Hello! My name is Devan Ramsey! I completed my Bachelor's of Science in Education in Educational Studies through the #HogsAbroad Service Learning trip to Dangriga, Belize this May. My undergraduate journey has been far from traditional with my degree being pieced together by courses from four different universities throughout Arkansas. I had always dreamed of studying abroad, but with the roller-coaster college experience that I had, I had almost given up on that dream. Despite the circumstances and months of planning, I managed to jump through enough hoops to travel for my final course towards my degree one week after I walked in the Spring 2019 College of Education Commencement Ceremony. Once we landed in Dangriga, Belize, I knew that it was all worth it.
Dangriga is a small community about three hours from Belize City. Dangriga is named the Culture Capital of Belize because it is made up of so many different cultures. The group that I traveled with was able to work with several community partners ranging from small groups in the schools to home visits with Palliative Care. All it took was meeting these people one time and we were in love. Everyone we met was so welcoming and excited to see us. They would ask us about our lives and how we were liking our visit in Dangriga. Complete strangers became our friends through one conversation.
The members of the community care so much about Dangriga and the people who live there. They do all they can to work towards the further development of their community using what little resources they have. It was amazing to experience. Dangriga quickly became our home away from home. We were welcomed with open arms and open homes. Everyone we met did everything they could to share what they had with us while asking nothing in return. It was such an honor to work with them.
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Devan Ramsey spent the summer 2019 term in Belize with our U of A Faculty-Led: Global Community Development in Belize program with the help of our our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship.
Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/
