Toucan Education Programs (TOUCAN)

The staff at Toucan Education Programs Inc (TEP) are exceptional! They are very professional, organized (while also maintaining some flexibility and adaptability to changing program needs), provide excellent communication and customer service, are great problem-solvers if any issues arise, and also very caring towards faculty and students and their needs. Additionally, the staff are well-versed in planning meaningful educational experiences, while also ensuring meals, travel, and accommodations are exceptional while in-country. I have special dietary restrictions, but all my meals were planned and taken care of without me having to worry too much about it. TEP really goes above and beyond in their services and I would wholeheartedly recommend them!

I thoroughly enjoyed learning the culture of Belize. Such a beautiful and peaceful area. I loved the sense of community. Although the students were in walking distance of the school, we as the leaders mostly had to do everything in the area we stayed and had to get a taxi to get to the city everyday.

I thoroughly enjoyed my study abroad experience using this program. There were activities planned for us relating to our major as well as extracurriculars. This was an amazing opportunity to enhance my cultural knowledge and apply what I had learned from my college classes. I would highly recommend this to other students!

The spring was overall a great experience. The people were very welcoming and there was a lot of assistance to make the transition easy for us. We were placed at Holy Family R.C. School, but there always a lot of confusion on what exactly we were supposed to be doing there on both ends, I feel like that should have been established before we got there so time wouldn’t have been waisted.

The TEP trip to Belize was the trip of a lifetime! I learned so much about myself and the beautiful country of Belize. The TEP staff was very responsive to needs and took the time to get to know me as an individual.

I had a great time while studying abroad in Belize! I got the chance to stay with a Belizean family during a home stay. I learned so much about myself and my level of respect for other cultures has risen greatly. I learned to appreciate the daily necessities that I look for granted at home. My host mom and I still keep in contact today. We also were given a wonderful lady to guide us around Belize during our stay. She was very informative about the history of Belize and also the popular places that we should visit. Overall, my study abroad experience was very memorable. I have been back to Belize to vacation 2 times in my own since my study abroad and I plan to study abroad there again in 2020. Do I love Belize? You better BELIZE it!!

I am a first-generation college student, and going to Belize was an experience I will always carry with me. At first, I was afraid that I wouldn't make an impact at my internship or that I would get homesick more than a thousand miles away from home. In the end, I made great friendships and discovered some of my passions in life. The experiences were so pure that I grew in many ways. As soon as I stepped into the warm blanket that is the Belizean weather, I felt attended to. Our driver, Mr. Roberto, welcomed us with a warm smile and took us to our destination in San Ignacio, Belize. The program staff was always attentive to our needs and gave us all of the necessary tools to grow professionally and personally. That is exactly what happened to me and reciprocity played a huge role. I was able to conduct presentations for surrounding schools in the town of Santa Elena. I interned in the Santa Elena Public Library and had great support from my supervisors. I worked both independently and in groups with the staff as well as with people of the community. This made the experience so much more rewarding. The daily face to face contact was something I still keep close to my heart. One of the most memorable moments was swimming in the Carribean Sea. I was also able to cook alongside Mayan women and prepare a traditional meal with the Garifuna people on their island, in South Belize. These immersive experiences definitely were some of my most memorable. Reading about a culture in a history textbook is one thing, but tasting the culture is something I will certainly never forget. TEP played a major role in my success in the program and I will be eternally grateful. Oh yeah, and how can I forget, I climbed to the top of the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.

TEP was a vital resource in making our study abroad experience a success. The cultural immersion experiences were by far the most meaningful and impacting part of the trip. I want to give a special thanks to David Hernandez for being a wealth of knowledge, a excellent resource, and a huge help to our group. He was phenomenal!

The entire experience was amazing. Most importantly, I feel the cultural immersion experiences were top notch! Very informative. Very well prepared. Very educational. In addition, the professionalism was impeccable along with the genuine welcoming spirit of everyone. The variety of food, housing, and flexibility offered was great! No complaints about anything.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Belize. TEP provided us with culturally immersive situations where we could share our own experiences and learn from the Belizean community. Thank you so much for this!

I had an amazing experience in Belize thanks to TEP. All members were kind and easy to work with. They made the experience as welcoming as possible. They also allowed for us to feel comfortable asking any questions we had.

Toucan Educational Programs was the cornerstone of this amazing experience for our students. Their work allowed us to focus on integrating course materials into in-country experiences. I would recommend using TEP for your study abroad experience.

Toucan Education did a wonderful job providing our leadership group with the essentials and much more during our study abroad in Belize. Rondine and her group did an excellent job with our housing. Every morning and evening we were provided an excellent meal from the staff at Log Cabin Inn and Villa Verano. Maids cleaned our room every day and when asked they washed, dried, and folded our clothes. When we stayed at Villa Verano in Hopkins the resort provided bikes, canoes, paddle boards, and a sailboat for our own personal use free of charge. When there was an issue we would notify Rhondine and her staff and they fixed the issue in a very timely manner. Toucan also did an amazing job with the excursions they planned for us each day, as well as the tour guides that were provided to us each day. We had one tour guide that stayed with us the entire trip and he was awesome. He was there every day to make sure we had enough water, provided us with great information about Belize, and he also became a friend to all of us. One thing I loved that Toucan provided was a Belizean phone for everyone. If there was ever an emergency we were able to use that phone to contact Rhondine and her team, our professors, our classmates, and our parents back home. I would recommend Toucan Education Programs to anyone that is studying abroad because without them my experience in Belize would not have been as great as it was.

I had a great time in Belize. The housing accommodations were good until there was no running water on three separate occasions for several hours at a time. As a person with OCD, this did not help. The second housing location was amazing and I would 100% go back to it. Although, I really enjoyed the whole culture and meeting new people. It was the perfect mix of being a tourist but also putting yourself into more than surface level experiences.

I really enjoyed coming to Belize, and enjoying this study abroad with TEP. I got to experience the culture in the food, social aspects, and guest speakers. All of this and the TEP program leaders made this experience amazing, and I will always remember them for it! Thank you!

I really enjoyed my time. The emerging of the cultural was my favorite part. Overall, my experience was a good one. Also, everyone is very nice and welcoming. I loved being able to interact with the different cultures.

This was an excellent experience for our 2019 group. Many thanks for Toucan Education for working with us to make this a great experience. The activities and experiences galvanized our curricula and delivery. Making the experience impactful and meeting core curricula objectives of student's major. It was a Win-Win.

From beginning to the end the experience went well. I especially was impressed with the level of engagement by the administrators. They kept me informed every step of the way. This program exceeded my expectations.

Toucan Education Programs provided us with a very well-rounded experience that allowed for authentic cultural immersion to take place. I am truly pleased with all factors that went into the planning and implementation process, including being very thorough with the pre and post effects of this type of trip. I would recommend TEP to anyone who is looking for authentic cultural immersion and service learning. I look forward to working with them on many more events.

The study abroad program in Belize (Hopkins Village and Belize City) was outstanding. Learning more about the Garifuna culture and their significance in Belize was really interesting and rewarding experience.

Toucan Education Programs (TEP) did a wonderful job providing a well-balanced program of engaging and contributing to the growth and development of students, educators, and the communities we met. Our program gained enhanced cultural self-awareness and curiosity to cultural differences. Their organized responsibility of the participants in the program is phenomenal! The TEP staff is always there to answer your questions. This is a trip I would recommend highly to parents of students who are interested in study abroad.

I found this experience to be a great introduction to the study abroad process. It aided the enhancement of my multicultural competence and ignited a passion for more cultural immersion experiences.

I truly enjoyed my time here in Belize. I’ve learned about my self and the culture. I had lots of fun in Hopkins staying by the water, meeting the families, and staying with my host family. If I could choose I would have spent more time with the host families. I am thankful for the experience and the relationships I have built.

When I came to Belize to study abroad I came in with an open mind and an open heart and I wasn't disappointed. The atmosphere, the environment, and the people were all just incredible. While all of my experience cannot be documented in a single review without it sounding like a jumbled mess; I would like to touch on some highlights of my trip that really stuck with me. 1. We cooked traditional Garifuna food and Kriol food with Garifuna and Kriol women and bonded with them immensely. 2. Whenever we visited the Marketplace in San Ignacio, which is where we were stationed, we would always chat up the locals. 3. Experiencing the Museum in Belize city and get a good introduction and background to the history of Belize 4. Helping paint the classrooms at San Ignacio High and getting to work with and tutor the kids. While these are some of the highlights and not the entire trip I bring these up to talk about common themes between them. While each of these things seems distinct and separate they actually are related by some common ideas; those ideas being community and identity. These are some of the instances that stand out in my mind because of the profound sense of community I felt with these people that I had only just recently met; along with this, these experiences challenged my ideas of what a Belizean truly was. I saw these people not as separate/different from me, what I saw were the similarities we all face. What I saw and what I experienced was something raw, something that has touched me and spoke to me. I have been trying to pin down what this exact thing is and the best answer I could come up with was Hospitality. It's funny because I'm from Alabama where Southern Hospitality is legendary here but this was different. These people, who had never known us a single day in their life opened their homes, their cultures, and their minds to us in a way I did not expect. And that is what I think spoke to me the most about Belize, the willingness to share, the community that you build while you are there, and the friends that you will keep forever.

It was a great experience, but being an agriculture major we are not all about farming and ranching. I would have liked seeing more about schools and family lifestyles. Those incorporate agriculture and ways of living.

Toucan staff provided me with a great deal of wonderful memories and knowledge that I will have forever. Mrs. Rhondine, Mrs. Abby, Mrs. Ellisa, Mr. Ramirez, and Mr. Orlando made it even more special.

I love Belize. I cannot wait to return there sometime in the future. The food is great, and I am still trying to master the art of making my own lime juice. Everyone is super friendly and welcoming. If you are given the opportunity to go, then you should definitely take it.

Belize welcomed my peers and I with open arms , it was amazing embracing the Belizean culture, traditions and most importantly the food. The entire Toucan team and Orlando (driver) was amazing. Will be going back soon.

I think that this program is incredible. Not only do they do a great job of showing the country, but also do a great job of making you feel at home, yet still fully immerse you in the culture. I would easily recommend this program to other students.

The Toucan Education Program (TEP) helped me to connect to organizations in Belize where I could share my own expertise in a reciprocal learning environment. I learned more about the Belizean education and culture from the two organizations that hosted me, than they probably learned from me. The TEP organizers arranged for all meetings, transportation, and events during my stay. They checked in on all of the members of our group on a daily basis . . . always making sure we were enjoying our experience and having our needs met. I made connections that I hope will last for a lifetime, and I'm already planning to go back!

TEP was absolutely excellent!! Everything was well-planned, there was never a time where you questioned where your transportation was or where you were supposed to be next. All of the staff were extremely helpful and always quick to help or respond to any question or concern you had! I would HIGHLY recommend utilizing TEP for your travel abroad experiences!

TEP facilitated an outstanding short term immersion experience for students in my cultural analysis course. Their professionalism and attention to detail are superb and I cannot imagine delivering such high quality experiences without them. TEP earns the highest marks for coordinating high impact learning experiences by providing insights into and analysis of Belizean culture.

TEP changed my life and gave me an outlet to better myself and grow in so many different ways. The memories, friendships, adventures, and endured struggles will stick with me forever. I would not change this journey for anything in the world and I recommend it for anyone who is looking for a great study abroad experience!

The Belize J-term experience was definitely an experience that I can never forget. It was the experience of a lifetime and there is not one moment that I regret. I am grateful that I received this opportunity to be immersed in another culture, make connections, create friendships internationally, and experience so many new adventures. Belize is simply unBELIZEable, and "once you come once, you will always come back!"

This trip was amazing! Everyone should be able to study abroad, I learned so much about the Belizean culture as well as my own! I also feel like I discovered a little more about myself with the challenges and successes throughout the trip. The activities were so fun and we had the opportunity to do so much. Our host Moms’ were great and took very good care of us. The one thing I would say could be better would be program administration communication with us (students) during our time in Belize. For time, costs, etc.

I had such a wonderful experience in Belize last summer. I learned so much about OT and being creative with limited resources, but I also learned so much about the culture of Belize and experienced so many fun opportunities/activities. It was my first experience traveling out of the United States and I don't think I could have chosen a better place to go, and the TEP staff was amazing! I loved my experience so much that I plan to return to Belize in the future, whether it be for service learning or just vacation!

