Study Abroad to Belize & Guatemalaoffers an Adventure to Remember!

Study abroad students returned home safely from Belize and Guatemala after beingstranded during ice storm that locked down transportation in Dallas, Texas.

BY DAVID C. BUTTY

adventures, places and viewpoints that she wouldhave never expected to encounter.

“The adventure to Altun Ha (Mayan Village) was a personal walk through history itself,” she adds.“Many people view the Mayans as senseless peoplewith their beliefs and I thought the same until thatday. I got the chance to really understand where the Mayans were coming from and the scientificreasoning behind it all. I find it funny how mediacan completely change your view on people or acertain group. Actually giving someone a chance to teach you about their culture/background willopen your eyes and see that there is sense into whatthey believe.”

Meranda Sawabini said the trip to Belize andGuatemala was beyond anything she could have everimagined. “I will have these memories to tell mygrandchildren about. I was able to tell my childrenthat their mommy climbed to the top of a volcanoand I watched their eyes light up with disbelief. I saw places, met people, and experienced thingsthat most people will never have the privilege ofdoing. A mere “Thank you” to Wayne CountyCommunity College District just doesn’t seemappropriate. But, thank you. Thank you WCCCD.”

Mona Farah, a nursing student will alwaysremember the trip. The nursing pinning ceremonywas on Friday, December 6, but because of the icestorm in Dallas she had to miss the ceremony inDetroit. Nevertheless, her classmates were creativeenough to provide a makeshift ceremony duringwhich time she recited the pledge. What sheremembered most about the trip was hiking the

What was supposed to have been a regular studyabroad trip for Wayne County Community CollegeDistrict (WCCCD) students through two CentralAmerica countries – Belize and Guatemala -- turnedout to be an epic adventure of their lives. Whilereturning home, the group got stranded during the historic ice storm that brought air travel to acomplete lockdown rendering the Lone Star Stateinto an ice skating rink.

Unbelievable! What a trip to remember! There was no dull moment for the study abroad trip.The students turned everything into a learningexperience. The emphasis was to study thecontributions made by the Mayans by visiting the Altun Ha Mayan Ruins in Belize and learnconversational Spanish at the Máximo Nivel, an international language center in Antigua, located about 45 miles from Guatemala City.Students were awarded certificates of completion.Also on the itinerary was the opportunity to learn the cultures of both Belize and Guatemala; the history of the Mayans’ contributions to bothCentral America countries; a climb to the top of

The Altun Ha, a Mayan ruin in Belize always amaze visitors. “The trip to Altun Ha was incredible, especially seeing temples rise out of the deep green surroundings gave me a feeling of peace,” said Meranda Sawabini.

Students enjoying Spanish Language classes at the Maximo Nivel in Antigua, Guatemala.

A classroom setting

the 54-ft Altun Ha's temple-pyramids, known as the "Temple of the Masonry Altars," in Belize.The Altun Ha Mayan Ruins is on the bucket list for many who visit Belize.

Perhaps, the highlight for many students wasthe hike up the 8,373-ft active Pacaya Volcano, one of three active volcanoes in Guatemala. Those who could not walk the one and a half hours up the narrow and rocky trail, had to ridehorses tended by the locals to reach the top. For others, the adventurous but daring zip-lining as high as 200 feet over the forest in the village of Yulu was something they will forever remember.Also on the trip’s agenda was the tour and roastingof coffee beans over a bonfire at the Finca FiladelfiaCoffee Plantation. Then there was a visit to theCoco Museum in Antigua where students usedauthentic material to make their own chocolate; a textile museum and the local market.

“I was able to have conversations with localsbecause of the Spanish I learned in class at MáximoNivel, an international language center in Antigua,”said Alexa Thompson. “I climbed the active PacayaVolcano and roasted marshmallows over its rocks,watched the sun set below the clouds instead ofbelow the horizon, went on a zip-line tour throughthe jungle, and learned how to salsa dance. I’ll cherish those memories and the bonds I formed with others through them.”

Ninah Farah, whose sibling, Mona was also a part of the trip, said the study in Belize andGuatemala has opened her eyes to viewing the world differently and introduced her to people,

Pacaya Volcano. “Hiking up the volcano made me realize how out of shape I was, I had childrenprobably about 10-12 years of age basically runningup the mountain, none the less I was still veryproud to have made it up to the top because theview was phenomenal.”

Lisa Yurgen said the trip has taught her a newway of life on how people in other countries try tomake ends meet. “You can see children playing,mothers hanging wash, and a simpler way of life. A way of life that most of us riding the bus to thecoffee plantation, have never experienced. As wepassed little metal shacks where families call home,you felt yourself traveling back in time. With nolaptops, computers or the Internet, running wateror in some cases no electricity.

“I guess you can say that we may be spoiledwith cell phones that act as computers and we throw a fit when we cannot get on the internet, or have no signal. I saw a whole family on amotorcycle, yes, father, mother, and two children,between themselves. We have televisions that are as big as walls in a house, instead of having one that you can just view comfortably.”

Deborah Mitchell sums up the program in these words. “The Study Abroad Program atWCCCD is greatly beneficial to the personal andprofessional lives of students. I also hope that theprogram continues to grow to give students theexperience necessary to increase their culturalawareness and sensitivities in our own everyday lives and communities.”

Her name is Stella and she introduces visitors to weaving of fabric at the Museum of Culture in Antigua

Roasting of coffee beans over bonfire

Ashley Collins shouts out for joy after successfully getting on his horse for the ride up the Pacaya Volcano, while Donald Hart shares in the moment as he is ready for the climb.

Students show off their certificates for successfully completing their Spanish Language course at Maximo Nivel.