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Student packs bags for Bolivia

It’s a chance to travel the world while helping others.

That’s why 21-year-old Angela Stoney has decided to participate in Canada World Youth (CWY), a program providing youth and young adults with the opportunity to experience the world for themselves.

On June 24, Stoney will leave her hometown for six months to travel to Bolivia and Quebec. Through CWY, participants spend three months abroad and three months within their own country.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to travel and make connections from another country,” says Stoney, noting that today we live in a global village. “Lots of people don’t have experience with other cultures or know how people live in different parts of the world. It’s important that we gain international understanding.”

Stoney will be one of nine Canadians traveling to Bolivia. Once in Bolivia, the group will join nine Bolivians who they will be paired up with for the duration of the trip.

“We all get paired up together and live with a local host family,” says Stoney, adding that her “counterpart” will help her adapt to the culture in Bolivia. “Then when we come back to Canada I can help her with the challenges of living in another country.”

Although participants don’t choose where they will travel when they sign-up, Stoney says she’s excited to visit a Spanish- speaking country for the first time and looks forward to learning the language. Stoney is already familiar with French, a plus as CWY is a bilingual program.

In Bolivia, Stoney will work alongside non-profit organizations to carry out volunteer activities in the country.

“The focus of our group will be volunteering in the health-care sector,” says Stoney. CWY has three main volunteer focuses – health, environment and agriculture.

When asked what she’s most excited about, Stoney says, “Probably just being in a completely different country and getting to know the culture, how the locals live, and definitely learning the language as well.”

In order to participate, Stoney has had to fundraise for the trip. She turned to the community for donations and was able to raise the amount required. She thanks all those who have helped make this journey possible.