The time I spent in Belize working with Toucan Education Programs (TEP) was a truly immersive experience and one that I would recommend to any motivated student who is looking for a highly individualized yet community oriented opportunity. This program, created by founder/CEO Rhondine Petrof, not only allows for exponential growth in an academic sense but also works to challenge currently held positionalities that contribute to an individual's identity. This intentional reciprocity between student and study creates space for the practice of introspection. Correspondingly the development of self-confidence is later met when planning, conducting and presenting exploratory research. I am forever grateful for the efforts of TEP and to the individuals I have had the privilege to share these memories with. The experience has allowed me a deeper grasp of varying intersectionalities within public health and gender roles, comfortability in realizing that as I continuously face new situations, I will be discovering new facets of who I am, and to above all else trust that I am capable. Also important to mention, the staff of TEP including Rhondine was there for me when I was experiencing health concerns. This comfort and commitment to ensuring I was okay for the remainder of the trip truly helped me feel safe, secure, and relaxed. Their actions helped me overcome small challenges that allowed me to quickly bounce back and enjoy the experience.

I enjoyed study abroad in Belize. I was able to learn lots about the culture while having fun. This cultural immersion is something that will be remembered for the rest of my life! I stayed with a family in their home and become an active member of their household. This allowed me to become emerged in culture like I never had been before. Then I also got the chance to visit sites like the Belize Zoo and downtown Belize City and explore. Combining all of these experiences made for an experience the grew me as a professional and a person.

I cannot say enough great things about my experience with TEP in Belize! Rhodine is amazing! The people of Belize are warm and welcoming. It was well organized, immersive and a great cultural opportunity to make an impact and Belize made a beautiful impact on me!

Although I was not a student, the opportunity to engage with the culture, in social, community and professional arenas was wonderful! During our time in Belize, I always felt safe, well cared for by Rhondine and her staff, and if there was ever any change of plans with the professionals we worked with, they were quick to make accommodations!

Great experience for everyone. TEP provided all the details and arrangements for successful professional and individual learning experiences. Rhondine is great at problem solving and sharing information that makes everyone feel safe and adventurous!

Amazing trip, I would recommend college students to attend this program. I learned much about the culture and how the county's agriculture industry works compared to the industry in the United States.

This was an experience that I wouldn't trade the world for. Being able to be fully immersed in such an amazing culture/environment was something I never thought would be a reality for me. I loved every second of it!

The program, coordinators, and the people really took care of us. From the places visited, to working with farmers, organization of housing, to the places we had the chance to eat. I Would definitely go back.

The privilege of participating in Michigan State University’s & Toucan Education Programs month long global service learning pilot program in Belize was an opportunity that greatly expanded my academic experience as a student and overall my development as an individual. In the truly immersive style, this program provided I would like to share feedback which I hope can provide insight to support and strengthen this already amazing program. What initially excited me about the opportunity was the interview component prior to selection. I could tell this was going to be a highly-individualized chance to study where I would be able to focus in-depth on specific topics I was currently dedicating time to at MSU. The packet that TEP provided was a vital resource that gave guidance throughout the program from pre-departure to post-departure. Personal learning goals – (SMART - strategic, measurable, agreed upon, realistic, time bound) were outlined and submitted at the beginning of the course. The goals including academic, personal, and professional aims and helped me separate and prepare for the multiple experiences I would be going through. I found myself comforted by regularly referencing my intern program outline throughout my month in Belize. For our first day arriving into the country, airport pick up was an easy, smooth process and we quickly transitioned to our next phase of travel. Included in the activities that day I would like to focus on the scavenger hunt. I think the scavenger hunt was one of the most important activities for its placement on the trip. It forced me to acknowledge and accept my feeling of vulnerability while demonstrating that it was okay to begin a situation in this space. I had to speak with people that I feared a cultural barrier with, risk looking “silly”, and having to listen and learn directions in a new way. My two classmates and I learned quickly street signs or street names were not really the basis of explaining directions in San Ignacio or Santa Elena. It set the tone for me that “not knowing” was the entire point of this trip and to fully embrace the beauty of this position. Our living situation included a beautiful home that a family graciously offered to TEP while they were staying at another property. This accommodation was a large benefit of the trip. I am very grateful to TEP and Rhondine for providing such a comfortable living situation. Having laundry capabilities, and a fully functioning kitchen was greatly appreciated and allowed the option to keep costs in this area low. Going out to eat does become expensive as the girls and I found out. TEP also provided cell phones making communication accessible. I was very impressed with the number of activities TEP had for us. From a cultural immersion weekend where we experienced Native cultures and their traditional practices, current political dynamics in the country, to being given independent time to venture out into the community to interact on our own created an emotional reaction upon leaving the country, I felt as if I was leaving what had become a home. Some of my favorite memories of the trip were the numerous times we had sitting down and sharing meals that allowed for conversation and new knowledge to be shared. TEP took advantage of each moment of our experience to ensure knowledge was being gained while equally balancing the allotment of time given for personal use. Program administration again organized thoroughly by TEP’s program outline was clear and when changes were made communication was always available. At any point, if myself or my two classmates were experiencing issue TEP’s coordinators were never far from reach. Upon personally experiencing medical issues my coordinators acted swiftly and calmly to provide help and ensure that I was calm and comfortable. There was never a time during my stay where I felt uncomfortable in a situation or unsafe. Not only did I feel safe and cared for while experiencing issues, TEP made it a point to follow up to ensure a happy conclusion had been achieved. During my month in Belize, the community I lived in and the people I worked with became family. This experience made it possible to feel in a small way part of the community. Concluding our trip with a presentation of our work, TEP asked us to invite our supervisors and anyone else we had developed relationships with during our time. Being able to share with the people I have come to cherish time with was a feeling of accomplishment and a way to give back to those who provided me with deep levels of their own vulnerabilities to help my work. Although minimal I would like to provide a few areas that I believe could benefit future students. Every weekend there was a market that set up full of food stands, clothing, and many other goods. I wish I had utilized this resource more when planning meals. Due to new types of food and inexperience, I ended up buying most of my food from restaurants which became costly. Providing mention of easy dishes that are typically made in Belize would help in creating confidence when trying to plan out meals. The trip’s attention to activities was one of my favorite components however the first day after a long day of travel we ended up regretfully skipping the concert due to exhaustion. My advice would be to allow a rest day for adjustment so the second day does not feel like a recovery day while attempting to gather a mindset for meeting with the locations we would be working with.

It was awesome and extremely educational! Toucan education is great and David is the best tour guide! I am already looking forward to traveling back to this beautiful country. From banana farms to snorkeling, it was a well planned trip!

Toucan Education Programs (TEP) was tremendous. TEP assisted in all aspects of the program. It was wonderful having an organization in-country to develop the itinerary and take care of all logistics. That way, I and my co-instructor could focus on teaching the students, with the educational opportunities that TEP provided. This is the second time we have used TEP, but it won't be the last. I highly recommend TEP if your study abroad destination is BELIZE. Students loved the experience!

I felt like TEP did an amazing job with the whole program. The lecturers were interesting and informative. I always felt safe and our guides were wonderful. The only criticism I can think of is hardly even a criticism but I'm not sure the accommodations needed to be as luxurious as they were. I don't know how it all works but if I could have saved some money by have slightly less fancy places to stay I definitely would have been happy with that.

Our service-learning trip through TEP was amazing and unparalleled to any other professional experience in which I have been a participant. The organization, professional communication, and cultural immersion experiences I have gained through this program are invaluable additions to my future professional practice as an occupational therapist. Thank you, TEP, for hosting us and providing such unique learning experiences!

TEP did an amazing job preparing us for our trip to Belize, as well as throughout the entire time we were there. They provided us with great tours and lectures pertaining to culture and history. The staff at TEP were very welcoming and open to any questions, which lead to a smooth transition of providing services in another country and culture different from the States. This is a great program and I would go through them again for future service learning trips!!

My experience in Belize providing mental health occupational therapy services was invaluable. The program went above my expectations, was well-organized, and well-done. I was very impressed by Toucan Education Programs in their ability to both provide such impactful opportunities and bring in exceptional speakers. Toucan Education Programs went above and beyond to make our trip meaningful and impressionable on us, as students, but hopefully on those we helped as well.

TEP was amazing and there is nothing I could say that you could do better. Seriously no complaints. You all were wonderful. I want to thank you all for all your work, because you really made our time in Belize feel like we were safe and at home and I really appreciate that.

I have no other thoughts than the ones we talked about in the debriefing on the roof. TEP did a wonderful job with organization, speakers, accommodations, and cultural immersion.

The overall experience was very good! My only critique is Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were too long with the guest lecturers. I feel like I did not get enough time to explore San Ignacio because by the time we got done with the lectures, it was already dark. However, this is just a small complaint compared to the great experience we all had.

My time in Belize was invaluable and has shaped who I am as a traveler, as a learner, and as a physical therapist. In terms of professional development, I learned how to prepare and deal with all circumstances of patient care. We had to be creative to deal with the lack of resources and do a good job of self-reflection and coping in order to give the people our best service, despite barriers with resources, culture, and personal factors. I also got the chance to learn more about the OT scope of practice and see how much does and doesn’t overlap with PT. I had a wonderful time getting to know and work with my OT counterparts during this trip. I had the opportunity to practice and learn new skills alongside a practicing clinician in a low-pressure situation that was very conducive to learning. As a traveler, this Belize trip fulfilled my adventurous side with the perfectly planned weekend break halfway through and the different free day options we had to choose from. I would have liked to have more information about those days because although I had decided on Wednesday which activity I wanted to do, that communication was lost somewhere along the line. Other than that, I learned so much about both physical therapy and the beautiful mix of cultures that make up Belize and thoroughly enjoyed my time in the country.

I have nothing but excellent things to say about this program. Going into the trip, I had no idea how much it would change me. That being said, I left Belize as a more educated, empathetic, and effective health care provider. This experience was invaluable on many levels including, but not limited to, cultural immersion and expansive health care experience. I will definitely be highly recommending this program to both the faculty and incoming students.

Rhondine and her team provide a very organized cultural and educational experience for faculty, clinicians and students. Thanks for making our trip a success. From transportation to lodging and from food to excursions, the experience could not have been any better.

Rhondine and her staff go above and beyond to make sure her visitors have a wonderful, safe, and healthy experience! Given the circumstances of a recent hurricane, Rhondine worked diligently for us, communicating with community partners who were difficult to reach and making sure we had necessary sustenance to continue our work in Belize. Thanks TEP!

Rhondine & the TEP team were very helpful, informative, and a pleasure to work with. I appreciated how they took care of any needs we had, especially with transportation. I loved that they shared their love and knowledge of the country and the people with us and allowed us to have an insider view.

My experience went very well, I a really great time and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Each and every activity that we participated in were all fun and memorable. I enjoyed all of the food and places we went too. I really enjoyed snorkeling, horseback riding and touring archeological sites.

The primary recurring thought that comes to my mind when I think about my time in Belize is Life-changing. My team and I arrived in Belize with an open minds and kind intentions. For all of us it was our first time in the country. We were constantly surrounded by friendly people and never felt I was in danger. We were there for agriculture and the staff at TEP took every opportunity to expose us to different farming experiences of all production levels. We spent 30 days in beautiful Belize and the house we stayed in was amazing. The staff at TEP made all the planning and paperwork for this trip a smooth and simple process. This was no average study aboard, we truly got to experience the culture, tourism and daily life of the Belizean people. The level of professionalism and commitment we received from TEP was first-class. I left Belize feeling blessed to have had this experience. It is definitely not if I will return to Belize, it is now of when I will return. Thank you TEP for making this summer one I will never forget!

My study abroad experience was very real. Talking with farmers, realizing how important to life their passion is. Farming should not be taken lightly. The Belize Central Extension office is doing an excellent job helping the farmers and when possible, funding is granted. The University of Belize has an excellent professor who looks after the farming there. He was so inspiring as to his idea of learning. There are so many nice places in Belize between those gorgeous mountains, honey in the rock I'll say. TEP was so helpful doing what they do. Their position here was superb. I felt that our safety was very much considered and important. TEP is well known there.

Overall great experience. I'm sure to come back again with family and friends. Belize is a great country for beginning study abroad travelers and learning does not disappoint with the wealth of culture and diversity.

