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Service Learning in Belize with Toucan Education

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Toucan Education Programs Inc.
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Video and Photos

Service-learning participants painting a classroom
Service-learning participants with TEP staff painting classrooms
Participant on an ancient Mayan temple
Service-learning participants explore traditional medicine trail
Unpainted classrooms at local high school.

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About

The Service Learning in Belize study abroad program focuses on community enrichment and intercultural learning.

This program offers an engaging, and reciprocal learning experience that provides support and structure for meaningful impact in a welcoming and collaborative environment.

Grassroots community and organizations seek out assistance with projects that will make a lasting impact on the community and on the participant.

Our community partners make a commitment to sharing their expertise with our participants and engaging our participants in projects that create value.

This short-term study abroad program includes community-oriented service, discussion forums, and culturally immersive experiences.

Nurture leadership and work-related skills in the most exciting education abroad experience.

Be part of the solution and serve, learn, and explore Belize.

Highlights
  • 8 nights / 9-days in Belize
  • Minimum of 15 hours of community service
  • 4 excursions to places of cultural significance
  • Interactive Intercultural Learning curriculum
  • Community partners committed to participant learning

Impact

Participants on the Service-learning in Belize program will have a unique opportunity to positively impact local communities through their enrichment projects. Imagine enhancing classrooms, working on murals, or supporting local grassroots organizations in meaningful ways.

In our 2018 impact report, community partners shared concrete examples of how a newly painted classroom made a difference to schools and the wider community.

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Questions & Answers

Reviews

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Showing 1 - 3 of 3
ChrisTindle
Chris
24
Male
United States
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
Default avatar
Marquis
25
Male
United States
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
Default avatar
Katie
39
Female
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 Inc.

Discover the Serve, Learn, Explore (SLE) Factor when you Study Abroad in Belize with Toucan Education Programs (TEP).

TEP's program offering includes international internships, Service-Learning, and Sustainable Economic and Community Development.

Our study abroad programs are designed to meet both students' and community needs while...

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