Ethan participating in swimming lessons at Orientation

Well first off, my host family is great! The kids are fun, their house is amazing and they have a lot of cats, which I find pretty cool. Everyone talks about their day, how it was, and what they did. We are getting along great. My work placement is amazing! I work with kids and we do activities like: draw, arts and crafts, colouring, and decorating different items. We have also went on a few day trips so far. Most days, near the end of the day, we play various sports or activities outside. Or if it’s raining we will stay inside and play boardgames – I like playing connect four. So far I’ve went to the mall, walked around there, and bought a few things. I’ve also been to the Cineplex to watch the movie “The Gallows”. It was scary, that’s all I’ll say about it.

Ethan, right, with placement buddy Raymond

So far I love it here in Cole Harbour. We’ve had the chance to do some really cool activities. I went on a trip with work to the beach, and to the Biosphere. There we got to see lobsters – blue, orange, and a 15 pound lobster, crabs, a star fish, sea urchins, sea cucumber, and also learned a few cool facts about fish, great white sharks, and leather back tortoises. All to say, everything in my placement is going great. I love my work placement, love my host family, and my placement buddy is awesome. I’d like to thank everyone on the NYA staff, for my work placements, host family, and my placement buddy!

Saveah, left, and placement buddy Lilly

I was placed in Saint John, New Brunswick with my placement buddy Lilly Parr. The city and surrounding area has 16 shopping centres and malls. The weather goes up to 30 degrees. Steve and Cheryl have invited Lilly and I to stay at their house for the summer. They have a daughter and son, 2 cats and 1 dog. Debbie (Cheryl’s sister) invited us over to her house to go swimming and roast marshmallows the second weekend we were here. My volunteer placement is at the Carleton Community Centre where I work with a group of 30 kids. Alycia and Delaina, my co- workers, once took me out for an evening of sightseeing. I have plans with Alycia to go out for dinner and to Saint John Idol, which takes place at the board walk. We take the kids to the beach often, and on the 12th of August they will go to Magic Mountain, a water park which is one hour away. Sometimes I get homesick but it only lasts for around 45 minutes maximum. I like what I am doing this summer because I get to gain work experience and learn more about working with kids. Completing this program will earn me 9 credits for school.

I was placed in Hamilton, Ontario. Hamilton has two malls, Jackson Square and Lime Ridge. Bob and Teresa (my host parents) have volunteered to keep Katey Beth and I for the summer. They’re both so nice. They have a daughter, Amy, who has a son of her own named Conor. He’s an awesome kid! He is very talkative and loves to play games. It’s fun to have him around because he’s a non-stop talker :). They have a puppy, he’s calm and very cute. They also have another student staying with them, she’s from Spain and her name is Marina. She’s here for college to learn English. Katey & I are teaching her Inuktitut and she is learning quickly. She is teaching us Spanish but it’s hard to speak with their accent.

On Friday, my supervisor Lorri Fox invited me to go to Wonderland with her and other staff and students. At first I didn’t get a chance to do any rides, but then at lunch one of the students, Danielle, asked me if I wanted to hangout with her and her friends in the afternoon. Danielle was so nice to invite me to spend the afternoon with her, she’s awesome! Her and I went on several rides, our favourite was called the Sledge Hammer, which we went on 4 or 5 times in a row! 🙂

Sunday, Bob took Katey, Marina and I to the forest, it was amazing and beautiful – however the bugs were gross. Marina’s teacher came to the house to meet the family. Bob and Teresa asked her if Katey and I could accompany them to Niagara and to see a baseball game. She said yes! 🙂 It was so nice of her to let us go along with them. It’s so great to have all these people who are helping us, I would like to thank them so much! 🙂

Katey Beth and Sally at Orientation

My summer placement is in Hamilton, Ontario. I volunteer at the Hamilton Art Gallery where I work with kids, teaching and aiding them do all different kinds of art. It’s a lot of fun working with kids. My buddy is Sally Paungrat, she’s from Baker Lake and works at the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre. She is also working with kids. We sometimes go shopping together. My host family are Teresa and Bob, they have children of their own, a grandchild, and a dog. There is also a girl from Spain who lives with us, her name is Marina. Sometimes she teaches Sally and I to speak Spanish, it’s kind of hard. I am enjoying it here in Hamilton, it’s a wonderful city. On Thursday Sally, Marina and I are going to Niagara Falls. On Sunday, we are going to watch a baseball game, we are all very excited. My host parent’s grandson is a very outgoing person. He’s very talkative and funny, he make us laugh all the time. We also play video games with him. Sally and I have also taught our host family some Inuit games. Maria loves to leg wrestle.

