Katie Arpin - Class '09

Coming into the Travel and Eco-Tourism program all I knew I wanted to do was travel and explore the world. Graduating the program in 2009, I originally wanted to become a flight attendant and rule the skies –and to this day have the same urge. During the program I was able to complete an amazing Co-Op at Wilderness North Fly-In Fishing Lodge -which gave me a new love of small aircraft.

My love for the outdoors is still ever thriving. A push from my instructor Rod to
apply for a position at the Nor’West Outdoor Centre allowed me to partake and
learn new skills which have now become hobbies of mine. Teaching leadership
skills, rock climbing/bouldering and instructing survival techniques.

Upon graduation, I landed a Publication & Technical Records position at North -Wright Airways. Moving to live in Norman Wells, Northwest Territories was an absolute adventure, arriving in the coldest month February with a temperature of -48 C. My education truly prepared me for this transition into the working world. 

To be able to stand out within the industry at times can be difficult. Deciding to go back to school and take Business-Marketing to mesh with my Travel Diploma has given me an edge and a different look into the travel industry. 

I took as many opportunities as possible to travel while working at Confederation College as the Student Union President and Student Recruitment Officer. Visiting Iceland, touring around the USA, seeing our own country of Canada and most recently, backpacked New Zealand (North and South Islands) with a fellow TnT graduate. Experiencing amazing views, hiking, rock-climbing, bungee jumping and skydiving. 

Now working in the Marketing field at Sportop Marketing I am able to use both Tourism and Marketing Diplomas to reach and understand the needs of clients regionally and internationally.

The borders are endless for where you can go and what you can accomplish. I thank Rod and Giannina for all their help and continue my desire of working within the travel industry.

Travel can be the beginning of finding yourself - so go out there and show the world who you are!

- Katie Arpin

Dog Sledding

Within the month of March 2015, both the first and second year classes got the opportunity to go dog sledding. After first arriving we met Paul and spent time going around to all the little huts and meeting each dog; they were all very beautiful dogs some more welcoming than others but all friendly.

Brittany meeting Rebecca

We sat around the fire and had some hot chocolate as Paul gave us some basic information on the sport and his dogs. As soon as the dogs saw the harnesses they instantly came to life, no matter how shy they were a minute ago they were all full of excitement now. 

The dogs we were going to be working with were moved over to a chain at the beginning of the trail and we were shown the main parts of a sled and how to instruct the dogs on where we wanted them to go. The atmosphere was full of enthusiasm from the dogs and a little hesitation from the rest of the group as the dog got attached to sleds.

With the dogs full of energy, the first group got a fast lap around the trail. We had lots of fun dog sledding and many of us tried it more than once. We all had a great experience with the dogs and a wonderful time on this new adventure.

-Chelsey

Ice Fest

On March 14, a group of both first and second year students participated in the Nipigon Ice Fest. We were all very excited to go ice climbing for the first time, and some a little nervous but it was a beautiful and fun day for everyone.

We were told that the ice was soft since the weather had been warming up and that this would make climbing easier. These climbing conditions may have been easier but ice climbing was defiantly not easy thankfully it was very rewarding.

Glad to have accomplish this adventure we ended a great day with a group photo. Allan, Lisa, Miranda, Corey, Halle, Graedyn, Erin, Rebekah, Lizz and myself are all thankful to Giannina for bring us to the event and share this new experience with us.

-Chelsey

Allison Pelletier - Class '12

I graduated form the Tourism – Travel & Eco-Adventure program at Confederation College in 2012 with the prospects of becoming a flight attendant for an international airline. I love the outdoors, travelling, scuba diving, and rock climbing, but my true passion is in the sky.

Since the program had equipped me to be an ideal candidate for any tourism related profession, upon graduation I took my new skills and left for Asia. I spent some time travelling about and working for small outfits in China before returning home to Thunder Bay and starting my career as a flight attendant.

I was first employed by Wasaya Airways and flew on a small Dash 8 up to the northern communities of Ontario. It was a blast being the only FA onboard and exploring the first step toward my lifelong dream. I gained significant experience in the aviation industry and then moved on.

I took a break from flying to pursue my other passion under the water. I was first introduced to scuba diving by Rod when he almost guilt tripped our class into believing that we’d be missing out on life if we didn’t take up the sport. So naturally it became the thing to do.

Skipping ahead a few months and I had added a few bodies of water to my repertoire and a handful of diving specialties. Given my enthusiasm for diving, scuba tourism, and travelling, I was invited to represent Canada in the Miss Scuba International Competition held in Malaysia. I was awarded the titles of Best Diver & Miss Scuba Tourism and then went on to dive in Australia.

Upon my return I was offered employment with Air Canada Jazz as a flight attendant. Once again I’ve taken to the skies in pursuit of my goal as an international flight attendant. The knowledge and skills I gained through the Tourism –Travel & Eco Adventure program have helped me gain access to an industry with endless possibilities.

