Community Development: Belize
Highlights & Photos
No Spring Pre-Requisite Course Required for Summer '10
In February 2006, representatives of the University visited Belize to become more familiar with the social, economic, and cultural environment of the country. Afterward, the University of Arkansas entered into a partnership with the community of Dangriga and Peacework for education, service, and economic development involving seven colleges and departments of the University.
University of Arkansas faculty project leaders will instruct students in a practicum in their specific fields of study where they have the opportunity to consult with community partners to prepare and develop the projects that will take place each summer in Dangriga and throughout the year. and implement service learning projects during the first UA summer session in the community of Dangriga, a city of about 10,000 on the Caribbean coast.
Culturally and linguistically, the city is a fascinating mixture of Creoles, Mestizos, and Mayans, though it is dominated by the Garifunas, a Caribbean people descended from African slaves and indigenous groups, with English being the official language.
Leadership for the program comes from the Sam M. Walton College of Business; the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food, and Life Sciences; the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Education and Health Professions; the Honors College; the Office of Study Abroad; the School of Social Work; and the College of Engineering.
Service project opportunities include:
♦ Literacy & Humanities
♦ Building Construction & Ecosystem Monitoring
♦ Sustainable School Farm
♦ Tourism & Economic Development
Check out Lauren Dech's blog from summer 2009 and see what it's like from a student perspective!
Want to know more? Click on the links above to find out all the program details and application information.