I had a chance to go with the NYA NEXT program and it has been interesting. I got to go downtown of Ottawa, and I got to work for constructions for three weeks. I did some other cool things on my own free time like make new friends and go to Bayshore mall. I also went to the beach and tried some new food at restaurants. Many more things I just can’t explain them all!
My time with NYA NEXT program was amazing, even though I was late for one week. I got to learn so many things. For example, I got know the Algonquin College campus, the places, where I was working or volunteering, about the city of Ottawa and the people you are going to meet. They are amazing people when you get to know them and they can help you with anything. You just need that right person, and you might get new friends along the way or have new experiences that you never thought you can have. But don’t forget this is for training, so if you ever want to learn, you will love the NYA Next Program. Don’t be scared of the challenges, you’ll always have challenges no matter what, so might as will add more that interest you.
I am from Resolute, Nunavut. I graduated from high school in 2020 and couldn’t go for NYA Next at the time because of Covid-19. I wanted to join in 2020 so I could learn more about myself, and figure out what I would want to do and see what is right for me is because I tend to change my mind a lot. So far, life on campus had been good, a lot of walking though, I still have to get used to that. The first few days on campus were very confusing because the college is very big. I think it’s bigger than my hometown.
I really enjoy construction right now, making the dog houses were a little hard for a while but i got the hang of it. It helps that I have such a good construction buddy, she’s so easy to work with and easy to communicate with. I think hands on things would be best for me because it keeps me busy. I have a hard time keeping up with assignments so this reminds me of high school haha but if I were to go to college, I need to learn how to keep on track, and I think NYA Next helped me a lot with that.
My name is Kayden Mercer, I am 17 years old and have lived in my community of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut my whole life. I will be going into grade 12, but have taken some grade 12 courses during grade 11. My territory of Nunavut is the territory found furthest east. It was established as of April 1, 1999 through negotiation, and negotiation alone. I personally found it pretty remarkable when I heard that my elders fought for, and won the right to own the worlds largest jurisdiction against the Canadian government, and did it without shedding a single ounce of blood throughout the process of negotiation! I decided to participate in Northern Youth Abroad because I feel this program will help me gain the attributes and traits that will guide me to become a better, more well-rounded human being, such as being more verbally and socially involved/engaged, as well as being more persistent and morally motivated when I am faced with a difficult task or duty that I do not want to do or feel reluctant to complete.
This summer, I have been placed in New Hamburg, Ontario with my placement buddy Preston. Preston is a really great, lovable character who is always filled with joy and enthusiasm. He is the type of guy you want around when you are in a bad mood as he always finds ways to lighten up your day. All good reviews in terms of my placement buddy!
When Preston and I first got onto the train leaving Ottawa, we both came to the conclusion that this was going to be our first time travelling on a train. We were both pretty nervous the whole ride through and a little (really!!) sad about leaving the other participants behind but I think we did a pretty good job comforting each other. When we got on our second train going from Toronto to Kitchener (our first time travelling alone on train), one of the conductors welcomed us with open arms and made us feel a lot more comfortable about the situation we were in. He was a really nice man and was really interested in where we were from.
When we arrived in Kitchener, we had no trouble locating Barb, Alan and William. They took us under their wing and made us feel like one of their blood related sons. It was honestly one of the most comfortable feelings when they gave us a bike tour around the town of New Hamburg, that was the exact moment I knew I was going to have one of the best summers I possibly could have; not to mention, if their house was a hotel, I would also give 5 stars!! I can’t say enough great things about my host family, they will always hold a special place in my heart long after I wrap up this program.
Overall, I am very happy with my stay in New Hamburg, and I am really enjoying my work placement as well. All the people I’ve met so far at my work placement have been really curious and have been asking a lot of questions about my culture and background, which I really enjoy. In terms of culture, I would say that I haven’t felt too much of a culture shock yet, everything’s been a little different but the same concept applies as in if you get what you give to other people.
Everything is going great for me this summer! I am really thankful I have had the chance to participate in this program. See y’all soon
Hi, my name is Blaire Nakoolak. I am 21 years old and I am from Coral Harbour, Nunavut. This summer, I travelled to Ottawa to participate in Northern Youth Abroad to gain more experience
I have been in Stittsville with my placement buddy named Verna Kalluk and my host family Christine and Jon Maxwell with their kids Sadie, Everlee and Poppy. I am glad I was able to be with them while staying in Ottawa for orientation. I got to go to Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park and Funhaven to play games, which was fun
This is my first time away from home without any of my family members and this is the furthest I travelled far away from home. I am so homesick and I am starting to feel the effects of it but I am trying to keep myself busy so I won’t be in my room all day. I wish I was home right now to be with my family and my grandma. I am missing my parents, nephew, siblings and grandma so much.
I work at a place called Pottery Playhouse. I assist the supervisor by working with the kids, helping them with anything they need. I also go to the park with the kids and supervisor. There is another staff, her name is Rebecca. She also helps with the kids in the afternoon
My name is Preston Manuel and I’m a participant with Northern Youth Abroad. I am from Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, which is near a part of the Mackenzie River, one of the largest rivers in Canada. I was accepted in 2021-2022 and was an alternative until June 3, when I got an email from NYA that they had a position for me, which I accepted. This is a great possibility for my future and it’s teaching me what it’s like in the south, to both work and live there. Although it was hard for me to leave my family, I know that Norman Wells is still the same place with the same people, but this was new for me.
