Biology Students Travel to Belize

This summer, BIO 321 had the chance to make their classroom education come to life in the Central American country of Belize. Just over 20 Westminster students and two professors, Dr. Mike Amspoker and Dr. Jeff Mayne, made the journey south. During the 17-day adventure, the group visited the Belize Zoo, canoed down the Sibun River, snorkeled in coral reefs, climbed Mayan temples, and spent time exploring the local culture and landscape.

“Our experience in Belize has empowered us to travel anywhere we want to go, ask questions about the way other people live and question the way we live, and ultimately learn from these different cultures and share the best of ours,” said Kristen Fisher ’14.

The students prepared for their trip with a one-hour course in the spring. “During the semester-long class preceding the actual trip to Belize, I was able to give a presentation on the complexities of leaf cutter ant hierarchy. All the videos and articles I read could not even compare to observing the millions of ants moving in a straight line across the jungle floor,” said Kyle Klahs ’14. “The materials in class came to life before my eyes.”

Travel courses offer students a unique opportunity to see apply what they’ve learned in the classroom, obtain a deeper knowledge of the material, and gain a global perspective. Three other courses traveled the world this semester studying politics in Asia, history in Germany, and geology in the American West.

Read how one Westminster student was transformed by his excursion to China and visit Westminster’s study abroad office for more information on study abroad opportunities.