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.