The Ah, Belize! Such sweet memories! I can't believe so much great stuff happened in just one month!  Besides organizing the perfect setting for daily volunteer work at a public hospital, I had an awesome home-stay where I lived the regular life of work and family routines day by day.  I made friends!    It was made all the more amazing because of the small but highly professional and deeply rooted Belizean team of the TucanEd Program.  Beyond my wildest dreams was I taken care of.  I had so many diverse and rich experiences of mixed local and Central American culture, languages, cuisine, music, both of a casual sort and  facilitated like by speakers with slideshows and hands-on making of Chocolate and drumming.  The entire TEP team is committed to and proud of being highly knowledgeable about everything Belize and to sharing in safe authentic environments. I felt they went out of their way to ensure a varied and detailed activities list of experiences and sights customized to my expressed wishes to volunteer and learn about the local cultures. I left it in their hands and it far exceeded my expectations in exposure and quality.  I don't know the trouble they went through to pull it all off but on my side it was all wrinkle-free.    I highly recommend Ms Rhondine, Ms Maryam, Mr Ted and the rest of Tucan Education Program team for anyone, for any group, at any age.  I know TEP will be my guides when I return for more...I know I will.  Thank You. ~~Becca Titus, RN, USA

Everything was perfect in PG. Emmeth and Jill did an amazing job at teaching drumming and Creole culture. Plus, the food was fantastic. Should have rented a bike in PG and Hopkins for that matter. In Hopkins, the attitudes of the drum instructors were frustrating. Joshua did not take his role seriously, though his passionate speeches say otherwise. I did not get the impression that anyone was prepared for our playing level and need for a challenge. Jesse was very professional and thorough in his teaching. Warren was a decent teacher, but his attitude was poor, which was exemplified by him showing up late, not being prepared, and not allowing more students to solo. I did enjoy his first, second, third class approach, which allowed students to play more or less complicated variations of rhythms depending on their ability. Still, when taking this to performance, we were not as prepared as we were with Emmeth. It would have been interesting to see how we would have played after more consistent sessions with Warren, though my gut tells me Jesse would have been much more reliable with a much better attitude. There were details we needed to work out such as being able to play variations without Warren conducting and calling out commands (did not bode for a well executed recording). Regardless of all this, we still learned a lot because we were allowed to keep the drums during our stay, play on the beach, and experience a wide variety of instructors and teaching styles. Not only were we able to get a great feel for different variations of traditional rhythms, but we were also immersed in the local music scene rivalries and lack of structure. Not every community and culture is built to teach, but we learn regardless. My impression of Hopkins and Dangriga was that the music market is overly saturated with musicians making the competition extremely high. This hinders collaboration and structure as everyone is afraid to work together and lose money. Joshua is right that the Garifuna music needs to be packaged in a way that is digestible to more people so the culture can be passed down. It is a shame he cannot step up to the plate. In America, we are used to highly funded institutions with overly structured programs teaching music. We are handed sheet music and told exactly what to play. This is not what we expect from every culture, in fact it should possibly be considered regressive in teaching music/creativity. Emmeth seems to have a great balance of structure and creativity. From our experience, this is rare and not to be expected in every city or village in Belize or any country. Essentially I am saying that looking back, I am amazed the PG portion of the trip did not go more like Hopkins. Emmeth's school blew our expectations out of the water. I know that's what TEP would like to do in all aspects. If TEP would like to continue music education, some extra work should be done organizing the Garifuna. Possibly, TEP should do the coordination in-house and hire drum instructors rather than put someone outside of the organization in charge. Emmeth seemed to take his programming very seriously and made sure there was always something to do or to be learned. I'm not sure what everyone's motivation was in Hopkins. Money, I suppose, but even if that's the case they need to improve. To end on a positive note, this goes in the top 5 experiences of my life and I think it has shaped me very differently. I'd love to experience more months like the past one, and I will be back to Belize. I felt very immersed in the culture and feel differently about tour groups. I miss the warmth, being able to pick up a mango off the ground, and the pleasant faces around town. And I wish I could drum without worrying about bothering neighbors again.

This trip to Belize changed my life. I fell in love with the landscape, the experiences, and the people of Belize in the four weeks we were there. TEP did a wonderful job setting up opportunities for us to be with three different schools while in Belize, and dealt with the issues that occurred at Calico Jacks with grace and professionalism. The professional development with HelpAge Belize - and attending the Holy Cross School in Hopkins - were two things we were not prepared for, but I enjoyed them. I would say to plan for one day off for the students, either the last day or a day right in the middle, but I realize circumstances beyond TEP's control occurred that may have otherwise provided an "off" day for the students during that time. Finally, I want to say that I appreciated each person I met from TEP. John Tesecum was a great guide, always talking and trying to keep us safe and happy (and hydrated) while adjusting to Belize; yet after he left, Ernesto came to join our group. Ernesto was incredible as well: he never complained, always was willing to chat, and took so much of the brunt from others for issues between people. Also, Rhondine continuously checked up on us and sincerely wanted to know how our trip was going. That made a world of difference to me! Love this program and would work for it again in a heartbeat :)

The experience was definitely one to remember. I gained more cultural knowledge and skills that will help me in my future career. There's not too much that I would change from the trip. Everything was relatively organized and I felt that we were well taken care of.

Martha's was great, including breakfast buffet! It would have been much better at other food places to have at least a few options to choose from rather than being told what we would be eating. Housing at Hopkins was not as good and the food was not great either. Our AC was supposed to turn on and off automatically and it did not. We also did not have any wifi, so we had no access to communication to our families at home. We actually ran out of food the first night when the other Uindy group was still there. However, I enjoyed the trip overall and most of the negatives were out of your control. I really enjoyed Maryam and am very glad that a member of your team was with us most of the time we were there. I really appreciate everything you and your team did for us!

My trip to Belize was amazing and I would recommend it to everyone I know. It was great to be able to do tourist activities but then also be able to immerse yourself with the people that are actually from the communities around there.

Belize was a great place to teach others about health education. We were always accompanied by our TEP guide who frequently got involved in the class too. The guides were very helpful and provided a safe place for us to teach others, as well had fun with students to get them involved in our lectures. Overall my experience with TEP in Belize has given me a strong desire to return, as well as a strong desire to study abroad in the future.

Overall I had a great experience in Belize and it was a great mixture of adventure and learning. I would definitely recommend this trip to others. If I had to change one thing it would be that we got more time in Hopkins village. There was still plenty of places to promote health and the vacation aspect was much better.

Our trip to Belize was an amazing trip, a trip that none of us wanted it to end. Everyone was really friendly and nice towards all of us. There was always something for us to do, whether the day or night. We learned so much about the country of Belize and the prison of Belize. This trip also brought everyone closer to each other.

Where do I begin?! This experience was incredible, to say the least. I cannot thank the staff of Toucan Education Programs enough for all that they have done in planning this amazing experience and program for my classmates and me. As for Mr. Ernesto, he made the trip exponentially better than I would have ever imagined! Without his extensive knowledge of the country, its history, and the answers to any question that was thrown at him, my classmates and I would not have learned as much as what we did while visiting Belize. Not to mention all of the times that he went out of his way to make sure we experienced something or learned about something he thought we should know about. He is truly the definition of going above and beyond his position's title and job description! What an unforgettable and once in a lifetime experience! Thank you!

I absolutely fell in LOVE with Belize! TEP created a program for us that allowed us to experience as many sides of Belize that can fit into 10 days. Great great great experience! We were able to see life in a village, city, and an island. I felt safe, and was always occupied with things to do.

I loved the program! Everything about the trip was great! I enjoyed walking around and seeing all the different cultures and going through the different activities we went through. I loved trying the Belize food and seeing all the native animals.

I really enjoyed this trip. It was really well organized and the trip your guide, Ernesto, made the trip fun and informative. I really enjoyed being able to travel to multiple places and seeing a lot of different culture and different people.

I cannot thank Ms. Rhondine enough for all her hard work in making sure our trip went seamlessly. I believe that the work she does is really customer focused and she is making sure that everyone that visits Belize leaves with memories and stories to share. While I am used to a little more hands-off approach, I am happy to know that there is someone there looking out for us. Every single speaker we had was amazing and knowledgeable. I can't wait work with TEP again.

I had a fabulous time in Belize. I learned a lot about the culture of Belize and the Mayan culture. I thought that the immersion process was great and we experienced a wide variety of activities. I do think however there was time for more activities. I would have loved to see a little more of Belize. I thought the speakers could be moved to when it got dark so we could continue to use the day light to do more activities.

I was very pleased with this program. At first I was unsatisfied with the quality of the living situation and other accommodations (such as wifi), however, I think that the "rougher" conditions added to my learning experience, making me more appreciative of what I have, as well as making me more aware and empathetic of how people in a developing country such as Belize.

Before going to Belize, I think I had an image in my head of this country being so lavish and rich. Perhaps, I didn't do my research very well. I did not realize that it was a developing country. It was definitely hard for me to adjust to the humid weather, the bugs, and the limited access to the things that were just at my fingertips at home. However, I realized that the people of Belize had a very different outlook on life than I may have. What we may see as poor may not be poor to them. For instance Maya and Mennonites who are living very basic lifestyles. They are satisfied with their lives and they don't need materialistic things to enhance it and because of that, I feel as if they may have a better quality of life than I do. I truly envy that. I met some of the most welcoming and understanding people there than I have ever met over here. Maryam was amazing. She made me feel very welcomed and she understood a lot of what I felt to be away from home because she went through a similar situation. Ms. Rhodine was such a sweet soul. I could tell she really took pride in her country and it's history. I appreciate all of the time and effort they put into our trip, it truly meant a lot. I would definitely like to come back to do research in the medical field. Also, our drivers were very funny and welcoming. Orlando and Phillip were super nice to us and we definitely loved the crazy driving! The tour guides were very educated and I saw that the cave and structures there really meant a lot to them. I learned a lot from them and it was absolutely amazing over there. Thank you guys so much for such an amazing experience!

I had the most amazing time in Belize! I did things I did not expect to, it was amazing to see the archaeological sites and learn so much about the country itself. The speakers we had were phenomenal and really knowledgeable about the subjects they were presenting on. It was both fun and educational, I would definitely recommend and do it again.

It was a lot of fun, and I loved my experience in Belize. One thing I was disappointed about was all of the extra free time at Clarissa Falls in the evening, we found ourselves just sitting around when we felt the time could have been used doing something more productive. Other than that, everything went really well and the trip was great

My overall experience was amazing. I was filled with such awe at what were were being shown and given the opportunity to explore. I wouldn't have traded anything for the memories that I now have. The only thing I can give feedback on would be that the scheduling sometimes was not well talked about at times. There was a lot of back and forth between old and new schedules.

This was a well organized program with TEP (Ms. Rhondine) taking extra care to make sure things are going smoothly. The trips to Mayan monuments and the lectures arranged were very informative. The stay in Hopkins was the highlight of our stay. The food and living conditions immersed the students in Belizean culture.

Traveling to Belize, Central America with 12 other students and faculty members and creating the best memories of our freshman year in college... Can you BELIZE it!? I've met new people and gain an amazing lifetime experience that I will never forget. My adventure to Belize opened up many opportunities for me to expand my horizons and travel around the world. Furthermore, this incredible trip included rock climbing on Mayan civilizations, cave climbing/swimming, and even some free time on the beach! I had a great time and I definitely look forward to traveling around the world and learning more what the world has to offer to me!

Everything about the program was absolutely amazing. The cultural immersion was incredible, we experienced how the people of Belize live and were granted the opportunity to be part of their communities. We were not treated as foreigners but as family. Belize is a culturally diverse community consisting of individuals readily willing to embrace anything new coming their way. Culture shock was minuscule thanks to the great people working with TEP, we were provided essential commodities while maintaining the authenticity of what it is to reside in Belize. The lectures provided were extremely informative, yet interesting and always had a wonderful meaning behind them. Not only where the professors highly professional and masters in their craft, they were also humble and willing to answer every question one may have had. The locations program directors chose for the students to visit where surreal and majestic. Ancient Maya ruins, boat rides surrounded by wildlife, cave exploring and the opportunity to visit inspirational programs such as the women's group. The experience was ended with two relaxing days at Hopkins beach with the opportunity to go snorkeling and eat at local restaurants while having local musical talents play. By far the most amazing week of my life surrounded by genuine people and I will definitely return.

My time in Belize was an amazing experience full of learning, cultural immersion, excursions, and amazing food. The guest lectures brought insight into the history, culture, politics, economics and development of Belize. In my opinion, the trip was the most well planned study abroad trip I have ever been on. I felt truly taken care of, as if everything was planned perfectly and fully. The program could not have been any more perfect!

Everything that was planned went well overall. However, I was very disappointed by the use of our time. We were only in Belize for a week and I was expecting to visit more of the country and do more than we did. A lot of our time was spent sitting in our hotel or cabins rather than out and exploring and experiencing the country. There were many more things that we could have experienced, but the time was poorly used.

Study abroad in Belize was a cultural experience of a lifetime. The nine day cultural immersion involved participation in cultural presentations, tours, traditional meals, and community services in local and educational agencies. The course requirements also required maintaining a journal in order to reflect about your experiences in Belize.

