Introduction: Olivia Richart

Spring Break 2018: I Can’t Belize It!

 

Spring break is nothing short of the most exciting week for college students.

 

Some students choose to go home, sleep in, and treat themselves to some quality rest and relaxation that they deserve after a stressful start to a packed spring semester.

 

Some students choose to go on vacation to somewhere that’s sunny and 75, like a beautiful beach or exotic island resort.

 

But I get to do something just a little different. Not only do I get the opportunity to break up the monotony of my college classes for a week and travel to somewhere tropical and exotic, I will be able to combine my passion for agriculture and my interest in international development during a weeklong, once-in-a-lifetime experience in Belize!

 

My name is Olivia Richart, and I’m currently a sophomore attending Penn State. I’m majoring in agricultural sciences and minoring in international agriculture with hopes to work in international development someday, either as a civilian or during my service obligation with the Army. I am excited to say that Belize, which is a small country in Central America that has long been known for its barrier reefs, white sandy beaches, exotic tropical wildlife, and the Blue Hole scuba diving site, will be the second destination chronicled between the pages of my passport after an excursion to Norway in the summer of 2017.

 

Many people travel to Belize for the typical tourist sights, like the Belize Zoo, the lush cascading rainforest or delicious food options . Trust me, I love sightseeing and food-tasting as much as the next clueless-looking tourist girl, but what really puts me on the edge of my seat in excitement is the opportunity I have to visit numerous farms throughout this beautiful country and learn about a completely different production system and climate.

 

Soil, rainfall, water availability, climate; all of these are pivotal factors in a country’s ability to produce quality food for its people. After traveling to Norway, I was able cultivate a more contextual understanding of the critical role that the environment plays in a country’s food system and security. Norway has a staunchly different climate than Belize, with almost year-round permafrost, fairly infertile, rocky soil, and temperatures that rarely exceed 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, all of which were huge obstacles that their agricultural system was able to successfully adapt to. I can’t wait to experience the tropics and delve deeper into the impact that this exotic climate has on Belizean agriculture!

 

When I came to Penn State, I was shocked at how well traveled many of my friends were. Italy, France, England; you name it, my peers had been there. I felt behind the learning curve my first semester; no fun foods I’ve taste tested, awkward language barrier encounters, or tales of cultural differences from faraway lands. I was just a simple girl from rural America with blue collar parents and a travel log of four, maybe five states.

 

But now, as a sophomore in college, I can safely navigate an airport, (domestic or foreign!) hop on public transportation, (nervously) break though a language barrier, (sometimes very badly) and proudly say that I not only have 20 states and one country under my belt, but also that I have managed to incorporate my love of agriculture into every destination!

 

Belize is a popular destination for good reason: tropical climate, delectable food, exotic wildlife, and intriguing culture. While I am undoubtably excited for all of those and more, I am most excited for the opportunity to immerse myself in Belizean agriculture.

 

College has undoubtably been the most impactful experience in my life, and it is a privilege that I am thankful for every day of my life. Now, I will be able to combine newfound intercultural literacy and global citizenship with my passion for agriculture. I really can’t Belize it!