Students spend spring break in Belize doing service projects
March 16th, 2009
About 40 University of Louisville students, faculty and administrators are in Belize for spring break as part of the university’s International Service Learning Program.
The group arrived in Belize on March 14.
Throughout the week, students will among other things, operate a dental clinic, complete a community interview project, lead school workshops on bullying, offer health classes for women and teach geography, health, public speaking, first aid and math in schools. The bulk of the work be in the village of Red Bank. Other projects will be completed in Independence and Georgetown.
Prior to leaving for Belize, students and faculty said they were eager for the trip and service projects to begin. The trip is a culmination of months of preparation — both for traveling internationally and completing their service projects.
“I’ve seen a lot of students going on this trip,” said dental professor Thomas Clark, who has participated in ISLP trips for 11 years. “This trip changes their global perspective. They’ll have a sparkle in their eyes they didn’t have before.”
For some students, it is the first time they have traveled internationally. For others, the trip is a repeat chance to do good work.
“It really gives you a sense of perspective about the rest of the world,” said Tabitha Overstreet, a Louisville junior who went on the 2008 ISLP trip and was eager to go again this year.
“The world is a lot bigger than we see every day,” she said.
Participating students were assigned to five main learning areas — communication, dentistry, education, expressive therapy and justice administration. Students from throughout the university applied for the program.
Related Link
ISLP Belize Blog, featuring written posts, video and photos
