Hi, my Name is Rick Aningaat and I am from Baker Lake, Nunavut. I am placed in Quispamsis, Which is near Saint John Newbrunswick. From what I experienced is there’s trees everywhere you go, with an endless sight of ocean. There is also a river called the Kennabacasis river which there is beautiful mountains in the background along with sunsets. My favourite view of Saint John is the sunsets in KV (Kennabacasis Valley).
My work placement is at the Hammond River Nature camp and I work with kids every week with different activities each week. Every summer, the HRAA has a summer camp for the children of Saint John, along with the youth who is a Councillor in Training (volunteering to become a staff member of the HRAA) This camp has exciting activities such as Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, Fishing, and so much more!
The things I find difficult in the south is having to pack up lunches for work as back home we just head home on lunch break. What I also find different back home is the time zones, how dark it gets after dinner, and the speedometer (where here In Saint John they use KMH, where as back home we use MPH). Another thing I find different is that there are so many job opportunities in the south where as back home in Nunavut, there’s not much job opportunities.
My story to you is, I’ve never been to a carnival before in my life. And here in Saint John, the weekend we landed, was a carnival happening. My host family has taken their kids, my placement buddy and myself to the carnival, and the very first ride I went on, I fainted for a few seconds. Where as the second ride I went on, I also fainted but I also nearly puked which was not fun. Other than that, I had a blast at the carnival!!
Also Beginning of July, my host family drove us up to Federicton and we got to go to the arts and crafts museum. I found so many amazing arts and sculptures. Also my host family drove us up to Moncton to take us to the Zoo and it was also my first time to be at a Zoo. I really enjoyed those moments.
The things I’ll miss is my host family. They have been so generous with my placement buddy and I these 5 weeks of our experience. I really appreciate their help and I hope to see them again later on in the future. I’ll also miss my Coworkers. We all became family from strangers. I’ll miss saying good mornings and have a great day in the mornings and after work. I’ll forever cherish every single moment with them, I’ll definitely miss my coworkers who are like a family to me once I get sent back home.
I am really enjoying my time adventuring places in Canada. I have been trying to apply for the Northern youth Abroad Canadian program for 5 years and I have finally made it into the Canadian program. So things are possible if you keep trying.
