December in Belize

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Orange Walk, Belize | Physical Therapy Service-Learning Experience

 

A clear turquoise river winds through rocky terrain flanked by lush green hills, pine trees, and a sweeping forested valley stretching into the distance under a soft blue sky, Belize.Dates: December 11 – December 19, 2026
Location: Orange Walk, Belize
Cost: $1,815
Included: airfare, accommodations, in-country transportation, program events, and study abroad fee
Not included: tuition, meals
Application deadline: July 15th
Deposit: $575 August 1st (non-refundable)
Final payment deadline: $1,240 with fall tuition and fees deadline
Course information: PT 747 – Physical Therapy Elective: Belize Service-Learning Experience

Requirements: In order to attend a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program, students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA. Questions regarding this policy may be directed to Bryan Johnson (johnson_mb@mercer.edu).

This 1-credit stand-alone course offers Doctor of Physical Therapy students a transformative nine-day service-learning experience in Orange Walk, Belize from December 11–19, 2026. Students will provide hands-on clinical care for patients with neurological conditions, amputations, and diabetes while developing the cultural humility and adaptability essential to practice in diverse, real-world settings. Working alongside local healthcare partners, students will apply six semesters of physical therapy training to complex patient cases, navigate language barriers, and engage deeply with the Belizean community — building both clinical competence and a broader global perspective on healthcare delivery. This program is open exclusively to students enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

For more information about this program please contact Dr. Deborah Wendland (wendland_dm@mercer.edu, 678-547-6775) or the Study Abroad Office (studyabroad@mercer.edu, 478-301-5964).

What You'll Do

During this nine-day program, students will experience:

  • Hands-on clinical care with patients with neurological conditions, amputations, and diabetes
  • Daily clinic rotations in Orange Walk, Belize
  • Cultural immersion activities and community engagement
  • Daily debriefs and reflective discussions with faculty
  • Healthcare recycling orientation at the PHI warehouse in Doraville, GA (pre-departure)
  • Pre-departure modules on cultural humility and language barriers
  • Exploration of Orange Walk on the final day

*These activities are subject to change based on availability when booking.

Application Process

To apply: Please click on the “Apply Now” button in the overview section and fill out all of the information requested.

Application deadline: ​​​​​​​July 15th
Decision date: July 16th
Deposit: $575 (non-refundable) due by August 1st to hold your place in the program.
Final payment deadline: $1,240 by fall tuition and fees deadline

Academics

PT 747– Physical Therapy Elective: Vietnam Service-Learning
1 credit hour

Course Description
Selecting from faculty-identified topics, this course provides students with an opportunity to address specific topics related to physical therapy. One standing topic will be a board examination and skills review course. Other topics and/or experiences will be offered, and these may change annually. Enrollment in sections may be limited. Each student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is required to successfully complete this course in order to graduate.

This elective course is designed to integrate concepts and skills learned throughout the first 6 semesters of Mercer University’s physical therapy program. Course content will emphasize review of both system and non-system topics to facilitate mastery of essential physical therapy skills and topics and prepare the student for practice in diverse physical therapy practice settings. Students will complete online modules and participate in a service-learning opportunity in Belize. The service-learning clinical experience is designed to allow students to apply key concepts to the examination and treatment of the complex patient with neurological conditions, amputations, diabetes, and a general need for health promotion activities.

*Prerequisite: Successful completion of all prior coursework in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

Budget

What is included in the program fee: 

  • Airfare
  • Lodging
  • Transportation in country
  • Entry fees and required activities
  • Study Abroad application fee
  • International Insurance

What is not included in the program fee:

  • Meals
  • Tuition*
  • Souvenirs
  • Transportation to and from the ATL airport

*Tuition is dependent upon your current enrollment and your colleges tuition fees for the semester of your program. If you are enrolled as a graduate in the College of Health Professions, the 1 credit for this program will be billed in accordance with the tuition rates for Fall 2026. For a current list of tuition costs, please visit the Bursar’s office at The Office of the Bursar.