Program Details
Location
Belize City, Tobacco Caye, Caye Caulker,
Belize
Term
Winter Break (Spring semester on campus)
Housing
Dormitory
Hotel
Other
Languages Taught In
English
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Non UofM Students
Student Year
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
2.5
About
Global sustainable development is vital to meet the current needs of society without compromising future generations. These efforts require a convergence of scientific understanding and intercultural competence. Explore the relationships between self, society, culture, and the environment through the lens of sustainable stewardship and global cooperation. As a visitor in Belize, you’ll gain an understanding of the connections between tourists and locals, and the environment and sustainability, as well as expand your intercultural awareness. You will also contribute to inquiries assessing ecotourism impact on Belize’s fauna, flora, and culture.
This program includes several snorkeling and other water activities, as well as camping and varied outdoor hikes and activities. We recommended that you are comfortable in water and are able to swim in order to participate in this program, and it is important for you to understand the varied housing circumstances. Questions or concerns can be directed to the program leaders or the Learning Abroad Center contact.
Program Model
Housing & Meals
Live in shared housing (dormitories and hotel) for the duration of the program. Some meals will be provided. You will also camp with the group at a local reserve for 3 nights; tents, linens, and blankets are provided.
Excursions
Excursions in Belize may include:
- Camping in a local reserve
- Belize City
- Snorkeling in various areas
- Beach/reef cleanups
- Caye Caulker Village
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve
- Visit to local schools
- Mayan archeological sites
- Exploring caves
Flight
All program participants will take the coordinated group flight to and from the program site. The cost of the group flight is included in the program fee that will be posted to your student account. Do not book your own flight; you will receive information from the Learning Abroad Center about your seat on the group flight once your participation has been confirmed.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop independence by challenging yourself in a new environment
- Function as an effective team member by utilizing your personal strengths in a group setting
- Explore a specific topic through experiential and interdisciplinary approaches
Faculty & Staff
This program is led by Rachel Olson and Micaela Haas, senior lecturers in the Center for Learning Innovation at University of Minnesota-Rochester campus.
Program Structure
Program Level
3000-level coursework
Courseload
One 3-credit course
This seminar is a 2+ week study abroad program led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff that feature:
- Intensive learning in a location that illuminates the topic
- Small groups of 15–25 students
- No prerequisites or language requirements
- Included excursions and cultural activities
- Instruction in English
Course Schedule
This is an embedded spring semester course, with the abroad portion in Belize taking place over Winter break and on-campus classes taking place in the first half of the spring semester
On-campus/Zoom Spring semester 2025 course meets: Thursdays at 2:15–4:15 p.m., A-Term: January 23–March 6, 2025.
Abroad term: January 3–19, 2025
Students from other UofM campuses
There is an option to participate in the on-campus portion remotely. Reach out to the program leaders to confirm. You will need to work with your academic adviser and campus enrollment office and do a Multi-I enrollment for this program. There may be additional or different tuition owed as part of the program fee.
Coursework
You will be assessed on participation in group discussions and activities, completion of readings and assignments, journal entries before, during, and after the trip, and group presentations discussing research findings (to be presented at one of the following conferences: UMR Research and Education Symposium or UofM Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium).
Receive credit for: Approved for BIOL 3XXX
Prerequisites: It is encouraged that you take a basic science course prior to participation in this program (ex. AP Biology, Integrative Biology, or other Introductory Biology: UofM course BIOL 1009).
Sustainability
The Learning Abroad Center is committed to sustainability and incorporating this into its programs. This course can be tied to Sustainable Development Goals through course content and program activities including:
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation—You will focus on safe drinking water availability, as well as sanitation practices and availability, by observing practices and speaking with civilians and sustainability workers.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production—You will focus on tourism-related consumption and production by speaking with local tourism workers.
SDG 14: Life Below Water—You will help collect trash and plastic on the beach and help with a reef cleanup project. You will also have the opportunity to help research and monitor coral reef bleaching and survey invasive species while snorkeling.
Dates Details
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
| Program Term | Program Dates | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Break 2024–2025 | January 3–January 19, 2025 | October 14, 2024 |
Program dates are subject to change.
If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.
Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 25 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.
Information Sessions
Join in-person or over Zoom. Register and learn more about this and other events on our events page.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Sept. 23rd | 12:00pm | Zoom only |
| Thursday, Sept. 26th | 12:00pm | Hybrid Zoom & Heller Hall 230C |
On Campus Dates
On-campus/Zoom course days and time: Thursdays at 2:15–4:15 p.m., A-Term: January 23–March 6, 2025.
Orientation Dates & Locations
The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.
Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:
- Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
- LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
- LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
- Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**
The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:
Priority Deadline
If you apply by the priority deadline and confirm within the allotted time you will receive the published program fee. Applying after the priority deadline and/or not confirming within the allotted time means you may be subject to an airfare increase.
Fees
Winter Break 2025 Cost of Participation
The cost of participation can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. The program fee generally includes tuition, group flight airfare, airport transfers, in-country program related transportation, housing, some meals, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, program administration, and international health insurance. Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. You must also budget for passport and passport photos, some meals, textbooks, independent travel, and miscellaneous living expenses.
Recent increases in international airfare and accommodation costs have impacted all instructor-led program fees. The LAC strives to follow best practices to provide the lowest cost program while ensuring a quality academic experience.
If you are registered for less than 13 credits, you will be charged tuition for this course in addition to the program fee.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
This program is considered part of spring enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.
Bridging Loan
Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the confirmation deposit and/or flights cost, is available for this program for eligible students going abroad during an eligible term.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Winter Break 2025
Ecosystems & Ecotourism in BelizeWinter Break 2025 (Spring on campus course) |
|
|---|---|
Program Fee
|
|
| Non-refundable deposit | $400 |
| Tuition and educational costs | $4,824 |
| International health insurance | $35 |
| Housing and/or meals | $1,056 |
| Transportation (if required and included in program fee)Group flight | $1,090 |
| Total Program Fee | $7,405 |
| Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable | $-500 |
| Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable | $6,905 |
Estimated Additional Expenses
|
|
| Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad. | |
| Transportation to and from program site | $0 |
| Passport/photos | $150 |
| Visa/required documents | $0 |
| Travel clinic/immunizations* | $50 |
| Housing deposit | $0 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure | $200 |
| Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | |
| Texts/materials | $25 |
| Housing and/or meals not included in program feeMost meals included, students cover remaining on own | $100 |
| Essential daily living expensesphone charges, additional transportation, incidentals | $150 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | $275 |
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
|
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Participation | $7,380 |
| Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation | $300 |
| Additional Notes & Information | |
| * Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage. | |
Prepare
Be aware: Learning Abroad Center programs require a $50 application fee. This fee will be charged to your student account upon submission of an online application.
Apply
The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:
- Application Essay
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
Next Steps
- After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
- Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
- If admitted, the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
- Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
- Passport Information
- Emergency Contacts
- Health Information Form
- Online Health & Safety Orientation
- Release & Waiver
- You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.
Register for On-Campus Course
Your participation on this program is secured by applying and confirming through the Learning Abroad Center application process first.
Once confirmed, you will also need to register for the on-campus course BIOL 3xxx. Registering for the course, but not confirming through the Learning Abroad Center, will not hold your spot in the program.
Note: Students from other UofM campuses will need to register for Multi-I enrollment. You will need to work with your academic adviser on the registration process.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Jemma Lund at [email protected],
or call at
612.625.8827