Blog

July 14th, 2023

Felicity at Algonquin College

Life here in Ottawa is interesting because its different from where I am from. Life on campus just reminds me of school, but I have to get up and walk to where I am going to learn how I have to walk down to the construction class, it’s a challenge but I always manage to make it on time or a minute or two late.  

Living in residence is easy, as if I’m living back at home but a little less loud. I live in a small household with 7 people and its loud, I like it loud because I’m used to it. It feels like it’s too quiet but I’m slowly getting used to it.   

The volunteering was lovely because the head boss was super nice even the staff! The stuff we (me and four other people) had to help with cutting some vegetables or fruits, help wash the dishes, help serve the food to those in need. I really liked volunteering there because the boss was nice and everyone was friendly.  

I can say it’s weird being FAR away from home because the farthest I have ever been is to Edmonton and it wasn’t that bad. 

I’m happy I got into this program because I start school this September at  Mount Royal University and I’m leaving near the end of August to get into my dorm and to slowly start knowing my way around Calgary. It is going to be easier now because I know what to do if I need to go on the bus because of NYA.

July 13th, 2023

Keira’s First Week on Ottawa

I left my home community July 5th, me and another participant Mark travelled on our own down to Ottawa. It was an experience, we did well for our first time travelling alone. I got to meet the other participants the following Friday, and got to know them during orientation.

During orientation we did a handful of activities, my favourite was the communication activity. We got to do 3 different ones, they all represented a type of communication, such as telephone, texting, and in-person conversation. Out of the three, I enjoyed the telephone-like communication activity a little more. I paired up with a participant and she guided me around the room while I was blindfolded.

When I met my buddy I was surprised, her and I are very similar in ways. We have the same phone case, same laugh, same clothing style, and very similar personalities. NYA is very good at pairing buddy’s!

We also went to Bayshore mall for a couple hours the following weekend, while I was there I got a pedicure done and shopped for clothing & necessities. On our way there and back, we took a bus, which was my very first time on the bus. I’m having fun figuring out how to use public transit, the experience with the busses is great for when I’m back for college.

Staying on campus is fun, there are a lot of things to do and a lot of space to do assignments. The cool thing is, Algonquin College has nap pods on campus! If homework or assignments burn you out, you can find a quiet floating pod to nap.

We’re taking culinary classes every Monday while we are here, last class we made homemade nacho chips along with homemade salsa and guacamole. I am looking forward to learning new recipes to share with my family at home.

From Tuesdays to Fridays we have construction classes, right now we’re just finishing our stools. We also made picture frames for our group photo we’ll take at the end of the program. Next, we’ll start making dog houses.

I’m looking forward to watching the parliament light show this coming weekend, I’ve seen videos of the light show, but it’ll be even better to experience in person. Another activity I’m looking forward to is the beach trip, which is after our swim to survive activity. With swim to survive, we will see what level swimmers we are.

That is my summer so far, I’m so excited for the next couple weeks:)))

July 13th, 2023

Aranxa’s Experience with NYA Next

Hi, my name is Aranxa Tunguaq. I am from Baker Lake, Nunavut. I am participating in the Northern Youth Abroad Next. The program is about experiencing what is it like to live in a campus of a college. I am loving the program, I learned a lot of things with the program. 

The things I learned so far are ways of to deal with a conflict, time management, learning how to budget. I learned quite a few activities, the ones that I thought was fun was the blindfold game, the one that would be really loud in order to distract the people that are blindfolded.  

I am currently taking construction and I am making a step stool and a picture frame. Making a picture frame is easy and making a step stool is so fun because I am learning how to use these heavy-duty tools like the table saw, liner (not sure if it’s called that).  

Anyways, I am loving this program because I am learning a lot of new things and gaining a healthy way of thinking of what I can actually accomplish in the future. 

