Belize service trip offers unique opportunity to education students
June 30, 2025
Each spring, Dakota State University education students have the opportunity to spend two weeks supporting students and teachers in a classroom in Belize.
“This is a developing country. Many students are not only English language learners, but they are also living in poverty, which makes it a very challenging environment,” explained Jennifer Munger. “It pushes you to be flexible and think on your feet in the classroom.”
These experiences help students develop empathy and a deeper understanding of others who come from different backgrounds. It also requires them to learn how to teach without all the bells and whistles of technology, according to Munger.
The annual trip is led by Munger, an instructor in the College of Education & Human Performance; students also get to visit different sites, participate in local activities, and explore South American culture.
DSU student Ethan Clites described the experience as amazing, but also a bit humbling. “The classrooms were so different from what we are used to with limited materials and barely any technology, but the kids had so much excitement and love for learning.”
Clites appreciated the connections he was able to develop with the students he worked with, who often shared snacks, gave hugs, wrote notes, and told stories to the DSU educators.
“I got to lead math and English lessons, do small group work, and even one-on-one interventions,” he said. “It really opened my eyes to how much you can do with just passion, creativity, and a willingness to adapt.”
“It’s a very diverse setting,” Munger explained. “The classroom has a wide range of learners, and it allows students the opportunity to see how challenging it can be to meet everyone’s needs.”
“This trip changed me,” Clites said. “I came home more grateful, more thoughtful, and more motivated to be the kind of teacher who advocates for his students and never takes a single resource for granted. Every kid deserves care, support, and a classroom that believes in them.”
Lily Blue knew she wanted to participate in the Belize service trip long before she arrived on campus as a Dakota State student. She learned about the trip during a visit in junior high and never forgot about it.
As a sophomore, Blue and her friends signed up for the trip, which they felt was a great opportunity to gain new experiences.
“My favorite part of the trip was getting to grow with my friends and colleagues in the classroom and bonding with them outside of school, doing activities and exploring a new country together,” Blue said.
In addition to their classroom work, the students have the opportunity to participate in activities learning about Belize culture and for entertainment. Some of the activities included zip lining, cave tubing, visiting Mayan ruins and botanical gardens, and snorkeling.
“These moments helped us bond as a group and gave us a deeper appreciation of the country’s beauty and culture,” Clites said.
Belize service trip 2026
The trip is limited to 10 students, with the goal of bringing at least five students. The Belize trip requires a flat $2,000 program fee that covers all the room and board and almost all the meals and different activities the students will participate in. This trip will also earn them one credit.
Additionally, students are responsible for buying their own plane ticket and will be required to get a passport if they don’t already have one.
According to Munger, she determines whether they have enough students to go by mid-October.
Students interested in joining the Belize Service Trip 2026, can reach out to Jennifer Munger for more details.