Preparing for Adventure: Lex Trevelino

Believing that previous travel experience is enough to prepare me for our trip to Belize this spring break is a mistake. There is so much more preparation necessary for a trip like this. While previous travel helps with adjusting to a new environment and stepping out of your comfort zone, it does not prepare you for everything. Specific research, such as the DIY presentations and various speakers, have been able to teach me a lot about the country of Belize.

Guest speaker Dr. David Webster, an archaeologist, gave us great background information on the Maya. He explained the history associated with them along with some of the characteristics of their ancient society. For example, I learned how important the maize crop is to the Maya. Over centuries it became the keystone of their society. Dr. Webster explained to us how when Mayan kings died they were thought to pass on to the next world as the Maize God, their most powerful deity. It is important to know some background information so that you can know what to expect when you travel.

Reading the book Understanding Belize: A Historical Guide has been able to give me a complete overview of Belize and its history. Being able to understand a country’s history can go a long way towards understanding the culture of the area. Like how English is the official language of Belize because it was a British colony before gaining its independence.

I also think that the DIY projects were a great way to help the entire class learn more. Each person’s presentation is able to give a detailed look at a specific issue. I have learned so much from my classmates about indigenous wildlife, the education system, water and irrigation in Belize. I did my research project on climate change and how it impacts Belize. Specifically, I looked at the impacts it will have on Belize’s biggest economic contributors: agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. Developing nations near the equator suffer the worst from climate change because their economies are so dependent on natural resources. Warmer temperatures hurt crop production and cause shorter growing seasons. Warmer sea surface temperatures are destroying coral reefs, and Belize has one of the largest reefs in the world that it depends on for its fishing industry. Rising sea levels are causing erosion and property damage which deters tourists.

Understanding the culture is one thing, but then interacting with it can be a whole new animal. During one class, we split everyone into to different groups: the alphas and the betas. These two groups were given different parameters to create their own culture. Then we had to exchange ambassadors between groups and try to interact with each other. It was very difficult, and a little awkward, but it taught us a lot. We learned that we can’t treat everyone through our cultural lens. That we need to realize that we are guests in a foreign land and that it is our job to adapt, not the locals. As far as preparation goes, the most important thing we can do is show up with respect and a genuine curiosity to learn.

Gearing Up For Tropical Travel: Olivia Richart

A snapshot from my last international experience in Tynset, Norway

In just two short weeks, I will be sitting in a southbound plane heading for a tropical paradise called Belize, which has long been regarded for its astounding diversity in numerous cultural aspects, from ethnicity, to food, to wildlife. And even though I am incredibly excited for my first tropical experience, I would like to take my time throughout this blog post to reflect on the journey that I’ve taken since enrolling in this class.

The first lesson that I learned was the importance of research prior to going abroad. Throughout the duration of our course, my classmates and I have delved into Belizean history, which is surprisingly extensive considering that Belize is a relatively young country. This history has laid the foundation for the cultural climate of Belize today. For example, Belize had comparatively “relaxed” relations between slaves and slave masters. This has ultimately contributed to incredibly ethnic and racial diversity of Belize. Researching the area or country that you plan to visit prior to leaving the United State is critical for the prevention of culture shock.

The second lesson that I have learned is the intriguing history of the Mayan people and their dynamic society. We had an extensively accomplished retired Penn State professor come to a recent class meeting to discuss ancient Mayan history with us. Dr. Webster was a truly remarkable man with an admirable passion for his field. One of the most interesting and impactful aspects of ancient Mayan culture that we learned about from Dr. Webster was the overarching importance of maize to the Mayan people. It was simply fascinating how much the Mayan people relied upon maize for spiritual, economic, and nutritional reasons. Maize truly was their staple crop, even though it wasn’t the most substantial when referring to nutritional content. Maize was so important to them, that their kings would include it as part of their official titles, and they worshipped maize gods. As an agriculture major, especially someone who is considering a minor in agronomy, I find it fascinating to see the role that staple crops have served in the development of ancient societies such as the Maya.

The last lesson that I have learned is sincerity. Be sincere in your intentions, be sincere in your interactions, and be sincere with your curiosity. I learned this critical lesson from our first guest speaker, Abdir, who spoke about always keeping an attitude of “sincere, authentic curiosity.” Even though my classmates and I will be immersed in a completely new culture, our genuine quest for knowledge and understanding of Belizean society will foster a positive learning environment during our time in Belize.