The TEP trip was great, faculty were incredibly helpful and easily accessible. They took great care of us and were always working to keep us on schedule and accommodate our needs. There were minimal issues with our housing, travel, and food.

I came to Belize with my graduate program and the coordination TEP did for my team was absolutely amazing. I felt like I got to experience and learn so much during my short week stay. I stayed in beautiful establishments and was given exposure to the unique cultures to Belize. I accredit all the good memories I had in Belize to TEP.

I had a fabulous time on our Belizean study abroad trip due to the highly organized program through Toucan Educational abroad program. Rhondine and Maryam were awesome chaperones and very attentive to all our needs, not to mention just lovely women to spend time with. Our accommodations were quite comfortable and located in beautiful settings, along with delicious food at the Black Orchid resort. Our travel via bus or airline was highly efficient and on time. I was very impressed with how the program was managed.

Amazing experience all around. I had a great time. I will never forget my time in Belize. I will definitely come back. I would recommend this program to others. TEP staff and the people of Belize have been so kind to me.

The program was thorough, well-planned and included numerous cultural immersion activities. TEP program administration was thorough! Transportation was timely, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. They anticipated participants' need and ensure safety at all times. The cultural presentation by Myrna Manzaneres was awesome and contained a wealth of knowledge. She inspired and engaged the participants.

My experience was eye-opening, humbling, and fun. I would go again. I wish that the service agencies were more prepared for our help. Perhaps, a to-do list could be submitted prior to our arrival to ensure we make the most of our time and help them too.

I had an incredible experience. I believe TEP did an excellence job pairing individuals based on their program desires and attempted to give students a great cultural immersion. I had great service experiences and was able to see and experience first hand the way services are provided in Belize. I believe the host family experience was yet another great aspect of the trip. I think studying abroad should be a part of every helping professional program, it will definitely add value to your ability to provide culturally responsive service.

This study abroad experience was an amazing opportunity to learn a lot about Belize and its people. We travelled around the country, visiting farms, investment companies, eco-lodges, nature reserves, and very versatile communities. TEP gave us the chance to really get to know the different parts of the country and I am really grateful for that. Rhondine was very approachable already months before the actual trip to Belize and she did a great job at informing us really well before our departure. Everyone in Belize was extremely polite and nice and we've had numerous interesting talks with people in the villages we visited, our tour guides, people in restaurants, and of course Rhondine, John, and the other people at TEP who were very accessible and always ready to help us out or give us advice. I learned so much about a country that I would otherwise never have visited as a student and I am definitely coming back in the future. I enjoyed every single minute of it.

TEP is an amazing program. Rhondine genuinely cares about each person's experience during the program and it shows. We had many opportunities that we would have otherwise been deprived of if we had tried to organize this trip ourselves. This experience will stay with me for a lifetime.

I loved traveling to Belize - without this program I wouldn't have learned the amount I did. We had a travel guide with us the entire time, his name was John - having him on the trip was so nice, he explained everything to us, stuff we didn't understand and other things we were too nervous to bring up. It was nice to have him around! Super happy my school decided to go through TEP!

Overall I think my J-term abroad in Belize was amazing. I learned a lot about the people and the culture, and had a lot of fun along the way. I only wish that during our specific program we could have engaged a bit more with the other cultures of Belize, the Creole and Mennonites more specifically, as well as spending some more time with the Garifuna. Overall though, the entire experience was a lot of fun, and very educational.

My experience in Belize was educational, adventerous, and more then anything fun. I hope to return in the near future to the villages we visited along with San Ignacio, the city, and many other places. The food was delicious, the people were beyond inviting, polite, and nice, and every day I was in Belize I fell in love with this small country more.

I am very appreciative of the opportunity that was afforded to me. I learned a tremendous amount about various populations in Belize. I learned about my deficits as a healthcare provider in the context of cultural competency - as it was a conscious effort for me to take in the various situations, however, the experience allowed me to grow and be more aware of my need to further enhance my knowledge base.

Excellent learning and working experience. Felt that we did experience different areas, adventures and cultures or Belize. The accommodations were nice and comfortable in both locations. Transportation and food were good as well.

I had a really great experience traveling through the TEP to work in Belize. Rhondine was extremely knowledgeable and helpful in everyway possible. This program was great because you were able to work directly with people in Belize that need assistance with great seasoned clinicians for guidance.

This program was very well administered. It provided enjoyable, safe cultural experiences and matched our program with partners that were in need of services. I enjoyed meeting people from villages to Belize City and be able to share my talents with them.

This was a great experience. The only things I wish I could have changed is that the in services were spread out a bit more and that I could have stayed longer. This was an amazing program and I am so glad that I could be a part of it!

I had an amazing experience with TEP in Belize providing physical and occupational therapy services as a student along with experienced professionals in a culture very different from my own. I believe the trip will have a great impact on my growth as a clinician and has shaped in part my commitment to international practice and service. It is most definitely a trip I hope to go on again as a chaperone after I earn my degree. I have to thank Candy and Rhondine for providing such a rich cultural experience through the carefully planned locations and excursions that we participated in as well as the organizations that we partnered with and were able to learn so much from. I felt safe and well taken care of the entire trip, and I am heading into the next semester of my schooling knowing that I am better prepared, more confident, and more passionate about my field than ever before. Highly recommend.

This trip was excellent all around-from the time we flew in to all of our transportation to different sites/towns. to the time we headed home. Rhondine was knowledgeable, approachable, and easy to contact before, during, and after the trip. Everything was pretty well-organized and all staff that we interacted with were professional and pleasant. I am so thankful to have had this opportunity and to have met all of the wonderful people that I've met.

The UIndy service learning trip with Toucan Education Programs was excellent. Rhondine was very organized and professional. She made sure everything was taken care of ahead of time including housing, meals, transportation and educational seminars. She put in a lot of time and effort to make our experience both educational and fun.

Great program! The staff for TEP is amazing and did everything to make sure the trip ran smoothly. Highly recommend for an international experience! No complaints and I would go through this company again in the future.

This program was a fantastic learning experience for me. I would highly recommend it. All of the activities were wonderful, and the staff were always helpful and kind. I think this was a once in a lifetime experience

This was my second experience in Belize with Toucan Education Program. The experience offers a true cultural immersion with a fostering, safe, and fun environment that allows personal exploration as well.

This was a transformative experience. The participants traveled to three parts of the country and were able to immerse with the different cultural groups. They participated in community service learning, host family stay, and met with local experts in various field.

This trip overall was one of a lifetime that I will always remember. The food and places we stayed were very nice and safe and all the while still felt very authentically Belizian. It was close enough to the town to feel a part of it but far enough away to still feel safe. The hosts were always very welcoming and gave us a lot of useful information like the preparation guides and presentations on the culture. I found the culture there very fascinating and the locals were very friendly. I definitely want to see more cultures and how other people live. The presentations could have gone a little smoother and I felt we could have prepared a lot more information and relevant activities with the time we had. I felt there was a lot more help needed with the kids than we could give them. Overall though it was nice to interact with the community. I had a great time and cant wait to go back.

This trip was absolutely a once in a lifetime opportunity. Being thrown into a world outside of our "United States" bubble gives one the opportunity to see the world through a different lens. If given the chance to return back to Belize and continue any promotion of health care or any other topics, I would not hesitate to return.

Overall, my spring term went successfully. I enjoyed emerging myself into the Belizean culture, people, and weather. I enjoyed the teaching experience though I would be more interested in presenting something exercise related.

This program was very beneficial and professional. Rhondine is very friendly and easy to work with. Our whole trip was scheduled out precisely. We always had transportation to the places wr needed to be. We were also set up with very nice lodging.

Very good program. Staff was nice and really made everyone feel comfirtable even when we were so far from home. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The people with Tucab really made this trip the best for me!

Overall, the whole experience was great. Being emerged in the culture was something that you can't get in the USA. There was a small language barrier but there were enough students in our group that we could communicate with them along with the help of some of the natives. However, it was a great learning experience.

The attention to detail and personal service provide by Toucan Education Services was above and beyond what was expected. I had previously traveled to Belize on my own. While I was able to learn much about the culture during that visit, it was minuscule compared to what Rohndine and John were able to share. Thanks to their support and caring, I was able to experience what the real Belize is all about- kindness and generosity toward your fellow people. I have walked away from this program with a renewed consciousness of the world in which we live.

Having never been out of the country before, I felt totally safe with TEP. Ms. Rhondine and John were very helpful and organized. I would recommend this company to any student looking for study abroad experience!

This was a wonderful experience. Students got a lot out of the academic and cultural experiences. And the TEP staff were exceptional. I felt this experience will benefit me in my job at the University of Florida and in my own personal "world view."

Belize was my first Study Abroad program and it left high standards for any other program I might do. Not only was I immersed in rich culture and history, I was surrounded by passionate individuals. A+

Our volunteer experience with TEP was excellent. What stood out the most was the breadth of experiences we had - we would never have been able to organise many of these encounters ourselves. Collaborating with someone local allowed us to meet and speak with a huge range of people that would have otherwise been difficult to contact. Likewise, the social and cultural activities were excellent and not necessarily something I would have thought to organise myself. I appreciated the contrast provided by working in both a public and private setting.

Still very good :) Academics: While the economic lecture was interesting and personal. I don't feel like I have big picture understanding of Belize's economic situation.

The trip I took to Belize was absolutely amazing. All of us were treated with respect by the people we worked with and the resorts we stayed at. Not only did we as students get amazing opportunities to learn and work because of this program but we also got to go on amazing excursions (zip lining through the jungle, hiking through Mayan ruins, snorkeling, kayaking, etc.). I can honestly say this trip was life changing and its because of what Rhondine set up for us. Academics: I learned so much through the places we got to work! Living Situation: All the places were great! Log Cabin and Hopkins were the best!

I felt like this experience put me in the heart of Belize and helped me to learn about Belizean life instead of only being on the outside as a tourist. I got the opportunity to practice physical therapy, see the beauty of the country, open my mind and heart to the people of Belize, and educate and empower people about their physical health. Academics: Although sometimes it felt like long days with the heat, I appreciated the extra presentations at San Ignacio. I felt like they helped give more perspective to our trip. I especially liked the presentation on poverty, it really changed how I was thinking about it. The opportunities to get so much hands on experience with home visits, pediatrics, and with the elderly was eye opening and very helpful to my learning and understanding. Living Situation: The people at Log Cabin were my favorite! They were so hospitable and welcoming. The people at Hopkins and Black Orchid were excellent too. I appreciate that so many meals were included in our housing arrangements. Everywhere we stayed was very clean and I felt like we were taken good care of. Cultural Immersion: I feel like I learned a lot about Belizean culture from the presentations to learn details to the tour guides in the van and on some of the expeditions to seeing what a typical day was like in a home. I was so grateful that we were not staying at the Cayes with all the tourists. I really liked Hopkins because we were right next to the locals. It was helpful to see so many cities and to lodge in both rural and more urban areas. I felt like we received a good taste of life in Belize. Program Administration: Rhondine was amazing! Very helpful and kind and easy to talk with. I am very appreciative of how she organized this program. I am very glad I went on this trip. Social Life: There was good opportunity to hang out in the evenings to get to know others on the trip and talk with staff too. I was very excited how much I got to know the OT students and staff. It was wonderful to get PT and OT learning and socializing together.

The ability to help those in need really made the trip was really memorable. I was happy about the particular program chosen by staff and very pleased to have choices regarding my leisure time. The accommodations were nice, but the Hopkins beach house was amazing. All were a short distance from where we "worked", which was so convenient.

I would highly recommend this program to future students because it was a great experience that I would do again in a heart beat. Academics: The speakers were both very informational and good. Living Situation: Being at different hotels at Coconut Row made it a little harder. Small room for 3 people at certain places. Cultural Immersion: Great experience of the culture, and very unique experience in each place. Program Administration: Very professional and helpful whenever the group needed something. Social Life: Had time on the weekends and most nights after working all day to relax and socialize with the group.

This was a terrific program in regards to service learning for alumni, staff, and students. It was an appropriate blend of education and leisure that will always be near to my heart.

In general, TEP is a well-run, top-notch agency for providing a combination of educational, service and cultural immersion experiences.

Toucan Education Programs made my study abroad experience in Belize extremely easy and stress free. They did an excellent job in providing us with wonderful meals, accommodations, and transportation.

