Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Arviat (Aug 01/01) - It might not be to Russia with love, but it's definitely to Ukraine with open arms for an Arviat woman.

Elaine Uppahuak of Arviat will soon be heading to the Ukraine as part of the Young Women's International Exchange program. - photo courtesy of Elaine Uppahuak

Elaine Uppahuak (Owlijoot) is one of nine young women selected from across Canada to participant in the Young Women's International Exchange, one of Canada World Youth's international programs for young women.

The assistant early childhood co-ordinator with the Department of Education says she heard about the program through the local high school.

"A couple of my friends participated in the Canada World Youth program and I originally went to apply for that," says Uppahuak.

"The deadlines for the Canada World Youth program had expired, but they were extended for this program so I decided to give it a shot."

About two weeks after forwarding her application, Uppahuak was contacted for an hour-long phone interview.

She sat on pins and needles for another week before finding out she had been selected to make the trip.

"I have no idea what to expect once I get there," she says.

"It's a relatively poor country from what I understand, but I'm excited to have the opportunity to live there for awhile and learn about their language, customs and traditions."

Uppahuak's experience will last for six months, the first three of which she'll spend working with the Canadian Red Cross in Red Deer, Alberta, and living with a local family.

She will then be off to the Ukraine with eight other Canadian women and nine young Ukrainian women.

Uppahuak will also live with a local family in the Ukraine and work on community-based projects.

Participants in the Canada World Youth programs gain skills which serve them well in today's society.

The programs are designed to strengthen awareness of local and global issues, reinforce a sense of responsibility, and provide opportunities to gain work experience and generic skills useful for the workshop.

"I am really looking forward to this exchange. I've always wanted to do something like this, travelling and seeing the world.

"I haven't been told exactly what I'll be doing in the Ukraine, but I'm sure it will be something valuable to the community I stay in."