IQALUIT - Sometimes good things in life come from being forced to make tough decisions.

When Katauga Saila became a single mom she knew she'd have to do something to benefit her four kids.

Toby Otak of Iglulik accepts her hairdressing certificate from Mac Clendenning, president of Nunavut Arctic College. This was Clendenning's last such ceremony as his five-year tenure as president is drawing to a close. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

"I had to start all over again; get a good job to be able to support my children," she said Thursday upon marking the completion of the first year of the interpreter/translator program at Nunavut Arctic College.

Saila left Cape Dorset for Iqaluit and started out in the Inuit Studies program, which she finished last year. Then she decided to enrol in the two-year interpreter/translator program. She admitted it has been stressful being away from two of her four children, whom she talks to regularly on the phone. The academics have proved challenging as well, she said.

"Our course was really intense," she said, but credited instructor Maaki Kakkik for her extraordinary abilities. "I really wanted to learn the whole (program), really absorb it. I'm always eager to learn."

Part of the course included field trips to the Nunavut Court of Justice and to the legislative assembly to hear professional translators at work. There has also been focus specifically on legal and medical terminology, Saila said.

Upon graduating next year she is expecting the job options to be numerous.

"There are so many doors open for me now," she said.

Saila's dedication has earned her a bursary from the Association des francophones du Nunavut and a $5,000 scholarship from Nunavut News/North.

The latter will take her to France to study at a Parisian cultural institute where Inuktitut is offered. She was scheduled to depart on Sunday.

Although she was looking forward to the trip, it won't be Katauga's first time in the French capital. She was there six months ago for an Inuit studies conference and is admittedly fond of the city.

"They're so free, they're very expressive," she said of the French, and added that she has a taste for crepes.