The Toucan Education Program is a wonderful program that integrates you into the culture of Belize and gives you a well rounded experience. Directed by locals, the program takes you into the very heart of Belize and gives you an inside look at the people, culture, and natural environment that is Belize. Academics: The program guides were really knowledgeable about the country and I learned a great deal from them about the cultures and customs in Belize. Living Situation: We stayed in very beautiful places with great service. There were only a couple of things that were subpar. Cultural Immersion: We were immersed well enough that we were able to experience the culture yet at a comfortable distance. We stayed a little apart from the communities but we went into the homes of the people in Belize and worked with them in their own environments. I thought this was a good set up so we really got to learn about the people and how they live. Program Administration: The program was well organized and all of our needs were taken care of. Social Life: There were great opportunities to hang out with other peers and to go exploring the area and country with others.

Everything about this program is very well organized. Every where we went I was able to learn a great deal.

The TEP international learning experience was worthwhile, and very well organized. This was my first international trip, and I felt that I got so much out of the program simply because of the cooperation between the organizations and facilities we as students worked with, and because of the efforts of all the people who were a part of the TEP group. I learned a lot about the people of Belize, and felt that my time and effort was truly appreciated by everyone that I encountered. I will never forget this trip, and the impact it has had on me personally and professionally! Academics: Program was very educational and interactive, and provided for a worthwhile experience. Might have been helpful to get some more supplementary information about the country's social system, government and healthcare prior to our trip. Living Situation: Overall the resorts and places we stayed were very nice, and truly accommodating. It would have been nice to have some more stores or places to purchase basic amenities close by during the whole stay, not just a short portion of the stay. However, we were provided with very delicious, substantial meals for breakfast, dinner and occasionally lunch at each of the resorts and that was nice. Cultural Immersion: Again, I think that more could have been presented prior to the trip about the country and its people, but overall the culture was discussed regularly during the trip. Program Administration: The program administrator went above and beyond for our group, and made our international learning experience very special!

My Belize experience was incredible as it involved the perfect balance of work, learning, cultural experiences, and leisure! I give this program my highest recommendation. Academics: Tremendous learning experience. I learned a lot about working with older adults with different forms of dementia. Learning about Belize was great as well! Living Situation: I felt very fortunate with all of the accommodations! Cultural Immersion: We were constantly being immersed in the culture of Belize and had the opportunity to see a variety of locations and cultures. Program Administration: Rhondine was phenomenal in her leadership and preparations. Social Life: It was a great trip for bonding!

My experience as an alumni/supervisor on our study abroad to Belize was amazing. The learning opportunities set up by Toucan were culturally enlightening, academically stimulating for students and supervisors and life changing! While flexibility is expected on any learning experience, details pertaining to living arrangements, meals and professional connections were attended to in detail. Our experience here was transformative! I highly recommend it! Academics: Our team included faculty, alumni and students. Being an alum and student supervisor, I saw and experienced incredible opportunities for learning the professional and life experiences throughout our time serving! Living Situation: We were there for 2 weeks and had opportunity for 3 different room accommodations. Each one was family owned, clean and safe, with the owners and staff showing a personal interest in our group and being wonderfully accommodating! And the food was wonderful! A great variety of authentic dishes! Cultural Immersion: My particular service/profession was direct intervention with the people of Belize, their children and in-country professionals...I cannot imagine a better experience! Also, our drivers, resort staff and education program leader were great at openly sharing about the culture as situations occurred. Program Administration: Our program was wonderfully coordinated to meet our team's expertise, learning goals and recreation requests. Rhondine was gracious, actively involved in the trip and attentive to our every question/need. Social Life: Loved our opportunities to experience the beauty of the country and time to decompress after a time of serving.

My trip to Belize to practice Physical Therapy was amazing!! As a first year student, I was able to see my mentors work with a variety of patients, ranging from a few months to 100 years old. The variety of settings TEP provided us to work in was invaluable. We were able to go on home visits, work in a skilled nursing facility, and practice in an outpatient setting for pediatric patients. A huge amount of knowledge has come from this trip. Not only did we have the chance to see diagnosis outside of a textbook, but we were able to gain something I truly believe is rare - something that only a service trip abroad could provide students. By working with the people of Belize, we gained a new perspective and appreciation for our profession and the people we help. We may have taught somethings to the Belizean people, but they taught us so much more than we could have ever imagined! This trip is one in a lifetime! Academics: The experience we gained was invaluable!! It was great to have a variety of settings (home visits, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient for pediatrics) as well as a range of ages. Living Situation: Overall, pretty great! Log Cab-Inn was my favorite!! Cultural Immersion: I really liked that we got to travel to at least 3 different areas of Belize and were able to see where the people of Belize live, rather than just the tourist sites. Program Administration: Ms. Rhondine is amazing!!!

Rhondine Petrof is the glue that delicately and strategically holds the University of Indianapolis graduate OT and PT programs together with the Inspiration Center, NaRCIE, and HelpAge Belize. Mrs. Petrof manages all pre-and post-experience communication with our partnering agencies, as well as first-rate accommodations, meals, and transportation in-country. We could not provide this valuable experience to our students without her expert guidance and support. Living Situation: Everything was first-rate! Only a couple of suggestions: 1. more food at Coconut Row if you're going to include all meals--we could easily do lunches on our own. Excellent, friendly, accommodating service, however! 2. If you can't flush toilet paper down the toilet, (as was the case at Black Orchid) make sure that trash can is emptied at least once daily--also put a sign up noting not to flush it down the toilet; also change towels daily unless they put up a sign that says they are eco-friendly (my preference). Cultural Immersion: We worked with as many folks from as many different cultural backgrounds in as many locations, life stages and circumstances as possible! (It was awesome!) Program Administration: Rhondine Petrof is the best program administrator I could have asked for. She accurately anticipates and accommodates for each student and/or alum, faculty member, and the entire group's needs and desires expertly and efficiently, and works diligently to ensure program success with our various and diverse partnering agencies. Social Life: The students and alums were all so friendly and inclusive, and the people we met, worked and stayed with bent over backwards to welcome and accommodate us--just wish we could have seen some drumming and Punta dancers!

Very well organized and coordinated Living Situation: Black Orchid was not ready to have a large group for meals. Social Life: Lots of availability. Would have been better if Saturday had been available for activities.

TEP and Rhondine were very trustworthy and meticulous in planning and orchestrating our trip. I would definitely partner with them again. Living Situation: All the staff at our accommodations were wonderful and very concerned for our welfare. We were very comfortable. Cultural Immersion: We spent a considerable amount of time in direct patient care and consultation with Belizeans. Program Administration: Rhondine is excellent and took care of any issues immediately. Social Life: The excursions were excellent. My comment relates more to University Policy than TEP - I think there should be fewer opportunities for consuming alcohol.

This was an incredible program allowing opportunities to experience the culture, the history, and people of Belize. Academics: the opportunities to learn are incredible and unparelleled Living Situation: For the purpose, the living situations were appropriate Cultural Immersion: The resorts/hotels were nicely situated to give immersion opportunities. Program Administration: Rhondine was great. She was easy to contact and very informative Social Life: Great opportunities

The Toucan Education Program was amazing! My professor had already been there twice with two other student groups and you can tell that he loved it so much he came back with more students for a third trip. The program provided us with insight on the economy, culture, and the people. There was something exciting planned for each day from exploring Maya ruins to visiting the Embassy, snorkeling in the coral reef and visiting the Smithsonian, to experiencing the local markets and night life. I loved it! The weather was a bit chilly when I was there but is normally warm and perfect. We took a trip to South Water Caye which is this beautiful island off the coast of Belize. It felt like paradise! The food was provided for us both on and off the island and we event got to make out own tamales with a women's group on one of the trips. The girls lived in a small building with four or five bedrooms and shared bathrooms and then on the island we slept in one large cabin with multiple bunk beds. We were also able to meet other student groups who were in the midst of their program with TEP. Overall, the trip was unbelievably unforgettable and I wouldn't mind going back!

My program was extremely engaging and organized. Rhondine did a fabulous job with checking up on us and making sure we were all taken care of! Fabulous, job and I would recommend using TEP: Toucan Education Programs, Ltd to anyone who asked, especially for other faculty-led groups that want to travel to Belize.

This program was incredible. Rhondine did such an amazing job of organizing our partnerships and providing us the chance to work in the community. This experience really changed our whole group and moved us in an unforgettable way. Rhondine was in constant communication with us and was always working on behalf of our group to organize everything our partners needed and we needed. She was very professional, yet so personable and great to spend time with and get to know. Accommodations were outstanding. Cultural excursions were well planned and meaningful. I would recommend TEP to anyone and everyone. Living Situation: A+ for Cab- Inn LOVED Cab-Inn in San Ignacio, I felt safe, beautiful property, great arrangements, staff so friendly and helpful. Clean, cute rooms. B -for Coconut Row - Beautiful, large rooms with kitchens, loved that! Beautiful beach, great management and home cooked meals, very friendly, so accommodating. Negatives: lots of cobwebs in room, cockroach, my suite mate and I would get sick when we'd turn the air conditioner on, we think there was some type of mold - we'd sneeze, cough, get congested, head aches, sore throats, etc, at night under air conditioner, but be better once leaving. Plus our group was split up and we had to stay in a different location - this was tough. Cultural Immersion: Lectures, excursions, dance and song, all experiences were awesome! Program Administration: Rhondine is fabulous! She is such a wonderful and amazing person. Very open, welcoming, accommodating, works and gives 200% of herself, wonderful to spend time with, organized, amazing amazing. Social Life: Everyone very friendly and open

While Belize is a crime-ish country, I didn't feel like I was threatened by anyone at any one point. There were points that got awkward - like public transportation, but any situation like that is awkward - but overall it was a great trip. I would highly recommend it. Just know that you are expected to try new things. Yes, you probably aren't going to like all of the food or all of the culture there. It's another country so try new things. Academics: It was a great program, but some of the items were not clear, especially the scheduling on when we were to arrive at the prison or not or what activity was next since we did not have an actual sheet in front of us Living Situation: Both places were very nice and I would recommend them to anyone else traveling in Belize Cultural Immersion: While we did get into some culture, like the women's group, it was still not the best when it came to the towns we were in. We didn't get to really feel what the life was like in Belize Program Administration: Rhondine and Mario were fantastic! Social Life: I liked hanging out with my class mates. I would have liked to have hung out with some of the natives, but the events we went to were good enough

This was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. I'm going into Criminal Justice and International Relations, so conducting oral history interviews at the prison of a foreign nation was the best thing for me that could possibly have happened. Thank you so much for this opportunity! I loved my time spent here, and seeing the sights, too, was so unique and wonderful!

Toucan Education Program of Belize has earned an A+ with the educational program it developed and delivered for the students of Michigan State University during the May 2014 trip. Ms. Petrof is personable and professional. She uses the beautiful people and features of Belize as the classroom for an enriching and life changing experience. The people TEP collaborates with, from the drivers and guides to the lectures and lay people, are handpicked and are each significant to the learning experience. An exchange program developed by TEP will give each participant the opportunity to learn and grow and perhaps even cause one to leave a little piece of their heart in Belize! Living Situation: The accommodations were just perfect. I enjoyed being just outside downtown San Ignacio and the evenings were so beautiful with a chorus of insect song. The pool and restaurant were great and the staff were so friendly and accommodating. Cultural Immersion: I felt like I learned so much about Belize in just the 10 days I was there. The two formal lectures were so informative. A good balance to all of the wonderful people of Belize that I engaged with during my time there. I left a little piece of my heart in Belize! Program Administration: Rhondine Petrof of Toucan Education Programs (TEP) is one of the most professional and personable people I'm had the opportunity to work with, ever! She creates a life changing experience using the beautiful people and features of Belize as her classroom and then gives each person the opportunity to learn and grow.

I had a phenomenal time on my study abroad trip in, Belize. This Study abroad trip was so amazing because of the administration and TEP. The professionalism and kind spirits shown to us by TEP provided for a bright and sunny experience. Ms. Rhondine Petrof was extremely competent, professional, dilligent, patient and trustworthy and I commend her for that. Living Situation: All of the rooms did not have wifi. Mine did not and if it had, it would have been great. It was still a wonderful experience.

I loved being emersed into a different culture and that fact that I had friends along with me helped me ease into it. By the end of our program I did not want to go home because I felt like Belize was my home. Program Administration: Miss Rhondine was great! She wanted us all to succeed and helped us with that!

Spending ten days in Belize was amazing. The country is beautiful and rich in culture and history. I was able to learn so much more in those ten days that I had in probably my entire last semester of school. The program guides we able to answer the silliest of questions and help everyone. They developed a first name basis relationship with everyone and made you feel truly at home. I would do this again in a heart beat! Academics: I learned so much on this trip, even outside of the three days in the prison. Mr. Mario was an amazing help because he was always there to answer our silly or seemingly random questions. Living Situation: Both places were wonderful! I enjoyed the experiences of staying at both. Cultural Immersion: One downside to staying at resorts is that they are inhabited by other tourists, so we lose some of our cultural immersion possibilities. Additionally, the trip to the women's group Friday was more about the culture of the ancient Maya than the culture of current Belizeans. Program Administration: Everything was planned out ahead of time, explained clearly, and easy to understand! Social Life: It took some time, but we all bonded before the end of the trip and I made some amazing new friends.

