learning Teaching Assistant • up to $1000

36. Additional Expenses • Airfare ($500-$1000) • Personal expenses • Additional weekend trips not planned in course itinerary

37. Application Process (Spring) • Application • Complete and return to Jay Ashman by April 20 • Interview • Will be completed before the end of spring semester • Acceptances • Will be sent out by June 1 • Deposit • Non-refundable $500 due by June 15

38. Selection Criteria • Class • Major and minor • Recommendations • Academic performance • Community service • Our perception of • your commitment to maximizing the benefits of this experience, personally and for others • “intangibles” such as your flexibility, sense of adventure, ability to “roll with the punches,” etc.

39. Questions?