Application Deadline: February 26, 2010
Cost: $4395 including round-trip transportation from designated departure cities
Credit Hours: 3 credit hours
May 17 to May 31, 2010
Multiple locations across Belize
Program Overview
The Belize Program is scheduled for May 17 to May 31, 2010. The animal health class will be based in Belize Zoo Tropical Education Center, Tikal National Park (Guatemala), Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve and South Water Caye, while the biology class will be based in South Water Caye, Blue Creek Rainforest, Cockscomb Wilderness Area and San Ignacio Town.
Students may earn up to three hours of college credit by combining this study abroad program with course-specific directed study activities preceding and/or following the travel portion of the course.
Please carefully read Program Details for additional information pertinent to all CCSA programs.
Accommodations & Meals
Participants in the Belize Program will reside in field station-type accommodations.
Daily breakfasts and some additional meals will be provided.
Accommodations are based primarily on multi-bedded rooms; single rooms may be available at additional cost.
Program Costs
The cost of the Belize Program is $4395. This includes health insurance, round-trip transportation from designated cities, accommodations, daily breakfast, program excursions, airport transfers and some additional meals.
A minimum of $400 should be budgeted for other meals, additional transportation, entrance fees and departure tax (if applicable). Participants should also budget additional funds for personal expenses such as souvenirs and independent travel, based upon their individual spending habits.
Please be aware that tuition is not included in the program costs stated above. Refer to the Registration/Tuition & Fees section for additional information.
All costs are subject to change in the event of unanticipated increases in airfares, monetary exchange rates or other changes in program costs. In some cases, program items may be deleted in lieu of a price increase.
Payment Schedule & Deadlines
A $200 deposit is due at the time of application. A first payment of $2000 (in addition to the $200 deposit) to cover costs of the airline ticket and deposits on arrangements in Belize is due by the application deadline date, February 26, 2010. The final payment of $2195, plus single room costs (if applicable), is due by April 16, 2010. Please familiarize yourself with the Cancellation Policy.
Students are encouraged to apply well in advance of the February 26, 2010 deadline, as priority is given to early applicants. Applicants will receive course confirmation approximately three weeks after the application deadline.
Checks should be made payable to “CCSA.” Please consider your cancelled check as receipt for payment. Returned checks will incur a $20 penalty fee. CCSA also accepts Visa and MasterCard.
What is Included in the program cost?
- airfare
- airport transfers
- pre-departure orientation
- housing
- breakfasts + some additional meals
- in-country travel
- health insurance
- on-site orientation
- on-site administrative support
Course Descriptions
The following are descriptions of the courses of study offered in the 2010 CCSA Belize Program. Applicants may register for courses offered by professors from any member institution. Students are encouraged to e-mail faculty to learn more about the class.
ANIMAL HEALTH/VETERINARY SCIENCE
Animal Learning, Cognition and Behavior
With over 145 species of mammals and 500 species of birds, Belize is home to one of the world’s richest diversity of species of wildlife with a low human population. Studying animals in a country rich in such a diverse amount of animal species and witnessing them in their natural habitat will heighten the experience of this course. While observing these animals in their natural habitat, this course will also focus on evolutionary framework and how it has contributed to the animals learning and behavioral capacity.
(3 cr. hrs., UD, Ms. Anna Doom, [anna.doom@murraystate.edu], Murray State University)
BIOLOGY
Tropical Biology
Experience two of Earth's most diverse ecosystems by exploring both a tropical rainforest and coral reef in Belize. Study the fascinating biotic and abiotic features that characterize these systems and observe the complex interactions of their flora and fauna. In the rain forest, see iguanas, howler monkeys, and leaf cutter ants while gaining insight to the Mayan culture and its use of medicinal plants. On the coral reef, the longest in the Western Hemisphere, swim with brilliantly colored reef fish among the diverse assemblage of corals, sponges, and other invertebrates.
Prerequisite: one semester of Biology or consent of instructor
(3 cr. hrs., UD, Dr. Mark Christensen, [mchriste@georgetowncollege.edu], Georgetown College)