We have just produced a FREE international student guidebook for students from Belize called Studying in the U.S.A. – A Guidebook for Students from Belize.

This guidebook explains each step of the college process for students from Belize: from applying to universities, to finding the right institution, to the student visa process. This guide also gives valuable advice on everything from U.S. banking options to everyday conversation with Americans. The guide provides packing and document checklists for every step of the process of becoming an international student. The guidebook even breaks down some key differences between the cultures of Belize and America.

Download “Studying in the U.S.A. – A Guidebook for Students from Belize”

The rise in Belizean students studying in the U.S. is expected to continue to grow. This guide will make the process more straightforward and streamlined than ever before. Receiving a coveted degree from a world-renowned American university can be more than just your dream; it is already a reality for many students from Belize. With EB5 Affiliate Network’s free guide, it can be your reality, as well.

Belize’s Presence in the Global Economy

As of 2019, Belize has an estimated population of 405,000 people. Belize is a center of tourism and sugar, bananas, and citrus exports in Central America. GDP growth has fluctuated in recent years and was 0.8% in 2017. Belize has the third-highest per capita income in Central America, although there is a massive disparity between the extraordinarily rich and the extremely poor in the country.

Trend of Belize Students Studying Abroad in the U.S.

Out of its population of 405,000, it is estimated that approximately 400 Belizean students are studying abroad in the U.S. This implies that about 0.001% of the population of Belize is studying abroad in the U.S.

The number of students from Belize enrolled in U.S. universities has remained significant despite an expansion in opportunities for higher education in Belize as well as online educational opportunities through platforms like Coursera.com, edx.org, and udemy.com. Universities in Belmopan also draw their own international students from all over Central America.

Background on International Students From Belize

Belize is one of the top Central American nations for the number of students attending college or university in the United States.

According to the Institute of International Education, there were approximately 400 students from Belize enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions in 2019. Among all Central American nations, only a few countries had a higher number of students.

Pathway for Belizean International Students to Lower Tuition

One major problem that affects the growth of international students from Belize receiving a U.S. education is the cost of a U.S. education which has increased substantially in the past 20 years. According to a study from the Wall Street Journal, U.S. university tuition has increased 500% since 1987. The number of international students attending U.S. universities has also skyrocketed 85% from 2005 to 2015.

Prospective international students may find the average cost of a four-year undergraduate degree in the United States prohibitive as it ranges from $22K per year for a public university to $50K for a private university. Private and public and institutions both charge between 3-4 times the amount of tuition for international students compared to U.S. permanent residents and citizens.

Permanent residency (Green Card) status conferred by an EB-5 investment visa, can drastically decrease the cost of tuition at U.S. universities from the international tuition rates to the local “in-state” rates at public and private universities.

Green Card or permanent residency status provides students from Belize with significantly higher admission rates for both undergraduate and graduate programs and access to many scholarship awards and grants.

No matter what visa they choose, Belizean students should not give up hope. If their dream is to receive a world-class education in the United States, EB5 Affiliate Network can help.