Katimavik
 

I was just wondering if anyone has heard of this program. There website is currently down but it is www.katimavik.org. It's a program for 17-21 year old Canadians. You are put in a group of 12 people and for nine months you live in three different provinces within Canada. You are supposed to get second language training. It looks like a good go. I applied in my last year of high school but no luck. This year I applied and got on the replacement list. There are two possible options to leave - Sept and January. I haven't yet talked to the people. They are supposed to phone but haven't yet. I don't know how it is going to work out because my mother is being difficult about it. I want to go and seeing how I am 20, and financially independent, it is my decision but I don't want a huge fight about it. I also don't know how taking a year of school and work will work with student loans and such. It's not like there is a danger of me not returning to school because I love university too much to not come back.

At any rate, I just wanted to see if any of you guys had heard about this program so I could get some first hand info on it and to see if you wise ones had any general advice for me. Thanks.

I've never heard of it but I commend you for considering it. A life experience such as offered by this program (had a quick look at the website) can round out resume better than school alone. It might also give you more insight in to yourself and what you like/want to do after university.

That program is still going? We had a Katimavik student stay at my parents house over Christmas in about 1985 or 86. It sounded like a great opportunity. Go for it. IF that fails Rotary has some good exchange programs to other countries but I think you may be a bit old for them. Rotary also has a group study exchange program that is for ppl in thier 20's.

A huge chunk of my friend have gone into it, half have said it was a blast, and the other half have said it wasn't all they thought it would be. From what i've been told, it's all about the group you get.

I used to live in the building block where the Katamavik kids stayed. 8 out of ten were french where I lived, but I'm sure its mixed up around the country.

I used to go drinking with the guys, they loved it. Said they never had so much fun. Course, it also re-affirmed my stereotype that people from Quebec can't hold their alcohol.

Another programme to try is Canada World Youth. Same concept, 3 month exchange programme but instead it is with a third world country. I know people that went to Philippines, Sri Lanka, Columbia.

http://www.cwy-jcm.org/

Most were 17 to 21 from across canada.

My sister went on katimavik in the early '80's.

I had a friend that went into Katimavik in the late 80s... said it was a great experience. I think he did prjects in the NWT, BC and northern Ontario...

OMG! They just phoned me and although I am still on the waiting list practically everyone from the waiting list gets chosen. Last year only 4 ppl weren't! I am very excited about this possibility but am trying to suppress it because it depends on a lot of things. - school, work, $, when I leave, ect. ect. So even if I get chosen - no guarentee that I can go. But I am very excited about it!

Gratz to you. Make the most out of the experience and don't let the people in BC trick you into drinking Prairy Fire's.


Ahhhhh good times