TEP provided excellent service to our group throughout or 10 day visit to Belize. Rhondine went above and beyond in helping facilitate our unusual request- to take 12 college girls into the Central Prison to conduct research. She helped us make connections, go through the research approval process, and is a major reason the process ran so smoothly. During our trip, she and Mario were more than willing to make adjustments to accommodate our schedule and desires. It was incredible to have a local staff member constantly with us- even overnight, at times, who seemed to truly enjoy teaching us all about his country and culture. I'd recommend TEP to anyone traveling to Belize. You won't regret it! Living Situation: We got spoiled by going to the Black Orchid first, I think. It was a B+ while the Log Cab-Inn was a "C" (average.) We never did have hot water, but that was ok. We made it through :) All in all, an adequate value for the money. Cultural Immersion: This was very good, especially San Antonio and our visit to San Ignacio. I do wish we'd made the girls stick with more authentic food for the entire trip, though. A little deprivation of the comforts of home helps them realize how lucky they are, and how many of the people of Belize actually live. Program Administration: Rhondine and Mario were incredibly helpful throughout the entire trip. I can't say enough great things about them! Rhondine is a fabulous coordinator, and Mario was a great sport- he did everything from answer our serious (and inane) questions to personally escort students around the prison. Bravo!

I had such a great time in Belize! The people at TEP are very helpful and knowledgeable. A great experience and very much worth the money. I'll never forget the time I spent there. Academics: Learned a ton about the country Living Situation: Black Orchid was great! Very friendly staff; I liked that they were willing to substitute my meal for something else if I didn't like what they were having without having to pay an additional fee. Log Cab Inn not so great. Had a problem with so many bugs (including bees and cockroaches). Cultural Immersion: Enjoyed seeing more than one part of Belize during our trip! Program Administration: Both Rhondine and Mario were very helpful! I felt very welcome. Mario was extremely knowledgeable and courteous. Social Life: I liked that the days weren't overly scheduled. I enjoyed having alone time.

I loved my entire trip! I had a great experience and I enjoyed being thrown into the culture. I think that's important when visiting a country. Academics: I learned so much about the prison and about the Maya! Living Situation: I was honestly really surprised by how nice the first place was. I wasn't expecting to have air conditioning or WiFi at either place. It was also really great that we had a pool. The staff was great about answering to any problems that we had. Cultural Immersion: I loved everything we did including the lunches where we tried traditional dishes. The only time I was upset was when our group got a different meal than the other groups at the log cab-inn because one girl was a picky eater. I think that its important for us to try their food the whole time we are there and the whole group should still get that experience. If someone doesn't like the food they can order a different dish. Program Administration: Great! Social Life: I enjoyed having the free time to walk around and talk to people from the town.

TEP is such gracious host, who continuously work to give students the best experience possible. Ms. Rhondine and her staff made our time in Belize very memorable- from planning our events to correspondence with our partners, our trip was flawless. Academics: I thought the lectures were very interesting and enjoyed them very much, but having them the first, 2 nights we got there was very draining. I felt as though I couldn't give my full attention because I was still adjusting to temperature and our schedule. Living Situation: The cabins were very nice- I just so happened to have tons of bad luck with air conditioners, even after we got moved to one that "worked" it still blew out warmer air than it was supposed to. Also, when we moved for the last time, we no longer received housekeeping, so we had to ask for towels/for our garbage to be taken out. Cultural Immersion: I loved all the activities that we did to experience the Belize culture! Program Administration: Ms. Rhondine was so wonderful and very helpful! Social Life: We were encouraged to explore San Ignacio and all the other villages/experiences we had to truly embrace the culture and people.

Overall, it was a really nice trip. The food was very cultural and fun to experience. The academic programs provided to us were really good too.

TEP was great! Rhondine helped us so much before and during our trip. The rest of the team was friendly and helpful too. Had an amazing time in Belize and would do it all over again without hesitation! Academics: Orientation meeting was helpful Living Situation: Loved Martha's guesthouse! Cultural Immersion: Great! Program Administration: Everyone was so helpful and nice! Social Life: Findings to do

The TEP staff truly cares about the students in the program. They work so hard to ensure that the transition for students from home to Belize is as smooth as possible. TEP provides thorough communication and education before, during, and after the trip. I would definitely recommend anyone interested in studying in Belize to work with the TEP program. Academics: I wish we had been able to engage in service all five days, but we understood with the other groups at Octavia Waight and with the holiday, that it was probably the most beneficial to wait until Tuesday to begin with the art projects. Living Situation: Being at Martha's in town was great! I loved being so close to everything and the staff there was fantastic. Coconut Row and the Black Orchid were also both wonderful. Cultural Immersion: We learned about the different ethnic groups in Belize and about the culture of the country. There is so much information that it is hard to take it all in, but it was communicated well. Program Administration: Rhondine communicated well before the trip, while we were there, and so far after we have left. She is an excellent coordinator who truly cares about the students and faculty in the program. Social Life: The people we interacted with were so welcoming and friendly.

Traveling with TEP made the trip go very by very smooth. They did all the complicated work and most arrangements, making the trip easier and more successful.

The community service and cultural program coordinated through TEP provided an itinerary that allowed students to meet course objectives and learn more about Belizean life. TEP provides excellent services, while safety of students is a priority. We can't wait for our next trip to Belize and TEP will be our program of choice. We highly recommend Toucan Educational Programs. Living Situation: Excellent. In some situations students said they had only had cold showers. Food was very good and overall everything was excellent. We would stay at all sites again. Cultural Immersion: Ziplining, and the local sites (Iguanas, Xuantunich, swimming, etc.) were a good balance to our service project. Going to the coast was a different cultural experience for students that they enjoyed also. Pen Cayatano's studio was a perfect experience for students in art. If we could have built these experiences into the budget it would have been better, but overall the cost was very reasonable and it made it possible to do a spring break trip. Program Administration: Excellent: we know we can always have safety as the top priority. The students and faculty have a relationship with TEP that is friendly and professional. Students feel close to the Director and that they can approach her with any concerns. Social Life: Students had time for shopping and planning other activities on their own, in addition to planned activities

I had never traveled abroad through my school before. This was hands down the best experience I have gotten in college. Going to another country is challenging enough as it is but TEP made sure our days were filled with service, education, and fun every single day. We explored 3 different cities and were immersed in the culture each one presented. If you want to learn and receive a well rounded experience in Belize, TEP will fulfill that desire. Academics: Through TEP we were able to interact with almost all cultures Belize has to offer. Living Situation: Every place we stayed was hospitable and safe.

Spending a month in Belize with TEP went smoothly and pleasantly. Our group had a last minute emergency that required us to rely on Rhondine and Mario to be our primary leaders and they did a wonderful job at stepping in and taking up the responsibility of directing us through the program. They are reliable, hard-working, and kind. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in Studying in Belize, they will make sure that your group sees a majority of the country (we went to most of the districts) and do so in an efficient and educational manner. Academics: I would have liked to see more diversity in the types of places we visited, i feel like we visited a lot of schools, farms, and energy places. It could have been cool to tour the prison or a hospital to get those parts of society into the mix. Living Situation: I personally had really good luck and enjoyed my rooms, but I know a couple people in our group had to deal with a bad room or bed, etc. Cultural Immersion: I especially liked being close to cities and towns where we could interact with a myriad of people in our free time Program Administration: The way you guys stepped in was amazing, thank you so much! and Mario helping me with my interviews was exceptionally amazing as well! Social Life: All of our interactions were great, but I wish we had spent more time in areas where we could branch out, like in San Ignacio when we could easily get to town and interact with the culture and people. It would have been cool to see a bit more of Belize city as well, even though I know it worries you to spend too much time there.

If I were in charge of bringing a class to Belize, I would definitely choose TEP! Their organization, attention to detail, and sincere care for program participants puts it above the rest. Thanks so much! Academics: I thought our activities throughout the course were well selected, and well organized. The diversity in people we talked to, and places we visited was also very much appreciated. Living Situation: For the most part, the living situations were great. The only thing I would suggest is trying to put students in similar style housing while we were in Hopkins. For example, the first room I was put in on the beach could not be compared to the other rooms students stayed in. Thankfully, we were able to switch rooms, but I would recommend to try and house students in similar rooms to avoid any unnecessary feelings of being uncomfortable. Cultural Immersion: I was very surprised by the cultural diversity that we found within Belize. Before my arrival, I was naively unaware of the different cultural groups that resided in the country. The fact that we were able to see so much of the country in just 3.5 short weeks was great! Program Administration: Organizationally, I was very impressed with TEP. Rhondine did an incredible job keeping things together for our group that was missing our professor for a good majority of our course. Additionally, our course would not have been the same without having Mario join us throughout. He was an incredible source of knowledge, as well as just a great person to be around. Social Life: No complaints here. Belize is an incredibly vibrant country, and I am glad we got to see so much of it.

The whole trip was very well organized. The schedule was packed full of great presentations and direct experiences with the Belizean sustainable development. The leisure activities were also relaxing, balancing out the academic rigor very well.

This program is a privileged. Visiting different place and being exposed to people from different segments of the Belizean society, gave me more than what I edpected in terms of insight, discoveries and lessons. The food, oh God! Delicious! The country, just beautiful! One of my best abroad experiences ever. Academics: Overall, great! Living Situation: Mostly good. But, there is need for some improvements. For example, no running water/shower and broken toilets at Blue Creek. Cultural Immersion: This rating is not absolutely fair to the program because, i did have a rich cultural immersion. The problem was that our itenary was really packed and that constituted a challenge for me to be more exposed to the cultures. Program Administration: Great!

This was FDU's Global Scholars Program third winter session trip to Belize with TEP. It will not be its last. Its was tailored to our needs, well organized, and professionally managed. Kudos to Rhondine. Living Situation: As faculty, very good. Cultural Immersion: Student feedback was positive and appreciative of the multicultural environment. Program Administration: Professionally administered in planning and coordination. Social Life: A valuable intercultural experience.

The trip to Belize was nothing short of my expectations. Belize is so rich of culture, and this program helped us experience the Garifuna, Mayan and Mennonite cultures. From lectures by famous faces in Belize, to swimming and climbing through an Anicent Mayan village, to learning traditional Garifuna dances, this trip provided me with so many memories and a much better understand of each culture's values and beliefs. Very informational and fun at the same time. Definitely worth the flight. Academics: The academic curriculum was superb. It involved a good mix of hands-on and factual lectures. Getting to meet important faces of Belize added to the great experience. Living Situation: The housing situation was way above my expectations. I thought all accomodations were very nice and we were all prepared for when we needed sheets or blankets at IZE. Cultural Immersion: I like to think we got very immersed in the culture during our trip. Getting to do the hands-on grinding the corn and being at the actual Mennonite family gave us a lot more information and experience than we could've recieved in a classroom. Program Administration: The program administration was all very, very helpful and amazing. Both tour guides, Marco and Ted, Orlando and Rhondine were all for informative and really added to our experience in learning about Belize's culture. Social Life: I do wish there was a place, like Hopkins, where we could walk around the village and have more time to interact with locals during a free time of the day.

Our short term study travel course in Belize was fantastically successful as TEP appreciates the transformative power of experiencial learning. TEP created excellent opportunities for us to examine culture in meaningful ways. The range of activities from museums to guest lectures to excursions was tuly remarkable making it somewhat challening to explain both the breadth and depth of our experience to our friends and family. Living Situation: In a few cases the housing was nicer than we needed (Black Orchid, Mama Noots, and Coconut Row) but I understand the challenge of securing safe arrengements for a relatively large group. The dorms at IZE were pretty uncomfortable for our students (very poor quality beds, very limited showers). Cultural Immersion: Especially when we were in San Ignacio it would have been nice to explore the city, look at stores, see people in their jobs, and interact with others (locals and travellers). Program Administration: The Director and her staff were very well organized and professional.

TEP was great! Rhondine was very easy to work with and truly cared about our well-being, safety and satisfaction. She paid particular attention to the focus of our class and tailored our daily adventures to our objectives well. We were always safe, taken care of and we ate well. The staff at our resorts were very friendly and it was a clean and healthy living environment. Academics: Great all-around experience. Living Situation: All living situations were great except for our stay at IZE. Cultural Immersion: The focus of our trip/class! Program Administration: Rhondine was wonderful and very attentive and concerned about our well-being, safety and satisfaction.

