January Term in Belize: Experiential Learning in Education, Nursing, & Human DevelopmentSan Ignacio Town

Program Highlights:

CSUSM students will join faculty and ProWorld Service Corps to engage in a short-term development project in San Ignacio, Belize.  This service learning will enable students to engage with the community through public health education, community health outreach, and educational assistance.

One cultural or adventure activity each week will be available to students in addition to service learning and course work.  Past activities have ranged from trips to local waterfalls to regional dance lessons.

Academic Calendar:

January 2-16, 2012

Academic Focus:

Education Track: 

For students enrolled in taking the prerequisites for credential programs in the School of Education (EDUC 422 or EDUC 350), the Belize service learning activities will be applied as 20 hours of observation time required in EDUC 350 and three assignments of the EDUC 422 course (journal blog, educational webpage, video project).  Students would apply these toward course work offered in Spring 2012 when registering for courses.

ICP students can apply 20 hours toward field practicum (EDMS 560A or EDMS 560B).

Faculty Contact:  Professor Katherine Hayden, khayden@csusm.edu

Nursing Track:

For Nursing students, participants will earn twenty hours toward their Spring 2012 Nursing 445 Community Health course.

Faculty Contact:  Professor Nancy Romig, nromig@csusm.edu

Human Development Track: 

For upper-division Human Development majors in need of fieldwork experience.  The service learning component will fulfill the requisite hours for 3 units HD 495, with additional course work due upon completion of the program.  Additional registration and enrollment fees through Extended Learning apply. 

Faculty Contact:  Professor Fernando Soriano, fsoriano@csusm.edu

Belize RuinsLanguage of Instruction:

English

Requirements:

Upper-division standing in Education, Human Development, and Nursing.  Please see faculty contact for meeting additional course prerequisites.

Fulfillment of Academic Requirements:

Education:  Earning observation hours toward Spring 2012 EDUC 350 & fulfilling partial course assignments for EDUC 422

Nursing:  Earning field work hours toward Spring 2012 NURS 445

Human Development:  3 units HD 495, registration & additonal fees through Extended Learning

Housing:

All program participants will be placed in shared rooms at a local guest house.  Meals will be prepared by local cooks and served family style to allow time for reflection on the day's challenges and successes.  Volunteers will have all of their basic needs met including comfortable beds, indoor plumbing, and showers.  It is important to note that living conditions will not always mirror American standards, but will always place emphasis on safety, cleanliness, and a friendly environment.  

ESTIMATED COST (exact fees are still under negotiation):

$2,700 

All fees include observation hours in Education, Nursing & Human Development, full room and board, medical insurance, and limited weekly activities.  Airfare and personal expenditures are NOT included in the program cost.

Please note, HD students are enrolled for 3 units HD 495 through Extended Learning.  Approximate fees for Winter Intercession are $712.

Some useful airfare search engines:Belize Beach

www.kayak.com

www.statravel.com

www.studentuniverse.com

Please be sure to read the fine print concerning change fees, taxes, luggage restrictions, etc. before booking.  Whenever possible, book directly with an airline.

To Apply:

  1. Fill out the application below and return to Global Education, Craven 3200 with your $200 deposit ASAP.  Only cash or checks made payable to CSUSM will be accepted.  Space is first come, first served.
  2. Final payment of $2,500 is due no later than NOON Monday, November 14 to the Office of Global Education.  Only checks made payable to CSUSM will be accepted.
  3. Attend the pre-departure orientation held by your faculty to get acclimated to program goals and features.

Belize January Term Application:

Click here to view the powerpoint from the ProWorld Info Session for further program information.