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Restaurateur in the making Natalie Westman opts to study business with hopes of expanding on her culinary expertise
Lyndsay Herman
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, September 25, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Natalie Westman is starting the second of a four-year Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Alberta with a financial boost from the NWT Chamber of Commerce, one of an unprecedented three scholarship recipients this year.
"I was so nervous," Westman said. "I heard there were 30 applicants.
"I was really surprised when they called."
This isn't Natalie Westman's first time away from Yellowknife for post-secondary education, but she's found some exciting new opportunities that come with a new school.
"I've loved going to college and university. They've been such great experiences and (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) was such an awesome campus," said Westman
"At the university here, it is a different lifestyle ... in university you have to focus. When you get out of class - you might only have 15 hours of class a week - and then you have an extra 30 hours of studies. You have to keep on top of it. Well, 30 hours of studying if you want to do really well."
Westman, a born and raised Yellowknifer, graduated with honours from Edmonton's Northern Alberta Institute of Technology's (NAIT) Culinary Certificate program after graduating from St. Patrick High School.
A huge fan of cooking, Westman said she took every food class she could in high school, along with the support of some great teachers.
Her studies at NAIT seemed to affirm her dreams of one day owning her own restaurant in Yellowknife.
She returned to Edmonton last year to study commerce and get herself equipped to be the business owner she hopes to be one day.
"I have a passion (for cooking), so it would be really awesome if I could combine the two," said Westman of her studies.
"You need a lot of experience before you do it. I was thinking for a couple of years, but that is the end goal. I know a restaurant could do really well in Yellowknife."
Westman began volunteering as an ambassador for the Office of the Registrar this year, an activity she said she's really passionate about and something she'd recommend to any new graduates starting post-secondary studies.
"What is really awesome is to get involved in clubs," said Westman.
"You meet so many new people. You get involved with stuff, and then it makes you want to get involved in more stuff. It makes you more outgoing. When I first came here I was kind of shy, and now when I'm in groups or at a volunteering event I'm just outgoing. I can just go and talk to anybody. I'll go and meet new people in my classes now. That's actually really helpful."
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