Saveah (middle) with fellow participants Napasi (left) and Sandra (right) show off the doghouse they built in construction class.

My name is Saveah Ilgok and I am from Kugluktuk, Nunavut.

I was a participant in NYA Next 2016. I spent my summer with 16 other participants from Nunavut and NWT and we spent the summer at Algonquin College in Ottawa, ON. During the 5 week placement in Ottawa I did a personal learning project with Jonathan Holmes at Algonquin College. My Personal Learning Project was about my goals that I set for myself. The goals I set for myself were to graduate high school in August 2017. I also want to do a year of Nunavut Sivuniksavut, and after that to attend Algonquin College for Aesthetics and Business Entrepreneur.

When I was with Jonathan, I got to see the Aesthetics classroom also the Business Entrepreneur classroom at Algonquin College. In a few years, my goal is to own a business where I can do aesthetics in my home community. An aesthetician is someone who works at a salon or spa, giving specialized skincare treatments. They also perform body treatments such as body wraps, massages, waxing, sugaring, manicures and pedicures. Aestheticians have specialized knowledge when it comes to skincare products and can recommend an at-home skincare regime that would appropriate for their client.

Participating in Northern Youth Abroad helped me see what is possible for my future and put me on the path to achieving my goals.