Love travelling? Want to explore Canada and get some work experience at the same time? The Mobilize youth employment program is a great way to do just that. Mobilizer Ana Maria Garcia headed out west for her work/travel adventure this past January.

Ana Maria: her experiences with the Mobilize youth employment program

She had a bit of trepidation initially about Mobilize, “Honestly, I thought I wasn’t going to like it as much as I have…I love it,” she says. “I feel like this program has huge potential to be something really amazing. I’m going to go around Canada getting 35 to 40 hours a week and free accommodation? There has to be a catch to it? There’s no twists, it’s such a great program, I love it.”

Since being deployed in the Mobilize youth employment program, Ana Maria has worked in both Fort McMurray and Banff, Alberta.

“I started in January where I worked front desk at the Sawridge Hotel in Fort McMurray,” she says. “When I tell most people I worked in a town like Fort Mac their first thought was… “How was that?” Honestly, it wasn’t bad at all. I got to see the northern lights, which not a lot of people get to see. I spent most of my time snowboarding and experiencing what it feels like to live in a rural town like Fort Mac for four months.”

In her next placement with the Mobilize youth employment program she worked front desk again – this time at Inns of Banff.

Adventure experiences

“Oh my, have I enjoyed it!” she says. “I’ve been living in Banff for about five months now and have fallen in love. I have checked off a lot from my list; from white water rafting to paragliding in the Rockies, from never hiking before to hiking more than 8 mountains, running into my first bear or elk (literally), taking part in my first marathon, being 60 feet underground exploring caves, and rock climbing for the first time.”

Work experiences

“I graduated from Travel and Tourism,” she says. “Mobilize has given me the chance to travel and explore what I studied in many different ways. I have met amazing people and have really enjoyed the time I’ve spent with Mobilize. I really do recommend this program to anyone that likes to explore and is seeking an adventure.”

Ana Maria’s Mobilize employer in Banff was so impressed with her work commitment that they asked her to stay beyond the four-month deployment – and she’s happy to stay in Banff and learn and explore even more!

Want to know more about her Mobilize adventure? Watch these videos, courtesy of Ana Maria!

If you are interested in the Mobilize youth employment program, apply here.