By Kezia Bryant
While many of their peers are relaxing at home or on sunny vacations this spring break, 28 University of Louisville students and 10 faculty members will be departing for their week-long service trip to Belize. The trip is in association with the International Service Learning Programs.
The goal of this project is to help enrich a small community called Red Bank. The students going on this trip will be focusing on one of four disciplines: justice administration, communication, education and dentistry.
Students involved said they are aware that this is not a typical way to start spring break.
“I couldn’t think of better way to spend a week,” said second year dentistry student Jeff Peter. This will be his second year on the trip and, looking back on his previous year, he said, “You don’t know what to expect, it’s a real eye opener.”
Jen Wilson, also a second year dentistry student, said she is looking forward to “being immersed in a different culture for a week,” besides wanting to see if the effects of their presence last year have lasted. The dental students involved with the journey work in “what looks like somebody’s tool shed,” Wilson said. “We’re the only dentists the village gets for a year; we teach them oral hygiene.”
This ISLP project gives students a chance to gain real-world experience within their disciplines while enriching people’s lives at the same time.
Atul Deshmukh, a fourth year Dentistry student, said while Belize is a third-world country economically, he appreciates the beautiful beaches and gorgeous scenery.
“It’s funny because when I look back, I wanted to learn as much as possible. Now, it will be cool to pass it on to the younger students,” he said. “I see it from more of a teaching perspective.”
Dentistry is not the only area of concentration on the trip. According to Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Tom Jackson, the community leaders say they will primarily need help with science in primary and secondary education. As part of the learning and teaching experience, the U of L students will meet with officials at the U.S. embassy, experience life in a Belize prison, visit the zoo and tour one of the Mayan ruins to get a feel for the history and culture.
While these excursions will undoubtedly be valuable experiences, much of the value will come from simply interacting with the people of Belize and making positive, long-term changes to their lives, aspects that the participants consider the most rewarding.
“It’s nice to go down and really help them. I’m glad we have the opportunity to go back,” said Deshmukh.
“This trip makes you realize how much we take for granted. I want to bring back the idea of living more simply,” said Wilson. “Not everyone wants to live like us.”
Peter said he would definitely recommend this project for other students.
“It’s a once in a lifetime experience,” he said. “But if you’re lucky enough, you’ll go more than once.”
