Study Abroad in San Ignacio, Belize
Learn to be a global citizen!
GlobalU.P. is NMU's first-ever faculty-led study abroad program explicitly designed for teacher candidates (TCs). In partnership with Heart to Heart Belize, a nonprofit organization serving the Belizean community of San Ignacio, GlobalU.P., this ten-day study abroad program enables TCs to develop culturally relevant teaching practices by accessing educational experiences with culturally and linguistically diverse students.
The GlobalU.P. opportunity is provided to all undergraduate TCs through a grant provided by the IDEAS Program. A graduate version of the GlobalU.P. course also exists. The undergraduate and graduate opportunities are offered as part of a for-credit course. Both courses will explore “the world is our classroom” when we learn as global citizens on a 10-day trip to San Ignacio, Belize.
Travel Dates: Friday, May 9 - Sunday, May 18, 2025
Undergraduate
TCs participating in GlobalU.P. will complete EDU495: Exploring Perspectives in Global Schools (3 credits), a required course for all undergraduates taken early in NMU’s teacher preparation program. The course supports TCs in developing culturally relevant teaching practices learned 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.
Undergraduate students in any discipline can also participate in GlobalU.P. as a general elective course.
This opportunity is provided to undergraduate students through a grant provided by the IDEAS Program.
Graduate
Graduate students participating in GlobalU.P. will complete ED595 - Global Perspectives: Educational Research Seminar (2 credits). This ED595 course can be subbed into graduate programs for ED 574 Seminar in Educational Research. Students pursuing any form of Ed. masters are eligible to participate.
The graduate portion of GlobalU.P. is not grant-funded.
What You Will Learn
The program's central theme is global citizenship as a way of living for personal respect and respect for others. Adopting this open-minded stance, we will explore diverse cultures to learn about leading, teaching, and learning in a global context, emphasizing global approaches to English Language Learners. In this program, students will learn...
- Teaching on a global scale
- Working in school systems outside of their country of experience
- Gaining professional development from practicing teachers in Brazil
- Learning how to work with children from culturally diverse backgrounds
Sample Itinerary
- Visit a family-run organic coffee farm.
- Learn about chocolate-making
- 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 a Mayan temple
- Visit the botanical gardens
- Assist with the maintenance of a community garden
Associated Costs
The undergraduate study abroad for 3 credits is estimated at $5,400. This cost includes tuition, housing, meals, excursions, school visits, and ground transportation in Belize. It does not include airfare, passport fees, health insurance, or spending money.
The graduate study abroad for 2 credits is estimated at $5,700. This cost includes tuition, housing, meals, excursions, school visits, and ground transportation in Belize. It does not include airfare, passport fees, health insurance, or spending money.
Financial Aid can be utilized for this opportunity
