Carrying Home Across Borders – Belize
By Sherissa Cayetano, MACC Accounting
When people hear the word “Caribbean,” they often think of the home of the fastest man on Earth, Jamaica, or the global success of the best-selling artist behind the Fenty brand, Barbados. Rarely does Belize come to mind.
Tucked between Mexico and Guatemala, with the Caribbean Sea resting along its eastern shore, Belize is small in size but immense in culture. I often describe Belize as small, but that word never quite captures its depth. Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America, yet it is a mosaic of languages, cultures, and traditions: Garifuna, Creole, Mestizo, Maya, East Indian, Mennonite, and more.
Belize shaped my understanding of identity as something layered rather than singular. At home, culture is expressed loudly and proudly through drumming during Garifuna Settlement Day, colorful carnival celebrations, and the blending of Caribbean and Central American influences in everyday life. Family is central. Community is expected. You do not grow up alone; you are raised by communities of aunties, neighbors, and teachers who all play a role in shaping you. As I reflect on my experiences growing up in Belize, I often return to this sense of collective belonging, the understanding that identity is shared and shaped by land, sea, and community.
Transitioning to life in the United States required adjustment. Here, individuality is emphasized in ways that initially felt unfamiliar. I became more aware of my accent, my expressions, and even the way I describe “home.” But that transition became more specific and more personal when I arrived in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Though so different from the turquoise waters and tropical climate of Belize, one thing remains the same: the people. The kindness of strangers, the willingness to help, and the tight-knit nature of the community mirror the warmth I know from home. In unexpected ways, Cedar Falls has offered a familiar comfort. It may not have palm trees or the Caribbean breeze, but it carries a sense of welcome that feels deeply grounding.
Living between Belize and the United States has shaped my perspective. I am constantly navigating two cultural spaces: one rooted in collective identity and tradition, the other centered on individual growth and independence. Rather than choosing between them, I have learned to carry both. Belize travels with me in my hospitality, in my storytelling, and in the pride I feel when I share where I am from. Cedar Falls, in turn, has expanded my perspective by challenging me academically while reminding me that community can be found in the most unexpected places.
Through my interactions, I hope others see that culture is not something left behind when we move; it travels with us. Belize is not just a place on a map for me, it is rhythm, resilience, and rootedness. In sharing my experiences, I invite others to explore that world not as outsiders, but as listeners stepping into a story still being written.