I have found a lot of things about life down south different than back home. Notably, the lower price of food, the bugs, and the weather – you only need to wear t-shirts, tank tops, shorts or flip flops. I like the weather here in Hamilton as it is nice but not too hot. In our free time Sally and I will sometimes go to the park and play soccer or tag.  Last weekend Bob, Marina, Sally and I went for a walk in the forest and saw a wild turkey. It was amazing, as it was my first time ever seeing a turkey. I have also made a friend from India who works at the Art Gallery with me. Her name is Srinidhi and she is a very nice person.

I am so glad that I am in this program!

My experience so far living in Kingston, Ontario as a participant with Northern Youth Abroad has been wonderful. My host parents (Jason and Sherri Mckane) are such amazing people, and their beautiful daughter (Morgan). I’m glad they are my host parents for the summer, we never have a dull moment. No words could explain what a great choice I made by applying for Northern Youth Abroad. So far I have been to a Taylor Swift concert, explored Kingston, and ate amazing food. We have upcoming plans to go to Toronto, paint balling, going to a drive-in theatre and many other exciting plans before returning to Ottawa for re-orientation. My work placement is at Queen’s University. I volunteer as a summer camp counselor. I work with kid’s aged 4-13, honestly, I thought it would be hard but surprisingly they are amazing to work with. I like the people I work with. They have good manners and are curious of where I am from. My supervisor Lisa Eyles is a wonderful human being. She was so thrilled at the fact I was working with her and everyone else in the summer camp, which I thought was amazing because I can tell you, being dropped off at work on the first day was like being dropped off at a new school. I like Kingston, Ontario and my work placement. I continue to have many opportunities to explore new places. I highly suggest to those that are interested to apply, go for it! You will love the experience, and the amazing staff at Northern Youth Abroad.

Mikaela, left, and placement buddy Justina

My experience so far as a participant in the Northern Youth Abroad program has been pretty phenomenal, and I’ve only been at my placement for just over a week. I got to do things I wouldn’t even thought of doing. For example, I went to a Taylor Swift concert Monday night (July 6^th) at the Canadian Tire Centre with Vance Joy as the opening act. I’m thankful my host mom Sherri has good connections. It was a fabulous time and was a very memorable experience, as it was my very first concert. We also have plans for one of the upcoming weekends to make a day trip to Toronto to go see the CN tower, the aquarium, and the zoo. My work placement is pretty neat, I already gained experience with tools and appliances I had no previous knowledge about. I thought I wasn’t going to like it because it wasn’t something at first I thought I would be interested in, but my advice to everyone is ALWAYS try before judging. Now it isn’t so bad – I love the people I work with, so nice and funny! My main duty is working the cash. I’ve never really had experience as a cashier before and I’ve got to say I’m pretty beast at it now:) hahah. I’m going to make the rest of my stay a grand time that I’ll never forget. I love travelling and learning new things every day. I do miss home and my parents but it will always be there. I feel so comfortable where I am in life and there’s many more adventures to come.

Sandra, right, with placement buddy Angela

I was placed in London, Ontario. The city has two huge malls which are popular and the weather is about 30 degrees. Arlene and Gary (my host parents) have invited me and my buddy, Angela, to stay in their home for the summer. They are very nice. They have no kids and no pets. Arlene is an amazing cook. They try to do everything possible for us; if the plan doesn’t work out we don’t get upset because there’s more to do than what we have planned. Arlene and Gary’s neighbour once invited us over to swim in their pool and says we can go swimming in their pool anytime. I was taught to swim in Ottawa when we were brought to the pool during Orientation. I now really enjoy swimming and I’ve been working with Angela teaching her how to swim. Arlene has brought Angela and I out bowling, it was my first time. It was pretty fun, I only had one strike and Angela had three strikes. After bowling we got to play different games in the same building, I was playing basketball and challenged Angela, and won the game! Then I played alone and got to the fourth round! I had a blast. We have also had the chance to meet up with other participants (Kyla and Alisha) that were also placed in London. We all went roller skating. It was difficult at first but I got the hang of it. My work placement is at the University of Western Ontario. I was told it is a popular university. I am placed in the Department of Indigenous Services. They work with First Nations and Inuit. They run a program where students get to experience what it’s like to be a university student. They are very friendly and they enjoy learning about Inuit life and culture. My supervisor has taken me out for lunch and one of my other co-workers and I are planning to go see a movie.

