Belize Study Abroad – Summer, 2013

Belize Study Abroad – Summer, 2013

From Mountain to Sea: Ecological and Cultural Diversity in a Jewel of Central America

CCP Faculty Margaret Stephens - Environmental Conservation/

Geography

Randy Libros – Physics/Technology

Maps

Topics of study

Ancient to contemporary Maya civilizations, archaeology, history, geography, literature

Natural history, aquatic, forest & marine ecologyTraditional medicine

Natural resource management, challenges of environmental conservation and economic

development

Follow the Sibun River from the mountains to the sea.

Belize-Stephens 4

Waking up in Belize was amazing!

Our host: Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Main cabin, offices & library

Evening visitor

Dining hall &classroom

Program Activities and Features

•Central tropical savanna•Sabun River trip•Western Maya Mountains: Mountain Pine Ridge•Maya culture & archaeological site: Xunantunich•Barrier reef: Tobacco Caye Marine Station

Study the natural environment, diverse habitats, land use issues, history and cultural diversity.

Central tropical savanna

Belize National Zoo

•Not just any zoo

•Injured and rescued animals

•All native to Belize

Belize-Stephens, 2010 13

Watershed Ecology: From Headwaters to the Sea

Western Maya Mountains: Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Headwaters

Western Mountains – limestone caves and sinkholesCaves – Maya underworld

Maya Archaeological Sites

Lunch at Mangana’s home: Maya elders, preserving their heritage

Chalillo Dam Hydroelectric Project

En route to Dangriga, then water taxi

to Tobacco Caye

Our water taxi

Tobacco Caye Marine Field Station in the Caribbean

Tobacco Caye Marine Stationon a barrier reef island ~12 miles offshore

Smithsonian Institution Tropical Marine Research Station

Soil core sampling on mangrove island

Lab: Identifying macro invertebrates (indicators of

water quality) from plankton tow

Moray eel awaiting prey at night

Octopus on nocturnal prowl

Student presentations

Accommodations

35IDS120 Belize – Stephens-Libros 2013

Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Tobacco Caye Marine Station

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

Belize-Stephens, 2010 36

Belizean Cuisine

I was treated better at times than I am at home. The food was great!

Being in Belize definitely helped me to broaden my horizons and to see the world from a different point of view. – Jenna Walsh, CCP nursing student

I need a thesaurus because I’m tired of using amazing, cool, awesome and nice. How about…SPECTACULAR!!!

-Anthone Moore, transferred to La Salle U. – wildlife biology

Academic requirements (one credit hour)• application essay, interview, recommendation

•Pre-departure instruction: history, geography, culture, literature, social, political & environmental issues, country orientation, safety and health

•10 days in country

•Student presentations – 1 pre-departure, 1 on site, 1 group presentation after return

•Field journals

IDS 120 – 1 credit, general elective

•pre-departure orientation and instruction: Belizean history, geography, literature, ecology, contemporary social, political and environmental issues

•10 days in country. 3 distinct ecological zones, Maya archaeological site and caves, hydroelectric dam project, medicinal botanical gardens, cultural diversity: Creole, Mestizo, Maya, European descent, naturalized citizens

•3 student presentations: pre-departure, in country, after return

•Field journals

Application Process

Deadline: February 6, 2013

Up to six (6) scholarships

Requirements (See applications)

Tips for successful applications:•Teacher recommendations•Personal essay – connect to your academic/career goals, why this program, flexibility and teamwork