MANSFIELD, PA—For the third straight year, 14 Mansfield University students, accompanied by Political Science Professors Jeff Bosworth and Jonathan C. Rothermel, travelled to Belize in June as part of a six-credit summer course, PSC 3385 Field Research Abroad. 
Allison Conway (Camp Hill, PA), Cerridwen Cox (Drexel Hill, PA), Lacey Deihl (Alexandria, PA), Tricia Francois (Jamaica, NY), Janie Ghods (Mansfield, PA), Erica Henry (Marysville, PA), Angela Hewett (Tyrone, PA), Deborah Jennings (Canton, PA), Michael Losecco (Canisteo, NY), Matt McGee (Monroeton, PA), Demetri Packard (Troy, PA), Kevin Quirk (Carlisle, PA), Kortney Regis (Duke Center, PA) and Amanda Sheakoski (Scot Township, PA) were this summer’s participants.
The students represented a variety of majors including Political Science, History, Environmental Science, Environmental Biology, Biology, Music, Philosophy and Criminal Justice Administration.
Belize is a dynamic but developing country that has high rates of poverty. Its economy is dependent on agricultural goods, mainly sugar and citrus, and tourism.
Students focused their field research on four chosen areas: globalization, democratization, eco-tourism, and cultural identity. The professors facilitated meetings with a wide range of Belizeans for students to interview, including University of Belize professors, a mayor, a village councilor, business owners, and government officials – to name a few.
Although today Mayans make up just over 10 percent of the population (est. 360,000), at one point over a million Mayans lived in the area known as Belize. The sophistication of their civilization is embodied in their splendid Mayan cities, which are still being excavated today.
While in Belize, students visited the Mayan sites of Altun Ha, Xunantunich, Lamanai, and Cahal Pech. In addition, students ventured deep into the wet ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal) cave to view skeletal remains from ancient sacrifices and artifacts (mainly pottery vessels) strewn about the cave. The daylong adventure tour into the cave is a highlight of the trip, and due to the nature of the cave, tours are limited.
To date, Rothermel calculated that 53 MU students and employees have experienced what National Geographic calls the most sacred cave in the world.
The hospitality of Belizeans is evident in the relationships and networks built during each trip. For example, Bosworth and Rothermel were treated to an impromptu meeting with Dr. Jaime Awe, former Director of the Institute of Archaeology for Belize (2003-2014), thanks to a phone call by a tour operator who happened to be his nephew.
“Dr. Awe’s name is synonymous with archaeology in Belize,” Bosworth said. “Virtually every tour guide mentions his influence at the Mayan sites we visit.”
Students were able to observe firsthand the potential 
pitfalls and benefits associated with Belize’s burgeoning cruise ship tourism sector. They questioned officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation about the sustainability of eco-tourism in Belize. They also witnessed how the livelihoods of many Belizeans are linked to tourism.
On the other hand, they saw the poverty that plagues Belize as well. Many students commented that they have taken so much for granted living in the US and could learn from Belizeans.
“There is a sense of minimalistic living in Belize that I think all Americans should be exposed to,” Political Science major Debbie Jennings said.
Although the major highlights of the trip remain the same, each year the professors seek ways to improve the six-credit course. For example, this year students met for three days of instructional classes prior to departing for Belize. In the past, most of the preparation was done online. This component of the course proved important for laying a foundation of knowledge prior to landing in Belize. Furthermore, it gave students the opportunity to get to know each other before traveling together.
Another added improvement was a tour of the sugar factory owned by the US-based SRG Group in the Orange Walk district of Belize. During the tour, students got to see how sugar cane trucked in from neighboring sugar farms was processed to create raw sugar for export as well as refined sugar for the domestic market.
While in Belmopan, the capital of Belize, students met with officials from the US Embassy and the National Assembly. Later in San Ignacio, they were treated to a dinner hosted by the Cayo Center for Employment Training (CET) followed by guest speakers, Orlando Espat, a member of the Belize Elections and Boundaries Commission, and Dale Swartfieger, a retired anthropologist.
For most of the MU students, this was their first time out of the country and was only possible due to the strong financial support for student international travel provided by the Mansfield Student Government Association (SGA).
“To put it bluntly, this trip to Belize was the best experience of my life,” Environmental Biology major Kevin Quirk said.
“I have found that I want to see more of the world and want to experience what it has to offer,” Political Science major Kortney Regis added.
To see more photos and get more information on the Belize Study Abroad program, go to their Facebook page at facebook.com/MUBelizeStudyAbroad