Belize 2027
Dates: TBD
Where rainforest meets reef, Belize becomes a place of discovery.
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Explore the remarkable natural and cultural landscapes of Belize, where tropical rainforests, coastal ecosystems, and the world’s second-largest barrier reef create opportunities for hands-on learning and exploration. This program invites students to engage directly with the country’s rich biodiversity, vibrant communities, and diverse cultural traditions through field-based study and guided experiences.
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Whether investigating ecological systems, examining the relationship between people and the environment, or exploring how nature shapes learning and development, students will connect academic concepts to real-world experiences. Field excursions, community engagement, and site visits provide opportunities to observe Belize’s unique environments firsthand while gaining a deeper understanding of the connections between culture, sustainability, and the natural world.
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Along the way, students will encounter diverse wildlife, explore important natural and cultural sites, and learn from local perspectives that highlight the enduring relationship between people and place. Belize offers a dynamic setting for discovery, reflection, and meaningful engagement beyond the traditional classroom.
Rainforests, Reefs, and Children in Nature
Nature is one of a child's first and most powerful teachers.
Discover how childhood and nature intertwine as you explore Belize's rainforests, coral reefs, and vibrant communities. Hike through the rainforest, snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef, visit a Mayan home, and step into the past at ancient ruins while examining how outdoor experiences support children's physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. Observe children at play in both formal and informal learning environments, explore questions of equity, access, and culture through hands-on fieldwork, and connect child development theory with real-world practice. Along the way, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the powerful role nature plays in shaping curiosity, learning, and the experiences of childhood.
Instructor:
Dr. Meg Gravil
Course Levels:
Undergraduate, Graduate
WKU Credit:
TBD
Rainforests, Reefs, and Conservation
Belize's greatest classroom has no walls.
Experience Belize's rainforests, coral reefs, mangroves, and freshwater habitats as living laboratories for scientific discovery. Through snorkeling on the Belize Barrier Reef, hiking rainforest trails, conducting water-quality testing, and collecting ecological data, you'll investigate one of the world's richest centers of biodiversity while exploring the connections between people and the environment. Working alongside local communities, you'll examine the challenges of conservation in a changing world and develop practical field research skills that reveal how science, stewardship, and sustainable practices help protect these remarkable ecosystems for future generations.
Instructor:
Dr. Agus Sofyan
Course Levels:
Undergraduate
WKU Credit:
TBD