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Former Black Lake teacher takes teens on world experiences

Jul 30, 2018 | 12:00 PM

Hannah Robillard is sharing her passion for travel with youth from a remote northern Saskatchewan community.

Last year, her teaching contract concluded. She’s now using her time to take youths from Black Lake around the world to experience different cultures. Robillard said she used to run one trip a year through school, but has since expanded to make six or seven trips a year.

Robillard said travelling is beneficial to youth as it creates more educational opportunities in a week to 10 days than are provided in a month of class room learning.

“I grew up as a minority, so I know discrimination, and some of the problems [that come up] when people don’t communicate with others,” she said. “The main benefit is just approaching other cultures… with respect.”

Robillard said the trips also teach the participants about their own home and culture; whether it’s appreciating what they have at home, or bringing back new ideas to improve their community.

The trips also provide youth with a visible confidence and self-esteem boost according to Robillard.

While travelling, Robillard said she teaches youth about consumerism and tries to take her groups off the beaten track to destinations or locales which aren’t full of tourists.

“They’re travellers, rather than just tourists,” she said. “We don’t go to resorts and shopping malls; I make it really challenging [to] give them more of a local perspective… I think it’s more educational that way.”  

Recently a group returned from Chicago. Earlier this year, Robillard took youth to Tokyo to witness the cherry blossom bloom. In the past, she noted groups went to Berlin, where they took part in a street art exhibiton and witnessed a Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, where they also spent time volunteering. 

“The youths are amazing, adventurous, respectful and responsible young people,” Robillard said. “I am thankful we experience the world together.”

 

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas