GlobalU.P. – Teacher Education Abroad - NMU School of Education

TCs participating in GlobalU.P. will complete ED495X: Children's Literature Abroad, a required course for all undergraduates taken early in NMU’s teacher preparation program. The course supports TCs in developing culturally relevant teaching practices during the pre-departure coursework and applying them in the local school and community while working with children and alongside K-8 educators in Belize. 

Aspects of the undergraduate faculty-led study abroad program were made possible through a grant provided by the  IDEAS Program.

Graduate students participating in GlobalU.P. will complete ED595 - Global Perspectives: Educational Research Seminar (2 credits). This ED595 course can be substituted into graduate education programs for ED 574 Seminar in Educational Research. Students pursuing any NMU master’s program in education are eligible to participate. While teaching and leading in classroom settings, graduate students will research and analyze global citizenship, culture, and intercultural understanding from multiple disciplinary perspectives. 

Through the GlobalU.P. experience, students will gain experience: 

• Teaching on a global scale
• Working in school systems outside of their country of experience
• Participating in  professional development from practicing teachers in Belize
• Working  with children from culturally diverse backgrounds
• Exploring  Belizean culture and its influence on children and families. 

• Participate in a traditional Belizean cooking class
• Learn about chocolate-making
• Visit a family-run organic coffee farm
• Host a family literacy event at the local farmers' market
• Participate in professional development with local early childhood, elementary, and middle school teachers
• Co-teach with local early childhood, elementary, and middle school teachers
• Snorkel with nurse sharks along a barrier reef
• Stay overnight at Caye Caulker, an island off the coast of Belize City
• Hike around and climb a Maya  temple
• Explore a cave and cool down with a swim in a river
• Visit the botanical gardens or participate in a medicinal plant walk
• Enjoy the sounds of Garifuna drummers 

The undergraduate study abroad for 3 credits is estimated at $5,738. This estimate includes housing, meals, excursions, school visits, and ground transportation in Belize, as well as tuition if the study abroad credits exceed the number of credits covered by flat-rate tuition. 

If the 3 study abroad credits fall within the student’s flat-rate tuition for the semester, there will be no additional tuition charge for those credits, and the total cost will be lower than $5,738. 

The graduate study abroad for 2 credits is estimated at $5,402. This cost includes tuition, housing, meals, excursions, school visits, and ground transportation in Belize. 

The undergraduate and graduate cost estimates do not include airfare, passport fees, health insurance, or spending money. 

Financial aid can be utilized for this study abroad opportunity.