Commonwealth University students experience ecological and cultural diversity while in Belize

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Over the summer,16 Commonwealth University students traveled together on a two-week, faculty-led study abroad program in Belize as part of a class, POLI 355 Politics and Culture in Belize.

While in Belize, students explored a wide range of this small country, which is about the size of Massachusetts and has a population of just over 400,000, from Mayan archaeological sites in the jungle to the world's second largest barrier reef system. Along their journey, they gathered field research focusing on one of four research topics: multiculturalism, sustainable development, globalization and democracy in Belize.

The course is taught by Drs. Jeff Bosworth and Jonathan Rothermel, both political science professors, who have been accompanying students to Belize since 2014. This cohort included majors in social work, psychology, criminal justice, business administration, political science, education and health science. For some students, it was their first time outside of the country or on an airplane.

The purpose of the course is to gain an informed perspective of the country through direct observation, informal and formal group interviews, class lectures, experiential learning activities, selected readings and educational tours. Students were exposed to a wide variety of experiences from venturing deep into a cave to drumming and dancing lessons.

"The experience showed me that one country's perspective is not the only valid one and that you will never truly understand what a country is like just based on reading about it - experiencing it firsthand is the only way to get a glimpse into what life is like in other countries," said Deja Weaver, CU-Mansfield student.

Students learned about the rich Mayan civilization that still influences Belize today. Just over 10% of the population is comprised of indigenous Mayans. Within hours after landing in Belize, they were climbing Mayan temples at the Altun Ha site where the largest piece of carved jade in Mesoamerica was found honoring Kinich Ahau, the Mayan sun god.

The next day, students took a boat 26 miles up the New River to visit Lamanai, the longest inhabited site in the Mayan world. They also visited Xunantunich, where they saw across the border into Guatemala from El Castillo, the site's highest structure at 130 feet. The Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (or ATM Cave) was a day-long adventure into a wet cave to see Mayan artifacts and even skeletal remains of human sacrifices.

For many students, spending two weeks in a foreign country furthered their interest in traveling. "This trip gave me confidence in myself but also made me want to continue traveling and gaining knowledge about developing countries," said Isabelle Wessler, CU-Bloomsburg student.

Belize is a diverse country with a mix of ethnic groups. Its multiculturalism is an attractive feature of the county. "This trip taught me that a country doesn't need everyone to be the same to feel united," said Salahudinn Abdul-Hamid, CU-Bloomsburg student. "Belize shows that it's possible to be proud of being different and still come together as one nation."

Students were exposed to the Mestizo culture in Orange Walk Town, visited a Mennonite community to learn how this group came to migrate to Belize in the late 1950s and toured the Western Dairies factory in Spanish Lookout. They visited a Creole village that has organized a voluntary community preservation initiative to protect the black howler monkey population and participated in a drumming demonstration led by a Garifuna group, influenced by their west African roots, in Hopkins. They even interviewed an ex-patriate family from New Jersey about how they transitioned to living in Placencia for the past seven years.

The students met with a Belize tourism officer and learned that over a million people visit Belize each year via the cruise ship industry, but there is interest in developing its overnight tourism sector, which more widely benefits Belizeans.

Students concluded the trip with a visit to one of several hundred cayes (islands) off the coast of Belize. At Caye Caulker the motto is "go slow" and no cars are allowed on the island. There, they snorkeled with sharks and sting rays in a protected marine area and became accustomed to a slower pace of life.

"People don't mind going slow or being late in Belize, whereas in the United States time is everything," said Kylie Waybrant, CU-Mansfield student.

"Our visit to Belize, specifically the Mahoganey Heights village, put into perspective how miniscule my problems are in comparison to others," said Paige Smith, CU-Lock Haven student. "Why am I complaining about slow internet service when the people around me can't afford food?"

The following students completed the course: CU-Bloomsburg students - Salahudinn Abdul-Hamid, Juliana Kim, Jessica Lewis, Leif Tolan and Isabelle Wessler; CU-Lock Haven students - Thomas O'Malley, Janeyda Ortiz and Paige Smith; and CU-Mansfield students - Marcus Clayton, Charlotte Dean, Destiny Dunn, Melanie Mecca, Dallas Schultz, Hayley Skillens, Kylie Waybrant and Deja Weaver.

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• Political Science

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