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Service Learning in Belize with Toucan Education

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Video and Photos

International Students
Service Learning in Belize
The nursing group from the University of Indianapolis School of Nursing
Service Learning in Belize
Man and woman painting a room

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About

Looking to make a make a difference in our world?

Our NEW Service-learning in Belize program is the only study abroad program designed to make a positive impact on you and the Belizean community.

Imagine the experience you will have supporting community driven projects while immersing in a kaleidoscope of rich Belizean cultures.

TEP's Service-Learning in Belize program fosters appreciation of social responsibility, global awareness, and personal and professional development.

This nine (9) day program is packed with community oriented service, discussion forums, and site visits.

Nurture the leader in you and connect your study abroad experience to important work related skills in the most exciting education abroad experience you will have.

It is time to go beyond the traditional study tour. Start your journey here!

Highlights
  • Guaranteed community placement.
  • Four (4) group sponsored cultural excursions.
  • Access to our innovative reflection based curriculum.
  • Housing and 90% of meals included.

Summer 2020 Discount

BREAKING NEWS! Join one of TEP's transformative study abroad programs this summer and claim your $250 Discount.

Make a positive impact on yourselves and the Belizean community TODAY.

Complete your summer program application for one of the following programs before February 15th, 2020 to claim your discount.
- Sustainable Economic and Community Development in Belize
- Intern in Belize
- Service-Learning in Belize

Apply TODAY!
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Questions & Answers

Reviews

100%
based on 3 reviews
Leave a Review
  • Academics 6
  • Support 10
  • Fun 10
  • Housing 9.7
  • Safety 10
Showing 1 - 3 of 3
ChrisTindle
Chris
Age:
23
Male
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

My Time in the Serving in Belize

Sep 30, 2018

While the service learning was not academically challenging; that was not the point of this experience. Instead, the time in Belize revolved around experience, cultural identity, and a celebration of others cultural identities. Throughout my stay we visited the San Ignacio Marketplace, we visited Xunatunich, an ancient Mayan Temple, we cooked with Garifuna and Kriol people some of their traditional foods and it was incredible. This, in addition to, we painted classrooms for some of the most joyous kids I've ever seen. They were so full of life and curiosity; very indicative of the Belizean people as a whole. Everywhere we went we were asked as many questions about where we were from as we asked the locals. Overall it was an incredible experience and we did so much more than can be mentioned in a single review.

What would you improve about this program?
I would love to see more of a focus on the Garifuna and Kriol people that inhabit Belize. As a black man; it was very important to see cultural representation outside of the United States. It was very important for me to see people of color outside of the normal standards of the United States. I think it would have been nice to delve deeper into the differences of our black culture versus the Belizean black culture.
Chris in Xunatunich
Marquis
Age:
24
Male
North Carolina
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying Abroad With Toucan Education Program July 2018.

Sep 30, 2018

Studying abroad with TEP was my first time out if the country. My FIRST TIME ON A PLANE. I have always been afraid to fly but I am so glad I tackled that fear this past summer (2018) because the experience was amazing. The diversity of the cultures, the tropical environment, and let us not forget about the FOOD all was great. I cannot wait to go back to Belize. Our endeavors while there gave us real-life experience with people who are different but, everyone there accepted us with one arms. I learned so much more about the world because of this eye opening experience. Ms. Rhondine, Ms. Abbiola, Mr. Roberto, and Ms. Elissa treated our cohort so well. Thank you soooooo much for the opportunity.

Me at the University of Belize Central Farm
Our Cohort with the Farmers on our last day with them
Our cohort after lunch
Katie
Age:
38
Female
United States
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Wonderful experience

Jun 7, 2018

I went as college staff with a group of students and I could not have been more impressed with the support we received and the people that we met. Our students did not want to leave! We made so many connections and memories, and I saw a lot of individual growth in our students-- some of whom had never even traveled on a plane! Wonderful food, top-notch service, and really wonderful people met along every step of the way, from the program providers themselves to the people we were put in contact with. There was something for everyone in this experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has never traveled internationally before as a first experience (though I would recommend it to veteran travelers as well!)

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Abbiola Ballah

Program
Service Learning in Belize with Toucan Education
woman

As TEP's Education Abroad Program Manager, Abbiola works on all aspects of programming from design to implementation.

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, she has spent most of her adult life studying, living and working abroad in Japan and the USA. She is dedicated to fostering social change in education and has obtained two MA degrees in Applied Linguistics & TESOL and International Education.

What is your favorite travel memory?

I have been lucky to travel a great deal in my life over the years. My best travel memory has to be going to Thailand. I visited there is the winter 2005 during my first year living in Japan. It was the first country I was able to check off of my bucket list.

Thailand reminded me so much of the Caribbean because of the weather and the rich culture. It was amazing to be able to see so many similarities in a country so far away from my own. I think the best part was being able to immerse myself into the culture and interact with the Thai people. It was unforgettable.

How have you grown since working for your current company?

I have grown considerably both personally and professionally since working for Toucan Education Programs.

Toucan Education Programs values its employees and I have felt this in every aspect of my work life.

This motivates me to be innovative, share my ideas, work towards improving our current programs and designing new programs for our participants. It has also given me the platform to give back to the community through the work we do on our programs.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

One of the amazing things about our participants is that they get so invested in their service projects that they usually keep in contact with the organization after returning home.

One alumna is still in contact with the members of the youth group she established during her time in Belize. She still assists them with any questions they have and just check in with them from time to time. This is definitely one of the best stories I have heard since it shows how engaged our community becomes with our participants.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

The Service-Learning in Belize program would certainly be my program choice especially if it was my first time abroad. I’m able to do meaningful service projects while learning about the Belizean culture. Also, the reflection based curriculum allows me to really go in-depth with this 9 day experience. I love that it allows you to focus on one project for 5 days as well as integrates cultural activities so you can immerse yourself and get a better understanding of Belize.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Our commitment to reciprocity makes TEP unique. We want both our participants and the Belizeans they interact with to grow personally and professionally for their experience on our programs. I am especially proud that each member of our team works in sync to ensure that this takes place. We are a small team but we put a lot of effort into ensuring every stakeholder gets the most out of every experience with us.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I believe the biggest factor in being successful is surrounding yourself with like-minded people. At TEP, we are all committed to our mission and vision. We believe that we can make a difference in both the lives of our participants and the Belizean community through our programs. Every day we are working together towards fulfilling our goals and on making an impact on the Belizean community and our participants.

About Toucan Education Programs

Serve. Learn. Explore: Study Abroad in Belize with Toucan Education Programs (TEP). TEP's programs include international internships and along with Service-Learning programming in Belize. As a Belizean based social enterprise , the work we do is personal as it affects the people of our country. Our programs are student and community centered for...

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