SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Asked what she envisioned of Yellowknife when she first found out she was coming here, Susan Plant's response was typical of most southern Canadians.

"Nothing," the Vancouver resident and Katimavik participant said. "Just very small. I didn't think there was going to be any restaurants. You have KFC and Wal-mart and I didn't expect there to be any."

For Plant and 10 other youths from across Canada, it's the chance of a lifetime to experience a part of the country they, admittedly, know little about.

As part of Katimavik's six-month program, Cultural Discovery and Civic Engagement, these 11 young, aspiring Canadians will spend the first three months in Yellowknife working with non-profit organizations, engaging the culture, language and diversity of the region.

"I get the chance to learn more from the people around (me)," Olivier Grondin said when asked why he joined Katimavik.

Grondin's response reflects the very nature of the curiosity and thirst for knowledge and exposure to new cultures the group desires.

"It's nice to take a year off school and experience the country and different culture and the way different people think," Plant said, adding her perception, while narrow in the beginning, has been drastically altered.

"It's beautiful, it's really awesome. I'm surprised at how busy it is, I didn't think it would be like this."

Plant, along with the others, are excited to experience what the North has to offer.

"Dogsledding," she said, smiling with the prospect of mushing across the tundra, hopefully under the Northern lights - another popular item on their bucket list. Since 1977, over 28,000 youth have participated in Katimavik - a program centred around personal and professional development through volunteer work and group life.

"They're all super keen on learning more about culture and getting involved in the community," said Jolene Helgason, Katimavik's project coordinator for central Alberta.

"I really hope they're going to get a good sense of what life is like in the North and to come away with a greater understanding and appreciation for the region. They're all brand new to it and it's such a phenomenal opportunity to explore and experience and to develop."

Similar to the reality TV show Big Brother, but without the cameras, the diverse group of youth will be living in a home together. With this - and only one bathroom - comes its own set of challenges. Castlegar B.C. resident Meagan Zunti has lived on her own for the past year, so being thrust into a sardine can with 10 other people is exciting to her.

"It'll be a challenge. It's one of the reasons why I wanted to join Katimavik, to work on communication skills and see what happens when you live with people. It'll be a challenge to find that balance."

While the challenges vary among the participants, one remains a constant - the bitter cold.

"I'm a bit nervous about cold weather," said Cara Farrell of Vancouver, B.C.

"I've never experienced anything remotely as cold as it's going to be here."

Zunti is also looking forward to the time they get to spend living with a family in the community. Each participant will spend nine to 12 days with a family.

"It gives them a chance to get to know the community and get a better understanding of the community and ... the culture in the area," Helgason said. "It gets them to become a part of a family and experience the day-to-day life of a family in Yellowknife."

Starting Monday, participants will start their volunteer work at one of the non-profits participating in the program: City of Yellowknife, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Ecology North, Centre for Northern Families, SideDoor Youth Centre, CNIB and Yellowknife Catholic Schools.

For Zunti, the first day of work can't come soon enough.

"We'll get to meet people and really be involved in the community."