Hello, my name is Quinten Ross, and I am from Hay River, Northwest Territories. My work placement is in Squamish, BC, which is about an hour’s drive from Vancouver, BC. There, I work at the Squamish Public Library. So far, I’ve spent most of my time there assisting my work supervisor with small tasks such as tidying the bookshelves, locating unwanted novels from the bookshelves and discarding them from the local library system, and helping the Summer Reading Club staff. My supervisor at the library has been so kind and thoughtful, and the other amazing staff have treated me just like the rest of the team, which I appreciate so much. As well, I have enjoyed the pace and quiet, and the sense of independence my work placement has offered, as it has allowed me to work at my best and remain comfortable while living abroad here in southern Canada

Here in Squamish, I live with a host family, Ken and Justin Perry. They’ve hosted northern youth during the summer about 7 times before, so they’re comfortable with the Northern Youth Abroad Canadian program staff and participants. They live on the edge of the hill here in the highlands, north of downtown Squamish. The first thing that caught my eyes cruising around this area through the highlands were the amazing properties and beautiful views down the hill of downtown Squamish; I can see why living here is so costly. Ken and Justin have taken us (my placement buddy and I) to many places, including hikes around the Squamish area, a road trip to Whistler where we visited the Lil’wat and Squamish Culture Centre, a rowing trip with Takaya Tours on the traditional sovereign territory of the Tsleil Waututh People (Deep Cove), and to restaurants where I tried different delicious foods, including an amazing seafood crepe from Crepe Montagne in Whistler. I will for sure have to visit this restaurant again in the future. One of the many things I will for remember the most are the precious and adorable baby raccoons who continuously showed up in the backyard! My host family likes nature, especially the wild birds and animals they feed (like the raccoons)

Thanks for taking the time to read about my experience so far!

Sincerely,

Quinten