by Grace T. | Oct 16, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
I got home from Belize today, and I already miss it so much. It was incredibly hard to leave. I made so many memories I’ll never forget and friendships I hope will last for years to come. I started off the trip feeling nervous, unsure if I had made the right...
by JP E. | Oct 15, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, _
Studying abroad in Belize was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. As my first time leaving the country, I wasn’t sure what to expect—but I quickly found myself immersed in a vibrant culture, surrounded by natural beauty and welcoming people. Every...
by Grace T. | Oct 15, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
We started out at Calabash Caye at the Turneffe Attol research station. They work together with the University of Belize. We stayed in dorm style rooms with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. There was also no AC and they only had cold water. Since it was a conservation...
by Wilkie G. | Oct 15, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
As week one in the Sint Maarten comes to a close, I reflect on the amazing memories I have already made. If you looked at the students on this trip you would not know that most of us met each other only a week ago. We started our time on the island out with van trip...
by Jade Cartolano | Oct 15, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led
It happened in slow motion. I was on a paddleboard in the ocean off the coast of Panama. I was surrounded by crystal clear blue water and the laughter of my friends. One minute I was asking my friend to take a photo of me and the next – plop – my phone slipped out of...
by Jade Cartolano | Oct 15, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led
I never thought I would be salsa dancing on a rooftop, under a sky full of stars, in a country I have never been to, but that is the thing about trying new things, you never know saying yes will turn into an unforgettable memory. When I first was told that we...
by Jade Cartolano | Oct 15, 2025 | Central America, Faculty-Led
When I signed up to study abroad in Panama, I was excited for everything it had to offer, including trips into the rainforest and boating to different islands. What I was not prepared for was the significant language barrier. After landing in Panama, I went to a...
by Grace T. | Oct 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
I just arrived in Belize. It is such a beautiful place but definitely an adjustment. The hardest part about day 1 was being so excited to see everything and meet everyone while also being so exhausted from traveling all day. We stayed in Belize city on the first...
by JP E. | Oct 10, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
I have always dreamed of studying abroad, and now that it is actually happening, I am ecstatic. The chance to get up close and personal with marine creatures was one of the main reasons I picked this excursion. I’ve always wanted to see coral reefs, and...
by Connor L. | Oct 10, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, _
Hi, my name is Connor Lanier and I am a Accounting major preparing to go to Panama City, Panama for a week over spring break. During this trip, business school freshman get to meet with various companies and their executives to get hands-on knowledge of how their...
by Victoria E. | Oct 8, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, _
Going to Panama has been one of the best experiences for me individually as a person in terms of growth, exposure, and development. Enjoying every moment taking it in and learning as much as I can was my goal for the trip. Unfortunately, the trip wasn’t forever...
by Mason S. | Sep 26, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer, _
Now that I’m back home, my mind is filled with a mix of emotions. The moment I stepped off the plane and into the airport, everything felt so familiar, yet different. I was excited to reunite with my family and friends, but I also found myself missing Belize. I miss...
by Ryan Taylor | Sep 17, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
Today, our Manderson Graduate College GELI cohort had an incredible day in Panama City, diving into impactful community service, engaging with global business leaders, and exploring innovation in logistics. Each experience deepened our understanding of global business...
by Ryan Taylor | Sep 17, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
Good morning from Panama City! Today was all about one of the modern wonders of the world—the iconic Panama Canal—and what an unforgettable day it was! Journey to the CanalAfter a hearty breakfast, our UA crew set off toward the Miraflores Locks, the most visited...
by Victoria E. | Sep 16, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
Experiencing the world and discovering something new offers opportunities that aren’t available to everyone, making my feelings about traveling abroad even more appreciative and exciting. For most of our lives, we exist within a norm, whether it pertains to culture or...
by Ryan Taylor | Sep 16, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
Our first full day in Panama was nothing short of amazing! As part of the Manderson Graduate College of Business and the Global Experiential Learning Initiative (GELI), we dove headfirst into the country’s rich culture and traditions. The adventure began on the...
by Ryan Taylor | Sep 16, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, Semester, _
As the countdown to my departure for Panama begins, I find myself reflecting on what led me to this incredible opportunity and what I hope to gain from it. The Manderson Global Experiential Learning Initiative (GELI) presents a unique chance to expand my cultural...
by Jack S. | Jul 23, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
So far, my time in Belize has been everything I had hoped for and more. I have learned so much about native species and their roles in building and maintaining the reef, and I have also seen firsthand how detrimental invasive species can be. During my research on...
by Jack S. | Jul 23, 2025 | Arts & Sciences, Central America, Faculty-Led, Summer
I chose to study abroad in Belize for a variety of reasons. For one, I have never been abroad, and I figured it would be a good idea for my first time to be with a faculty-led study abroad program. Secondly, I wanted to spend my summer at the beach, so this would be...
by Evelyn F. | Jul 18, 2025 | Central America, Commerce & Business, Faculty-Led, _
One of the most humbling and eye-opening experiences during my time in Panama was spending a day with a local school for students who don’t have many resources. I’d heard a lot about the school before visiting, but nothing could have prepared me for the immense impact...
