University Student Interns in Belize, Teaches Skills and Builds Confidence in Students

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Health - Education - ProWorld Service Corps

Release Date: November 22, 2004

University Student Interns in Belize, Teaches Skills and Builds Confidence in Students

By ProWorld Service Corps
November 22, 2004

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College student volunteers 5 weeks in Belize helping build oral communication skills preparing locals for future on-the-job training. In the process, she helped raise $1000BZ allowing an NGO to purchase wheel chairs, crutches, and walkers.

PR9.NET November 22, 2004 - San Ignacio, Belize - During the past six weeks, Western Washington University student Stephanie Boyer spent time working with two local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in San Ignacio, Belize. Her time spent abroad resulted in major changes in the local community where she interned.

Working with a communications instructor at the Cayo Center for Employment Training (CCET), a local vocational school, Boyer assisted students with their English and oral communication skills in order to better prepare them for future on-the-job training experiences. The students possessed little or no confidence and public speaking skills.

Future occupations of the students are in positions that require a lot of interaction. Realizing this, Boyer went straight to work formulating a plan to help students gain confidence and exposure to the larger community. After spending two days a week in the classroom teaching 89 students enrolled at CCET about good communication and interaction skills, it was time to apply these skills.

Over the course of several days, Boyer took the students into San Ignacio town where the students practiced their skills by helping raise funds for the Octavia Waight Center - an eldercare facility in need of $1000BZ to purchase wheel chairs, crutches, and walkers.

Amazingly it only took three days for Boyer’s students to raise the money after the students each took turns approaching local business owners introducing themselves, presenting the fundraising project, and asking for donations.

A check was presented to the Octavia Waight Center and local radio, TV, and newspapers came to cover the story.

Boyer was thrilled to see the shy students step-up and use the skills they had learned in class to interact with businesses in the community.

"It is essential for students to overcome their shyness and hesitation in speaking with others especially if they wish to take on professional positions in the community" Boyer said.

CCET administrators and teachers are excited about the success of this project that further prepares students for interaction in the real world situations they will encounter at their on-the-job-training. The school hopes to continue this project in the future.

Stephanie Boyer is a Recreation Major and Business Administration Minor at Western Washington University. Choosing to do an independent study quarter for credit in her department, Boyer came to Belize in order to apply her skills in recreation, leisure
studies, and business. The six weeks spent in Belize were part of an NGO Internship with ProBelize, a division of ProWorld Service Corps.

Boyer will be returning to Bellingham at the end of this week.

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University Student Interns in Belize, Teaches Skills and Builds Confidence in Students

Contact Information of ProWorld Service Corps

Phone	877 429 6753
Website	http://www.myproworld.org
E-Mail	E-mail Address Protected

About ProWorld Service Corps

ProWorld Service Corps is a company specializing in study abroad and volunteer work service projects in Peru (ProPeru), Belize (ProBelize), Mexico (ProMexico), India (ProIndia), and Thailand (ProThailand). Founded in 1998, ProWorld provides enriching experiences for volunteers while striving to make a difference in cooperative communities.