Belize Semester Abroad Program in
Sustainable Development

January 9 – May 3, 2008


PROGRAM IN BRIEF:


THE UVM PROGRAM IN BELIZE                                                                                                     
This program focuses on sustainable development, combining academic coursework with service/project-based learning. Galen University, with its commitment to sustainable development, provides the academic framework through classes taught by UVM and Galen faculty. Belize--with its community-based approach to solving problems and its unique natural and cultural resources including one of the most protected and bio-diverse ecosystems on earth and the highest concentration of Maya sites in Central America--provides the “laboratory” in which classroom theories can be applied in a developing-country context.


WHY STUDY IN BELIZE?                                                                                               
Belize, the only English-speaking country in Central America, is situated east of Guatemala and just south of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Its eastern border consists of 300 miles of Caribbean coastline. It is rich with natural waterways, rainforest and ancient Mayan ruins, making it an ideal location for study of the environment and international and community development.

One of the world's most biologically diverse nations, Belize has 93% of its land under forest cover. It has the longest coral reef in the western hemisphere, the largest cave system in Central America, over 500 species of birds, thousands of Maya archaeological sites, and the only jaguar reserve in the world. The population density is among the lowest in the world. Belize has a rich mix of ethnicities including Creole, Maya, Mestizo, East Indian, Chinese, Garifuna, and Mennonite.

Belize has closely watched its rate of economic development, agricultural expansion and tourism growth in particular. There is a conservation consciousness in Belize that has challenged the government, private sector, investors and the public at large to balance development with conservation of its natural resources As a result, today Belize has more than 40% of its land under some form of legal protection. Belize is home to a number of outstanding nature institutes, field stations, and educational centers.  


WHY STUDY AT GALEN UNIVERSITY?                                                                             
Galen University stresses sustainable development in its courses, research, and service to the community. Its faculty specializes in natural resources studies, economic anthropology, and rural sociology, allowing Galen to maintain a holistic perspective on sustainable development. Projects carried out by its research institute, GUARDS (Galen University Applied Research and Development for Sustainability), are designed to achieve sustainable, positive improvement in Belize's society, culture, eco-systems, democratic systems, and economy.

With the university located just outside San Ignacio, the second largest metropolitan center in the country, students at Galen have the opportunity to interact with non-governmental organizations there and in neighboring communities.


ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Students will participate in up to four UVM courses offered by UVM professors Meg Ashman, Jay Ashman and Thomas Patterson.  In addition, a number of Galen University courses will be cross-listed as UVM courses so that transferring credits will not be an issue. Galen University students will also participate in UVM’s courses. 

UVM Courses in Belize:


Cross-Listed Galen University Courses:



WHO SHOULD ENROLL?
This program is designed for students with an interest in public communication, environmental studies, community/international development, and sustainable development.

 
HOUSING
Martha's Inn and Guesthouse are located in the heart of San Ignacio and conveniently located near the downtown business district. The entire Inn and part of the Guesthouse will be reserved for UVM students and include cooking facilities. Further information on Martha’s may be found at http://www.marthasbelize.com/.


TUITION and FEES
The Belize Semester Abroad Program in Sustainable Development consists of 16 credits. Students pay UVM tuition (in-state or out-of-state) plus a program fee of $5550. Unlike study abroad programs through other institutions, students may apply their UVM financial aid. There are also additional scholarships available through the Belize Program and the office of Community-University Partnerships and Service Learning.

 

FACULTY

Meg Ashman (co-director) –As publications editor for University of Vermont Extension from 1974 to 2005, Professor Ashman planned, edited, and designed technical bulletins, popular leaflets, newsletters, brochures, and curricula for print and electronic publishing. She now has own communication consulting business and does freelance editing, primarily for nonprofits. She has conducted communication training in Kenya and St. Lucia and taught English in Malaysia. Professor Ashman will offer CDAE 195: Strategic Writing for Public Communication. 

Jay Ashman (co-director) – Professor Ashman spent 28 years as an Assistant Attorney General in Consumer Protection and Antitrust with the Vermont Attorney General's Office. He has taught courses in consumer law and policy at UVM since 1977. Internationally, he has worked on consumer issues with governmental and non-governmental agencies in Kenya, St. Lucia and Belize and taught business law in Malaysia. Professor Ashman will offer CDAE 157: Consumers Law & Policy.


Thomas Patterson (resident faculty) - Professor Patterson was a founder of UVM’s Center for Teaching and Learning and has taught UVM undergraduate and graduate students for over 25 years.  Currently he serves as Director of the UVM College of Agriculture and Life Science First Year Program and teaches and advises in the CDAE Public Communication undergraduate program.  In addition, he teaches a core course in organization theory and practice in the Masters of Public Administration program.  Internationally he has taught and researched in Australian higher education and has taught computer and internet applications to indigenous people of Honduras.


Susan Patterson (Student services), Adjunct Professor, Department of Education

Professor Patterson graduated from Middlebury College with a BA in English Literature and earned her Masters in Education from UVM. She taught K-12 for over 30 years in public and private schools, and taught Effective Teaching and Teaching Writing to other k-12 teachers. In Belize she will be assisting with the service learning course and advising students.