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Student off for Arctic adventure Terrence McEachern Northern News Services Published Monday, August 29, 2011
The 23-year-old Iqaluit student will be spending the remainder of her summer vacation as one of two Nunavut interns on a research vessel touring the Arctic waters. "It's going to be an amazing experience - a unique trip," said Ryan, who attends Nunavut Arctic College in the teacher education program. Ryan flew to Edmonton, and then from Edmonton to Resolute Bay on Aug. 15 with the rest of the crew to start the expedition. Ryan said she wasn't entirely sure what her 'day-to-day' functions would be; however, her overall duties involve acting as a cultural interpreter for the vessel's scientific researchers. Besides acting as a knowledge resource for the crew, she's excited to learn about the crew's research, especially the aspects that involve the effects of climate change in the Arctic region. As part of the internship application, Ryan and Emma Kreuger of Baker Lake had to write an essay explaining why they wanted to be a part of the research vessel, and what they could offer the crew in terms of experience and knowledge. The program is offered jointly by the Nunavut Arctic College and the travel companies Worldwide Quest and One Ocean Expeditions. After Resolute Bay, the researchers and passengers aboard the Akademik Ioffe vessel are scheduled to travel to places like Beechey Island, Prince Leopold Island, Gjoa Haven, Ulukhaktok and Kugluktuk. Ryan will be back in Iqaluit in early September to get ready for her second year of studies in the four-year teacher education program. She said she's been passionate about teaching as a future career for a long time. "I know it's something I could be good at," she said. She has several scholastic interests, including visual arts, literature, history and social studies. Ryan also thinks more travelling will be a part of her future as well. "I want to get out there and explore the world, see the world," she said.
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