RANKIN INLET - A group of Quebec students have memories of a lifetime after spending a week in Rankin Inlet this past month.

The students, from Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures near Quebec City, were in Rankin for the second part of an exchange program with students from Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI).

Elder Francis Kaput demonstrates the string game to Patricia Ittinuar during a student exchange program in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo -

The Rankin students travelled to Quebec this past February.

MUI teacher Lisa Kresky said the Rankin and Quebec students got along very well together, despite some language difficulties.

She said a number of friendships that began when the Rankin students were in Quebec grew even stronger here.

"A lot of the students found each other on Facebook and were chatting away even before we went to Quebec," said Kresky.

"Those relationships continued when they arrived in Rankin and the kids can easily stay in touch with each other through today's technology."

Kresky said a lot of activities were planned for the Quebec students during their stay in Rankin.

She said among their favourites were dogsledding and a trip to the elder's cabin.

"They really seemed to be into everything we did and enjoyed it all.

"It was a little bit cold for them the first day or two they were here.

"We were supposed to go ice fishing, but -42 C was too cold for us to do that.

"But, for the most part, they knew it was going to be cold here and they came well-prepared and well-dressed and they coped really well."

Kresky said both groups of kids enjoyed learning about another culture in a different part of Canada.

She said learning about each other's culture and traditional history was a major gain for every kid involved in the program.

"A lot of the parents who billeted the students while in Rankin said the kids were really sweet and fit right in with the family.

"It was the same in Quebec, where a number of parents said they wanted to adopt our kids because they're so lovely.

"The language barrier was a little bit of an issue, with their students mainly speaking French.

"But, that aside, everything was amazing and a really positive experience for both groups of kids."

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