I truly can’t wait to partake in such a life changing experience. One of the aspects of the trip that I have been looking forward to the most is the on-farm visits that are scheduled during the trip. I plan to ask many questions to the Belizean farmers, because I’m curious to see how Belizean production methods differ from American production methods. I know that when I leave the States, my “Global Citizen Toolbox” will be well-equipped, complete with historical knowledge, prior research, and absolute sincerity. Belize here I come!

Preparing for Belize: Erin Langdale

Are we 12 days out from traveling to Belize? Yes.

Will I start packing before 11 days from now? Probably not.

I am though, starting to get my summer clothes together for travel. I’ve almost forgotten how to dress for warmer weather since I’ve spent the last several months wrapped up in puffy jackets, gloves, and scarves. This will definitely be a break from the cold weather. On the other hand, I’ve bought more than enough 70 spf sunscreen, and aloe vera.

Besides packing, my mental preparedness is stronger than ever. My classmates and I are getting closer, and I am learning so much about the country and it’s makeup of many cultures. In class, we’ve had speakers of all backgrounds. We learned about the importance of indigenous knowledge, we learned about Mayan values and customs, we learned about how we can interact with cultures that are different from ours, and so much more.

One of the most influential lessons we had was when we were split into two groups, and made our own cultures. This simulation really pushed me out of my comfort zone, and it honestly made me frustrated. Not only was this different from what I knew, but it was against everything I stood for. Patriarchal, where women bowed to men; It took everything in me to play along. I realized the influence that my own personal values and culture had on me.

BUT when we were tasked to interact with the culture of the other group, I made no attempts to back down from my newfound “values”. I didn’t even realize I did that until after when we were reflecting from the experience, and it woke me up to the possibility of meeting someone halfway. When we are in Belize, we can’t expect to just come in with our American values and expect Belizeans to accommodate us. That would be incredibly insensitive. In the same way, we won’t know everything about the customs there, and they will probably have to be gracious with us. It’s all about meeting people where they are. Understanding, and having compassion for others.

Something I am so excited to start working on is our in-country presentation. I’m excited to see what my classmates and I come up with to present. We all come from different backgrounds, and everyone has something awesome to bring to the table. The DIY Factbook presentation really showed what we were all passionate about in relation to our travels to Belize, and it was so cool to see that none of us presented on the same topic. We talked about climate change, biodiversity, water, education, and so much more. I’m really excited to see the direction we choose to go in. As a future educator, I can’t wait to meet with students and not only teach them about us, but learn from them. This is something that a spring break vacation doesn’t give you the opportunity to do, and a big reason as to why I wanted to be a part of this course.

We talk about lifelong learning a lot, and it’s experiences like this that really highlight that concept. I can’t wait to broaden my horizons, and face adventure head-on. I believe (or should I say, Belize) it’s how I’ll learn, and grow from this experience the most.

Preparing for Belize- Britton

I have just come to the realization that we leave in 12 days, that is less than 2 weeks. I have yet to start packing, I have no idea how many pair of pants to bring. Other than the packing part, I believe I am as prepared as I can be for the trip. After reading the book Understanding Belize, I have a good idea about the people that live there, how they began to live there. I am so excited to be able to see the animals and be able to experience the culture of Belize. I am excited to go, and experience new things with my classmates.

My absolute favorite thing to do is spend time on my family farm with all my beef cattle. I absolutely love beef cattle, they are my all-time favorite animal. I love teaching others about the beef industry, and livestock in general. I can’t wait to be able to observe how the livestock industry is different in Belize. I am so excited to be able to see different livestock, or any animals in Belize. It is so interesting to me to see how livestock differs in different places. I am so excited to be able to experience the Zoo, and to see different animals that are known in Belize.

There has been so much knowledge thrown at me over the past weeks. The DIY projects really got me thinking. I love watching, listening, and learning from others whom have done research that they enjoy. I loved learning about the different animals, the education system, and the water systems in the country of Belize. All of the Projects will become important to us in 12 days. In 12 days all of the information that was thrown at me will become a reality.

Dr. Webster inspired me in so many ways, mainly by being so passionate about his work with the Mayan culture. He has done and discovered so many incredible things, but he was so humble about all the information that he has shared with us. He share how important maize is to the Mayan culture (I had no idea maize was important). He was so interesting to listen to and so easy to follow when he was speaking.

The Culture simulation activity that was done in class was the most influential part of the class thus far. The simulation taught me not to be so proud of my own culture that I am missing out on a new culture. It showed me how different cultures could be and how to understand a different culture. It really opened my eyes at how easy it could be to be disrespectful and not even know. This was a great activity to do before traveling to a new country.

