by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (Nov 05/97) - He is the first Nunavut Arctic College student to study in Sweden.

But this doesn't intimidate Gerald Anawak who will be heading there in January to continue his business management studies program.

A second year student with solid grades, Anawak intends to learn as much as he can about the international business world during his time overseas.

"I'll be taking the same management course," he said. "It will also be in courses like getting to know Sweden and getting to the language a bit. I also want to learn about how they do business over there."

He said that somebody asked him if he was nervous, but he is only looking forward to the experience. "I just can't wait -- I'm just excited to go," he said.

Anawak will be studying from January to June at the University of Lulea. The exchange is part of the Northern Curriculum Exchange Program. This year is the first time the program has been available to students at Nunavut Arctic College.

He is one of 13 Nunavut students who applied for the exchange position -- three students in Rankin Inlet and 10 in Iqaluit.

"I was surprised -- I wasn't sure I was going to get that opportunity," he said. "I feel pretty lucky to be chosen."

Anawak, 24, said that he sees the opportunity as a chance to learn as much as he can about the foreign business community and use the knowledge for his own business.

Although a full-time student, Anawak has two part-time jobs and is trying to get his own business off the ground. He works afternoons at Piruqsaijit Ltd. and at the Nanuk Inn once a week bookkeeping. He's also opening a movie theatre that he has been trying to get started for a few months.

Beginning this week, the theatre will be showing movies at the Nanuk Inn Lounge.

With his busy schedule, Anawak has little time to think of much else besides work, but that didn't stop him from applying to the exchange program last year. He was encouraged by a former employer and a former teacher.

But even without their encouragement, he would likely have applied for the exchange anyway.

"I thought an exchange program would be a good experience," he said. "I've never been overseas and I've never been to a school (with) over 800 people. I hope to meet a lot of friend and learn about the different ways of doing business."

Anawak also said that the time in Sweden will give him some experience he wouldn't get in Canada -- business experience that he sees as crucial to his success.

"In my family there's been a lot of business and I want to own my own business," he said. "(This goes back to) the reason why I started this program -- I did some work in bookkeeping, accounting and inventory."

"This will open some doors," he added.

A student from Sweden will be attending Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit to study political science beginning in January.