Center for Engaged Learning Abroad C.E.L.A. Belize 2018 Newsletter

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STUDYING ABROAD IN BEAUTIFUL BELIZE!

CELAbrating

8 Years of

StudyAbroad Success

8 YEARS OF STUDY ABROAD WITH C.E.L.A. BELIZE NEW COURSES AT C.E.L.A. Belize Eat, Sleep, Drink Water. Repeat.

BELIZE IT

www.celabelize.com

CONTACT US: info@celabelize.com +1 (501) 670-0930

TABLE OF CONTENTS 8 YEARS OF STUDY ABROAD WITH C.E.L.A. BELIZE

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Meet the Team at C.E.L.A.: Rhonda Castillo

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New Courses at C.E.L.A.

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APVMA-The American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association Scholarship Opportunities at C.E.L.A.Belize.

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HERE ARE OUR TOP 5 TIPS WHEN STUDYING ABROAD.

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Eat, Sleep, Drink Water. Repeat.

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BELIZE IT

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Faculty-led Groups- Academically Challenging, Socially Responsible .

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Calendar of Events

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8 YEARS OF STUDY ABROAD WITH C.E.L.A. BELIZE Author: Cynthia Reece, Communications and Enrollment Officer at C.E.L.A. Belize It’s amazing to think how far C.E.L.A. has come since 2010. We are thankful we could build a business which employed the four founders, Nancy Adamson, Filiberto Penados, Sonia Burns and me in such a way that was faithful to our sustainability, academic and service goals.

We managed our first faculty-led group in the spring of 2011 and ran our first summer session for the large animal and wildlife courses in the summer of that same year. We have created engaged learning experiences for almost 1,500 students from the US, Canada and a few from Europe. Whether the students came in faculty-led groups, enrolled in one or two of our intensive field courses or lived with a Belizean family and worked in an organization here as an intern, each engagement impacted the participants in a powerful, positive way by their time in Belize.

We are proud of what we have accomplished for our home communities in Cayo, and with our village partners in Succotz, Hopkins and Laguna. Our commitment to support these communities in their growth and engage groups was to serve the villages with projects which the leaders of the villages had selected. Our financial support has funded the improvements to the TEA Laguna main building and the building of new bathrooms and housing facilities.

Succotz has hosted many students in home stays and has had student teachers work in the PC Primary school.

The Motmot Heritage Educational Camp has reached over 100 kids with its creative learning events. The involvement of village leaders in lectures, tours and student management brings a steady source of funding locally.

The best part of C.E.L.A.’s work in Belize has been with our partners and vendors all over the country.

One of our corporate goals was to bring additional business to Belize and send it out to Belizean companies, to support their business growth in a profitable and sustainable way. We still don’t own housing, vehicles, lecture rooms or chalkboards. We have a small office in downtown San Ignacio which we will outgrow by the end of the year. We currently employ two full-time staff, Rhonda Castillo and Lauren Burn-Margesson, and three part-time staff, Emeli Noble, Aide Sanchez and Sylvia Simpson.

Moving into 2019, we acknowledge it has been the partnerships which have made this company successful. Partnerships with schools, businesses, faculty, students and with our ourselves have fostered the quality of the education and learning experiences we have created and delivered. Our future success is inextricably linked to Belize as our past has been. Moving in a positive direction as professionals, working with our partners, we will continue to deliver academically challenging and socially responsible programs to Belizeans and our international students.

MEET THE TEAM at C.E.L.A. Belize

Rhonda joined C.E.L.A. in July of 2014 to help manage our growing business delivering engaged learning for university students and faculty. She is a key member of our team as her responsibilities include managing the execution of the transportation, housing, meals and excursions as students visit Belize for days, weeks or a month or two.

Not only is she amazing at what she does, Rhonda’s role is very important to students as she ensures all questions about food allergies, special needs or dietary restrictions are addressed and that the experiences we have planned are exactly what our students and groups planned.

She also manages the enrollment of students and the receipt of transcripts for students from our partner institutions in our intensive field courses. Her attention to detail and recollection of what’s been planned is greatly appreciated.

Even though she is behind the scenes, Rhonda’s coordination of trips and courses allow the rest of us to focus on the academic and cultural engagement opportunities for our visitors.

Name: Rhonda Alissa Castillo Position: Operations & Logistics Officer

NEW COURSE HIGHLIGHT

Food Studies in Belize: Global Trends, Local Traditions Offered May 11 – May 25, 2019

This experiential learning course provides an opportunity to explore the rich and diverse cultures of Belize through the lens of food, while gaining an understanding of the forces shaping the global food system.

Students will learn about the dynamic and complex food practices in Belize, and how they are connected to indigenous traditions, anti-colonial struggles and current global political and economic forces. Students will use all their senses, including their sense of taste, as they travel the country meeting people engaged in food production and preparation. Students will also be introduced to the key concepts and debates in the field of food studies and gain conceptual tools to critically analyze and discuss global food issues.

