Saturday, 14 January 2012

Why go North?


As most of you know I am an education students completing my final semester abroad! Accordingly, many of you are probably wondering, "why the North"? I will get to the answer to that question, eventually!

As most of you are enjoying sun, beaches, and all touristy things, I am left curled up in my warmest clothes trying to forget about the -30 weather outside my front door! And believe me this is a GOOD winter day! After enduring a few of Yellowknife's -40 winter days I am glad to say the weather is warming up....at least for today :) Aside from the blistering cold weather, Yellowknife is a unique and beautiful city. The rocky terrain, frosted trees, dancing colourful skies, and wildlife at your doorstep are all important aspects which have contributed to my growing love for this small northern city.

Getting back to the question, "Why the North", simple, I chose to do my Teaching Across Boarders placement in Yellowknife, NT because I wanted to experience a different lifestyle and culture while still in Canada. What I mean by this is that I wanted to expand my knowledge and pride in my Country and figured there is no better way then to expose myself to Canada's overlooked, or 'forgotten' if you will, territories. Through this placement I hope to learn more about Northern Canada, our Indigenous peoples, experience a different living style, and eat foods I would never dream of eating, all while in the country I call home!

So as a brief conclusion, I am excited and anxious to teach in such an amazing little close knit city, and to continue to learn from the individuals I meet here. Yellowknife has already proven to be a great choice and experience for the TAB program, (although I sometimes question myself on days when its -40!) and I am looking forward to learning what more it has to offer :)