KINGSTON, RI – Feb. 18, 2025 – URI students across various majors studied abroad in Belize over the 2024 J-term to take part in the ‘Ancient Roots of a Young Nation’ course offered with Ann Salzarulo-McGuigan, professor of communication studies. The course is cross-listed as both a communication studies and Africana studies. The overall goal of the course is for students to participate in experiential learning through cultural immersion.

“Our hosts focused on the strengths of their cultural values and sharing their sense of dignity and pride with all the world,” said McGuigan.

While Mayans largely populate Belize, it is also home to many who are descended from enslaved people who escaped to Belize, known as the Garifuna people. Students were able to tour a Garifuna cultural institute which shed light on the West African and Latin influence on their culture. Students were taught about clothing and meals, history, and the practice of traditional drumming.

“Food is one of the main ways to exchange cultures,” graduate student Alex D’Amato said. “It really gave me a whole new perspective on how the people live out there and how they rely on the environment, which is totally different from home (where it’s entirely a consumer culture); these people are actually producing and cooking their own food.”

During their stay, the group also learned how communication and social cues can mean certain things in a different cultural context. For example, eye contact; whereas in some cultures, maintaining eye contact is seen as a sign of respect. But in other cultures it’s the complete opposite; it’s disrespect.

Each member of the group also kept a digital record of their trip in order to document their experience for the film related aspect of the course.

“The whole time I was taking pictures to build a narrative and build a story,” sophomore Cadije Louis said. “In between, we would share our pictures and have discussions, just about our lives and culture.”

URI offers study abroad programs through each college at the university. Faculty-led programs are available during winter J-term, spring break and summer break. For more information, contact the Office of International Education and National Student Exchange at oie@uri.edu or 401.874.2395.

This article was written by Erin Malinn, class of 2028.