Academic Requirements

Participants are expected to enroll in one of the four courses listed below and pay the $2,375 program fee. Additionally, all participants must attend a weekly orientation workshop held in the Student Activities Center, Room 303A every Monday from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. The nine-week orientation session will address program history, cultures, and participant expectations.

What makes the ISLP one of the most unique courses and programs nationally is the interdisciplinary curriculum and service components. Participants not only will gain valuable insights and knowledge through the course curriculum but also valuable lessons and experiences through the service components. Below are the available courses and their descriptions:

 This program is designed to introduce the student to comparative, cross-cultural studies in juvenile and criminal justice though a non-traditional approach to learning. The program considers various cross-cultural aspects of Belize and the United States. One of the important aspects of the project is to demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of criminology/criminal justice and the problems-oriented approach to working in the field. Participants will assist the local government in establishing a community health and safety initiative, tour a prison, and observe the British courts system.

Communication – Dr. Joy Hart & Dr. Kandi Walker COMM-510-03- Health Communication Issues in Belize

The Communication team composed of faculty and students, works actively in the community on health education efforts. This year we will be working in Red Bank, a community of approximately 1,400. In order to gain a better understanding of how people view illness and wellness, we will talk with village residents about their health beliefs and practices. In addition, we will develop and present several health education seminars (e.g., in the primary school, at community meetings). All of our efforts are done in conjunction with local residents and rely on collaborative assistance.

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International Service Learning--Dentistry in Belize, is a course that is offered beginning in the freshman year, and provides the opportunity to deliver dental care with an emphasis on interdisciplinary teamwork in remote villages in the Central American country of Belize. The course provides multicultural training in the areas of history, geo-politics, economic development issues, program development and administration, public health issues, and dental issues germane to  given population groups in Belize. Student participants in this course bring a wide variety of personal experiences, and the program is enhanced by this diversity. This opportunity to live, study, and work in a foreign culture provides students with insights and principles that have a wide application, not only here at home in the United States, but elsewhere in the world. The benefits of functioning as part of a multi-disciplinary heath care team develop professionalism that will carry on throughout life. The University of Louisville's International Service Learning Program is the largest program of its kind, and has developed an international reputation for training and excellence.

All participants must attend a weekly orientation workshop held in the Student Activities Center, Room 303A every Monday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. The seven-week orientation session will address program history, cultures, and participant expectations. The dates are as follows: