 CFAN 3500 Global Seminar - "The Maya Riviera: Its land. Its people." The
University of Minnesota's Learning Abroad Center sponsored this 3-week
international experience for 15 students interested in cultural and
environmental studies. The course was eclectic in nature, yet focused on how tourism is impacting the environment and people of the Maya Riviera. Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA) hosted the students, planned local logistics, and provided much of the academic content. In addition to the academics of the course, students participated in site visits to Tulum, Xel Ha, Coba, Aktun
Chen, Chichen Itza and other Maya sites. They also performed about 20 hours each of service learning. CEA organized several service learning projects including beach patrol, beach clean-up, clean-up of several constructed wetlands and the restoration of a park near Yal Ku Lagoon. Although there was insufficient time to complete the entire restoration of the park,
students were able clear the pathways, removed rotted playground equipment and cleaned out much of the trash that accumulated over a number of years of neglect. Despite the heat, humidity, scorpions and hard work, many studentscited the park restoration as their most memorable part of the course. The University is proposing to repeat the course next and we'll hopefully bring down a new cohort of students to finish the restoration next year.
Mark A. Bellcourt, Ed.D.
E-mail: bellc001@umn.edu
Senior Academic Advisor - CEHD Student Services
37 B McNeal Hall
Ph. (612) 626-8665
Appointments: (612) 625-3339
ATS Coordinator - CFANS Diverstiy Office
190L Coffey Hall
Ph. (612) 625-3915
|
