Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 29/05) - Nine NWT youth say they are returning home better citizens.

The youth were participants in the NWT Youth Abroad pilot program, which gave them the opportunity to work in various parts of southern Canada for six weeks and gain high school credits.

Sam Jacobson of Tuktoyaktuk worked as a YMCA camp counsellor in Peterborough, Ont.

"I was working in a sports camp and learned how to supervise children and to work with them," Jacobson said.

"I learned that I'm more confident than I think and a good communicator."

Besides learning to live with strangers, Jacobson said he also learned to cope with homesickness.

He looks forward to returning home to his tiny seaside community along the Beaufort Sea to test his new leadership skills.

Jacobson and the other students - AJ Nadli, Charles Lucas, Janelle Pierrot, Janelle Wilson, Melissa McPherson, Paul Buggins, Rachel Constant and Rhonda John - were ready to share their unique experiences when they returned to the NWT this week.

The students gave a presentation and slide show at the Prince of Wales Heritage Museum, Aug. 16, before returning to their home communities.

High energy

Mindy Willett, program chair, said everyone who participated came home happy and able to articulate what they learned and enjoyed.

"Their energy level speaks for itself," Willett said.

She said the final phase of this year's project will involve several assignments, including reflection exercises, journals and budgets.

"They will really think about what they've learned," Willett said.

Students will then apply for the international phase of the project, which will see six NWT students travel to Africa next year.

The national phase will be expanded in 2006 to include at least 16 students from the NWT, Willett said.

Janelle Wilson of Fort McPherson travelled to Nova Scotia where she worked at the Fultz House Museum in Lower Sackville.

"Our community is so laid back compared to the city," Wilson said.

"It was very interesting and it made my summer go by fast."

Rhonda John from Aklavik worked at the Halifax YMCA on South Park Street.

While she experienced homesickness, she said she overcame it by calling home several times per week and by keeping herself busy.

"I'll bring home leadership skills and listening skills. I know I've changed with the skills I've learned," John said.

AJ Nadli from Fort Providence, who also worked for the YMCA in Peterborough, Ont., said he had the opportunity to teach some children traditional hand games.

"They were really interested so it was really awesome," he said.

"At the beginning, I was a bit shy and nervous and scared, but at the end of it, I found out that I improved on my communications skills.

"I'm going to be going back home as a role model."