CELA Belize
Why choose CELA Belize?
Center for Engaged Learning Abroad (CELA Belize), founded 2010, offers unique learning experience to students and professionals interested in moving out of their comfort zone. We offer internships, research, service learning projects, home stay opportunities, cultural immersions, and other field courses during summer and winter breaks. Students will experience new knowledge first hand through their field work and community service in Belize. These courses provide intensive, practical experience lessons that create powerful and meaningful learning. We support and deliver custom, faculty-led courses in partnership with colleges and universities throughout North America. Our staff is very creative and can connect local professors, community leaders, and business people to the courses, internships or faculty-led trips. Excursions to the wide variety of interesting and educational tourist destinations are included as part of the Belize exposure.
Center for Engaged Learning Abroad (CELA Belize), founded 2010, offers unique learning experience to students and professionals interested in moving out of their comfort zone. We offer internships, research, service learning projects, home stay opportunities, cultural immersions, and other field courses during summer and winter breaks. Students will experience new knowledge first hand through their field work and community service in Belize. These courses provide intensive, practical experience lessons that create powerful and meaningful learning. We support and deliver custom, faculty-led courses in partnership with colleges and universities throughout North America. Our staff is very creative and can connect local professors, community leaders, and business people to the courses, internships or faculty-led trips. Excursions to the wide variety of interesting and educational tourist destinations are included as part of the Belize exposure.
CELA Belize Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
I want to stay!
June 17, 2025by: Felix RayThe only thing I can imagine that would make this better is if it was longer! In two weeks you just get comfortable and then you want to stay! Our guide was the best staff member ever - always checking up on us while our instructor was an inspiration of a selfless life dedicated to conservation. My favorite activity was the spay & neuter clinic and the enrichment projects!
Could never do this at home
June 17, 2025by: Natalie HensleyThis was just a great opportunity - especially the spay and neuter clinics - those I would never have been able to experience like that in the US. We had such a great driver and guide and our instructor was such a good teacher and very passionate about conservation in Belize. There's nothing I would change!
Such great staff
June 17, 2025by: Jannat LivingstonI have so many highlights from this program - snorkeling, the zoo, enrichment projects, the necropsy, body scans, volunteering at the vet clinic. I liked this program so much and wouldn't change a thing. And we had such great staff with us from beginning to end.
Wouldn't change a thing
June 17, 2025by: Sara FordSwimming in the river was my favorite - such a great way to bond with the group and relax. Our leader made the trip really interesting and even our driver was a lot of fun and put up with our shenanigans. I wouldn't change anything!
Our guides were wonderful and kind
June 03, 2025by: Lori JuarezThis experience has been a wonderful introduction to Belize. The individuals we met and the presentations we heard were passionate about Belize and patient with us to share their experiences and culture with us. And our guides were wonderful and kind.
So impactful
June 03, 2025by: Gemma RichardsonOur experience with Loop Abroad/CELA was so impactful. The staff made our experience an easy one, being flexible and creative in providing the best possible experience for what was (for many of our students) their first time in a new country.
I am excited to return.
June 03, 2025by: Hafsah RangelOur Belize trip provided our university students an incredible cultural experience. The hospitality, culture, conversations, and community visits were hands down one of a kind. We loved our time and I am excited to return.
This trip was wonderful.
May 21, 2025by: Effie BergerThe trip was wonderful. The staff are incredibly informative and made the experience local and informative. They were always so helpful and really brought the energy everytime we worked with them. I'm so grateful to have had them on the trip.
I feel so prepared for whats next
May 21, 2025by: Nannie CarpenterBefore this trip I didn't know about education abroad. Everything from the places to the people was amazing! I feel so prepared for my graduate school and possible work abroad. This experience will stay with me forever.
Felt so safe
May 21, 2025by: Aisha BurnsI had no idea how much Belize had to offer. I've learned so much and I never had to worry about my safety. They were so good at being flexible when the unexpected came. If you get the chance, sign up with CELA Belize
Belize is beautiful
May 21, 2025by: Lenny RothThis was my first time studying abroad and I felt so safe and cared for. I could tell that everyone cared about my education and my love for this country. Belize is beautiful and changed my perspective of the world.
This trip changed my life.
May 14, 2025by: Patricia BartonCELA provided me with the opportunity of a lifetime. As a second generation Carribean myself, this trip gave me the chance to explore, compare, and contrast my own experience with those of the indigenous peoples. Through cultural exploration, I was able to leave with a greater understanding of our relation to the land, and food and community as pedagogy. This trip changed my life.
Memories that will last a lifetime.
May 14, 2025by: Leyla HamiltonThis trip was honestly so eye-opening. I got to see and experience things I never imagined. I made an amazing group of friends and memories that will last a lifetime. I would highly recommend to anyone looking to explore different cultures.
Very welcoming
April 23, 2025by: Maria MichaelThis study abroad program was truly amazing. The staff was great which made the experience so much better and welcoming. I love the connections I made with the people who were with me on this trip and how we all were able to learn and see things from first hand. I loved how we were able to see and talk to people who were from here and gave us great information and were very welcoming toward us.
100% recommend.
April 23, 2025by: Ariana LeonardI am so happy I did a study abroad program. I've never been out of the country before, but this program did a fantastic job injuring I was safe and enjoying myself. I 100% would do this again and recommend it to anyone who is thinking about studying abroad.
A terrific opportunity
April 23, 2025by: Ava-Rose RiggsThis has been an amazing experience. I truly enjoyed Belize and the culture. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone looking to learn and forge strong bonds. It was a great opportunity that I'll always appreciate.
Extremely educational
April 23, 2025by: Aleeza DeckerThis program was extremely educational. I was enlighted on the diverse cultures and history of Belize. It has also encouraged me to start practicing Spanish again. It's left a huge impression on me. Thank you, Belize!
I loved it so much!
April 23, 2025by: Gwen DotsonThis is an awesome opportunity for me to embrace more cultural facets of life. I learned so much about the people and cultures. Belize was great. I loved it so much! Can't wait to come back. Thank you, CELA Belize!
Eye opener.
April 23, 2025by: Shelby RoyIt was an experience a wide variety of majors can benefit from. I learned so much about different cultues and their histories. Definitely an eye opener. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything ever.
Magical
March 28, 2025by: Cecily BellThis was life changing, even as a chaperone. I never pictured myself enjoying a tropical location, but I fell in love with the people, the culture, and the atmosphere. I didn't want it to end. I found myself saying "I can't believe I'm experiencing this." The staff also made the trip unforgettable. Thank you for making my trip magical!
CELA Belize Programs
Browse programs you might like
CELA Belize
4.72
203 reviews
Enhance your chances for vet school with an intensive, hands-on, veterinary study program in Belize. Find yourself immersed in large animal veter...
CELA Belize
4.41
107 reviews
This 2-week course is designed for undergraduate students with an interest in wildlife from a pre-veterinary, biology, or conservation perspectiv...
CELA Belize
5
55 reviews
Our faculty-led custom group trips are planned months in advance with great attention to detail and meaningful activities based on the group's fo...
CELA Belize
4.57
23 reviews
Tropical Marine Ecology and Conservation is an exciting hands-on field course that combines studies in terrestrial riparian ecology with marine e...
CELA Belize
4.58
12 reviews
This four-week field course explores the intersections of economics, health, medicine, and social development in the tropics—with Belize as the f...
CELA Belize
No reviews yet
CELA-Belize is offering a 100% online internship with the Belize Raptor Center (BRC), a world leader in raptor conservation and rehabilitation. ...
Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff

