Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 14/98) - You'd think a first trip south of 60 would be cause for a little concern, but Elijah Kubbaq of Hall Beach said he had a pretty good idea of what to expect in Cape Breton.

"It didn't surprise me much because I had asked teachers and southerners what it would be like," said Kubbaq. "It wasn't too big and it wasn't too small," he said of Cape Breton.

Kubbaq travelled to the Maritime island Nov. 12-21 with fellow Nunavut Arctic College students Sheldon McCallum, Eva Eseemailee and Albert Ehaloak.

The four are enroled in a one-year science and technology bridging program that prepares Nunavut Arctic College students for studies at University College of Cape Breton.

Graduates automatically qualify for UCCB bachelor of science, bachelor of technology and diploma engineering programs.

"I was originally registered to return to high school, but I would have been taking only three credits," said McCallum, when asked why he enroled in the program. "I thought this would be a better way to use my time."

McCallum said he's "almost 100 per cent" sure he will be going into the bachelor of technology program with a view to a career in urban and rural planning. Kubbaq is aiming at a career as a polar bear biologist.

Leaning toward a nursing career, Eseemailee said she will likely enrol in the Nunavut Arctic College nursing program in Iqaluit. Ehaloak has since left the bridging program, having received an offer he couldn't refuse from the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.

This is the second year Nunavut Arctic College has offered the science and technology bridging program. While in Cape Breton, students visited Kim Tologanak and Ame Papatsie, who graduated the program last year.

The trip included a tour of the school and town, a drive along the Cabot Trail and a chance meeting with well-known with Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac.

"I think it was a really valuable experience," said Karen Atkinson-Leadbeater, teacher of the bridging program. "It gave them a chance to get rid of any anxieties they may have had about the south."

She added that the program's ultimate goal is to encourage young Northerners to continue their education.

"If they can get down there and establish themselves in the university community and continue learning, we consider that a success," said Atkinson-Leadbeater.