This seminar-style course features discussions of readings, class presentations, site visits, tastings and meal preparation. This is a rare opportunity to benefit from interactive and experiential learning in an Englishspeaking country with food cultures and practices similar to many non-English-speaking countries across the Global South.

Apply by March 15, 2019 www.celabelize.com

NEW COURSE HIGHLIGHT

Principles of International Human Rights: A View from Belize Offered May 25 – June 8, 2019

The modern era of human rights began with the United Nation’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The Declaration and the subsequent codification of global human rights have obligated governments to promote, protect and respect the rights of all persons within their borders.

This course is an examination of the contents, principles, instruments and the reality of human rights, exploring indigenous and other rights in Belize as a case study. This course will not only expose students to the exercise of indigenous rights in Southern Belize’s Maya communities, but it will also examine human rights in general in Belize, including the rights of women and children. Students will be introduced to the principles and concepts through lectures, discussions, readings, guest lectures, videos, and visits to local communities and organizations in Belize.

Apply by March 15, 2019 www.celabelize.com

APVMA-The American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association Scholarship Opportunities at C.E.L.A.Belize.

C.E.L.A. sponsors scholarships for members of the Association of Pre-Veternary Medicine of America (AVPMA) in each of our sessions, one in winter and two in summer. Each scholarship has a value of 50% of the regular cost of a single course or full program. A full program means two (2) courses (for a scholarship value of approximately $2500). To date, we have funded 14 students, from eleven schools for almost $25,000 USD. Students can choose among any courses offered, with the most popular being the Large Animal Veterinary Practices in the Tropics and Wildlife Health, Ecology and Conservation. Courses carry three credit hours and can be transferred to home institutions with prior approval. We also have US credit at an additional cost. For more information about the pre-vet field courses offered and details about studying in Belize, check out the courses pages on our website.

Scholarship Opportunities Want to study abroad but not sure if you can afford it? You are not alone! Whilst studying abroad gives you an appreciation for the world outside of your home country, grows your character and confidence, gives you great opportunities, many still worry about paying off student debt in the future. Thankfully there are a couple of options you can pursue that may make that trip of a lifetime a little bit more affordable.

5 TIPS WHEN ABROAD I

N STUDYING IN BELIZE

Eat, Sleep, Drink Water. Repeat.

Author: Lauren Margesson, Enrollment and Student Services Officer at C.E.L.A. Belize Travel can be such an overwhelming experience. It’s two parts excitement, one-part anxiety, and probably three parts exhaustion. But after the exhaustion subsides, you may find yourself navigating between excitement and a faint sense of anxiety that comes with being in a different space. This is okay, just be patient with yourself first and foremost. Your body is adjusting too, and the stress associated with travel is no small thing. But there are a few things you can do to ensure you feel great and integrate seamlessly into your new environment.

There are some things that you can do to minimize the chances of stomach discomfort while you’re here. The first thing is being a bit conservative about your food choices. Street vendors are popular and you’ll find them throughout Belize, but like anywhere else, there’s no way of knowing what food safety guidelines they adhere to, or how long the food has been out. In that case, talk to locals, ask them what restaurants they go to and what they like to eat.

Ask about prices, talk to the C.E.L.A. staff - we have recommendations too. In short, don’t be afraid to do your research and ask questions. We want you to For starters, you need to rest. On your first day experience as much of Belize as you can, culturally, here, you’ll probably sleep like a baby. Hours of socially and gastronomically, but we also want you travel will do that to you. Then on subsequent days, to make good, informed decisions while you’re here. you’ll want to explore, that’s normal. On those days, listen to your body, be mindful of its limitations. And And finally, hydration. Yes, it’s that important. Belize remember, we have full days of learning planned for has two seasons, the dry and the wet season. It’s subyou on each day here and you’ll need as much rest tropical. It can rain in a heartbeat, and when it’s not and energy as possible to enjoy these experiences. rain, it’s hot and humid. If you’ve never experienced And if you do explore at the end of the day, be safe the combination of heat and humidity before, it may and smart about what you do. Do so with members surprise you. of your group - it’s fun and safer to see a new place as a group. Ask us about recommendations on places I remember asking students once what advice they’d to go and things to do. We’re more than happy to give to other students coming to Belize, and one of help! them said ‘you’ll sweat more than you think’. It made me chuckle at the time, but it’s a really good bit of Then there’s food. This one is equally important, and information to share. You’ll sweat, you’ll lose water, without a doubt, my favorite topic. You have to eat, all the more reason to stay hydrated. Go for bottled right? The best part about travel for me is trying new water, that’s important - we recommend drinking foods. But, there’s just one problem - your stomach. at least two liters of water per day - minimum; and It might not be used to the new spices and flavors, like Cynthia always says, if you’re feeling thirsty, it’s and the next thing you know you’re not feeling the because you’re already experiencing dehydration. greatest. It happens, and that’s okay. That’s your Not drinking enough water can lead to headaches, body adjusting and accommodating these new dizziness, fatigue, and just an overall sense of not things. feeling well.

