Spanish speaking in belize

[Believe in Karma 11]

Ello:

Im a junior in undergrad and wondering how common is spanish spoken around campus and the surrounding area around campus? I am in the process of learning spanish and if I come to MUA-B I want to maintain my fluency. Lemme know what you think. Thanks.
Patrick

[byteme]

On campus, English is mainly used because many of the students don't know Spanish or are not fluent. The Belizean members of staff and administration speak Spanish or the local Patois amongst themselves because, IMO anyway, they are just more comfortable conversing in these two languages.

Same thing in town. English is widely understood because as a former British colony, this is the language of instruction in the schools. However, since most Belizeans grow up in Spanish and/or Patois speaking households, I'd have to say that these two languages are even MORE widely used and I'd be very surprised if you weren't able to maintain your fluency.

[wcb22]

i'd have to beg to differ. i speak spanish, and i looked for opportunities to speak spanish in belize, and they were not as frequent as i would have liked.

[byteme]

One of the students in my semester was Belizean, and when we went into the school offices or into town, he had no shortage of people to speak to. By association, they started greeting me in Spanish as well. Even in the polyclinic during 5th semester, most of the patients I got (or maybe it was just my luck) spoke Spanish and were more content speaking Spanish than English.

Because many people mistook me as a local and because I was in town lots of times with my Belizean fellow student, maybe people were more comfortable speaking to me in Spanish.

I guess it depends where you looked for opportunities or how said opportunities present themselves.

[Yossarrian]

While I would NOT encourage anyone to attend MUA-B, I would say that I had no major problems on the mainland or Amergeris Caye. It is a diverse country and while there are dilalects and patois; English is the official language. So, unless you end up in some really remote place, you should do fine. Lovely place to be a tourist.

[BillyBill]

spanish and english is an even split. you can speak either freely with the natives and locals in san pedro. mua belize is one of only 2 medical universities in belize with residents in the united states. also the only one of 2 schools established for 5+ years in belize. i may not be able to respond, especially all the haters, right now i am in preparation for advanced stages of usmles.

[BillyBill]

the locals have preference for spanish, and will be enthuised to speak in distinct spanish with hints of creole.