Belize

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras and also by its alternative name of Belice, is a country located on the northeast coast of Central South America. It is bordered on the eastern side by the Caribbean Sea and has Guatemala and Mexico as its neighbors. It is a country which until 1973 was a British colony similar to sovereign states such as Antigua and Barbuda. However, it has retained its historical link to the UK through membership in the Commonwealth. As a result, its form of government is a constitutional monarchy with two legislative houses with the head of state being Queen Elizabeth II with a Governor-General acting as their representative. It is a country which despite its relatively small total area (8,867 sq. miles) has a rather diverse terrain which can roughly be sectioned into four geographic regions: the relatively low Maya Mountains; the northern lowlands with its many rivers and streams as well as dense rainforests; the flat, narrow and swampy coastal plain; and the numerous cays, islands, and lagoons which skirt the country’s Caribbean coastline. The sovereign state’s capital is Belmopan.

While Belize is more often chosen as a popular tourist site, it can also provide students with interesting and rewarding opportunities when it comes to academic studies. At first glance, the sovereign state has a relatively limited number of available universities. However, this is compensated by the broad range of programs a student can select from. These include fields or subjects such as Mathematics, Management, Education, Philology, Accounting, Environmental Studies as well as Psychology, Law & Jurisprudence, Occupational Health, Tourism, Economics, Political Science, Design, Finance & Banking, IT and others. In addition to providing an impressive range of programs, Belize is also a country that can help in improving foreign-language skills. This is due to many of the subjects being taught in English, which is the country’s official language. Apart from this widely spoken language, one can also practice Spanish or learn Belizean Creole. The sovereign state is also an excellent location to gather experience and master skills needed in the student’s chosen profession, especially if they plan to study Ecology or Environmental Studies as there are plenty of opportunities to observe and gather data within the rain forests or in the Caribbean Sea. Furthermore, students can also apply for volunteer programs such as marine conservation, and/or teaching. Many intern programs can also help while allowing a person to immerse themselves in the local culture. Belize’s higher education system can also help in increasing the chances of finding a long-term job, especially where an understanding of the culture and people of Central America and the Caribbean is needed. However, proper care should be taken as tuition fees can be costly and certain areas can be unsafe.