Studying abroad in Belize has been one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. When I first arrived, I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. I had never traveled somewhere so different from home before, and being abroad initially felt a little overwhelming. At the same time, I was amazed by the beauty of the islands where we stayed. From the moment I saw the ocean and the endless sky from the airplane window, I knew this trip was going to change me. Some of my very first pictures abroad were of the clouds outside the plane and the bright blue water during the boat ride to the first island. Everything felt new and exciting, and it did not take long before I made amazing friendships with both other students and locals. One thing that immediately stood out to me was how relaxed and welcoming everyone seemed compared to the fast-paced atmosphere back home in the United States.
My favorite thing about both islands has easily been the ocean. I have always said that the ocean was my first love, and this trip reminded me exactly why. Whether I was snorkeling, sitting by the shore, or simply listening to the waves, I felt completely at peace. The islands themselves felt incredibly homey to me, which surprised me because I expected to feel homesick much more often than I actually did. The food also helped with that. We had a mix of traditional Belizean meals along with some more familiar foods from home, which made adjusting easier while still allowing me to experience a new culture. Honestly, I will miss everything about these islands when I leave. If I could live here permanently, I absolutely would.
One of the biggest surprises of this trip has been how much fun taking a class abroad can be. Before coming here, I imagined classes would feel stressful or exhausting, but instead, they became one of the best parts of the experience. I spent most of my time with classmates like Addi, Kirstin, Xenon, Luke, Greyson, Cole, Madison, Becca, and Amber, and we quickly became very close. Our daily routines took some adjusting, especially while living on remote islands, but eventually it all started to feel natural. What made the learning experience even more meaningful was hearing lessons directly from locals. Listening to people who actually live here and understand the environment firsthand gave me a completely different perspective. Information always feels more valuable when it comes directly from the source.
Most of our days consisted of taking boats out to different snorkeling locations twice a day to collect data for our group projects and discover new marine life. Every single trip felt like a new adventure. One of the coolest parts was how everyone in the group would see different things underwater and then share pictures afterward. Even if I missed spotting something during the dive, seeing someone else’s photos made it feel like I had experienced it too. I have seen incredible coral reefs, colorful fish, and so many creatures I never imagined I would encounter in person.
The guides for our snorkeling excursions were also a huge reason this trip became so meaningful to me. They live and work on the islands, and their passion for conservation is genuinely inspiring. Seeing how dedicated they are to protecting the reefs and preserving marine life made me realize that I want to bring that same passion into my own future career. Beyond that, I admired the way they approached life in general. They seemed to truly appreciate every day, and their joy was contagious. Spending time around people like that made me want to slow down more and enjoy life the way they do.
Although I mostly heard English throughout the trip, I also occasionally heard Spanish and Belizean Kriol being spoken around the islands. Hearing different languages in everyday conversation was refreshing and made me want to learn another language myself someday. It felt exciting to be surrounded by different cultures and ways of communicating. Even when certain words or phrases were used differently, everyone still laughed together and connected easily.
If I had to describe this study abroad experience using the five senses, I would say the smell of salt water will always remind me of Belize. The feeling would be the warm sand beneath my feet and the ocean surrounding me during our snorkels. The sound would be the music constantly playing during everyday life and while relaxing around the islands. The taste would be the amazing meals prepared for us every day and the unforgettable flavors of Belizean food. Finally, the sight would be all of the coral reefs, fish, and marine life I was lucky enough to experience. Truly, there is not a single bad thing I could say about this trip. I only wish I could come back every single year.
Now that it is almost time to return home, I feel much sadder than I expected. When I first arrived, I was nervous and uncertain, but over time, I completely fell in love with Belize and everything it has to offer. Leaving is going to be incredibly difficult. I know I will miss the islands, the people, and the experiences forever. I have collected shells, t-shirts, and souvenirs to bring home, but my favorite things to take with me are the memories and friendships I made throughout this journey. Those are the things I will cherish for the rest of my life.