ASU Global Issues No. 8 ISSN 2330-3042 Journal of Study Abroad Experiences GLOBAL. POTENTIAL. REALIZED Albany State University Office of International Education 504 College Drive, Albany, Georgia, 31705 Billy C. Black Building, Rm 391 ASU Global Issues—No. 8 ISSN 2330-3042 A Journal of Study Abroad Experiences © 2018 Albany State University, Albany, Georgia Chief Editor Dr. Nneka Nora Osakwe, Albany State University Editorial Board Email Dr. Michael Smithee [email protected] Syracus University, Retired Dr. Geneva Diamond [email protected] English, Albany State University Dr. Donyale Childs [email protected] Nursing, Albany State University Dr. Kathaleena Monds [email protected] Business, Albany State University Dr. Florence Lyons [email protected] Speech and Theat, Albany State Universi- ty Dr. Anthony Owusu-Ansah Anthony.Owusu- Education, Albany State University [email protected] Student Editor Ms. Aishat Motolani Layout and Design Ms. Aishat Motolani Printing Albany State University Word Processing Center. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcomed from all students who studied abroad and their faculty. The deadline for submission is ususally two weeks after the study abroad program and the articles are submitted to the Office of International Education ([email protected]). The study abroad stories should contain information on the countries of study, objectives of the study abroad program, courses taken, major tours, program activities, experiences, cultural lessons learned and one or two recommendations . The stories should be told in two pages with 4-6 pictures included. ASU Global Issues (AGI) is published by the Office of International Education, Albany State University (ASU), Albany Georgia. It showcases global engagements, especially study abroad experiences and other international activities at ASU and its commitment to campus internationalization by ensuring diversity and International learning through various programs. Opinions expressed in The Issues are not those of the University. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without a written permis- sion from Albany State University (ASU), Albany, Georgia. ASU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. (SACS). This project and publication is sponsored in part by ASU Office of Student Affairs Office and Office of Title III. Copyright 2018, ASU Global Issues ISSN: 2330-3042 2 Table of Contents Editor’s Note………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……. 04 Doing Business in Belize by Akintunde Monds…………………………………………..………………………...… 05 Cultures and Adventure of Belize by Emberly J. Clark.………………………………….……………………………....... 08 Giving Back to the community by Elyssa B. Sims…..…………………………………….…………………………………… 11 Taking flight to Belize by Rashadyya M. Edge…….……………………………………………………..…………………… 15 Conquering Belize by Raven C. Burden ...…………………….………………..………………………….….…… 16 Power of entrenuership in Belize by Shakema Y. Hayden...…………………….………………..…………… 19 Beautiful Belize by Tarria Simmons…………………………………………………………………………………. 21 Food in Belize by Sheba Jackson…………………………………………………………………………………. 24 Explore Belize by Markia Brown…………………………………………………………………………………. 24 Learning Experience in Belize by Chelissia Sumbry……………………………………………………………………. 26 My humbling yet phenomenal experience in Belize by Dewayne Gurley………………………………………………. 27 Belize Study Abroad Faculty Report, Dr. Kathaleena Monds...…………………………………………...……...….………. 31 Information on Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship …………………………………………………………. 33 2012-2017 Gilman Scholarship recipient………………………………………………………………………………. 34 Belize Study Abroad Summer Program 2018 …………….....…………………………………………………….…… 37 ASU Study Abroad Scholarship Fund Form……………...…………………...……………………………………… 39 Kindly visit International Education’ website for more stories, reports and to read past publications of ASU Global Issues: Visit us on the web: https://www.asurams.edu/academic-affairs/oie 3 Editor’s Note With a renewed commitment to academic excellence, Albany State University is creating more access for students to enhance the quality of education they receive before graduation. This vol- ume of Global Issues is yet another evidence of great international experiences from students who studied abroad in different countries: China, Costa Rica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Most of the students are first generation students who have never flown before. Their stories might not be exhaustive, as each student has a limited space to convey a month's experience; however, they provide us a bird-eye view of the students' experi- ences and their perspectives of the world they witnessed for the period of their study abroad. This Issue also provide the faculty