I had an amazing and enriching experience in San Ignacio, Belize. During my time, I stayed in San Ignacio and traveled to the nearby market, engaging with residents and local business owners. From this experience, I gained an understanding of their cultural values and daily life, obtaining a genuine sense of community. It was also eye-opening to see how locals interacted with foreign visitors, observing their unique hospitality and kindness to strangers.

I was surprised by many differences between Belize and the United States such as the fact that their workday begins around 6 am, leading to early sleeping times and a different nightlife than we might find in the United States. Additionally, they don’t have any highways in Belize and must rely on numerous speed bumps in order to control traffic. This made for very chaotic but fun rides throughout the program.

I was also able to travel to different parts of Belize, visiting coastal towns like Placencia, exploring historical landmarks like Cahal Pech and Xunantunich, and interacting with wildlife such as the Green Iguana Conservation.

I learned much about how Belizeans interact with their land and food, in respect to their cultural history and how tourists can best understand these aspects. One of the most exciting excursions offered a unique opportunity to explore a sacrifice cave where ancient Mayans believed they were entering the Underworld. We learned they conducted these sacrifices, often bringing food for offering, as a way to appease the rain and corn gods for future harvests. This offered an unforgettable chance to see the world as people did thousands of years ago, deepening my understanding of Belize's history.

Additionally, I learned more about the logistics behind organizing a study abroad experience. Specifically, the planning and coordination involved in managing excursions for a large group, while also representing a university. As someone interested in international business and particularly the meeting and event industries, this was a great opportunity to learn more. This was also my first time participating in a faculty-led program as opposed to a past solo study abroad experience. I really enjoyed the group dynamics of this program and found the guidance of the instructors to be invaluable, adding an extra layer of connection to the program.

Ultimately, this was an amazing opportunity to learn more about the tourism industry in Central America and has given me further insight beyond the classroom.

Name: Katrina Brown
Status: Sophomore
Major: Hospitality Business
Hometown: Haslett, Michigan
Program: Culture, Food and Society in Belize