Black Howler Monkey Research in Belize
Belize
future program dates are t.b.d.
Psych 225; Psych 480
Faculty-led:
Professor Kathleen
Stetter, Clow Faculty 17, 920-424-7174
______________________________________
Join a small group of UW Oshkosh psychology and biology students on a field study of howler monkeys (Aloutta pigra). Participate in on-going research studies and help plan future studies of captive and free-ranging monkeys.
Refine and practice field observation skills learned in the classroom.
The research program includes morning and afternoon data collection sessions. Participants spend approximately six to eight hours per day working directly on the field study and on associated activities such as entering data on computer spread sheets, discussing data analysis techniques, and personal journaling. Evening classes at the Tropical Education Center include presentations on howler monkey biology and behaviour and rain forest ecology.
Visit a community elementary school and conduct short interactive programs.
The cultural program includes daily contact with the diverse ethnic groups in Belize. You may visit an archeological site, grass-roots conservation projects, and a milpa (agricultural plot). You will have opportunities to explore the rivers by canoe and interact with researchers and Belize nationals employed at the TEC.
Put travel ethics and eco-ethics into practice.
This program is open to Psychology and Biology Majors or minors and other students interested in animal behavior, rain forest conservation, or developing countries.
All of the information included here is subject to change. Modifications may be required depending on the exigencies of the situation.
Course(s)
Course Dates
Inability or failure to attend may affect your participation, course grades and ability to receive and use financial aid. If you cannot attend, you must indicate this on your study abroad application.
Pre-Travel Sessions:
As a participating student, you must attend the first five mandatory pre-travel academic sessions, held on Tuesdays from 4:30-7:30 pm in Clow 48 or 49.
Feb 19, Feb 26, Mar 4, Mar 11, and Mar 18, 2008
The sixth session is optional.
Apr 8, 2008 from 4:30-6:00 pm in Clow Faculty 21
Choose one:
Psychology 225 - Psychology Field Study (1-3 credits)
Prerequisite: PSYCH
101, 104, 110 or 201
Psychology 480 - Advanced Research in Psychology (2-3 credits)
Prerequisites:
PSYCH 371
This course satisfies the following requirements:
- electives for the Psychology major
- upper level course requirement (if taking PSYCH 480)
Eligible students will express a serious desire to contribute to field research. All courses are taught in English, and English is the spoken language of the people of Belize.
During this program, you will experience field observation methods, begin to understand rainforest ecology and the difficult decisions facing developing countries when attempting to preserve rainforest, gather information needed for effective preservation of primate populations, develop and practice public speaking skills and participate in community outreach in Belize.
Activities will include instruction on course requirements, lecture/discussion on the field site (the ecology of tropical forests, brief history of Belize, specifics of the Lamanai site, cultures of Belize), howler monkey biology and behavior, field observation methods, and eco-ethics. Using videos from previous trips, students will learn and practice field observation methods. Outside of class, students will conduct a literature search, read and annotate journal articles and related materials, view videos, search internet sites and begin work on portfolios of their experience.
Students enrolled for less than three credits will only attend the travel preparation and field observation techniques meetings and portfolio requirements will be reduced.
After returning from Belize, you will meet twice to consolidate trip experiences through work on portfolios.
Optional Course
All participants on group programs may choose to take International Studies 333 for one credit at no extra cost. Click here to see the syllabus for this course. If you enroll in this course, you will not be contacted about the coursework involved; assignments for this course should be done independently. Feel free to contact the Office of International Education with questions.
Accommodation & Meals
Tropical Education Center (TEC) (Forest Cabana)
At the Tropical Education Center, two to five guests share accommodations. The dormitory is located a few miles from the Belize Zoo. The water source is a well which is treated and filtered. There are outdoor showers and flush toilets.
Guests are served meals prepared by TEC staff.
Contact: Tropical Education Center, P.O. Box 1787, Belize City, Belize, Tel: 011-501-220-8003, Fax: 011-501-220-8010, tec@belizezoo.org
Schedule
| March 21 |
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| March 22 |
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| March 23 |
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| March 24 |
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| March 25 |
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| March 26 |
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| March 27 |
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| March 28 |
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| March 29 |
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| March 30 |
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The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh reserves the right to make changes to itineraries, travel arrangements, hotels, excursions, activities or other arrangements made necessary by factors beyond its control. On certain dates when some attractions or activities may not be available, UW Oshkosh reserves the right to substitute alternate attractions or activities.
Flight
Luggage Limits
Restrictions on carry-on baggage (American Airlines)
Restrictions on checked and excess baggage (American Airlines).
Depart UW Oshkosh
Long-term parking is allowed on campus in parking lot 6 with a valid UW Oshkosh parking permit. Participants may park on campus for the duration of their study abroad experience, except for semester-long programs.