members’ summary report of courses taught, cultural trips, and program outcomes. I invite you to read these enlightening stories, which also provide a rich re- source data for international education research, program development and instruction. Nneka Nora Osakwe, PhD Director, ASU Office of International education Chief Editor, Global Issues 4 Entrepreneurship in most cases has been passed down DOING BUSINESS IN BELIZE from generation to generation including skills and in- novations to make doing business easier. One sure way to identify whether a country is more or less free By Mr. Akintunde G. Monds on the economic freedom scale is to identify the num- Business Administration ber, type, and level of street vendors that exist – Belize has several. ABSTRACT This paper aims to share with you some of the experiences that have helped to shape my knowledge The objective of the program was to learn about and be of Belize, not from a tourist perspective, but more from immersed in the economy of Belize. Two courses were the perspective of a would-be investor and/or entrepre- taken – International Business and Internship for Busi- neur in Belize. Upon arrival in Belize, we were met ness. While on the study abroad, we toured and met by our driver, Mr. Awe, son of Mr. Joe Awe, a histori- with executives from the Belize Natural Energy, the Be- an and professor at Sacred Heart Junior College. Mr. lize Tourism Board, the Belize Trade and Investment De- Awe was more of a peer to all of us, but his knowledge velopment Services (Beltraide), the U.S. Embassy, and a and experiences growing up in Belize meant that he host of small- and medium-sized businesses. Each busi- would be our teacher for the 2-hour drive from the air- ness meeting provided me with a wealth of information port located in Ladyville, Belize to our “home” in San that allowed me to better understand business in general, Ignacio, Belize. and international business, more specifically. In addi- tion, the internship opportunity at Beltraide in the Belize- Invest sector allowed me to conduct research and gain some on-the-job training. The study abroad spanned June 15, 2016 to July 14, 2016. Keywords: economics, entrepreneurship, international business, investment. INTRODUCTION Business in Belize is the foundation upon which the country grows. Ordinary people run almost all busi- SUMMARY OF COURSES nesses in Belize from the bus drivers and street vendors During the study abroad two courses were taken to the construction and realty companies. All citizens are – International Business and Internship for Business. looking to find a way to improve their lives through en- Both courses are required for the completion of the un- trepreneurship. With minimal regulations governing de- dergraduate degree in Business. Both course grades velopment and standards, individuals have to be willing would transfer from Albany State University to my to self-regulate to retain customers who will go else- home institution, Morehouse College. where if the products are not safe or if the quality is less The International Business course required that than excellent. Self-regulation is a method of providing we write multiple essays, using the Mason-Mitroff As- the best quality product without having to be regulated to sessment Model, from the readings found in the text- do so. Street vendors who want to retain customers are book entitled “The Economic History of Belize” by able to do so simply by providing the best quality prod- Bulmer-Thomas (2012). Each week we immersed ucts. ourselves in the culture and each week we immersed ourselves in the textbook, learning and reading about the history of the Belizean economy, politics, culture and environment. Another book that we were intro- duced to was “Taking Stock: Belize at 25 Years of In- dependence” by Jaime J. Awe (2007). The Internship for Business course required that we gather 75+ hours at a worksite. Some of our intern- ships were confirmed before we arrived in Belize. However, most of the sites were confirmed after our arrival. The goal was for a team of students to intern at 5 the same location so that we could travel through the and network with peers from other HBCUs, but more country in pairs. Three students interned at Hot Mama’s, importantly allow us to meet annually at the Uncf/Koch a small independent hot sauce manufacturer; two Summit so that we can participate in hands-on activities healthcare students interned at the La Loma Luz hospi- with successful entrepreneneurs. tal; and two of us interned at Beltraide. Lessons learned in the Uncf/Koch program are applicable to my study abroad trip to Belize. Upon our “Each experience by each student was differ- arrival, the lessons on entrepreneurship