Brooke Suraba
Participated in 2018
Brooke is a recent graduate of Cleveland State University with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology and a minor in Native American Studies. She has tra...

Brooke Suraba
Participated in 2018
A combination of dreams, fliers posted my professor, synchronicities, past travel abroad experiences, grant availability at Cleveland State University, and personal interest in traditional healing and agricultural practices.

Filiberto Penados
Interviewed in 2014
Dr. Filiberto Penados, from the village of San Jose Succotz, Cayo, Belize, is an indigenous studies and education scholar and community activist. He c...

Filiberto Penados
Interviewed in 2014
What inspired you to travel abroad?
Well, first of all it is important to note that there are some key underlying elements to our philosophy. The first is that local communities have a wealth of intellectual, material and cultural resources that are or can be mobilized to achieve sustainable well being, and that they know best what well being means to them and should be the ones defining both the pace and direction. Two, that they are engaged in actions that are already pursuing their well being. That sustainability in addition to the conventional focus on environment needs to build on the assets and actions already in process and respond to the aspirations of values of the community. Three, that our engagement with communities needs to be sustained over time and not be a one-time action. It must be based on a long-term partnership. Otherwise, while the specific can be fun and produce the most amazing learning experience for our students it may contribute very little to local communities.

Cristina Coc
Interviewed in 2014
Cristina Coc has been an activist for Maya Land Rights and forest conservation since 2003. She has worked directly, over the last 10 years, with the M...

Cristina Coc
Interviewed in 2014
What inspired you to travel abroad?
The first step to establishing a service learning program in Toledo where over half the population is of Maya heritage, is to recognize where a mutually beneficial partnership can be forged. Being able to determine whether or not the partners engaged in service learning have a common goal where one can learn from the experience to better improve their own development, but also provide service to a community in rural Toledo and meet a need that enhances the community well being. Making a suitable match requires that there is a common understanding of the community, its cultural and customary values and way of life, and at the same time understanding the expectation of service learning groups/students, their areas of interest, and expertise.

Nancy Adamson
Interviewed in 2014
Nancy has 25 years of work in higher education under her belt, from university administration to Provost and President! She’s also a registered nurse!

Nancy Adamson
Interviewed in 2014
What inspired you to travel abroad?
Your programs focus strongly on their best feature – the fact that they are located in stunning Belize! Programs incorporate Belize’s natural beauty and resources. What is your favorite feature of Belize?
Awards
Check out awards and recognitions CELA Belize has received