I’ve had the time of my life travelling and exploring the world and my adventure is still going.

Embrace your wanderlust. Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown.

Allison Pelletier

Jazz Aviation LP.

Snowshoeing Adventures!

On February 9, 2015 the first year students had their first trip to the Norwest Outdoor Centre to go snowshoeing. The second year class also went snowshoeing on February 11 this year right after a big snowstorm giving them lots of fresh power to trek through. One of our international students this semester, Antonia from northern Brazil where it is always quite warm joined the second years for her first snowshoeing experience.

Both trips were greatly enjoyed by the classes and sparked some more interest in the sport. Most of us dressed smartly with layers as taught in class but ended up striping as we continued the walk; working up more of a sweat than expected on such a nice winter day. Although not all of us made it through the entire trail, we had an awesome day and are all looking forward to what our adventure class challenges us with next.

-Chelsey

First Year Class

Second Year Class

Antonia

ACTA Conference - Toronto, ON

Monday, November 3rd, Giannina, Laurie, Kim and Lindsay along with Erin, Simone, Morgan, Sarah, Chelsea, Bekka, Halle, Katrina and Caitlyn flew to Toronto from Thunder Bay to be a part of the ACTA conference. 

What is ACTA you may ask?  

"…Established in 1977, the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA), is a national trade association representing the retail travel sector of Canada's tourism industry. ACTA is an industry-led, nonprofit, membership based organization."
This conference presented a great opportunity for students to attend a professional conference, learn more about different areas of the industry and their job criteria.

We boarded a Westjet Encore Q400 plane at 0630 while the sky was still dark and within two hours we made it safely to Toronto Pierson International Airport. After our arrival we had a bus tour of the tarmac where we saw several planes, plus we learned the basic rules of the runway. Then, we checked into the hotel before heading downtown Toronto to Ripley's Aquarium. There were a lot of children but the building was well laid out and the vast variety of marine life was amazing!

We looked up at the CN Tower but decided that we rather spend our money shopping then going to the top. A group of us walked to The Eaton Centre and proceeded to shop to our hearts content.

The next day, we went to the conference and met with professionals within the travel industry. They answered some questions from students, gave valuable information, and handed out some prizes. Before we had left Thunder Bay, we made a video to be entered in the contest ACTA held to show the importance of travel agents "Without A Travel Agent... You're On Your Own". We won the contest, which added so much more excitement to an already wonderful trip.

Thank you G for inviting us, this trip was awesome and an experience that won't be forgotten.

Erin

Yay! We won the contest.

Touring the tarmac and huge jets of YYZ airport. 

Morgan, Caitlyn and Simone in the tunnels with the sharks at Ripley's Aquarium.

Is Confederation College The Right College For Me???

How to find the right college for you

I grew up in SW Ontario for most of my life.  I've tried many different programs in a few schools since graduating high school in the 90's.

I started off with a Hotel & Restaurant Management program which halfway through and decided it was not for me.  Eventually I chose to study as a Medical Office Assistant and graduated with a certificate.  Another few years went by and I looked into Event Management at another college in western Canada where I was living. Later I decided to study Human Resources at another college and earned a certificate. Unfortunately, with the economy being the way it was, and where I lived, jobs were hard to come by so I continued as an office administrator for several companies throughout the years. 

I wanted to do something with my life, to have a purpose and meaning. One day, I decided to quit my job and looked into voluntourism. Voluntourism is a form of tourism in which travellers participate in voluntary work, typically for a charity.

I leaned about eco-tourism and how important it is to our world and people.  I learned about conservation and helping the environment. I experienced eco-tourism in Mexico knew that I wanted to continue with eco-tourism. To do this, I decided to go back to school. 

So I started to research schools around Ontario and across Canada.  I used the ACTA endorsed-full-time-programs link and looked into full-time programs.  I made a spreadsheet of pros and cons and looked into my finances. I narrowed my choices down to two. One in Vancouver was a private college and the other Confederation College in Thunder Bay. This is what sold me -"Tourism and Travel-Adventure and Ecotourism is a distinctive hybrid travel and tourism program, which provides the student with in class training, on-the-job experience via our cooperative education work placement program, utilizes the great outdoors as an ideal environment for practical learning, and gives you the opportunity to experience another culture by travelling abroad."

A lot of people that are at this college are from the surrounding areas, but there are a few of us who have travelled from Southern Ontario to come to what I call the Great White North.

I know I am only in my 3rd month now but I love it.  The teachers (Giannina and Rod) are amazing.  The school is a good place, and Thunder Bay is pretty nice too.  I will be here for 2 years. I do not regret coming here, making new friends, participating in school activities, joining clubs and learning tons.  I love it. I highly recommend it. 

Come visit and see what I see.

Sincerely,

Erin

Halloween - class picture of those who dressed up

ACTA Conference video