There are tons of natural fruit juices that you can try that are all safe and healthy to drink. Coconut water is sold almost everywhere. It’s one of my favorite things to drink and it’s a natural source of electrolytes, so I tend to recommend that students drink it often, wherever possible.

These are my tips for staying healthy and feeling your best while you’re exploring Belize and embarking on your C.E.L.A. learning adventure. They’re simple, easy to do, and pretty sage advice for visiting any new place. There are a couple other tips you’ll want to keep in mind, but we’ll leave that for our next issue. For now, start planning for your time here and don’t be shy, contact us, tell us what you’re most looking forward to about your trip, ask us questions, and get some local insight. Travel isn’t just about the places you’ll go and things you’ll see, it’s also about making these incredible human connections.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

BELIZE IT

Author: Misael Canto, Marketing Strategist at A.S.K. & Belize Belize lies on the eastern coastline of Central America, adjacent to the Caribbean Sea. It is bordered on the north by Mexico, on the west and south by Guatemala, and on the east by the Caribbean Sea. It is separated by sea from its neighbour to the southwest, Honduras. Both inland and on the coast, you are greeted by a vast number of cultures that live in peace and harmony. It is the home of a great number of ethnic groups and immigrants who live side by side and characterizes the warmth and friendliness of its people.

We learn and teach in English in Belize.

With 8,867 square miles and approximately 350,000 inhabitants, Belize is made up of a great number of cultural groups. This brings with it very diverse and rich cuisines, cultural practices, festivals and overall ways of life. It also is the backbone of Belize’s warm and friendly people. Most importantly, it has become the main ingredient in all of our bespoke? study abroad courses, service-learning projects and internship programs.

In Belize, we are very proud of our rich biodiversity.

Compared to its neighbouring Central American counterparts, Belize boasts being the only Englishspeaking country in Central America. Additionally, given that it is geographically and politically linked to the Caribbean, it provides those wanting to engage in learning with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in an experience where the laid-back lifestyle of the Caribbean and the warmth Photo by: Adam Haberski and hospitality of its Central American neighbours As you become more interested in Belize, you’ll influence a unique learning opportunity. probably find yourself researching more about Belize online, in travel books, videos and posts. Beware.

Belize is a tiny nation rich in culture.

You’ll more than likely come across the great Blue Hole. Or its Maya sites. Shamans.

Medicinal plants. Wide range of wildlife, including insects. And you won’t be surprised when you realize your time with us in Belize will be one that takes advantage of Belize’s rich biodiversity and offers exceptional immersive and experiential learning value to your experience in Belize.

Having similar traditions and customs like its neighbouring Central American countries, Belize, the only Caribbean country in Central America, offers visitors and students many great immersive and experiential learning opportunities. With English as its official language and its rich cultural and natural resources, it is a living laboratory. We invite you to join us in Belize where you’ll experience a new way to learn.

It’s Belize. There are so many fun things to do, too.

Oftentimes the faculty will make a scouting trip to get to know C.E.L.A. staff but also to assess the resources and opportunities for engaged learning for a ten to fourteen-day trip. These trips often include a service learning component and C.E.L.A. focuses the volunteer work on what a particular village may need. From the airport pickup to the return flight out, we manage visiting groups’ health, safety and dietary needs and meeting the schedule for the daily activities. For us, the best part of providing this service is opening up minds and hearts of students studying abroad for the first time, providing business for our service partners around the country and sharing the jewel that is Belize with a larger audience.

Come see for yourself!

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Faculty-led GroupsAcademically Challenging, Socially Responsible .

C.E.L.A. has developed an expertise in working with faculty-led groups choosing to study in Belize. We were fortunate to begin this service with contacts we had with faculty from US and Canadian schools.

What sets C.E.L.A. apart from other providers is that we manage the learning experiences in such a way that honors Belize, the people interacting with the group, from lectures, service providers to homestay families, while meeting the faculty’s academic goals.

Over the past eight years, we’ve hosted groups from all over the US and from Canada studying a wide variety of topics, from indigenous studies, sustainable agriculture and education to alternative energy systems. We have had over 80 groups work with us from over 32 colleges and universities. We blend the academics with cultural and social enrichment and tourist type excursions.

TeachAG! Penn State video for new students.

Find us in this Years, 20th Edition, Destination Belize Magazine

C.E.L.A. Belize CELAbrating 8 Years of Study Abroad Success!

@cela_belize @celabelize

@celabelize

@celabelize

C.E.L.A. Belize San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize +(501) 670-0930 info@celabelize.com www.celabelize.com