This is going to be an amazing experience, and I couldn’t be more excited!

Preparing for Belize: Gillian Warner

As an animal enthusiast, a trip to Belize not only offers the incredible opportunity to experience a new culture and learn about indigenous knowledge and agriculture, but also the exciting chance to be in a country with a wide variety of wildlife and biodiversity. I can’t think of anything better!

My favorite thing to do is explore outside with my animals... I’m looking forward to exploring Belize!

As our group continues to prepare for the trip, we are all reading class books and experiencing the same eye-opening exercises, but we then take our learning and preparation a bit further by researching a topic of interest to us to learn more about it in Belize. Mine was wildlife conservation and biodiversity.

Learning about all of the work that Sharon Matola, the founder of the Belize Zoo, has done to protect the animals of Belize and educate community members on the challenges these animals face and benefits of having them is truly inspiring. Her hard work, while sometimes controversial within development projects, has raised awareness of the importance of conservation and the need for education in order to do so. For example, in The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw, there is an example of an older man visiting the zoo who was native to Belize and had never even seen the animals native to his country. Education on wildlife is absolutely necessary to conservation since steps to protection can not be made if there is no understanding of the dangers the animals face or the importance of protection. Learning about the impact that Sharon has had on her community and the animals’ lives has excited me to visit the Zoo and learn more about wildlife in addition to working hard back home to protect our wildlife.

Our trip is coming up which is exciting and overwhelming all at once! I am looking forward to the experience and hope to maintain my sincere, authentic curiosity, as explained in a lecture on indigenous knowledge with Dr. Abder Ouarghidi, to show my respect and eagerness to learn about and understand a new culture. I will use my knowledge from what we have researched to ask questions and continue to open my mind to new knowledge.

I believe our class activity with the Alphans and the Betans showed the importance of an open mind, patience, and willingness to push out of your comfort zones to connect with new people. When our two (made up) cultures interacted, the two groups had different norms and customs, leading to unintentional disrespect of each other. While this originally made me worried that I would make a mistake when in a new culture in Belize, I then learned about the Action-Reflection-Response Strategy that will help me recognize, reconstruct, learn about, and make new interpretations of any critical events that may happen.

With my new knowledge of Belize and my additional knowledge on conservation issues, I am looking forward to our trip so I can continue to gain valuable information about Belize and interacting with new cultures and environments.

Preparing for Belize: Kurt

I'm so excited for our trip, but a friend just tonight told me spring break is next week, which freaked me out. (Their math was wrong about the time before spring break, thankfully.) I don't feel prepared at all. Packing is giving me anxiety.

One of the biggest things that I think is preparing me for this trip is reading The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw. The author and commentaries are giving me the true perceptions of people (from different walks of life) in Belize. Whether native people, immigrants, or politicians, it shows Belize's culture in a way that reading about the country's laws, climate, or agriculture (as examples) operate from a factual, objective perspective. One thing that was almost shocking but very interesting to learn was how Belizeans perceive their government. I remember towards the beginning of The Last Flight... the author explained how Belizeans won't call their government "the government" but rather just "government" in an endearing, personal way. This is something that I think will be important to understand the culture of Belize while in the country.

Another thing that has been helpful for me has been all of the DIY presentations. Learning about endangered species and how they benefit Belize’s economy was a contextual educational experience for me, as it’s one of the things I most look forward to experiencing in Belize (seeing wild animals and at the zoo). Aside from my own contribution to the DIY projects, learning about all of the various topics other students chose is beneficial and also interesting. It’s neat to see what my fellow classmates chose to study, because we will be spending a week together in Belize and I want to learn about my classmates as well. The diverse range of topics, from economic to environmental, are giving me beneficial information on Belize.

The final thing that is helping me prepare is having a friend who spent an entire summer in Belize. She’s telling me all of her experiences and giving me helpful expectations to have about the country and what we will be doing. (She was with Cela Belize also, so she did some of the things we will be doing.)

Sarah Miller's Blog Post #2 - Only 12 Days Away!

There is less than two weeks until the journey to Belize starts. I could not be more excited for the trip at this point, thanks to the teachers and amazing students I will be traveling with. As a class there as been so much going on and being learned in just a three hour time slot every Monday night. There has been a guest speakers, one named Abdur and another speaker named Dr. David Webster. There are class readings that have been assigned through the semester to accompany the knowledge of our speakers. I am still currently reading the second book, The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw, but finished the first book, Understanding Belize: A Historical Guide, which had much to offer about not only the history of Belize, but the culture as well. Along with the two books to read, there has been many class engagement activities like the culture simulation that has stuck with me on how people from different cultures come across to one another.

