Program Information

The University at Albanys Office of International Education in cooperation with

the Department of Literacy Teaching and Learning offers the opportunity to work
with teachers and learners in Belize, Central America. Participants will visit and
observe rural and urban schools, collaborate with Belize teachers, work in small
groups with Belize learners, meet with administration at school and district levels,
and visit tertiary education institutions. Course content will address literacies in
social contexts and will be the focus of our time in schools, communities, and
during evening sessions. In addition to the in-school experiential learning, we will
explore the cultural, historical, and ecological richness of Belize through
organized group activities and optional tours, such as exploring Maya ruins, cave
tubing, rainforest hikes, river cruises, waterfall hikes, horseback riding, and a trip
to an island beach destination.
















Location
















Belize, formerly the colony of British Honduras, is the only country in Central
America with English as its official language. The country is located between
Guatemala to the west and south and Mexico to the north and was the heart of
the Maya civilization at its peak. Along the Caribbean it is culturally similar to
many of Britain's former island colonies. Inland are native Maya people, and
especially in the north and northwest of the country Spanish is often
spoken. Belize is often called "nature's best kept secret" . . . from the second-
largest barrier reef in the world, to jungle mountains, to sugar cane fields, and
winding rivers and streams, the diversity of ecosystems is unique and
unmatched.

San Ignacio, the location of the course, is situated in the jungle covered Maya
Mountains of western Belize. San Ignacio is the second largest city in Belize and
is the business and market center for the entire western part of Belize as well as
the most popular inland destination for adventure travel. Although it is the
second largest city in Belize, San Ignacio is relatively small and has many rural
villages just minutes from the city center. This urban/rural contrast provides us
opportunities to observe different types of schools, learn from various
perspectives in the communities served by schools, analyze material resources
available for learning, and recognize cultural dynamics which can either support
or challenge literate communities.







Requirements










Academic Requirements: Students must be in good academic and judicial
standing to apply; applications are welcome from junior and senior
undergraduates and graduate students. Initial preference will be given to
students enrolled in the Education Minor track/program and students enrolled in
the School of Education. ?????
Vaccination and Medication Requirements: Students should consult their
physicians to insure they are up to date on recommended vaccinations. Program
participants will be required to provide documentation they are up to date on all
childhood and young adult vaccinations including tetanus. It is recommended that
students take antimalarial medication as advised by the CDC and their
physicians. However, January is part of the dry season, therefore mosquitos are
not a significant problem.

Documentation Requirements: Students must have a valid passport.






Academics










The course is worth three credits. Students will have 3 to 5 contact hours per
day, Monday through Friday, with Belize learners and teachers. On some
evenings there will be group sessions involving discussions, reflections, planning,
and project work. Students will have ample free time during the week for walks,
small optional excursions (Iguana Conservation Project, horseback riding on a
working Maya farm, Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm, etc.), swimming (both lodges
have swimming pools), or relaxing and reading. Saturday and Sundays are
reserved for activities such as cave tubing, visiting Maya ruins and exploring San
Ignacio and its famous Saturday market. We will travel to San Pedro, Belize
(Ambregris Caye) on our departure weekend. This is included in the price of the
trip. The beach destination is the most popular tourist destination in Belize and is
a great alternative to the mountain jungle environs we will have experienced for
14 days.

STAFF: The students will be supervised by the instructor, Dr. Cheryl Dozier, and
PhD student, Joy Stephens.






Support Services









The University at Albany hosts an orientation prior to the start of the program,
and the program coordinator is available to you at any time. Internet access is
available at both lodges; either in your rooms or in common areas.












Housing






We will stay at two different lodges in and around San Ignacio. The rooms are
comfortable, air conditioned, have single and double beds, private bathrooms, and
either double or triple occupancy. Everyone will have their own bed. Breakfast will be
provided every morning, both buffet and sit-down style. Lunches will either be picnic
provided by the lodge or at the school where we are working. Dinners alternate between
eating at the lodge and visiting local restaurants. There will be vegetarian options at all
meals. The water at both lodges is safe to drink but we will have access to bottled
water as needed. Laundry services are available at both lodges for additional cost.
Students are responsible for dinners at local restaurants and all meals during the beach
trip to San Pedro.
The co-coordinator, Joy Stephens, has been to Belize 15 times, taking teachers and
students to serve in schools and adventure throughout the country. She is familiar with
the tour guides, the tours, the lodges, the schools, and communities and has long-
established connections and resources to help solve any bumps in the road that may
occur.









Costs
Breakdown of costs (see below):
Payable to UAlbany:
Program Charge: $???? (covers most meals, transportation, lodging &
some excursions; additional excursions available for additional cost)
Tuition: $
University Admin Charge: $

Other projected expenses:
Flight: $
Misc. Personal Costs: $

Total Estimate: $
Costs payable through the University at Albany include housing, meals,
transportation while participating on program activities, excursions, class
materials, and on-site support. Students pay for their own airfare and personal
expenses.

Click here for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.