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WORK AND STUDY |
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There's virtually no chance of finding paid temporary work in Belize.
Work permits are only on offer to those who can prove their ability to
support themselves without endangering the job of a Belizean, or to
wealthy investors.
There are, however, a growing number of opportunities for voluntary work
- mainly as a fee-paying member of a conservation expedition or an
archeological group. These options generally mean raising at least a
thousand dollars and committing yourself to weeks - or months - of hard
work, often in difficult conditions. The rewards are personal
satisfaction and (sometimes) a genuine contribution to scientific
research. Many conservation expeditions , aimed at gap-year students,
work on rural infrastructure projects such as schools and health
centres, or building trails and visitor centers in nature reserves. In
addition, at least twenty academic archeological groups undertake
research in Belize each year, and many of them take paying students (and
non-students); have a look at Archaeology Fieldwork Opportunities
Bulletin ( www.archaeological.org ) or in Archaeology Magazine (
www.archaeology.org ).
If you find the initial cost of such programmers a deterrent, you could
always volunteer independently - many conservation organizations in
Belize have volunteer programmes. You'll need to be self-motivated and
self-supporting, since no funding will be available, though you'll
probably get food and accommodation.
Voluntary work and study contacts
The Web site www.gapyear.com has a vast amount of information on
volunteering, including organizations dealing with Belize, plus a huge,
invaluable database on travel and living abroad. In addition, the
comprehensive range of books and...
The Web site www.gapyear.com has a vast amount of information on
volunteering, including organizations dealing with Belize, plus a huge,
invaluable database on travel and living abroad. In addition, the
comprehensive range of books and information published by Vacation Work
( www.vacationwork.co.uk ) is well worth looking at - titles include
Directory of Summer Jobs Abroad, Taking a Gap Year and Work Your Way
Around the World ; most are updated annually and include work and
volunteer opportunities in Central America. The Council on International
Educational Exchange (contact Council Travel for address) also arranges
and administers volunteer and study programmes and has information on
Belize.
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