Abdur was the first speaker in our classroom. He engaged the class in a conversation about sincere and genuine curiosity. He talked about other cultures and how having a sincere and genuine curiosity about the other culture that you are dealing with is important so you can understand the other culture better, and learn how the culture works the way it does, rather than become upset by actions of others.

Dr. David Webster was the next speaker to come visit our class. He is an Anthropologist working here at Penn State. Dr.Webster talked to the class about the Mayan culture and some of his work at the temples. Through his, and other's work, the Maya culture has been shown on temples and statues to have worshipped corn. Maize was a big part of the Mayan culture and their kings even had names that involved maize.

The book Understanding Belize gave a lot of background context that showed me how the country has come to be what it is today. The book explains how the country evolved, between the British Honduras and hierarchy in the country to the way the government has changed to todays system. The books explains many aspects of the economy along these periods of time, like the export of wood products, sugar cane and other foods.

The cultural simulation was one of many engagement activities that have been incorporated into the class. I have traveled before, but usually to places where others know that I am a tourist, or the place has similar culture to my own. I tried to be respectful of other cultures, but being a tourist that did not do a full search into the country and their culture, I did not know what was and was not accepted. It never crossed my mind of I was even being disrespectful or not. The only times I can think of any backlash from differences is when I went to Ecuador with a group called VESA.

In Ecuador, I knocked on a door to a hostel, a wooden door. I never thought any different of it, we were supposed to ring a bell, I did, but when no one came to the door I thought the bell had become broken, and I knocked. The owner of the hostel came to the door yelling at me for knocking. It is hard to tell if that was part of the culture to not knock or if it was his prized door. Either way, the simulation showed me how you must be observant and decide if it is a cultural difference or a personal difference.

Reflection after any activity may lead to a different thinking of the occurrence. The tour guide on the VESA trip told myself and a group of two other girls that with the next group he wanted to have someone climb up the side of a small cliff and carve VESA into the cliff where there had been a spot cleared by others, as well as signed by others. I said why not now, and climbed up to carve VESA into the side of the stone. He acted as if I was crazy, but I did not see the difference between what the next group could do or what I could do. Now looking back, he might have meant for one of the guys from the next group to climb up and carve the project group name, it might have not been my place in the culture to do such a thing.

Introduction: Kryslynne V.

Hi! My name is Kryslynne and I am a sophomore at Penn State University. I plan on graduating with a degree in agricultural and extension education. When I’m not in State College attending classes, you can find me back home on the fruit farm that I work at.  I have always had a love for all forms of agriculture but through the farm I have gained a much deeper love for it. You wouldn’t believe the amount of knowledge I have acquired just in how to properly cut a tree. Seeing all these things that factor into farming, of any kind, inspires me to continue to expand my understanding of agriculture. 

 My family and I enjoy traveling all across the U.S. on hunting trips and just for the adventure. However, I haven’t gotten the chance to travel outsides of the states yet so I am wicked excited to be traveling to Belize! When I go on hunting trips I am mainly focusing on how the animals interact with the environment. But with this trip, I want to try to focus more on how crops and other plants are grown.

I love going to new places and meeting new people. Somehow by putting myself in these situations, I am able to overcome my antisocial tendencies. By knowing that I have limited time with these new individuals I strive to learn as much as I can from them. For example, when I went bear hunting in Maine I volunteered to aid in setting up the ground blinds and baiting. Being able to get an up close and personal view of how the guide carried out their jobs showed me that there was more to it than just sitting down and getting the chance to shoot a bear. There was an extensive amount of preparation behind making sure everything would run smoothly. If I would have never volunteered I wouldn’t have appreciated getting my bear as much as I did.

In addition, I have conducted an extensive amount of research on the people of Mesoamerica. At a very young age I developed an extreme interest for history. One of the fields I always wanted to gain more knowledge on is the Mayans and Aztecs. I was always fascinated by their artwork and architecture. The detail that they would put into constructing these amazing structures entranced me. To expand my knowledge of these people I’ve taken classes that directly focused on the Mayans and Aztecs. So, when I heard that I could get to travel to the area that I have studied for so long I almost lost my mind. It was like a dream come true for me. I hope to make the most out of this trip as I possibly can.