When I was travelling through Yellowknife I met an old friend, which it made me feel a little better. I also met Sunshine and Shavonna, who were great people and made me feel better. But at the hotel, when I was alone, I wanted to go back home. I missed everyone, so I kept watching stuff on my phone and only got a little amount of sleep that day and the day before. I had a great time with my brothers and parents and grandparents but I needed this, so I can be a better person in the future.
So, I focused on the present and after that we got to meet the other participants in Ottawa, including Kayden, my placement buddy, he is a great man if I do say so myself. The four days at orientation were the best time of my life, having fun with the others. In the boys’ cabins the last night we watched some movie, which I fell asleep during because of how boring the movie was, it was still a good movie though. The next day we stayed at a hotel and I took a shower there (because I didn’t want to take a shower in the cabins). It was a great shower.
Kayden and I met our host family after getting off the train in London. I was nervous when I saw them but we met them and it went great. They were nice and kind for me and Kayden and it was a good car ride – I saw McDonald’s. We got home and we met the dog Morgan, who was a hyper dog. But now, after two weeks she’s happy with me and Kayden and now she has calmed down a bit.
There is lots of stuff and I needed to get used to, and I will need to get used to the roads again when I get back home, but this place is awesome. I loved to stay but I can’t. It was a great time watching William’s game of baseball, he lost but it was a great game. On the weekend we went to a farmers market and had breakfast at a restaurant called Jack’s. Everything was great on my birthday, July 10. We went to Niagara Falls, which was the best thing that ever happened on my birthday and everything was great.
That’s all I have, but everything is great. Thank you for listening to me talk about experiences at Northern Youth Abroad.
I am from Baker Lake, Nunavut. I am 20 years old and this summer, I have been away from my hometown without any of my friends or family members. I travelled for Northern Youth Abroad which is education through work and travel.
I enjoyed every minute of this trip with my host family, Jon and Christine Maxwell with their kids Sadie, Owen, Everlee and Poppy, and with my placement buddy, Blaire Nakoolak, who is from Coral Harbour.
I have been having a lot of fun with my host family and my placement buddy, Blaire. They took us to Flying Squirrel which is a “trampoline playground”, and we also went to FunHaven where there is a lot of different games, like laser tag that we went and there was a lot of people that joined it as well, I went to a Dark Ride where we sit on a chair and you choose a game of your choice and I chose zombies, it felt real and fun to play.
On Nunavut Day, we had a BBQ with their neighbors. We had around 30 people over and had lots of conversations. Blaire and I did our presentation on that day. Everyone asked questions about my hometown and I was able to answer their questions very well.
I have made a few friends at work and I have been loving Ritual On Main Coffee House. My coworkers have taught me new things like Uber Eats, making cold drinks, heating food and prepping things. I never thought I would experience uber eats and those fancy stuff in my life.
I am looking forward to see the other Canadian and Next participants. I am thankful for the staff for giving me this experience, and I would love to say a big thank you to my host parents Jon and Christine Maxwell for having Blaire and I here in Stittsville and showing us Ottawa.
I’m from Gameti NWT and this summer I am living in Halifax, Nova Scotia with my host mom Michelle and her 4 cats Kula, Mango, Gracie, Mollie, and I am volunteering at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre here. At the centre, I help with kids and the programs that the centre has. Since my arrival, I have gone to The Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo. I had an amazing experience there, I took pictures with the performers. On Canada Day, I went to Truro and spent time swimming in the pool, relaxing in the hot tub, watched the fireworks and made smores on the fire. I have also visited Peggy’s Cove and took great pictures there and I met with a local artist who showed me how to paint clouds on a piece she was working on, it was a great experience.
With my volunteer placement I visited one of the local museums, which was such a fun time. We did lots of activities with the kids and I also got to help make meals for the kids during program. I also had the chance to have a spa day at Remedy Facial Bar & Spa. We had self-serve facials, manicures and pedicures, and had such great service, and after we went for a walk at public gardens. I went to my first concert where we went to see Classified, I am such a huge fan of them now. I attended my first Pow Wow in Sipekne’katik First Nation and I wanted to cry seeing the dancers. It was such great experience and I loved it. I also went to my first Pride Parade where I got to walk in the parade with PSAC Atlantic, which was so prideful, and I loved the energy and experience. I attended my first boxing match and took pictures with the fighters, and it was so fun to watch and gain some knowledge. I have also been to the beach, and it was my first-time swimming in the ocean. I do not like the taste of salt water but I had great experiences there and found some seashells to bring back home. At night, I went on motorcycle ride and had so much fun.
It has been a busy summer and I am so thankful to have this opportunity and experience though NYA.
My name is Shana Ulayuk from Clyde River, Nunavut.
I am a Participant in the 2022 NYA Next. I love construction class as I’m learning how to use the different kinds of tools and about the measurements. Right now, we’re making dog houses that we’re going to donate. After making dog houses we are going to make picture frames to bring home.
My Personal Learning Project was sewing class. Assela taught us from her home. I chose this for a project as I was interested in a sewing program. I made a small bag with a sewing machine, and it was so complicated. It was more complicated than I thought! I had to have patience even though I really wanted to finish my project.
Hi, my name is Sienna Aitaok. I am from Cambridge bay Nunavut, I’ve been a participant since 2019 and finally got to travel with NYA in 2022.
I am enjoying it here in Ottawa, here in Algonquin college campus. My favourite thing about the program is carpentry, as I would like to be an electrician some day. During our trades workshop we are making dog houses and donating them to animal shelters.
On our free time here in Ottawa we can explore Algonquin college around campus. So far I am enjoying my time here in Ottawa, someday I hope I can attend this school here at Algonquin College.
