Location
  • Belize
    • San Ignacio
Term
Maymester, Summer
Subject Areas
Agriculture Anthropology Business Communications Conflict Studies Conservation and Preservation Economics Education Entrepreneurship Environmental Studies Field Studies Finance Food Science and Nutrition Gender Studies Geography Global Studies Graduate Studies Health Sciences Humanities International Business International Relations Latin American Studies Life Sciences Natural Sciences Peace Studies Political Science Public Health Social Sciences Social Work Sociology Sustainable Development Women's Studies +22
Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Associates Bachelors Masters
Housing
Dormitory
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
5105
Price Details
Eligible for 3 academic credits
45 academic contact hours
12-15 hours of community service
Field Station and Hotel accommodation
7 sponsored trips including cultural and historical experiences
Interactive intercultural learning co-curriculum
Pre-departure and on-site orientation
Rural and coastal living experience
All Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Round-trip airport transfers on group arrival and departure days
250K Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation
Local GSM Cell phone
Dedicated field staff to support participants 24/7
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes Meals SIM cards Transportation Travel Insurance Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

The main program housing is in a migrant community offering opportunities to play soccer and other games with community members.
Students can engage in early morning bird and plant identification.
Dedicated staff to support students 24/7

What's Not Included
Airfare Visa
What's Not Included (Extra)

Transportation for personal and independent travel
Airport transfers outside of group arrival and departure days
Incidentals such as laundry, souvenirs, food and drinks outside of sponsored meals, and other personal items

Feb 08, 2024
Nov 23, 2019
5 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Dive into Belize & Empower Communities: A Sustainable Development Journey
Ready to make a difference while expanding your horizons? Join Toucan Education Programs' Sustainable Economic and Community Development Summer Intensive in Belize!

Beyond textbooks, experience real impact:

Immerse yourself: Live alongside a rural migrant community and learn from their unique perspectives.
Engage with experts: Gain invaluable insights from leading professionals in sustainable development.
Contribute directly: Participate in projects that empower the community and promote economic growth.
Discover Belize: Explore ancient Mayan ruins, vibrant markets, and breathtaking natural wonders.
This transformative program offers:

Experts & lectures: Gain knowledge from leading figures in sustainable development.
Field trips & hands-on projects: Apply your learning and directly contribute to SGD #15

Video and Photos

Impact

Sustainability

Ethical Impact

We invest in the future by planting trees, nurturing local talent, and fostering meaningful connections. Our SLE Factor ensures ethical, impactful experiences for all. We believe in giving more value than our program fee covers. Students engage in facilitated intercultural learning throughout all our programs.
Reciprocity in Action: We collaborate with local communities, ensuring our programs benefit both participants and hosts.

Program Highlights

  • Minimum of 15 hours of community-based service projects
  • Lectures from experts across Belize's economic sectors to gain in-depth knowledge and perspective.
  • 1/2 day snorkeling on the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere
  • Cultural excursions that offer a deeper understanding of the local traditions and customs.
  • Hands-on learning opportunities that allow you to actively engage with a rural migrant community in western Belize.

Program Dates

Application Deadline
Program Dates
-

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Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 3 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.35
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.35
  • Housing 3.7
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Default avatar
Nia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Study Abroad Experience: Sustainable Economics and Community Development in Belize

Currently, a graduate student studying agribusiness and applied economics. This was not my first time abroad. But compared to my other trip, this was my favorite program. Spending two weeks in Belize was truly a beautiful, unique experience. (It was a trip of a lifetime.) The program and economics course truly shifted my perspective on sustainability and community development. Dr. Metzgen is an amazing teacher and a trailblazer in the Belizean community. I enjoyed the opportunity in doing a service-learning project along with planned site visits to Barton Creek, San Ignacio, and Xunantunich. Looking back on this adventure, the memories I created in Belize has opened doors for me. I was given the opportunity to participate in several workshops and events sharing my story and my experience in Belize.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Always enter a new experience with an open mind and heart....Have zero expectations. Try to get everything the program recommends on the list. I would recommend to future travelers to bring comfort snacks and items to help cope with the stress of being in a new country. I would also bring at least 2 button-down long sleeve shirts and a hat to cover your neck and face the weather in Belize is extremely hot.
76 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alexea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience

I truly enjoyed my experience in Belize this past summer, without a doubt the study abroad program left a huge impact on me. First, I feel as though I had a tremendous amount of support from the faculty( Ms. Abby, Ms. Rhondine and Mr. Roberto) and our professor, Dr. Metzgen. To have support is very important when traveling to another country for the first time. I loved the planned field trips that we took for example: the iguana conservation project, Barton Creek, San Ignacio market and the Mayan Temples just to name a few places. I can definitely say that when I came back home I was able to bring back memories that I will cherish forever and knowledge that is priceless. I would definitely recommend this program to any student. I hope to be able to come back to Belize soon !

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice for future travelers on this program is to make sure you bring the necessary clothes and items and to keep an open mind. I think many people don't keep an open mind when traveling to other countries and it can have a negative effect on your experience.
79 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
William
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sustainable Economics and Community Development in Belize

My overall experience was great since it was my first time learning outside the U.S. I enjoyed the planned activities that the program had to offer. I learned a lot from taking the course under Dr. Metzgen about the history of Belize and how Belize looks going into the future with AG and Tourism. We also had the opportunity to go on excursions outside of doing class work which helped us as a group to see how beautiful the country was. My favorite day's were going to Barton creek to go canoeing in a an ancient Mayan cave under mountain and also the day where we had the chance to work with the kids at the local school on teaching them about germs and hygiene. To conclude, I really enjoyed the program as a whole and I would recommend it to students interested in studying abroad.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would change the location where our group stayed at so that we would not have been so isolated.
77 people found this review helpful.
Response from Toucan Education Programs

Thank you for taking the time to share your review of the program, Will. It was certainly a pleasure having you as a part of the pilot of this program this past summer.

Based on the feedback from yourself and the rest of the pilot group, we have made changes to next year's program regarding housing which will certainly address the concerns you mentioned in your review.

Thank you again. We wish you the best of luck and hope to see you in Belize again soon!

Questions & Answers