"It's a four-month placement in Suriname. I'll do some volunteer work, but I won't know until later on. Some don't know until they get there. I have no clue yet," says Halldorson whose last venture outside of Canada involved a sunny Mexican beach.

The overseas participants are given the opportunity to work and learn about community development, education, health care, agriculture or business in one of 20 different countries involved in the program.

"It's my first time actually travelling, especially alone, and I'm a little more nervous. Any female has that, there are so many horror stories you hear.

"I'm young, I don't have much experience in other countries and I have a spinal injury so I can't run away. I'm not put in situations where I'm threatened here. Those are going to be the learning experiences. I want that, the hard things," says Halldorson who has to raise $2,500, about 20 per cent of the total cost of her trip.

The national office of Crossroads covers the other 80 per cent of the trip through fundraising at a federal level, provincial government donations and through Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funds.

Part of this money will provide Halldorson with a small allowance to live on while in South America.

In an effort to help Halldorson raise her portion, Crossroads Yellowknife stepped in and got her to help organize their annual dinner. All proceeds from the evening will go directly to Halldorson's trip.

Scheduled for this Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. at Northern United Place, the theme is a Taste of Africa, featuring a dinner, dance, slides and an African marketplace.

Upon returning to Canada in 1999, Halldorson will be expected to donate 200 hours of time to different community projects. "I'll get a real-life idea about other lifestyles, a real-life cultural experience that I can bring back to Canada and teach others about. People who can't travel need to know about this," says Halldorson.

Pearl Benyk is in charge of co-ordinating the food aspect of this year's event.

Benyk has been involved in Crossroads since 1988, when she was sponsored to travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean.

"In 10 years we've sent 20 people overseas from Yellowknife and hosted four people to Yellowknife," says Benyk, who has almost finished putting in her 200 hours.

"We work with a committee of about 12. There's a high participation rate in Yellowknife. It's quite nice."