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	Department: Biological Sciences Leaders: Dan Johnson (dbjohnson4@eiu.edu) Subjects: Biology
	Terms/Timeframe: Summer - 6/2/12 - 6/12/12 (overseas) plus an on-campus meetings before trip
	Language: English
	Credits: 3
	Budget: Cost Breakdown
	Eligibility:
	Good Academic Standing Good Judicial Standing
	Application Deadlines:
	Feburary 4, 2012 (before noon)
	Application Materials:
	EIU Program Application (Faculty-led Programs) Basics for Faculty-led Programs (step by step from application to realization)

Academic Program

Join us on an amazing environmental adventure to Belize.  The former British colony is home to an amazing number of native orchids and large animals including the howler monkey.  This small coastal country is only about the size of Massachusetts but roughly 40% of its land is dedicated to protected areas.  Belize, situated on the Caribbean coast, also has access to the second longest barrier reef in the world, which has an equally impressive diversity of marine life.

While in Belize our group will learn about environmental issues that affect the people of this beautiful country.  We will focus not only on the local efforts to protect the biological richness but also but investigate how international organizations are helping to protect the biological diversity of the country. 

Prior to leaving for Belize there will be an online component for the course that must be completed prior to departure.

"This was a wonderful learning experience! I enjoyed being able to learn while I was out in the field. It was really great to apply knowledge." --Megan Miller, Summer 2011 participant.

Water sampling

Activities / Itinerary

Our excursions will include time studying orchids, citrus orchards, river systems, and the native plants and their uses.  We will also take day trips to Mayan ruins to learn about the rich culture of Belize and then to the reef to learn about marine environments and the effects of global warming on these delicate systems.

Enrollment/Credit

Make course/substitution selections on your EIU Program Application. The credit hours associated with your selections may not exceed the credit hours allocated for this program: 3

Below are the choices available for this program:

Course Number: BIO3970 (CourseID 4652)

Approved Substitute: None

The 2011 group at the U.S. Embassy in Belize with Chargé d’affairs Jack Diffily.

Housing

Students will be housed at the Caves Branch Jungle Lodge.

Orientations

At least two pre-departure orientations will be provided and are required for all participants.

Your faculty leader will hold one of these orientations, where he/she will cover information on safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural, and religious conditions in the host country(ies), as well as planning logistics.

The Office of Study Abroad (OSA) will hold the other orientation. They will cover general information about traveling abroad to different areas of the world and facilitate a panel discussion composed of students who have already participated in faculty-led study abroad programs.

Necessary Documents

Passport
To enter a foreign country, you must have a valid passport. If you are a U.S. citizen and do not currently have a valid passport, or if your passport will expire during the time you will be overseas, please go to the U.S. State Department web site for information on how to apply for/renew your passport.

You are strongly encouraged to read the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheet on your host countries. It will provide you with a great deal of information to help you prepare for your trip.

**Please be aware that you are responsible for obtaining the most up-to-date information on entry requirements. The Office of Study Abroad only provides general information, as visa regulations and procedures are constantly changing. Please consult the Consulate for more information. **