Belize
Travel Dates: April 3-10, 2027
ENVIRONMENTAL STORYTELLING & OUTDOOR RECREATION
APPLY AUGUST 19!
Join us in Belize! Students will have the chance to explore and create inside their art specialties, from drawing & photography to concept art & visual storytelling. Exploring the rain forests and coast, students will find inspiration in the wondrous ecosystems of Belize. Students will also engage with historical locations, local folk art, people, and architecture while appreciating Belize's rich history and culture.
*Most AU faculty-led programs are open to students from any major. Before applying, be sure to meet with your academic advisor to discuss how the program's courses will fit into your degree plan.
Pre-requisites: ART 1211 or ART 1520 or ART 1530. *Professor willing to override prerequisite requirement on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the professor directly.
International Travel & Health Information
Important Dates
Study Abroad Fair
- 9/9/2026, 10AM-1PM
- JSAC Breezeway
Passport to Connection
- 11/4/2026, 5PM-6PM
- UH 227
Flight & Airport Navigation Workshops
- 11/6/2026; 11/13/2026
$200 Initial Program Fee, Application & 2nd Payment Deadline
- 12/3/2026
Flight Purchase Window
- 12/4/2026 - 1/14/2027
Final Payment Deadline
- 1/5/2027
SAO Orientation
- 3/5/2027, 1PM
Sweet Send Off
- 3/9/2027, 5PM-6PM
Program Cost
Program Fee
- Transportation in country
- Lodging & All Meals
- Mandatory Excursions
- Health Insurance
Airfare
- Purchased Individually
- Students must attend a mandatory workshop before purchasing flights
Tuition & Fees
- Tuition and fees are billed at the same rate per credit hour as on-campus classes
Not included: , airport meals, optional excursions, and spending money.
Course Offered
ART 4950 - Environmental Storytelling: Art Investigation (3 credits)
Pre-reqs: ART 1211 or ART 1520 or ART 1530
Program Leaders: A.B Osborne & Matthew Davis
This is a spring program. Classes will meet pre- and post-travel.
Itinerary subject to change
03
AprilDay One
Arrive in Belize and transfer to the beautiful Cockscomb Basin Reserve. Along the way, visit the Maya Center and participate in a cultural immersion experience hosted by the Maya Center Women’s Group, learning about Q'eqchi' Maya traditions and community life.04
AprilDay Two
Spend the day exploring Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's first jaguar preserve. Enjoy guided hiking and river tubing through lush rainforest landscapes while learning about Belize’s incredible biodiversity. In the afternoon, visit the Yaxkin Butterfly Farm to observe native butterfly species and their life cycles.05
AprilDay Three
Learn the traditional Maya process of chocolate-making, beginning with a visit to a cacao farm and ending with hands-on chocolate preparation using traditional techniques. Later, travel to Dangriga to visit the Pen Cayetano Studio Gallery, where you'll explore the rich artistic and musical traditions of the Garifuna people.06
AprilDay Four
Participate in an interactive medicinal garden tour and traditional medicine-making workshop led by a local expert. In the afternoon, hike the scenic Antelope Trail in Bocawina, climbing through tropical rainforest to a stunning waterfall where you'll have the opportunity to swim and enjoy panoramic views.07
AprilDay Five
Travel to Hopkins and board a boat for a full-day snorkeling adventure on the Belize Barrier Reef. Guided by local experts, explore vibrant coral formations and marine life across multiple snorkeling sites within the largest barrier reef system in the Western Hemisphere.08
AprilDay Six
Immerse yourself in Maya culture through a lively marimba and traditional dance presentation. Local performers will share music, storytelling, and dances that have been passed down through generations, offering insight into Belize’s cultural heritage.09
AprilDay Seven
Explore the ancient Maya archaeological site of Nim Li Punit on a guided tour. Continue to the Belize Spice Farm & Botanical Gardens, where you'll learn about and sample spices such as vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, and allspice. End the day with a guided night wildlife experience to observe Belize's nocturnal animals and ecosystems.10
April