Location:

Belize City, Belize; Belmopan, Belize; San Ignacio, Belize

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Summer, Winter Semester

Program Overview

Program Description:

This course explores the intersections of health, medicine, economics and social development in the tropics, with Belize as the focus. Emphasis is placed on the scientific, intercultural, and social aspects of global health, one health, tropical medicine, public health, and ethno-biology. Students will also examine policy issues and determinants of public health and health policy in international health, and acquire an introduction to tropical infectious diseases and review the strategies used to treat these diseases in resource-limited settings. Finally, students will learn to situate health in its wider social, economic and political context and acquire a basic understanding of the intimate, bi-directional relationship between health and development processes. Instruction focuses on field-based, hands-on learning. Lectures, readings from primary literature, and discussions are also integral components of the program and provide the conceptual framework for discussion, analysis, and interpreting field observations and findings.

By the end of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the concepts and principles of global health overall and in a tropical country such as Belize. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: • Describe the major issues and challenges in health and disease in Belize and globally. • Be familiar with the terminology of international health and disease. • Be able to situate health in a wider social, economic and political context. • Attain a basic understanding of the bi-directional relationship between health and development processes • Identify the traditional “tropical” diseases • Demonstrate knowledge of health concerns in Belize by ethnic and economic status • Demonstrate basic suture skills and have a basic understanding of tissue handling, suture patterns, and suture

This course carries three credit hours and transcripts are issued from a local college in San Ignacio. Students who must have US credit can qualify with additional arrangement through CELA. Additional fees will apply.

Setting Description:

San Ignacio is a lovely town on the western side of Belize in the Cayo District. Students are housed in a local guesthouse or resort within easy walking distance to the center of town. There are archaeological sites and rivers in the immediate area. The beautiful birds, trees and flowering plants are abundant. San Ignacio has a great diversity of cultures and languages though English is the standard language.

Cost:

Summer Session: As a stand alone course, two weeks in Belize, $2,825. As a companion course taken with another course for four weeks in Belize, $4,995 Winter Session:$2,995. one course USD. Fees cover course tuition, housing, transportation to and from the airport and all class excursions. Breakfast is included every day. One official transcript is covered with the fee. Airfare and insurance are not included.

Additional Program Information

Scholarships:

Yes

Scholarships Description:

see provider for details