Personally i have to agree with Stephania... i loved the hands on experience right away! it's really the only way that i retain information...

i can understand what SS is talking about but at the same time everybody has different learning techniques! like some need to learn in a classroom and than taking the "classroom" stuff at home and the actual dives in Belize is prob a better idea! but if u need the hands on experience to learn it may be best to do everything in Belize!

So really it's all up to u and what u think is best for ur own learning experiences!! enjoy ur trip and ur scuba lessons!