Participant Referral Form - 2027 NYA Programs
Referral form due date: Nov 16, 2026
ABOUT NYA
Northern Youth Abroad provides opportunities for youth living in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories to acquire career skills and training, hands on work experience, leadership development, and high school credits through a cross-cultural learning and work experience in southern Canada and abroad. As a participant, each youth completes a series of assignments in their home community, attends a program orientation and de-briefing, and completes a summer placement.
For the Canadian Program summer placement, Participants live in a southern host community. While in the south they live with a host family and volunteer at a work placement for 35 hours a week.
For the NYA Next Program, Participants live at Algonquin College in a college residence with a group of other participants, learning about their own career and education next steps while completing hands-on college classes like construction and cooking.
NYA offers youth an opportunity for personal growth. We are particularly committed to supporting youth who have had limited opportunities to travel outside of their home communities or to participate in this type of programming before.
REFERRAL FORMS
Each applicant needs to submit two "Participant Referral Forms" in support of their application - one from their mentor, and one from another adult who is not an immediate family member. The referral helps determine if NYA is a good fit for the applicant while allowing us to get to know them a little bit better.
All information is treated confidentially. If you have any questions regarding the NYA program or the elements of a youth's participation, please do not hesitate to contact the NYA office.
Please be frank and honest in your comments so that we can develop a clear understanding of the young person being referred. Being candid regarding an applicant's circumstances and/or history will not disqualify someone from being chosen. It will help us ensure that we have the needed supports in place to promote each participant's success, while protecting the well-being and safety of all involved.
We thank you for providing your time, insight and knowledge!