Sustainable Development in Belize

Spring Semester - January 14 to May 3, 2008
Summer - May 19 to June 28, 2008 or June 30 to August 9, 2008
Fall Semester - September 1 to December 15, 2008

Summer and Fall 2008 and Academic Year 2008-9 closed

Sponsored by the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

The Sustainable Development semester abroad program in Belize provides students with an academic experience that incorporates direct field experience in a developing nation. The curriculum emphasizes the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development, and focuses on the criteria, instruments, and indicators of sustainability for developing countries.

The program provides students the opportunity to better understand the challenges of environmental conservation, economic development, and poverty in a different cultural, political, and economic setting.

Where does it take place?

The program will be based at Galen University in the beautiful Mayan highlands of the Cayo District in western Belize. The lush tropical campus reflects the beauty of Belize’s dynamic ecosystem which befits the emphasis on ecology and sustainable development at Galen University. The campus is six miles from the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, the largest municipality in the District with a population of about 14,000.

Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America and is a stable democracy of about a quarter of a million people. Belize borders Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Possible field trips include visits to ancient Mayan archaeological sites, barrier reef islands, magnificent waterfalls, vast limestone caves, and dense tropical rainforests.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll for a minimum of 12 credits per semester (maximum of 16) and 6 credits (maximum 9) for summer session and can choose from a range of courses including:

Programs can be designed to fit the unique academic needs and interests of students. In addition, courses are available in art, music, Spanish language, geology, and business. During the summer, students can take animal science field courses.

This is a co-sponsored program.  Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/people/students.html.
 
To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit http://transfer.msu.edu/Institution.asp and http://www.reg.msu.edu/ROINFO/CSSAP/CSSAPmain.asp. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

What are the requirements?

Students should have an interest in and appreciate for the rewards and challenges of studying in a developing nation and conducting field work.

All students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.00 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Additionally, students must submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Galen University provides housing in San Ignacio at a local family-run resort or at a university-run student house. Rooms are normally double occupancy and are furnished with twin or double beds, desks, wardrobes or closets, bath, A/C and cable TV. The resort has a swimming pool and full restaurant. At the University house students have apartments with full kitchens. Single occupancy housing is available at additional expense to the student.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Dr. Robert B. Richardson
Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies (CARRS)
131 Natural Resources
Phone: (517)-355-9533
E-mail: rbr@msu.edu

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

NOTE: Students participating in this program are encouraged to check on immunizations specific for travel within a developing country in Central America. Students should schedule an appointment to be seen by their personal physician or at a travel clinic at least four to eight weeks before the program to inquire about the recommended and/or required vaccines you may want to consider before departure.

For further health information and recommendations visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html

How much does it cost?

The program fee for Summer 2008 is $4,076 and includes the following:

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university. If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are February 1st for spring break programs, March 1st for summer, academic year and fall semester programs, and October 15th for winter break and spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form by visiting http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester participation and by March 1st for summer or fall participation. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. You can also read the handbook online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html.

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