2015 Canadian and International Participants prepare to leave Orientation

With another Orientation come and gone, NYA’s 2015 Participants have officially begun their summer placements. Our 35 Canadian Program Participants have each travelled to their host communities across Canada to begin volunteering for 5 weeks. Participants are spread out across the country in 18 communities from Nova Scotia to Vancouver Island, living in pairs with their host families. The 12 International Program Participants are settling in at Algonquin College, where they will be hard at work taking courses in the construction trades before travelling to Guatemala at the end of July.

His Excellency, The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada answers questions from NYA Participants

Orientation was quite busy this year, as in the past, but included some exciting new components as well. This year featured all of NYA’s standard Orientation sessions such as coping with homesickness, culture shock, workplace safety, job preparation, conflict resolution, first aid, leadership, etc. but also saw some new additions, such as a presentation on budgeting from TD Bank employees and ABC Life Literacy’s Money Matters program. Orientation included some exciting field trips too. Once again, Participants from both programs were invited to visit His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada for a brief meeting and tour of the residence. Participants were eager to meet His Excellency and ask lots of questions before receiving a tour of the residence that included the Ball Room, Tent Room, Library, Drawing Room, private green house and the gardens. The participants were also delighted by the bus trip through downtown where they were able to see Parliament Hill and other national landmarks throughout the capital. For some, this was their first time seeing the insides of a city if they’d never travelled south before!

Another highlight included a trip to the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Centre to receive Swim to Survive training. Aside from learning how to swim safely, participants had a great time making use of the diving board and slide, playing games and enjoying a fun, refreshing afternoon away from the heat. The real high point of Orientation for everyone, however, was attending an Ottawa Champions baseball game.

Canadian Program Participants learn to swim at Orientation

Canadian Program Participant Allison Apples of Gameti, NT, receiving an autograph from an Ottawa Champions player

The Ottawa Champions Baseball Club invited NYA to watch a baseball game and donated tickets for all participants, staff and facilitators. For many Participants, this was their first professional sports event ever, and it did not disappoint. The Participants made the most of their experience by leading the crowd in cheers and chants, clocking the speed of their pitches, singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch and meeting some of the players to get autographs. International Participant Mickey Iqaqrialu of Arctic Bay had his birthday announced over the PA and some members of the NYA section even made it onto the jumbotron! It was definitely a night that will not soon be forgotten.

2015 Canadian and International Program Participants, Group Leaders, Facilitators and Staff at an Ottawa Champions baseball game

With a healthy balance of work and fun, Orientation was a great success! All of the Participants, Facilitators, Group Leaders and Staff Members worked incredibly hard and made this a fun, productive and memorable camp.

Now into the first week of the summer placements, Participants are getting used to their new routines with their host families and becoming more familiar with their summer communities. By volunteering every day and enjoying activities on evenings and weekends, our participants are developing skills, knowledge, confidence, experience and memories to bring back home with them in the fall and make use of when pursuing their goals. No matter their aspirations, be they completing high school, going to college, beginning a career, becoming a leader, improving confidence, etc, NYA is helping provide northern youth with the tools and capacity to achieve them.

Best of luck to each of our Participants and a big thank you to all of our volunteers, including Host Families, Volunteer Workplaces, Facilitators, and Group Leaders for your commitment and hard work this summer!

Canadian Program Participants departing from Orientation

With our fresh new website so recently unveiled, we don’t have any blog posts yet! But that doesn’t mean there aren’t tons of great NYA stories waiting to be heard. They’re just all still hiding at our old blog. You can read past NYA participants’ stories here, and once this year’s participants start their NYA experience we’ll post their blogs for you to enjoy right here on our new site!