Study in the lush tropical jungle of central Belize, take a variety of courses and forget the language barrier while interacting in this English-speaking Central American country.  This semester abroad provides a unique blend of service projects, field research, academic courses, homestay living and cultural activities. San Ignacio, the semester home base, is a diverse, market town with multiple cultures, friendly people, and fun nightlife. Visit local Mayan ruins, take a hike or two to experience the amazing ecological bio-diversity or take a trip to the second largest barrier reef in the world.

Students have a unique opportunity to take courses focusing on relevant topics such as local culture, history, and developmental and environmental issues.  Also, offerings are available to students with more focused studies in Education, Economics, various Business disciplines, and even Spanish.  Many courses are enhanced through field studies that take advantage of the rich natural and cultural environment.  This comprehensive semester program also provides a unique opportunity for students to enhance personal and academic learning through a practical internship.

To complete the experience, students also participate in community-driven, hands-on development projects like management and maintenance of a local national park, researching, developing and delivering environmental education curriculum or tutoring students in reading, math or the arts.  Weekends provide a balance of cultural activities, volunteer projects and outdoor adventures in local communities and spectacular natural features such as rainforests, caves, and ruins.

Work hard and play harder!  Students in Belize may be mostly occupied by their studies during the week, but when it's time for the weekend, Belize is prime  for adventurous exploration of ruins, jungles, beaches, reefs, and cultures.  Some other draws to San Ignacio, Belize: 

    * The sub tropical location - mountains, rivers and caves of Belize
    * Rainforest and Jungle: canoeing, hiking, bird watching
    * 2 hours from the famous barrier reef for snorkeling, sailing, SCUBA diving
    * Developing country, independent since 1981
    * Ancient Maya ruins
    * Multi-lingual, multi-ethnic community
    * Practice Spanish, Creole and Maya languages
    * International faculty and student body

Accommodations are provided with a local family in Belize. Each student will have a private room with a shared bathroom. Most meals will be provided.

In collaboration with ProWorld Service Corps. the following courses are recommended for students who wish to focus on topics related to culture and development, at a Belizean, Central American and global scale.  The additional two to three courses can be chosen from Galen University's full course offerings:

INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

3 CREDITS
The course is focused on the essence of Sustainable Development and its four dimensions: environmental, economic, social and institutional. It includes a thorough analysis of the criteria and the indicators of sustainable development and their applicability at a local, national and international level.

SOCIAL ISSUES IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY

3 CREDITS
This course is an examination of social issues facing a developing country, with Belize as the case study. Topics will include poverty, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, gender and family issues.