When I met my roommate, I was like freaking out because she’s exactly like me! We both have the same phone covers, bucket hats etc and personalities! I am really grateful for NYA for letting me be a part of this program!   

July 13th, 2023

Kym’s first week at Algonquin College

Getting to go to NYA Next was exciting, because we got to go to Ottawa, and I couldn’t wait to go there. When I got here, the NYA Staff were in the airport waiting for us. Then we went to the college campus that they talked about. When we got there, we had to introduce ourselves then I met Ace, Keira, Reana and O’Neill, Sunshine, Patti, Karen, Mahasi, DJ, Andrea, and everyone else.  

The activities are fun and I am learning things like construction, cooking at the kitchen, going to the mall, and exploring. The campus was fun and it was fun to introduce myself to the group I have. When I introduced myself to the group and they did too. 

 
I have experienced the campus and what it is like to study, learning about leadership respecting one another. I find it hard to talk sometimes so I can be quiet, so I listen to music a lot. 

 
I’m here to learn about leadership and trying to become a teacher, because my old teacher encouraged me to become a teacher, he motivated me and my family, so I won’t give up on that. 

 
About the activities and experiences so far here, I liked it at all times even when I have up and downs. I’m here to learn more stuff that I need to learn.  

July 13th, 2023

Alia’s first weeks in Medicine Hat

Hi, I am Alia from Gjoa Haven NU, and I am placed in Medicine Hat Alberta. So far, I’m enjoying the city life I really love working at the vet clinic! Me and my buddy Christa are getting along so well along with my host parents.

The reason why I chose the vet clinic is that I want to become a veterinary technician after high school, and I wanted to learn about the experience. My coworkers are so kind and also very smart. I am learning something new every day from them and my supervisor.

Our second week of being in medicine hat, my house parents took us to Drumheller to see the royal Tyrrell Museum and on our way there we stopped by some hoodoo trails and to some mines which is really amazing! After that we stayed in the town for a bit and had some amazing food.

We also went to a reptile place, and I got to hold a snake for the first time which was a bit scary, but that didn’t stop me from holding it. I’m excited to head to Calgary and Banff if it all goes well we will also be camping soon.

I miss everyone from orientation. I met really amazing people also staff members. I am very excited to hear from everyone about their work placements and placement  experience but I kind of don’t want to leave Medicine Hat!

July 13th, 2023

Lawrence in Windsor

My name is Lawrence, I have come to Windsor Ontario just across Detroit City, the scenery is col. I am enjoying my time here in Windsor and I have been working with mechanical for cars.

I have been learning a lot of new things and tried different kinds of food.

My host buddy and I have been going around the city with bikes, and also, we go to the gym daily.

Everything is different down south, the only thing that bothers me is the heat.

The exciting part is living in the present and experiencing the reality of the south and meeting lots of nice people.

July 13th, 2023

Mark’s Time with NYA Next

Life on campus  

      Life on campus is pretty cool. It is very different from home. First it is a huge place! The food is different as I am use to country foods such as arctic char, caribou, seal, and more. There are all kinds of people from all over the world which I find awesome because to them I’m from a totally different place as well. Another thing on campus I find interesting is that there are the amount of jobs offered here on campus that would be more than half of my home town’s population. Yes the jobs here on campus alone are pretty much half of how many people live in Gjoa Haven NU! 

Experiences in Ottawa so far  

      My experiences so far here in Ottawa have been great! From going out of the biggest terminal I’ve been in, to volunteering in a place called the mission has been awesome! Right when we landed here I took a look around and thought of how awesome it is to see everything and not just form a photo on the internet but in person. Using public transit for the first time was quite nerve-wracking because I heard of stories how others got on wrong buses or got off on wrong stops. But it was fun because I had my NYA project Leaders and the other participants with me. My fellow participants and myself have started a culinary class where we learn and actually cook different things. We also started a construction class and are learning how to use various types of tools. Myself and a few other participants went to a homeless shelter/facility to volunteer, I was placed in the kitchen where I found out that I’m pretty good at cooking and preparing food. After that volunteer experience I thought of it and I think a chef is another career I might want get into.  

