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Participants worked in medical clinics that served approximately 250 patients, providing care in underserved areas while gaining real-world clinical experience.
In addition to their service work, students explored Belizean culture through activities such as learning how coffee and chocolate are made and visiting historic Mayan ruins.
The group included students Adam Jonnes, Kaylee Rider, and Braylon Brown, who said it enriched their college education in meaningful ways.
For Rider, an incoming sophomore from Olathe, Kansas, the trip offered a powerful perspective on healthcare and community.
“I wanted to go on this trip to gain perspective of the healthcare system in another country, as well as provide care in underserved areas,” she said.
The experience reshaped how she views both healthcare and human connection.
“People are extremely trusting not only of one another, but of outsiders like us as well,” she said. “They value genuine connection, and everyone we met was extremely welcoming and grateful to receive any sort of medical care. They value community and helping one another, and I would love to see more of that in the U.S. and our healthcare system.”
One of her most meaningful experiences came while assisting a local physician in a clinic.
“Not only did he let me examine patients, but he allowed me to ask questions and help make decisions under his supervision,” she said. “It was an amazing experience.”
She also highlighted the relationships formed during the trip, including time spent with their host family and cheering on a local guide in a community soccer game.
“We became really close with our host from Heart-to-Heart Belize and his family,” Rider said. “Those connections made the experience even more special.”
This was Rider’s first Pitt State Study Abroad trip, and she will continue her global learning this summer in a separate program in China.
Braylon Brown, an incoming sophomore from Aledo, Texas, said he chose the Belize program to gain hands-on clinical experience and better understand the role of physicians working in resource-limited settings — a path that aligns with his long-term goal of practicing medicine in developing countries for a nonprofit organization.
“In Belize, I got to work very close to the doctor and learned a lot about how to listen to the patient and the patient’s concerns in order to best treat them — both as a person and as a healthcare professional,” Brown said.
The trip marked his first Study Abroad experience and provided both meaningful clinical exposure and time to connect with peers outside of the clinic setting.
“My favorite memory was coming back from a long day at the clinic, swimming in the pool at the hotel, and singing karaoke late into the night with my peers,” he said.
For Adam Jonnes, an incoming senior from Baxter Springs, Kansas, the experience reinforced both the challenges of global healthcare and the importance of service.
“I hoped to broaden my understanding of healthcare in another area while providing to those in need,” Jonnes said.
Working in high-volume clinics helped him strengthen his patient communication skills.
“I adored interacting with the people of Belize,” he said. “Seeing so many patients helped me develop stronger rapport and better understand their needs.”
The trip also gave him a new perspective on healthcare systems.
“I have more gratitude for our own healthcare system in the U.S.,” he said. “While we have our own challenges, they don’t compare to some of the issues in Belize. This just reinforces the need for trips like this.”
One moment in particular left a lasting impression.
“Before I left the very last clinic, I struck up a conversation with a man named Carlos,” Jonnes said. “He spoke about how healthcare workers used to come to the area more often, but they no longer do. Despite his struggles, he was smiling the entire time.”
Jonnes said the interaction underscored the resilience of the people he met.
“When we finished talking, he asked me to come back someday,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget him. We could learn a lot from his resilience.”
Learn more: Pitt State Study Abroad