This class was wonderful and I actually learned in the process! Rhondine and TEP were fantastic at really showing us what the culture was actually like. I loved the learning because it was intriguing and hands on. Experiential learning is exactly what we did and I loved it! Academics: It was very interesting to learn through the experience of interacting with the natives Living Situation: All the places were excellent except for the last place, IZE There were too many people in one room and only 2 bathrooms which other people used as well. Cultural Immersion: I thought it was interesting, but might be better understood if host family stays were involved Program Administration: Rhondine is so ready for action! Social Life: we didnt stay long enough to really have social lives except with each other

I loved this experience. The locals were nice and always willing to talk to us and answer our questions. The food was delicious and they accommodated any type of dietary preference. The locations we stayed at were also nice. The hotels were nicer than some from back home and the people running them were extremely nice. They always made sure everyone was taken care of and everything was fine. Academics: I liked having the lectures and going to the museums. One of the things that I think would have been great is if we spent more time on other of the cultural groups because we did not hear much about the Mestizo, Chinese or East Indian. Living Situation: The hotels were so nice. They were nicer than some of the hotels that I stayed in back home. I did not expect to have rooms and resorts as nice as the one's we got. Cultural Immersion: It was so nice being able to talk to the locals and visit some of the sites that tourists do not go to. I loved being able to hear some of their stories and eat the local food. I felt like we were grasping the different cultures and not just skimming over them. The Garifuna dance was amazing and that really helped me with their culture. It gives us a deeper understanding of Belize; however, we still have so much more to learn. Program Administration: The people were so nice and amazing. Rhondine really acted like a second mom to us and was constantly worrying. It really had us connect more with her and made leaving hard. Ted and Mario were also really good tour guides. They were completely open on answering any of the questions we had and were willing to join in any of the games that we were playing.

The program allowed students to be submerged in a culture that was different from that of their own. It provided an in-depth look at the culture, economy, living situation, history of the country and more. The trips provided an inside view to different parts of the country which helped students understand the diversity and history of Belize. Living Situation: The living was fine. I just wished we had hot water for showering.

I enjoyed my time in Belize and it was an amazing, memorable experience.

This trip to Belize through TEP was the second time I have traveled internationally, and it was the second time I have taken an international travel course through Loras College. This trip and overall experience exceeded all of my expectations by leaps and bounds. Our itinerary and schedule was rock solid the entire time - it was very obvious that Rhondine and company put serious thought into making our trip as successful as possible. I would consider myself an anxious traveler, and I never found myself worrying about making it safely to any destination or being on time for scheduled activities. All of the accommodations throughout the trip were fantastic, and all of the staff I interacted with were extremely friendly. Our guides and drivers were extremely professional, friendly, and were more than willing to chat with everyone in our group. The guest lecturers and speakers that were organized for our group were fantastic and did an excellent job of condensing relevant, interesting information for our entire group. As I mentioned in the review title, this trip and overall experience is something that has a profound impact for me. Without a doubt, TEP's hard work made all of that possible. If you are considering organizing a program in Belize through TEP, then by all means go for it. You will not regret it. Academics: The lectures and guest speakers we had fit very well with our course. The lectures were extremely informative and the University faculty did a great job of condensing a large amount of material for our class. All of the guest speakers were willing to answer questions and offer different perspectives related to what we were studying. Living Situation: All of the accommodations exceeding my expectations, and the food was excellent. The staff at all of the locations were friendly and I felt right at home the entire trip. No complaints whatsoever. Cultural Immersion: It seemed that everyone we interacted with, whether it be drivers or guides, was willing to discuss pretty much anything related to Belizean culture. I feel that this was a pivotal part of the entire trip, and many of the conversations that I had with people in Belize are just as memorable as some of the activities we did throughout our trip. Program Administration: The program had fantastic leadership. Collaboration between Rhondine and Rick was like a well oiled machine. I consider myself an extremely anxious traveler, and I never felt nervous about reaching our next destination or anything like that. We had several schedule changes, but those changes went off without a hitch. Our group had some anxiety related to a certain incident later in the trip, but Rhondine kept us well informed throughout the entire time. That goes for details about travel and accommodations as well. At this point I would recommend a TEP program to someone interested in Belize without a second thought. Social Life: I mentioned this before, but everyone we came into contact with was friendly and more than willing to interact with our group. I feel that this facilitated high quality exchanges within our own group as well. Overall I felt comfortable and welcomed when it came to social situations while in Belize.

Belize is an amazing place to visit. The people there are sweethearts and very caring. The food is great. This trip is worth every single penny and I wish I didn't leave

The program ran effectively and smoothly throughout the entire week I was there. There was never a dull moment in which there was nothing to do, and there was always something to learn. Academics: Wonderful hands-on and fun learning experiences! Cultural Immersion: In a country as diverse as Belize, the program made sure that we were immersed in all of them through physical contact music, and food. Social Life: The people we were in contact with were quite friendly.They greatly complimented my learning experience by giving their personal account of life in Belize.

Overall my experience was fabulous. The meals, sites, and other learning opportunities are all thanks to TEP. we would have not of had the experience we had unless it was for TEP. TEP was arranged our transportation, meals, sites, and experiences which wasa load off of us! TEP is very easy to work with and the staff is amazing. Academics: TEP not only gave us an experience of a lifetime, but also offered us support throughout the trip through our active learning. Living Situation: Every hotel met our personal needs and the service was excellent. Cultural Immersion: We were able to experience the different cultures by visiting them. By visiting we were able to walk into what their daily lives are like and to understand where they come from. Program Administration: I trusted the administration team throughout the trip. I always felt safe, they were looking out for our best interest, and truly cared about our experience. Social Life: We were able to have free time at the hotels to relax and enjoy ourselves before the next day touring.

I was really impressed with how on top of things this program was. Rhondine Petrof made sure that we were taken care of right from the beginning, before we had even met face to face. She, along with others in the program, made sure that we got the most out of our time there while also making sure that we had down time to re-energize ourselves and give us an opportunity to process all that we had learned throughout the day. Their ability to change plans at the last minute when something else wasn't going to work out was very impressive. In this case, my group was scheduled to go to Caracal one day but the roads to get to it were not looking good, so we instead moved our trip to ATM up a few days and instead went to Lamanai, which I thought was an excellent substitute. They also made sure that we were aware of any news or potential situations that were happening within the country or with other groups in the program to keep us informed and to inform our parents if we needed to. Overall, I was incredibly impressed at the professionalism and the organization that this program exhibited and I would recommend it to others who want to study abroad in Belize. Academics: I thought there was a good mixture and balance of lectures, museums, and activities, such as the Living Maya Experience and ATM, for us to get the most out of the material we were learning. It also broke it up for us so that we didn't easily become bored or uninterested. Living Situation: The places we stayed at were much nicer than I originally thought and were a pleasant surprise. Cultural Immersion: Even though it was only a 3 week course, I got the full sense of what Belizean culture is and all of the intricacies that it presents to us. It also made me appreciate the uniqueness that Belize has. Program Administration: They made sure that we were aware of everything that was going on, both in the program and outside of the program and they really made us feel at home and took excellent care of us.

My Memorable Experience is Hanging out in an eatery in San Ignacio with my student group, our guide and locals just conversing. It allowed me to get the insider's view of the culture. I chose This program because it was recommended by my University who used them in the past and only had positive reviews. We stayed in cabins with two or three beds per room. It was cozy. All of our meals were provided on site and it was a relaxing atmosphere.

I Had the most amazing time on my service trip to Belize! Our advisor was fantastic. Mrs. R. was informative and very organized, not to mention very kind. The only comment I would make would be on the post organization of the trip. I found that once were arrived the initial intent of our service changed several times throughout the duration of the trip. With a goal in mind before the trip commences I believe will improve the experience for both us and everyone we serve! Overall it was the trip of a life time and I am so grateful to all those who made it possible for us! We all can make the world a better place with service trips like these.

The staff and everyone involved was extremely nice and welcoming. They went out of their way to make sure we had the perfect experience. Living Situation: Need more blankets or warning how cold it gets at night

The trip was an amazing experience. I would recommend this program to anyone that was considering studying abroad. We had so many neat experiences besides just the service that we were there to do. They really wanted us to experience the culture and have a wonderful time! Academics: Grade will not be completed until our portfolios are turned on upon graduation. Living Situation: Everywhere we stayed was really nice. The people working were wonderful and I had no complaints. Program Administration: Rhondine was amazing! She always provided us with anything we needed. I felt safe knowing she was in charge. Social Life: The weekend excursions were amazing. I would have like to experience a little more of the Belize social life.

Everything was taken care of. From the time we landed in Belize we were greeted by our guide. Our accommodations were perfect for college students and the food was amazing. One our first day we had a presentation that familiarized ourselves with the country and safety protocol. Each following day we had lectures from various organizations. The food was great and guides were so helpful, knowledgeable, and approachable.

This experience makes me want to continue to travel and go back to Belize someday! Academics: This was an absolute great experience and learned more than I have on any of my other fieldworks. Living Situation: I felt very comfortable and safe in all my living situations Cultural Immersion: I learned a lot about the culture and was thankful for being thrown in to a situation where I felt out of my comfort zone. It pushed me to grow as a person. At the same time I felt very safe. Program Administration: I couldn't have asked for the program to be more organized. It was the most organized trip I have ever been on. Social Life: Loved all the people that I met.

An amazing life exprience, well organized , top quality program with a personal touch . Highly recommended

Rhondine, founder of TEP, is amazing. She makes sure the group is well educated with relevant lessons to attend, well fed, and well cared for! She prepared us well from the early planning stages and made us feel safe and welcome. As for cultural immersion opportunities, it amazes me how much one can experience in Belize, even in a short period of time! Not only we're we meeting people of many different cultures (Mayan, Creole, Garinagu...) on a daily basis, but we also had the opportunity to visit a variety of settings (homes, centres, schools, etc.) all over the country! Academics: Thoroughly enjoyed the education sessions and the content; however, I wish the education took place in the beginning as part of an orientation so that the learning that took places could be considered throughout the abroad experience. Living Situation: We were very well taken care of! Cultural Immersion: It amazes me how much cultural immersion one can experience in 2 short weeks! Not only we're we meeting people of many different cultures on a daily basis, but we also had the opportunity to visit a variety of settings (homes, centres, schools, etc.) all over the country! Program Administration: Rhondine is amazing. She makes sure the group is well educated, well fed, and well cared for!

PT/OT students and professionals work side by side making a difference one person at a time, as their is no rehab after hospitalization in Belize. TEP provided transportation, reservations for hotels, side trips, meals, even transportation to and from the TV station when we spoke about the efforts for establishing a certificate or degree program fro the partnership of University of Indianapolis, and Galen University. We were never stranded, always to patient care facilities on time. Establishing treatment plans, follow through exercises, home visits. and even some fun arranged to help with group bonding and . Everyone was congenial, uplifting each other, working as a team. Don't come on a trip like this unless you come with a team attitude and winning smile. Life can be hard here and conditions unsettling at times. Participants must rely on each other for support and encouragement. Working together with those here is a blessing for us all. Academics: Students were given a firsthand experience with individuals in the nursing home and pediatric school, and home health for geriatrics and pediatrics Living Situation: Hard to get the entire group together in one [place. Log Cabin Inn A for Belize. Internet spotty. Cultural Immersion: Good to get to go for iced cream in the town and feel like we lived there for a week or so Program Administration: Great arrangements with the drivers A+ Great partners in San Ignacio for the residential care home. However, had to rely on Dorothee for the patient history. What happened when she can no longer be there, she is 70?? Can she be training someone to work along side her? Unable to see continuing benefits to the patients at Sr Cecilia's. We had to hunt for things to do, and the gender issues with the male staff wanting all changes to go through them first made initiating modifications difficult. Social Life: Not much to do in the evenings, Ok if you brought cards, or could get on the internet Thank you for the phones, invaluable!

One of the best cultural learning experiences as well as continued learning toward my field. Living Situation: I was very impressed with all the places that we stayed. I think we were very spoiled. Cultural Immersion: I loved the scavenger hunt and the school children in Hopkins. I felt like through these activities and the lectures were got to know the culture very well. Program Administration: I was very impressed with how smoothly everything ran. I never had to worry about anything. Social Life: I think we had a lot of down time especially on the weekends to use however we chose to.

I have a mission in Belize, and without Rhondine and TEP, I would never be able to fulfill it. I am so grateful that I have someone who thinks like me, but is much more organized, to help me provide needed health care to Belizeans. Living Situation: Great places, great service, great food, nice pools/ocean. Cultural Immersion: We couldn't have gotten more immersed in Belize City's Southside; our partners really trust us! Program Administration: You're the best Rhondine! You were always there (or came back) to make sure everything went well--I felt that we were very cared for! Social Life: Nice collegial atmosphere!

