Trip Description

Thinking of someday becoming a doctor or health professional? Whether you’re destined to be pre-med, intrigued by traditional healing methods or interested in learning life saving wilderness medical skills, Belize is the perfect place to study medicine and volunteer on a remarkable Central American adventure! This small former British colony is at the crossroads of modern western medicine, the ancient methods of Mayan healers and the folk healing techniques of Belize’s diverse cultural groups. Witness the blending of ancient and modern remedies in Belize’s public health care system. Become a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and put your new knowledge to use by participating in outreach programs and working alongside local health providers. Along the way discover this extraordinary country’s rich traditions, kind people, spectacular tropical jungles, exotic wildlife, beautiful rivers and mysterious Mayan ruins.

Itinerary & Country Map

• Day 1–4
  Before immersing ourselves in the study of emergency medicine, we embark on an adventure that highlights Belize’s ecological and archeological treasures. Climb towering Mayan ruins and explore unexcavated sites in the jungle. Venture into ancient caverns, cross an underground river and scramble over boulders up to a sacred platform to view ancient Mayan pottery and the bones of human sacrifices. As night falls, we gather at our campsite, recounting stories from the day.

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  Day 5–8
  Energized by our adventures, we travel to the beautiful Jaguar Creek jungle preserve to take on the challenging and life changing 80-hour Wilderness First Responder course. Under the instruction of an expert leader from Wilderness Medical Associates, the United States based world leader in wilderness emergency medicine, we learn how to handle a wide range of medical issues and emergency situations that could happen anytime, anywhere, whether close to home or hours away from modern medical facilities. This is the same course Broadreach, Academic Treks, NOLS and Outward Bound require for their trip leaders. Sharpen your skills through hands-on role playing and lifelike medical scenarios in the backcountry.

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  Day 9–13
  We continue our WFR studies surrounded by lush rainforest at the Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Learn when and where to inject epinephrine. Assess whether or not an injured person can hike out of the wilderness or if you need to make a stretcher for them out of improvised materials. How do you stop massive bleeding? How do you carry someone who is bigger than you are? How do you handle an allergic reaction? Our busy days are punctuated with adventure… Take a break to swim in clear river pools, visit Belize’s world-renowned zoo or canoe down the pristine Sibun River.

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  Day 14–16
  We are now Wilderness First Responders! Ready to learn about a different approach to medicine? Travel to Maya Center to learn about ancient holistic healing techniques with Aurora Saqui, niece and apprentice of the famous Mayan healer, Don Elijio Panti. Mayan healers have utilized natural pharmaceuticals for thousands of years, and Aurora teaches us indigenous approaches to treating physical, emotional and spiritual ailments. Participate in traditional Mayan initiating and cleansing ceremonies. Collect leaves, twigs and roots in her botanical garden and boil up elixirs to relieve common ailments. Then spend a day in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Reserve, hiking through a lush jungle filled with tapirs, peccaries, jaguars and howler monkeys. Tube down a lazy river, trek up the Tiger Fern Trail and play in the pools of a spectacular double waterfall.

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  Day 17–22
  With a better understanding of both traditional and modern medicine, we enter another realm of community development — public health. Learn about global health trends and the specific challenges facing Belize’s public health care system. Travel to a village in northern Belize and put your new skills to work. Spend time in a rural hospital or clinic and help local health volunteers and professionals. Educate the community about the importance of nutrition, good hygiene and malaria prevention, and teach basic medical skills learned from the WFR course. Living with home stay families, we become part of the community we’re helping. Play soccer with the children and help mothers prepare traditional Belizean meals. Experience the rich culture of Belize as you gain a broad understanding of the various levels of health care available and the approach to preventive medicine in this developing nation.

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