Journey to Belize: A Spring Break Adventure and Personal Reflection

By Owen Blumenthal

When I first arrived in Belize I was surprised.  

 I hadn’t been entirely sure what I was expecting, I had done some surface-level research into the nation but knew very little about it overall. After we piled into a van and embarked on a drive to the zoo, I was blown away by the scenery around me, the jungles were beautiful and far removed from any ecosystem I was familiar with. The zoo itself was very interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the Belizian wildlife. 

From there we drove to Gales Point where I was surprised to see the level of poverty present. This was my first exposure to extreme poverty and it was eye-opening to see the conditions. The work we completed painting houses and building porches felt rewarding though I have wondered if it was the best use of resources, I will defer to Dr.Rimkus on this. I can only assume creating lasting economic and social change is a difficult task to accomplish on a 6-day community service trip with a group of high school students. 

The cultural day was a highlight of the trip, it was fascinating to learn more about the agricultural systems in place and how significantly they differ from our farms in the USA. I also enjoyed the drumming exhibition and was happy to pick up a shirt to remember the experience by. The cave tubing was similarly an incredible experience, definitely a favorite for me. I felt supported by the staff for the duration of the trip.

To guide their learning, students need to understand themselves and their unique strengths and challenges. They also should understand how they learn best.  Teachers ask students guiding questions rather than just providing the answers, and students learn the value of a productive struggle.Grit, perseverance, and patience are all valued. We lean into mistakes and encourage students to push beyond their comfort level to meet new challenges.

There were a few instances during downtime when I was disappointed by my fellow student’s lack of interest in participating in any of the activities offered at The Manatee Lodge (which was a wonderful location, the facilities were great and the views were beautiful). Overall I enjoyed the trip tremendously and would wholeheartedly recommend it to others in the future.

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