TEC provided an excellent learning and service opportunity for which I am grateful. Academics: Excellent effort was made to provide quality speakers to present information about Belize. This made the experience more interesting and enhanced the educational experience. Living Situation: Good staff at all places. Cultural Immersion: The Belizian service providers who accompanied us on our visits were an excellent resource for visiting homes, schools,and nursing homes. Program Administration: This was extremely well coordinated from the Belizian end of the program. Information was complete and timely. All accommodations were provided as indicated. Questions were answered and support given when needed. Social Life: Great outings were planned and these were well organized.

My trip to Belize was more than I could have hoped for. I learned so much about the culture, and I gained confidence in my skills as a physical therapist. It was so interesting to do home visits and see the people in their natural way of living. Not only did I fully enjoy the service work we did, but I also had a great time on the excursions (ziplining, canoeing, visiting the market, etc). Overall, my experience with the Toucan Education Program was amazing! Living Situation: The living situation was not bad by any means. Sometimes, I did not have a room close to my friends so it made things more difficult. However, I know that this is not the most important part of the trip. I would have just enjoyed my stay better had I been closer to my friends.

Both fun and educational, the programlets you see life in Belize as it really is. Social Life: Calico Jack's zip lining, the zoo and Mayan ruins should all be taken in.

TEP does a tremendous job of making you feel safe, and comfortable at all times, while allowing an individual to explore and learn about Belizian culture and lifestyle. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and the experience gained from the trip is greater than anything than I could ever learn in the classroom. Academics: Great learning opportunity. Since this was a service based trip, I do not know how much this question applies. Living Situation: All the living arrangements were amazing. I would suggest that individuals be given the option to choose their roommates for the future. Program Administration: I felt safe at all times, and learned a great deal. You did an amazing job Rhondine! Social Life: Locations that were determined were isolated from the city. it was nearly impossible to see the night life, and the social aspect of the trip.

This is a great trip and it was worth the time and money. I feel that I am forever changed from studying abroad with TEP Academics: great trip.... i think i have learned a lot! Living Situation: only issue was the hotel in seinne bight.... they failed to clean our room on two of the day we stayed and the bed issue... other than that I believe everything was great Social Life: the trip was great, but I think it was so planned out we didnt have much time to emerge in everything. Especially during the day

I loved this experience. If you want to be fully immersed in a culture then this is the best program. I felt like I was one of the locals. I was never an outsider. I experienced/learned more during this time than I could have ever learned in the States. What an awesome opportunity.

I had an awesome study abroad experience and was fully immersed into the culture. I learned more about myself in 3 weeks than I did in undergrad.

This trip was absolutely wonderful. I learned alot about the culture and was able to participate in Belizian culture. Life changing!

I had a great time in this study abroad program. The trip leaders and organizers all did a fantastic job putting our itinerary together and arranging our accomodations, travel, food and general logistics. I was very impressed with Rhondine's accessibility, helpfulness, and organization. Thank you! Living Situation: Our accomodations were great!

Well organized trip, comfortable hotels, Rhondine and Kristi are superb. Living Situation: Very comfortable accommodations Cultural Immersion: Good meetings Program Administration: Very well organized

Overall, the TLEG Belize trip was a big success. We were provided excellent opportunities to see and do all of the things necessary to complete our grant responsibilities while still having fun along the way. Toucan Education Programs was very proactive and organized, and everything went to plan. I would definitely recommend TEP in the future.

Rhondine worked at creating partnerships for the healthcare team that were very strong. The lodging was great, food was good, cultural immersion great, and transportation was very good.

What a wonderfully enriching experience all around! Program Administration: Excellent!

I don't think I had any complaints about my trip to Belize. Everything was well prepared and if something came up, it was easily resolved. I was able to travel to the schools and separate villages and houses to interact with the people. I loved working with the kids and assessing them to help them find resources. Rhondine was so nice and made us feel at home. Loved everything abou Belize! Living Situation: Loved the Log Cab Inn! Cultural Immersion: Program Administration: Rhondine was very professional and very prepared. Social Life: I wish at night we were able to see more of the night life or travel to other places such as the beach on our off days.

The program that TEP put together for our group was an excellent combination of education, nature, and recreation. We were exposed to folks from many cultural groups and natural environments, but in a fun and interactive way. Living Situation: Great location, great food, great hospitality. Cultural Immersion: Great exposure to the varied cultures, maya, menonite, etc. Program Administration: Exceptionally well organized down to the finest detail. Very impressive. Social Life: Experienced local social life in the mountains and the islands. Both were interesting and eye opening.

Rhondine did such a wonderful job helping us plan out our stops, visits, and tour schedule. Without her knowledge and insight our trip would have missed many of the highlights that our participants will remember for a very long time! Living Situation: Log Cab-Inn was wonderful and the staff was very attentive! Seaside Cabanas was a wonderful place to end our trip. Cultural Immersion: Really enjoyed our ability to interact with such a wide variety of Belizians - brought the entire trip together. Program Administration: You are wonderful!! :)

I have an overall great experience in Belize! TEP made sure we had drivers when we needed them, organized tours and meetings with people we wanted to talk with. I felt safe and secure and in good hands with TEP. It was great to see Rhondine every day checking on us to make sure we had everything we needed. Living Situation: Not warm enough when we had that cold spell while in Belize Cultural Immersion: Loved having the opportunity to meet and speak with so many different people during our various visits with farmers and schools. Program Administration: Rhondine and Christy were a pleasure to work with. I loved seeing Rhondine every morning and evening checking in on us to make sure everything went ok or we had everything we needed. Thanks for getting us extra blankets! I felt very safe and in good hands with Rhondine because I saw her checking on us so much and even with us on some outings.

I think the trip was great. Rhondine's work made the trip very enjoyable.

Spring Break 2013, I was able to travel to Belize for a Medical Mission Trip; it was an amazing and unforgettable experience. Thanks for the wonderful experience! Academics: The learning experience that I gained during Spring Break will be unforgettable. I loved learning about the health care and culture of Belize. Living Situation: Staying at the Log Cabinn was very nice. They worked hard to make us comfortable and welcome. I greatly appreciate all they did for us. Cultural Immersion: I loved getting to go to the Mayan Ruins, touring San Ignacio, shopping downtown, and trying Belizian Food. Program Administration: Rhondine did an excellent job. She is very attentive to the needs of faculty and students. She does her best to help the students get what they want out of the learning experience. She is always checking in on everyone and around to talk to her if there is anything that you need. Social Life: We got to meet a lot of new people including going to home visits, staff at Log Cabinn, drivers, and people who were on the trip with us.

Very smooth and well designed program. Large group size and 'tourist' activities severely limited cultural immersion. Living Situation: Log Cab Inn bathroom in our cabin had issues. Good beyond that Cultural Immersion: I never felt immersed in culture. It was nice seeing the woman's mayan village and visiting the mayan ruins, but being part of a big group really inhibited our immersion

The trip was great. Very well organized. Thanks for an amazing time.

TEP organized such a cultural rich experience for our group in Belize. I had such a phenomenal experience and came home as a changed person. Belizean’s are such considerate and humble people. I know in my heart of hearts that we planted seeds that will continue to grow! Our accommodations at the Log Can Inn were beautiful, with an incredible staff and amazing food. Thanks Rhondine and TEP for making this experience a once in a lifetime experience. Academics: I feel like I learned a lot from the other Nurses and Doctors in the hospital where I was placed. I don't know if our work in the hosptial was really needed or wanted, but I was changed from the experience. Living Situation: The Log Cab Inn was GREAT! The staff was phenominal Cultural Immersion: I was very happy I was able to go into the village one day, see the city and eat at local resturants. I did not care for the person who directed our walking tour. The walking tour was nice, he just focused more on himself than San Ignacio. I am pleased we experienced, the market, ruins, canoe race and horseback riding. Program Administration: You and Joe were great and very accomidating. Social Life: Great experiences

This experience was great. I got a snapshot of how Belizeans live off minimal resources. I was able to see how they work hard to earn an income (harder than some Americans). Although they don't have much, I was able to witness their happiness. I am blessed to have witnessed that. I feel I will not take for granted the things I do have and be more appreciative of them. Living Situation: I think the living quarters were very comfortable. All of our basic needs were met. My only suggestion is if towels are not placed on the floor after two days to be cleaned, the staff should replace them. Cultural Immersion: I would have liked to learn more about the culture. I loved visiting the Mayan ruins, loved the tour in the downtown San Ignacio and the canoe race, but I would have liked to experiencce more of the Belizean culture. Program Administration: I think the program was good. I feel Rhondine did an excellent job maximizing our experience for our short visit as well as making us feel comfortable and welcome. Social Life: As it relates to socializing with other groups, there was a little but not too much. I understand everyones schedules were different, but it would have been nice to learn more about what other groups were doing. A suggestion would be a social night in the dining area.

I had a great time. I learned alot about Belize and San Ignacio. Living Situation: the pool could have looked cleaner. Everything else was fine

I really enjoyed being down in Belize. I think that Rhondine did and excellent job planning everything for us and she was wonderful about being flexible. She went above and beyond our expectations for any request that we may have had. I feel that I not only learned a lot, but I was also able to relax and enjoy being in Belize.

You would be a fool not to take up this opportunity to visit Belize and go via Toucan Education Programs, Ltd.! They made every aspect of my trip safe and easy. Rather than worry about logistics, they covered this aspect of the trip. This way, I could enjoy it and fulfill my purpose and work. If you a re reading this, then book a trip now with Toucan Education Programs, Ltd.! Living Situation: The lodgings were fantastic! Great hospitality and meals. The only mishap was the shower situation in my room at the Log Cab-Inn. The hot water took 5-10 minutes of the water running to get warm. However, it was a minute problem (I just reduced the amount of showers I took there to days where I was very active). Besides that, it was exceptional! Cultural Immersion: I think my transition into Belizian culture went well! For a group, I think having an organized event or several where people can meet and communicate with the natives would be great too. A situation where they can socialize but also feel safe. Program Administration: Rhondine and Kristie performed phenomenally! Their diligent work made our trip very streamlined! It was sooo amazing and went practically flawlessly! I would most definitely recommend them and their work to anyone going to Belize. Social Life: Social life was good within the group I came with to Belize. However, there were several groups staying on-site and there was little interaction between groups outside of idle chit-chat.

We were very satisfied with the program, we had few problems. From the tour drivers to the special speakers, the fantastic meals, and the tour of the Mayan ruins, it was a wonderfully smooth week. I think one small glitch with a van that slowed us down for about 15 minutes was the worst thing that happened to us. Otherwise, everything was great. Academics: There were guest speakers, such as Mr. Guy talking about his herbs and jungle remedies; and Ms. Gordon, the Infection Control nurse, who were very informational. The walking tour was interesting but politcally biased. Living Situation: The cabins were rustic but clean, wish there were more towels and washcloths each day. Cultural Immersion: Walked through the town and talked with people, visited areas that are remote (to us). Felt that we were able to communicate with the people openly. Program Administration: Rhondine was always willing to serve, answer any questions, and fulfill any wish, if possible. She was wonderful and I would not want to repeat this, or any program in the country, without her assistance. She has a loving and open personality that draws people to her. Social Life: Did not participate.

The food, people and weather was amazing! I couldn't have asked for a better week!

TEP was wonderful. Our coordinators did a fabulous job arranging our itinerary and dealing with challenges and obstacles that came up. They balanced recreational, cultural, and environmental activities that met the interests of our eclectic group! Very patient and responsible staff. I would recommend this group to anyone! Cultural Immersion: It would have also been helpful to maybe split the group up and spend some time with local families, at their homes or jobs, etc. Program Administration: Wonderful organization! Even when changes or obstacles arose, the program staff was very patient and helpful. Social Life: Like the previous comment, I would have liked to see some smaller breakout groups that would have the chance to interact with locals more. Many members of the group found their own spots to interact, but these opportunities were not necessarily taken advantage of by the whole group and it may have deepened their cultural experiences.

I really enjoyed the opportunities we had working with the people along with getting to site see! Belize is a beautiful country, and our group got to experience both the urban and the rural settings, which are quite different. I would definitely recommend TEP!

My experience in Belize was great. The program offered cultral experiences, excursions. It was well organized and i always felt safe. This was my first time abroad and I had a great experience and will definately come back to Belize to visit or maybe even do some mision work within the country. The Toucan Education Program is well crafted and enriching for students looking for a great study abroad experience in an english speaking country. I was able to adapt well and it was not too big of a culture shock.