For ten days this summer, nine Edmonds Scholars — all English seniors — got to experience the life of a teacher working in northeast Central America.

From Aug. 6-15, the N.C. Central University scholars taught English as a second language in the Belmopan Government School in Belize, a country with a population of about 256,000.

The Edmonds Scholars taught about 60 Spanish-speaking students, mostly the children of refugees from other Central American countries.

Each year the Edmonds Scholar Program funds a study abroad experience for the program’s seniors. On this trip to Belize, the students came away from the experience with a new awareness of the condition of Third World countries.

“It was a real eye opener,” said Ralph Berry, of Morehead City, N.C. “It gave me an appreciation for education and life. We take a lot more things for granted in the U.S.”

Belize uses a British educational structure. The technology is not as advanced and school principals double as classroom teachers. Residents in Belize must pay for their education after elementary school.

“We wanted a teaching experience that would immerse our students completely in a different culture and allow them to experience a different school system and view of education,” said Crystal Wiggins, program manager of Teaching Matters: Quality Counts. “We lived and participated in their lifestyle.”

The scholars faced a host of challenges. They had to adjust to a rigorous schedule, to Belize’s tropical climate and to the language barrier. They even had to weather a tropical wave — an intense 12-hour thunderstorm.

“It was a challenge, but it was nothing we couldn’t handle,” said Berry. “And we had some help from some of the kids who could speak English.”

Belize was colonized by the British in 1954. The country became an independent nation in 1981. It has a literacy rate of more than 90 percent, one of the highest in Latin America.

“The teaching experience was fun, but it was really draining,” said Tracy Avery of Garner, N.C. “As the days went on, it got easier because we found fun ways to teach English.”

“They left it all to us,” said Raquel Battle, a native of Belize and the coordinator of the trip. Battle is the diversity coordinator in the School of Education. “Our students did an excellent job of getting in there and deciphering the instructional level of the students.

“It was exciting to watch. Visiting a Third World country was very emotional for them, but they rose to the challenge.”

According to Battle, the Edmonds Scholars Program provided classroom books and supplies and organized classrooms into a functioning school with a structured environment.

Battle said the Belmopan villagers welcomed NCCU’s students with open arms.

“The parents were very supportive,” said Battle. “They were very appreciative and some came to sit in the classes.”

“You can tell the kids valued education more,” said Berry. “They wore their best clothes to school, like they were going to church. When they went home for lunch, even more came back.”

“We went to lunch and came back and they were waiting at the gate to greet us … climbing over the fence to get in the school yard,” said Avery. “I think they really enjoyed our visit.”

Katrina Billingsley, director of the Edmond’s Scholar program, praised the scholars for the way they handled themselves. “The Edmonds Scholars did an amazing job with transitioning,” she said. “The kids at the Belize school fell in love with them instantly.”