Northern Youth Abroad: Exploring the Effects of a Cross-cultural Exchange Program from the Perspectives of Nunavut Inuit Youths

• Main Author: Aylward, Erin
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa 2012
• Subjects: volunteer tourism; global citizenship; Inuit youths; cross-cultural awareness; career goals; third space; Nunavut; inuit
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-5996; http://www.ruor.uottawa.ca/handle/10393/23257

Nunavut Inuit youths exhibit cultural resilience and leadership. However, researchers frequently neglect such assets and instead emphasize these youths’ challenges or perceived inadequacies. I conducted an intrinsic case study regarding Nunavut Inuit youths’ experiences with an experiential learning program, Northern Youth Abroad (NYA), in order to investigate participants’ growth in cross-cultural awareness, individual career goals, leadership, and global citizenship. Drawing on post-colonial theory, semi-structured interviews, archival research, and participant observation, I argue that NYA’s Nunavut Inuit participants reported significant personal growth in these four objectives. I also provide an in-depth analysis of how NYA’s Nunavut Inuit participants described and developed distinct and rich leadership styles that draw on Inuit and Euro-Canadian influences.