While five youths from the Sunshine Coast are in for a summer of French-Canadian culture and language immersion, their Quebeçois counterparts will arrive here to live and work in our community.
Program co-ordinator Paige Ryan grew up on the Coast, participated in the Summer Work Student Exchange when she was 16 years old and now looks forward to facilitating six weeks of summer fun for five Quebec teens.
"It was the best summer of my life," said the now 21-year-old. "I want to give the same experience to youth here." The exchange was created to help enthusiastic youths with basic skills in French or English improve their second language skills in another province where their second language is dominant.
During their stay, teens work full-time at not-for-profit agencies in their host community. At this time, Halfmoon Bay Child-care Society is the only agency signed up to hire exchange students. Any other non-profits are encouraged to apply on-line at www.summer-work.com.
Ryan noticed in the news lately that many non-profits are having difficulty getting funding and said this program is a great way for them to get full-time employment while the federal government picks up the cost of the youths' wages. Participation in the program is also great for future reference. "It's a good thing to have on my resume," said Ryan, a commerce student in Prince George.
The May to August co-ordinator position works right into a university student's schedule. Ryan will be responsible for co-ordinating budgets for the youths, non-profit agencies and host families. She is in constant communication with her team and their "Twin Quebec" team where the five Sunshine Coast students will be placed. Ryan is also organizing weekend excursions including get-togethers with 48 Quebec exchange students hosted in Vancouver.
Sunshine Coast youths and their families were interviewed to make sure everyone is on board with participating in the intensive language and culture program and conducting criminal record checks and family references to ensure that Quebec youths will have safe and happy homes to live in.
This is the second year that the YMCA of Greater Toronto is running the exchange program with continued funding from Canadian Heritage and VIA Rail. Youths will travel by train for up to five days to reach their destinations. Ryan said that because of provincial exams in B.C. this year, the Sunshine Coast youths will fly to Quebec and will come home by train in August. She also said there is still room for three more students to join up and encourages interested teens to talk with their parents and then apply online.
Ryan said the program helped her to mature and get some direction in life.
"If you're not outgoing, you will be by the end of the summer. You meet so many young people. I have friends for life," she said.
