October 16, 2018 - 9:00pm
Travelling onboard the Canada C3 Expedition was a life-changing experience for Jennifer Williams (Bachelor of Education ’16).
For Williams, who graduated in 2016, there weren’t just one or two poignant moments — it was the entire voyage that made a lasting impression.
“What always impacts me in all my experiences are the people I meet along the way. Each person I met, both in the communities we stopped at as well as the participants we had onboard, enriched my understanding of our country and I am so grateful for that,” says Williams.
The Canada C3 voyage was a 150-day expedition from Toronto, Ont. to Victoria, BC through the Northwest Passage. The expedition ran from June 1 to October 28, 2017 and was a Canada 150 Signature Project meant to explore issues of diversity and inclusion, reconciliation, youth engagement and the environment.
Williams had a unique position on the voyage as the Canada C3 Program and Participant Coordinator for the final five legs of the journey, from Kugluktuk, Nunavut to Victoria. This role was part of her full-time position, which she continues to hold, with the Students on Ice Foundation (the Foundation that ran Canada C3) as the Education and Alumni Program Manager. The Foundation also runs youth expeditions to the Polar Regions that focus on experiential education, sustainability, cross-cultural exchange and leadership development.
“Our expeditions are something that generate a spark in the participants, inspiring them to move forward as agents of change in their communities,” says Williams.
Williams loves working with youth but also loved working on the Canada C3 voyage with adults. She felt that the learning outcomes were similar to what she’s experienced with youth and she is looking forward to seeing what Canada C3 alumni get up to across the country after their experiences.
*This article originally appeared in the Fall 2018 edition of VIU Magazine. Check out more stories on the VIU Magazine webpage.
Tags: Alumni | VIU Magazine