Living in residence  

       Living in residence is pretty awesome! I love having my own space and I find it very helpful to have a room mate. Living here gives me the experience I will need for if I decided to go for post secondary after high school. I feel that the rooms are the perfect size for when you’re in school away from home most likely for the first time all on your own. Another cool thing is the centre square. The centre square is where there are different types of places you can get food and supplies all in the comfort of a short walk away. 

One thing/activity I’ve attended  

       One activity I’ve went to here was a movie called insidious the red door. It was not bad and not going to lie a bit scary. I went because I’m not a horror movie fan and haven’t watched a scary movie in years and after seeing that movie I decided I’m good for another few long years. It was fun because I haven’t been to the movies in so long. I even forgotten how good the popcorn is at movies.  

      All and all I am enjoying every bit of my stay here so far!  

Signing off Mark. K 

July 12th, 2023

Rosanna’s NYA Adventure

In 2021 when I was 16 years old, my science teacher, Richard, told me to apply to NYA so I decided to apply. I was accepted but I couldn’t go because of the pandemic. I was disappointed but applied again in 2022 and got accepted again! I started fundraising April to June but only made $500, but the NYA staff were able to help me figure out fundraising ideas which made me so happy!

On June 17, 2023, in the morning, I went to Rankin Inlet in Iqaluit for the first time. I saw the airport and I was lost but met Cameron and Christa at an Iqaluit restaurant and we quickly became friends. When we went to Ottawa, I got to meet the NYA Staff!

Ottawa is very hot and has lots of traffic and bugs. I did my presentation in front of the NYA participants, we played different games, and then the adventure really began! I was matched with Taniki and we flew to Edmonton to meet our host family, Kit and Dave. We started to get to know each other.

Kit and Dave were very impressed with all my traditional knowledge and culture. I tried to teach Kit throat singing. I also tried to teach Kit and Dave how to speak Inuktitut, my native language. On the weekend, we went to Fred Broadstock outdoor pool, Queen Elizabeth outdoor pool, we went shopping at the big mall, and to get groceries. We got haircuts on our third day here and I chopped off so much hair! We went to the Farmer’s Market and rode scooters. Dave and Kit threw me a birthday party on Canada Day. We invited people from my work placement and had a big BBQ. We played games and had cake. I had so much fun.

This week we have appointments to get piercings and on the weekend, we are going to the Telus World of Science and maybe Fort Edmonton Park. I really want to go to another pool that has a water slide.

I have learned so much already, including how to ride the bus.It was really scary at first but I stuck with it and feel more confident. I have felt very welcomed by the staff at the City Arts Centre. Ruth-Anne is my boss and she is so kind. I am enjoying helping the kids with their art projects.

-Rosanna

July 11th, 2023

Alicia’s Summer in Milton

I am Alicia from Clyde River, Nunavut. I was placed in Milton Ontario. There are so many cars, trees, and houses in Milton. I have learned what a condo building Is. And I think it would be boring to live in a condo building because it is such a small space and so many people. 

On my first week I was preparing for summer camp in Milton. My jobs included making banners and going to the stores for craft supplies. This week I watched the camp councillors to help with my training. Next week the plan is to teach some campers how to do beading. I will make earrings with them. 

I swim every day in the pool. And I’m learning how to do hand stands in the pool. I learned how to play baseball by watching the Blue Jays play a game. 

There are more bugs in south, and more stores. There’s a lot of constructions. More people, more schools. It is very hot in the summer. There are lots of parks. 

I found Niagara Falls very exciting. It is much bigger than Clyde River waterfalls. It is much higher and more water falling over steep ledge. 

There are many playgrounds and I like to sit on the swings and call with my friends. And there are bigger houses in Milton. 

-Alicia