Cait (left) attends an Ottawa Fire Services firefighting course with fellow Participant Robert at Algonquin College.
Hello Everyone!
My name is Kaitlin Porter but everyone usually knows me as Cait (changed my name on facebook when I was 15 during Canadian phase and always stuck to it). I am 20 years old and I have one child who I adore with my entire heart. I attended Canadian phase with Northern Youth Abroad when I was 15 years old and I was placed in Stratford, Prince Edward Island and my volunteer placement job was in Charlottetown, PEI helping an Art Teacher at the Confederation Centre and my placement buddy was Ooleesee Akeeagok.
This year is the very first year that Northern Youth Abroad made a program for “NYA Next”. It’s different from the “International phase” because 16 participants from Nunavut/Northwest Territories have the opportunity to stay here in Ottawa attending carpentry trades classes with Algonquin College and also stay in the residence which is very exciting and gives us a taste of college life.
Before we went into the residence and college we had Orientation with NYA staff and Canadian phase participants and get to know the participants in our NYA Next program. We had many sessions there like leadership skills, first aid skills (CPR), did some acting called skits, conflict resolutions and how to deal with tough times, mental illness awareness, and more.
After we moved into the residence, we started our trades with carpentry, we toured the college and played sports. We also have done amazing activities like firefighting skills, police skills and rules, we went on an amazing camping experience at a park, did tons of presentations to people in Ottawa and met immigrants that are new to Canada and told them our way of life in the north. We also learned a lot of Science (chemistry, biology), we met up with great programs all around Ottawa and I have just been enjoying all of the sessions and enjoying learning everything I can while I can have the opportunity so I can be glad to say I experienced everything I did while we are here. I enjoy staying here at the residence everyone is very welcoming. We have met met a lot of people through sports and I really enjoy telling people the way the north is and they are always so surprised.
Times can be very tough as a single mom and missing your child but to pass all this knowledge and experience on to him when he gets older, I really appreciate it. I can tell you all that this program puts all the effort they can to help you build all the skills you can and all the support and encouragement you get is unbelievable!! I cry (happy tears) sometimes because I am so thankful for everything the staff and leaders do to make this trip a very good experience. I also enjoy the fact that I made a lot of new friends that I will always remember (just like in Canadian Phase)! Sometimes I wonder where would I be if I didn’t gain all the skills and experience I did with Canadian phase, and I am glad to be here with the very first year of NYA Next 2016!
