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Study Abroad Students
Student Teaching in Belize
Program Information | Location Information | Courses Available | Eligibility | Costs | Deadlines & Dates | Orientation | Housing | What's Next? | Photos | Helpful Links
| PROGRAM TERMS | Fall semester 2009 / Spring semester 2010 |
| PROGRAM DATES | October 25 - December 18, 2009, Spring dates TBD |
| CLASS STANDING | Junior, Senior |
| DEADLINE TO APPLY |
Extended: November 1, 2009 (Spring semester) |
| FEES | Program costs can be found here |
| FINANCIAL AID | Yes |
| GPA | 2.5 |
| LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION |
English |
Program Information
Students participating in the fall semester program will be spend 8-weeks student teaching in various placements in Belize.
Belize has spectacular natural attractions and the excitement of discovering Mother Nature’s Best Kept Secret draw travelers from around the globe, promising both relaxation and the richly rewarding authenticity they seek in a genuine Caribbean getaway. Nestled between Mexico and Guatemala on the Caribbean coast of Central America, Belize is one of the few remaining unspoiled places on earth. Between national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and marine reserves, more than 40% of the country’s area is protected in one form or another, creating a haven for countless creatures of land, sea and sky.
Punta Gorda is the southernmost town in Belize and the capital of the Toledo District. The population is close to 6000 people, with a mixture of Mopan and Kekchi Maya, Garifuna, Creoles, Lebanese, East Indian and Chinese peoples. Almost 210 miles by road from Belize City, it is the last sizeable settlement in Southern Belize. The road into town follows the shoreline; five main streets run parallel inland. Various fruit trees, especially mango trees, line the streets. Most small homes are made of wood on stilts. The town has one hospital, a police station, one bank, a post office, a gas station, a civic center, a number of churches and schools, and various grocery stores, hotels, restaurants and bars. Punta Gorda is a gateway to and from Guatemala with immigration and customs office near the town dock.
Courses Available
Students will complete one of three student teaching courses:
FORS 3017: ELED 4600 Student Teaching in Belize
FORS 3018: EDSE 4600 Student Teaching in Belize
FORS 3108: ECH 4600 STudent Teaching in Belize
All courses are 6 credits. Students participating on this course will spend the first half of the semester in US based student teaching placements for 6 weeks.
Eligibility
Participants must be Education majors eligible for student teaching. Participants MUST have a passport, valid for at least 6 months after their return to the U.S. Students also should be in good academic standing with a GPA of at least 2.5.
Costs
The program package cost is $1,907. A non-refundable application fee of $50 will be billed to your student account and a deposit of $400 will be billed to your student account upon confirmation of your participation. The remainder of the program fee will also be billed through Student Accounts Receivable.
The program package includes:
- Tuition for the 6-credit course
- On-site teaching supervisor
- Cultural Insurance Services International health insurance
Students are responsible for the cost roundtrip airfare Minneapolis-Belize City and Belize City-Punta Gorda. In addition, students will be responsible for the cost of room and board (3 meals/day) in homestays at the cost of $1,000 for the entire student teaching placement. Other items not included are the cost of obtaining a passport and personal spending money. It is recommended that all participants bring additional money for personal and miscellaneous expenses.
Fluctuating currency exchange rates may increase or decrease the cost of your international experience. Financial aid may be applied toward the cost of the program if you are enrolled as a full-time student. There are several study abroad scholarships for University of Minnesota students.
Deadlines & Dates
The application deadline is extended to November 1, 2009 . Early registration is strongly encouraged, as space is limited and the class will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Travel dates are to be determined.
Orientation
At least two pre-departure orientations will be held. Pre-departure orientations will include information about financial aid information, international insurance, class work, travel tips and a general study abroad handbook.
Accommodations will be in local homestays as arranged by the local homestay coordinator.
What's Next?
Before applying, it is a good idea to follow the steps under steps to studying abroad. The IEO website also provides information on financing, health & safety and other important information to consider when choosing to study abroad. When ready to apply, the UMD study abroad application may be downloaded from the IEO website. Please complete the application with required accompanying materials and return it to IEO.
Contact James Sersha for program questions. For application/registration and location questions, contact Leigh Neys at (218) 726-7053 or email: lneys@d.umn.edu.
