Yellowknife (Oct 08/04) - Exchange students from Comox, B.C., spent last week in Yellowknife, taking in the cultural and historical elements of the area.

The 28 students had the opportunity to go on a boat tour of Great Slave Lake, tour of the city and visit the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.

They were also able to visit the Legislative Assembly, took a day trip to Cameron Falls and travelled to Rae to take part in some cultural activities.

"I expected colder weather, with lots of snow and polar bears," said Jaclyn Emery, one of the exchange students.

"I expected to see a smaller city with polar bears and that people would be eating whale blubber," agreed Fiona Cameron, another exchange student.

Other students were more shocked by the terrain than anything else.

"There is a lot more rock here and it is very flat," said James Denton.

"The trees are super small compared to Comox and I really expected to see more snow."

"I thought there would be a bunch of small towns with caribou running around everywhere," said Saul Rouzes. "There is so much rock here and no grass."

For the other half of the exchange, Yellowknife students will visit B.C. in April, where cultural and terrain differences are sure to amaze them as well.