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QAUSUITTUQ/RESOLUTE - As the temperature dropped to -32 C in the community of Resolute, Uluriak Amarualik was imagining a warm, sunlight countryside.

Grade 12 student Uluriak Amarualik, far right, stands with her mentor Sharon Somerville, centre, and her sister Valerie Amarualik, left. The high school senior was chosen to participate in the cross-cultural work and learning experience, Northern Youth Abroad. Her sister Valerie, a Grade 10 student in Resolute, was chosen as an alternate. - photo courtesy of Brian Manning

She had just found out she had been selected for the Northern Youth Abroad program – a cross-cultural work and learning experience – and was thrilled beyond belief.

“I felt like the best – I was so happy!” Amarualik said last week. “I leave the end of June and then probably be back in August.”

During the first phase of the program, she will be headed to a camp on the Ottawa River for an opportunity to meet the other participants from across the North and receive orientation. From there, Amarualik will go to live with a host family somewhere in Canada and begin her six-week volunteer work placement.

She must keep a journal and record her experiences. When Amarualik returns, she will give a presentation for her community, family and friends on the lessons she learned.

Her sister, Grade 10 student Valerie Amarualik, was chosen as the alternate should Uluriak be unable to go.

In preparation for the trip, the senior at Qarmartalik School has been working with mentor and teacher Sharon Somerville, who has been an advocate for the program for many years.

“Their self-confidence just grows by leaps and bounds,” she said.

“I’ve been to see this organization in Ottawa. It’s one of these glorious organizations for Northern youths.”

Somerville said students who have completed the Canadian phase of the program are eligible for the African phase, where they work with communities in Botswana.

Amarualik is already looking ahead to the second step of the program.

“Yeah, I want to do that one,” she said.

For now, however, it’s a matter of preparing for what’s ahead.

“Sharon’s been helping me going through what possibly I might be doing,” said Amarualik. “I’m hoping to learn a lot about the climate changes and try to compare the differences between Inuit and Qallunaat.”

My family is “all so proud,” she added. “When I told my mom, she was really excited.”