It has been only 6 days since I have left San Pedro and to say that I am “home” sick is an understatement. Leaving the students in Standard III was extremely emotional but I know it is never goodbye just see you soon. All 27 of the students came to school on the last day the other International Student Teachers and I came into school to say goodbye. It is amazing to think of how much I have learned from them, the Belizean culture and how close we have all become.

Things I have taken away that I didn’t know before coming to San Pedro:
1. My students are able to speak two languages on average, English and Spanish or English and Creole (arguably a dialect and not a language but for the purposes of this post I’ll keep it).
2. Football (soccer) is a HUGE passion for many of the people in San Pedro (and for the students, playing it is just as good as watching it)
3. Real Madrid and Barcelona are the top two fan favorite soccer teams
4. Classrooms share resources such as books and speakers
5. BJAT (Belize Junior Assessment Test) is a huge focus right now.. it is the Belizean version of the MCAS
6. The people on San Pedro accept you for who you are
7. Many students have extended families
8. The school day has two halves 8:30-11:30AM and then 1:00-3:30PM, with an hour and a half lunch break in between
9. Some students go home for lunch and others stay at school to eat and play soccer
10. There are two seasons- dry season and wet season
11. Sometimes school can be cancelled or delayed due to rain (especially during the wet/rainy season)
12. Students must pass ALL classes in order to advance to the next standard
13. Shilling water is insanely popular and very cool; it is served in a plastic bag!
14. Students will run up to you in public and will brighten your day with a huge hug
15. Belizean food is SO fresh and offers an enormous amount of spice for those adventurous eaters
16. Marie Sharp’s habanero sauce is out-of-this-world
17. Students will beg you to play football (soccer) with them during PE.. and you should it is so fun
18. Report cards are not given to students, the parents come to school and discuss the grades with the teacher
19. You will learn from your Cooperating Practitioner and your Cooperating Practitioner will learn from you
20. WiFi is offered everywhere if you ask for the password, just know that it is hard to upload videos and pictures sometimes!
21. Drinking water is EXTREMELY important; I drank almost 2 liters a day
22. Snorkeling or diving is a must– especially at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley
23. Island hopping is really easy, it takes just a half hour water taxi ride to get to Caye Caulker
24. “Caye” is pronounced “key”
25. Exploring is the best way to familiarize yourself with the island
26. Rent a golf cart to go to Secret Beach but a lot of streets are one way so be aware!
27. “Bamboo Chicken” is iguana meat
28. Estel’s breakfast burritos are life changing
29. Try a hurricane at Hurricanes
30. Time abroad goes by so quickly.. say “yes” to as many opportunities as you can
31. Put yourself out of your comfort zone
32. Try to check out the ruins, go cave tubing or zip lining on the main land but go with a reliable tour guide service
33. Go slow–the pace is very different in the classroom, enjoy it and soak in the experience
34. Ask questions! Get to know the locals and don’t be afraid to look silly, you’re learning and growing
35. Keep and open mind and hope to go back to visit 🙂