WFU/Belize: Conservation Writing, Lighthouse Reef Atoll (Spring Short-Term)

In this writing-intensive course we will closely examine the intricate social, historical, economic, and environmental issues affecting the coral reef ecosystem of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, located 50 miles off the coast of Belize. With snorkeling and scuba gear in tow, we will spend spring break at the Atoll, studying these complex forces in person. Students do not need to be scuba certified prior to the course.

Belize portion of course – Spring Break 2027

The class flies into Belize City and takes a 2.5-hour boat trip to their home base for the week, Island Expeditions’ basecamp on Half Moon Caye. Students will snorkel multiple sites, including the Great Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye. Scuba certification at the level of Open Water or Advanced is also available as a course option, with certification dives performed during the trip.

HMN 385: Special Topics – Coral Reef Conservation Writing
3 hrs.
In this course we will work together to arrive at a deeper understanding of the interconnected cultural, social, economic, and environmental issues affecting the coral reefs of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Located 50 miles off the coast of Belize, the atoll contains a pristine coral reef ecosystem that faces severe degradation due to an array of complicated pressures. The course will encourage you to test hypotheses within the context of real-world problems, and is, in this sense, both engaged and broadly experiential. As such, the course loosely reflects the process of experience-based learning, from reading and ideation, to experience and reflection, and back again, all centered on writing as a process that empowers us to think critically about, and reflect deeply on, the complex world outside the walls of the classroom. This course is designed for engaged students who crave hands-on learning and who are eager to tackle real-world problems through critical and creative thinking and writing.

Faculty Director:
Eric Stottlemyer                      
Teaching Professor of English                      

336-758-4169

Dr. Stottlemyer teaches in the English Department and the Writing Program, and has expertise in many different genres and styles of environmental writing.

Accommodations will be provided at Island Expeditions’ basecamp on Half Moon Caye, which is located within the atoll, 50 miles off the coast of Belize City.

NOTE: All students participating in the WFU Belize program are required to live in program-provided housing. Housing accommodations you may have on campus do not automatically transfer to abroad and certain housing accommodations (single rooms and private bathrooms, for example) may not be available.

Students will depart for Belize city on Friday, March 5th and will return on Saturday March 13th. We will have at least 9 scuba diving excursions at various locations around the atoll and among the world’s premiere scuba diving sites. Students who are not scuba certified will receive scuba certification as part of the course.

Student selection will be done by Dr. Eric Stottlemyer. Decisions will be made before the start of the Spring semester.

The total cost of a spring short-term study abroad program can be broken down into three categories:

Program Fee – Usually covers room, in-country travel, excursions, some meals and other costs associated with the program. 
Airfare (estimated) – Varies per location. Students are responsible for their own airfare unless otherwise noted.
Personal Expenses (estimated) – These will vary depending on the students’ spending habits, cost of living in the destination country, and the number of meals included in the program fee. This may also include visa fees, vaccinations, academic supplies/books and other miscellaneous daily expenses.

SPRING 2027 ESTIMATED COSTS

Billed by Wake Forest:
Program Fee (estimated) – $2,905
                      +
Personal costs (will fluctuate per student):
Airfare (estimated) – $1,000
Personal Expenses (estimated) – $1,120

Estimated total cost – $5,025

There are a limited amount of need based scholarships for this program. Scholarships are available through the Center for Global Programs and Studies.

Sullivan Scholarships may be available for students participating on this program. Awards up to $2,500. To apply go here

Passport Information
Students need to check their passport’s expiration date and ensure that it will be valid for at least 6 months after the program’s end date.

Students going on a spring short-term program need to make sure their passport is valid through at least late November of the same year.

US passport holders who need to renew their passport should visit the U.S. Department of State’s passport website for information on this process.

Non-US passport holders who need to renew their passport should refer to their home country’s passport office.

Visa Information
If you are a US citizen, you most likely will not require a visa for your spring short-term abroad program. If you do, details will be shared with you by GPS. Non-US passport holders should check with their host country’s embassy or consulate to find out if a visa is required for their program or not.

Eric Stottlemyer                      
Teaching Professor of English                    

336-758-4169

Claire Tynan
Study Abroad Advisor
Center for Global Programs and Studies
336-758-4072