Meeting Date & Time: March 21, 2008, 2:30am
Departure Time: 2:45am
Departure Location: UW Oshkosh Parking Lot 6 (corner of Osceola & Pearl)
Flight
March 21, 2008
04:00 Arrive at Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport for check-in
06:05 Depart on flight: 4118, American Airlines
06:50 Arrive Chicago O'Hare International Airport
08:10 Depart Chicago on flight: 1048, American Airlines
12:10 Arrive Miami International Airport
13:20 Depart Miami on flight: 2173, American Airlines
13:30 Arrive Belize City International Airport
March 30, 2008
08:25 Arrive at Belize City International Airport for check-in
11:55 Depart on flight: 2172, American Airlines
15:50 Arrive Miami International Airport
18:10 Depart Miami on flight: 1447, American Airlines
20:35 Arrive Chicago O'Hare International Airport
21:10 Depart Chicago on flight: 4347, American Airlines
21:55 Arrive Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport
Return to UW Oshkosh
Estimated date & time: March 30, 2008, 01:00
Return Location: UW Oshkosh Parking Lot 6 (corner of Osceola & Pearl Ave.)
Fees
The more who sign up for this program, the lower the cost per participant will be. You can help lower your cost to study abroad by recruiting friends and classmates to join you in this experience!
| Program Fee Estimate | |
$2,750° |
Fees are estimated at $2,260 - $2,750 based on 8 - 12 participants. |
| Expenses in U.S. Dollars | |
$100 |
Application Fee ($200 for out-of-state applicants) |
$100 |
Passport & Pictures |
$0 |
Airfare (included in the program fee) |
$20 |
Meals |
$0 |
Local Transportation |
varies |
Immunizations |
$10 |
TB test (through Student Health Center) |
$50 |
Personal Spending Money ($50 - $100) |
-$50 |
Refund to eligible participants |
$230 |
Total Pre-travel Expense Estimate (plus immunizations) |
$2,980 |
Total expenses are estimated at $2,490- $2,980 |
°Indicates the expense will appear on your UW Oshkosh student account.
Program fees cover course-related expenses (no tuition is assessed); airfare between Milwaukee's General Mitchell Airport and Belize City; accommodations as listed on the finalized itinerary; meals as listed on the finalized itinerary; tours/visits (including transportation and entrance fees) listed on the finalized itinerary; pre-travel orientation; and international health insurance. The program itinerary may be tentative and will not be finalized until approximately two weeks before departure.
Program fees do not cover items not specifically mentioned above such as trip cancellation and baggage insurance; passports; immunizations; some meals; local transportation costs not associated with the finalized itinerary; and all expenses of a purely personal nature. Estimates for some of these expenses have been included. Fees for a single room are available upon request.
Estimates found here are based on the group rate for services and travel dates as well as current exchange rates, where applicable. Changes to this plan or a large exchange rate fluctuation may cause adjustments to the final cost.
Apply
All students applying to this program must contact Kathleen Stetter to interview before applying.
Resources
Office of International Education Orientation Materials
Emergency Contact (during program dates)
In a life and death emergency ABROAD
U.S. Department of State Citizen Emergency Center: 1 (202) 647-5225
The Department of State will relay messages to the Embassy in the country in which program participants are traveling. Embassy personnel will try to locate your student, pass on urgent messages and, consistent with the Privacy Act, report back.
To reach your student directly
Use the phone/fax information given to you by your student or, if your student is staying in a hotel, use the hotel contact information listed on the web page for your student's program.
The Office of International Education cannot give out homestay phone numbers unless authorized in advance by the student, but we would be happy to try to contact your student for you in an emergency.
To reach someone at UW Oshkosh during office hours (7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F)
- Office of International Education Phone: 1 (920) 424-0775
- Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor Phone: 1 (920) 424-1410
- Office of the Provost & Vice Chancellor Phone: 1 (920) 424-0300
- Office of International Education Fax: 1 (920) 424-0185
- Dr. William Baurecht: Coordinator, National Student Exchange - baurecht@uwosh.edu
- Jenna Graff: Director, Office of International Education - graff@uwosh.edu
- Molly Witt : Front Line Advisor - mchughm@uwosh.edu
- Brian Mylrea: International Student Advisor - mylreab@uwosh.edu
- Karlin Stukenberg: Program Manager - stukenbk@uwosh.edu
To reach someone at UW Oshkosh outside of normal office hours
University Police: 1 (920) 424-1216
To reach local contacts associated with our program ABROAD
Kathleen Stetter, UW Oshkosh faculty leader for this program, can be reached at the Tropical Education Center. English-speaking staff at the Tropical Education Center may also be able to assist. Mrs. Stetter is also carrying a cell phone: 011-501-627-2746.
Tropical Education Center, P.O. Box 1787, Belize City, Belize, Tel: 011-501-220-8003, Fax: 011-501-220-8010, tec@belizezoo.org.
Time Zone Differences
This page was last updated on: July 14, 2008