Location:

Belize City, Belize; Belmopan, Belize; San Ignacio, Belize; Dangriga, Belize

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

MayMester Intersession

Program Overview

Program Description:

Georgia State offers many summer and maymester programs led and taught by Georgia State professors. These programs tend to be focused on a particular topic or theme and range from 10 to 20 participants, though some are larger. Students participate in lectures, site visits, excursions, and tours as part of the program. These programs usually last between two and six weeks. Students find these programs a great way to really get to know their professors and other GSU students while earning GSU credits and grades. Students do not have to study on a program related to their major, but they certainly can. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

Geographic Information Systems in Belize: A Focus on Communities, Fieldwork and Service is intended to be a three week Maymester study abroad program (10 days in Belize and some class time on the GSU campus). The program aims to educate undergraduate and graduate students in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and related geospatial technologies, while working with community partners on geographic issues in Belize. Using geospatial technologies, students will design maps, databases, analytical reports, oral histories and related multimedia that can be of use to Belizean residents and organizations. Such tangible products align with community-based development agendas of selected Belizean service providers and community organizations and make the program a form of international service learning. The Belize trip will occur from May 9-18, 2012. Additional on-campus classroom dates will also occur during the Maymester schedule. Some highlights of the trip: While in Belize, we will engage in fieldwork, data collection, and discussion with guides, educators, residents and local experts. Students will engage in the following activities: · Geocaching Scavenger Hunt in San Ignacio · Fieldwork and data collection about social and environmental concerns and social service locations in San Ignacio and Dangriga. · Observation and snorkeling on South Water Caye Marine Reserve (part of the Belize Barrier Reef) · Exploration of an eco-friendly tropical jungle lodge. · Participation on a guided evening hike in the jungle. · Seminars on wildlife preservation and ecotourism at the world famous Belize Zoo · Explorations below ground in caves with rich, cultural significance. · Tour of Mayan Ruins of Cahal Pech & Xunantunich · Dinner in modern Maya community of San Antonio · Visit with students and faculty at Sacred Heart Junior College (San Ignacio) · Visit and fieldwork with a local GIS and mapping facility in Belmopan · Trip to the Gulisi Garifuna Museum in Dangriga Belize is beautiful, diverse and tropical. It offers a relatively safe and affordable location for Study Abroad. It is the only English speaking country in Latin America and US currency is welcome in most establishments. It is also a quick 3 hour non-stop flight from Atlanta.

Setting Description:

Students will stay in safe, clean rooms at three different locations around Belize (all students will be at the same location; we will move around every few days to new locations). Each student will have his/her own bed in a shared room of no more than 3 students. The faculty member will also be at the same hotel. 4 Nights in San Ignacio in the mountains of Belize at Martha's Guest House 1 night in a tropical rainforest at Black Rock ecolodge 4 nights in Dangriga beachfront on the Caribbean at Pelican Beach Resort

Cost:

Please contact for program costs