There is a classroom where UB students can study that contains no walls and offers no boundaries.
Rather, it's wrapped in jade jungles and lies under the azure skies of the Yucat?Ae?n Peninsula. It is where Toucans sing and mountains roar, where the resplendent temples, pyramids and hieroglyphic texts of the ancient Maya civilization were born.
Through UB's Ancient Art and Cities of the Maya study abroad program, students can enter this exotic classroom this winter break.
The program brings as many as 15 students to 27 sites in Mexico, Guatemala and Belize, where the Maya once flourished as an ancient civilization and where their ancestors still live today.
"To stand on top of a pyramid and imagine what went on there 500 or 600 years ago is amazing and is not possible in a typical classroom," said Courtney Locke, a senior majoring in anthropology and minoring in history. Locke participated in the program in the winter of 2000.
Unlike many study abroad programs, this program is not centered in a university setting. Instead of taking classes in another university in a foreign country, students can study actual archeological excavation sites of the Maya.
"You really see a lot, as opposed to having another classroom experience. It's about getting outside, getting wet, getting dirty, getting dusty," said Program Director and anthropology professor Geoffrey Braswell.
"We go to some gigantic sites, like Chich?(c)n Itz?Ae? in Mexico, but we also go to isolated places, places that you can only get to by boat," said Braswell.
At the different sites, students study various artifacts, observe iconography, examine current excavations and take time to visit caves, beaches and sample local cuisine.
"The idea is to give students a hands-on experience with real art, architecture and hieroglyphics of the ancient Maya, and for them to see it not in its classroom context, but in its true context," said Braswell.
The program is available to all students; there are no language, major or grade requirements. It grants three credits towards a degree, which would appear under the spring 2003 schedule.
There is a program fee of $2,750 and financial aid is available. An information session for all interested in applying will be held toward the end of September.
This winter's course takes place from Dec. 27 to Jan. 11. Students involved will begin their journey in Mexico before moving through Guatemala, Belize, and then returning to Mexico before going home. At times, three different sites are covered in one day.
"The number of days is short, but they're full days," said Braswell.
Locke said that the intensity of the program is a benefit.
"It was intensive, but it was also relaxed. We'd walk around different sites, Professor Braswell would explain things, and we'd pause to discuss artwork on the pyramids or structures. There was time to swim, and there were two days to do whatever. I didn't feel it was too much," she said.
At night, travelers usually sleep in small backpacking hotels; they may stay in a different place every night, said Braswell.
Since students are together day and night, friendships form quickly. Locke can testify to that. She knew only one other person before she went on the trip, but by the time she returned she was close with the entire group.
"When you eat, sleep and experience so much together you form strong bonds. Everyone e-mailed each other for at least a year after we got home," she said.
The program also nurtures student-instructor relationships, which are hard to form in a typical class that meets for merely two hours and 40 minutes per week.
"In some sense, you get more course hours to learn the material because you're together all the time. There are some days when I'm lecturing for ten to 12 hours," said Braswell.
The fact that the trip is scheduled in the winter between the fall and spring semesters gives those who cannot forfeit a semester or summer to go abroad the chance to do so.
"Many students complain of not having any time to study abroad. . Winter break options open doors for more students who may have commitments during the rest of the year," said Rhona Cadenhead, acting director of UB's study abroad programs.
Senior Angela Gnann, an English major, can attest to that.
"I wanted to study in Italy, but I really didn't have a semester free to go because I changed my major from business to English as a sophomore, and the summer is when I make all of my money to live in an apartment during the year. I think this program is a great option for students like me," said Gnann.
Cadenhead said that study abroad programs often help students to gain a greater understanding of the world and their role within it.
"Being there made me realize that I love (archeology)," said Locke. "When I went to excavation sites, I knew this is where I belong."
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
