Over the winter break, Professor James Godde and Professor Michelle Holschuh Simmons were accompanied by 27 students to the island nations of Belize and Guatemala. All students who were on the trip were either apart of Professor Godde’s reflections (INTG-390) or his biology independent studies class (BIO-290). The purpose of the trip was to further students’ education in these respective classes. According to Professor Godde, the reflections class was there to examine the concept of pilgrimage and reflect amongst the solitude of the Mayan ruins. In addition, the biology students were there to examine the wildlife and what the ecology was like.
Professor Godde elected to travel to Belize with his students in part due to the knowledge of Professor Holschuh Simmons who taught in Belize 27 years ago. Professor Holschuh Simmons was able to provide some insight in terms of the different locations to visit. As well as this, being a college trip, it was important that costs were affordable. Moreover, the ruins were accessible, and temperatures were much warmer making it an alluring trip.
A notable number of Mayan ruins were seen as the group traveled to such places as Xunantunich, Caracol, Tikal, and Flores in northern Guatemala. The trip was well-organized and provided a wide range of activities for students, including exploring Mayan ruins, caves, and snorkeling, just to name a few. Of the trip, Abierre Kamai noted some of the academic aspects as students had to keep a journal which helped conceptualize the travel experience and keep everyone sane. For most members of the trip, Caracol was their favorite part of the trip, not only for its size but also the fact that it fit into the pilgrimage and reflecting theme as it provided nice solitude as there were fewer tourists. Kamai also enjoyed the village of San Anticio Ignacio, “Where they met wonderful people…[and was] one of the best experiences of the whole trip.”
After the success of these trips, professor Godde is hoping to make this an annual event traveling to different areas of Central and South America. The trip next year will be to El Salvador, so taking INTG-390 or BIO-290 is highly recommended.
Student reactions: “I was engulfed by a whole new world where malaria was prevalent, water wasn’t drinkable and toilet paper couldn’t be flushed,” she said. “But also, a world where family was priority, nature was protected and history was stored. This trip opened my eyes to the world around me in so many ways.” – Makenna Rapien ’20 “The island was absolutely gorgeous and it reminded me a lot of Monmouth because everyone seemed to know everyone else. We got to go snorkeling when we were there, which is always amazing, and we had the night to explore the town. I honestly can’t wait to go back.” – Madelyn Bird ’21
Cover photo captured by Junior Makenna Rapien in Belize
Kieren Marshall - Contributing Writer