History
Since 2006, groups of BSU students have traveled annually to Belize, Central America with university leaders, to perform community service in the St. John’s Anglican Primary School.

Today, BSU has a formal relationship with the Belize Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports to collaborate on various educational programs. We also have an academic collaboration agreement with the University of Belize.

Purposes of the Trip
The Belize service trip is designed as a new and enriching experience for BSU students, offering an in-depth look at a very different cultural and economic environment through service work. While helping a primary school (grades 1-8) and its children, BSU students will discover new things about themselves as well as the world beyond the United States. They will become more aware of the issues of poverty in a developing country, while making new friends in a team environment and discussing their experiences with the team. This trip does not provide academic credit, but it will teach you a lot about the history, culture, and people of Belize.

Description of the Trip
Two trip leaders and twelve BSU students will travel to Belize on Friday, January 10, 2020 and return on Saturday, January 18, 2020.

The group will work at the St. John’s Primary School for five days and will do one or two renovation/construction projects designated by the school. No special skills are needed, and there will be assistance for workers by a paid handyman who will plan the work and obtain tools and materials. Group members will also spend significant time in a classroom teaching with prepared lesson plans and professional guidance/support.

The trip also includes a weekend guided tour to a Mayan site, and a guided snorkeling experience at the world-famous Belize barrier reef. Again, support and instruction will be provided and no prior experience is necessary.

Belize is an independent, stable democratic country with strong ties to the United States. Because it was formerly a British colony (British Honduras), English is its official language.
The leaders of the trip are Dr. Dan Chase, member in the Movement Arts, Health Promotion and Leisure Studies Department, and Dr. Lisa Battaglino, former Dean of the BSU College of Education and Health Sciences. Both have led this trip numerous times and have extensive contacts and experience in Belize.

Each student will pay $500 for the trip, which costs over $1500 per person. The remainder of the cost is paid by the university as an educational program. Need-based scholarships may be available.

All students selected for this trip will be expected to actively participate in all aspects of the trip, and to conduct themselves appropriately as representatives of BSU and the United States while abroad. All provisions of the BSU Code of Conduct will be followed.

All selected students must participate actively in a series of weekly pre-trip meetings where the leaders will orient the group to Belize and prepare them for the program.

The pre-trip meetings are scheduled from 4 -6 pm on 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/3.

Selection to Participate in the Trip
Twelve students will be selected, and in the past, there have been three to five applications for each available position on the trip. You should do your very best work in filling out the application, because the quality of your answers determines selection.

First-year students are not eligible for this trip. To be eligible to apply, you must be a full-time student (enrolled for at least 12 credit hours) in both Fall Semester, 2019 and Spring Semester, 2020. You may be classified as a Sophomore, Junior, Senior, “Super Senior,” or graduate student to apply.

The selection is made by the Trip Leaders. We are looking for students who are serious about doing community service in a setting outside the U.S.; who have thought deeply about their motivation for the trip; and who are prepared to commit to a quality effort both in service and as a team member. No specific experience is required, though the application asks you to describe your past experiences in service work.

Important Due Dates
Applications are due electronically by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2019. Applications received after that date and time will not be accepted.

Selections will be announced via email to all applicants by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25.

All selected students must reply to the selection email and indicate whether they Accept or Reject the offer to participate in the trip. That reply is due to Dr. Chase (d3chase@bridgew.edu) by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2019.