She has 10 tourist hot spots on her resume and will be adding another at the end of February. This journey will be slightly different, however -- she's heading to Panama on a six-month work exchange.

Melissa Gutland won't be drinking coffee at Java Roma much after Feb. 21. She is on her way to Panama for a six-week exchange. - Chris Puglia/NNSL photo

Yellowknifelife: Why have you decided to go to Panama on a work exchange?

Melissa Gutland: Basically, I have always wanted to go on an exchange. I tried to go on a school exchange when I was younger and it didn't work out. It's offering something I have been always been interested in, which is eco-tourism.

Yellowknifelife: What is eco-tourism, exactly?

MG: It's a variety of things -- it could be anything from taking tourists on tours through the jungle, and learning about animals and plants and country. I could be working on an animal reserve, I could be working in a national park -- it really varies as to what I will be doing. I am not exactly sure and that's why I am going to find out. I just know I have an interest in the environment and animals and I like to travel and tourism is kind of a big interest, so put the two together.

Yellowknifelife: How long are you going for?

MG: I will be in Panama for six months.

Yellowknifelife: Why do you want to leave the North?

MG: I don't necessarily want to leave, but leaving in February is an OK thing, too. I don't necessarily want to leave, but this opportunity presented itself and it's a great opportunity.

Yellowknifelife: Where in Panama will you be working?

MG: I haven't found that out yet. I find out probably around the beginning of February. I know nothing about my host family or my city or anything.

Yellowknifelife: After your work term there what happens?

MG: We have a six-month working term in Canada that is left up to us for to co-ordinate?

Yellowknifelife: Are you coming back to Yellowknife or will you do your work term somewhere else?

MG: I've looked around. It depends on what people have or what is available here for eco-tourism. Realistically I might end up in B.C., Alberta -- where it's bigger.

Yellowknifelife: Do you think the people going on this program will come back and apply their skills in Yellowknife?

MG: I think some will. There are some people that are doing carpentry and education and we need people like that up here. Tourism is kind of an iffy one. You can always use extra workers in that area. If I can find some good work here that interests me then I will come back. If I can't, then I will take it wherever I can and work on improving my skills.

Yellowknifelife: Has it been a lot of work getting ready?

MG: Definitely. Arranging things through work and trying to get out of my apartment, tying up loose ends -- it's a lot to think about.

Yellowknifelife: How long have you lived in Yellowknife?

MG: All my life. Born here.

Yellowknifelife: And you are how old now?

MG: 22

Yellowknifelife: What school did you graduate from?

MG: Sir John.

Yellowknifelife: Have you always been an adventurous person?

MG: To some extent, yes. I have always been really into touring around and that is kind of where the interest came up.

Yellowknifelife: What other kind of travel have you done?

MG: I've been to ... do you want me to list them all?

Yellowknifelife: Sure.

MG: OK, I will list all 10: I've been to the States, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Greece, England, Holland, Hong Kong, Japan.

Yellowknifelife: Do you have any fears about going to Panama?

MG: To be honest, not really. It's pretty much common sense when you go over there -- being a woman there are things you have to look out for.

Right now, they have told us in the program we should expect these ups and downs in certain parts of the program.

I never thought I'd feel that way, but recently I am starting to feel a little anxious about my host family and what they are going to be like. Although, I think I am easy to get along with, the language barrier is going to be difficult. I am not at all concerned about work.

Yellowknifelife: Do you know any other languages?

MG: I know a little bit of a lot of languages. I can get by in French, I know a bit of Cantonese, Brazilian Portuguese and I am learning Spanish.

Yellowknifelife: What do you do now?

MG: Right now I am working for the hospital. I am executive assistant to the director of operations.

Yellowknifelife: So why do you want to make this change?

MG: It's not necessarily a change. It's something I have always been interested in. So, part of me going on this is to see if this is really something I want to do for the rest of my life, is there enough work, can I find enough work in Canada, is this just a hobby of mine or do I want to make a job of it?

Right now I really don't have any commitments here, I'm not married, I don't have kids. I might as well do it while I was young. When I have commitments it will be harder for me to do.

Yellowknifelife: Do you have any aspirations to start your own business in eco-tourism?

MG: I don't know about running my own business. I have always had an interest in working in it and it will be more so along the lines of adventure tourism. It's outside hiking, bungee jumping, hang-gliding -- getting people to do things that they feel are beyond their limits. Out in the bush, none of this camping for three weeks and take it easy kind of deal.

Yellowknifelife: Are you pretty extreme?

MG: I wouldn't really call myself extreme. There are definitely things I want to do that some people would consider extreme.

Yellowknifelife: Like what?

MG: I want to go bungee jumping some people think that's extreme. I've gone hang-gliding. That took me a little while to do though. Sky diving is definitely one of the things I want to do, I haven't done that yet.

Yellowknifelife: Do you have any fears?

MG: Base jumping. That scares the heck out of me. I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't go climb Everest.

There has to be some element of danger in it, but I am not going to be totally ridiculous where the odds are totally against me.

Yellowknifelife: Usually this spot interviews older residents. You are probably one of the younger people to grace this spot. Usually we ask others to look back on how they have seen Yellowknife change, so can you tell me where you see it going, from a younger person's perspective?

MG: I look around and I think we are turning more and more into Edmonton, slowly. I think the population is going to continue to rise, especially with the two diamond mines.