Isabella Grajczyk, 20-year-old student from the University of Regina and resident of Moose Jaw, is just one student delegate embarking on a unique opportunity with Global Vision this February.
Grajczyk will travel to Lima, Peru with the Global Vision Junior Team Canada Trade and Development Mission, one of 15 students selected from across Canada to engage with Peruvian students, officials, and business owners.
“I'll have the opportunity to kind of reflect Canada on the world stage, and there'll be a really great opportunity to just learn about trade and how it works,” said Grajczyk. “It's a really cool opportunity, and I'm really looking forward to it. I think it'll be awesome.”
Global Vision organizes a Junior Team each year, to take part in presentations, meetings, and school visits meant to connect and facilitate education and trade opportunities between the two countries.
Working in conjunction with the Canadian Embassy in Peru as well as the Peruvian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, delegates are given the chance to interact with several economic sectors, including agriculture, mining, finance, and natural resources.
Grajczyk is currently working on an undergraduate degree in education and english from the U of R, as well as a global studies certificate from the University of Saskatchewan. Her interest in the program came from a conference she attended in the fall, focused on being a better digital citizen.
“They mentioned [this program from Global Vision] and I thought, 'oh, that sounds right up my alley,’” said Grajczyk. “I'm interested in international relations and things along that line.”
The annual mission is to connect Canadian and Peruvian students to facilitate a relationship between the countries. With a focus on both educational opportunities and trade development, the student delegates are given a close-up experience with foreign economies and international trade.
Each student delegate is required to partner with government, local businesses, and organizations to collect $4,500 in sponsorship prior to the trip, and also to create mandates for the delegate to fulfil while abroad.
“It's a bit of a challenge, getting sponsorship, but it's also a cool learning experience as well,” said Grajczyk.
Grajczyk has found sponsorship from the Ministry of Trade and Export Development, but she is still looking for businesses and organization interested in partnership, to fill her sponsorship totals.
“If there was any organizations or businesses that were looking to reach out to people in Peru or were just looking for information, I can meet that person to gather it for them, which is a really cool opportunity,” said Grajczyk.
The entire trip is going to be an exciting endeavour for Grajczyk, who is really looking forward to the entire experience.
“I'd just like to learn as much as I can from the different politicians and business people that I'll have the opportunity to meet, and just to go to Peru is a really exciting opportunity,” said Grajczyk.
Any businesses or organizations interested in becoming a sponsor for Grajczyk’s upcoming trip to Peru on Feb. 12-22 can contact her directly by email, at isabellagrajczyk99@yahoo.ca.
