The last time Przemek (pronounced Puh- shemek) Tyminski was in Canada, he was waving goodbye to an adopted family and new-found friends. In this country on a six-month exchange from Poland, he quickly promised himself that he’d be back – some day. As soon as he could raise the money.
But here, less than a year after he left Canada with that secret determination tucked away in his heart, the Canada World Youth co-ordinator from Poland is back. In fact, he’s part of the program that’ll see 18 young people arriving in Slave Lake later this week to take up a three-month mission in this community. It’s just like last year, but instead of being a wide-eyed participant, exploring the world at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Przemek is the Polish co-ordinator. He’s the guy who’s making plans, laying the groundwork for the young people from Poland, the Ukraine and Canada who’ll make up this year’s exchange program. He’s got a whole new grown-up role that really came as quite a surprise.
“About three months after we got home,” following last year’s exchange, “they called and offered me the job.” The offer was a bit of a shock, he admits, but “it felt great.
“It’s a very responsible job, and it seems they trust I can do it.”
But at the same time, he also admits “it’s a challenge.
“This program involves culture, inter-cultural relations and interactions. And I have to work in a foreign language.” Still, it’s a challenge he gladly accepted, in part at least because of the wonderful experience Canada World Youth offered him last year.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said, about a week before he and co-worker Jan Jelenik met the first CWY group of participants at their orientation camp near Westlock. They’re from across Canada, and days later, their Polish and Ukrainian counterparts will arrive.
Friday, the group arrives in Slave Lake for its three-month stay.
“We both hope to create a strong team feeling for participants, and to get some skills so we can use it to work in Poland” when the group enters the second half of this year’s exchange.
“We want the participants – Canadians, Ukrainians and Poles – to learn as much as possible.” Exchanges, he believes, “are the best way to learn about the world.”
(He’s also anxious to see if the newcomers, like he, consider Canadian skies ‘much higher’ than those in Poland, the Ukraine and in Europe.)
By learning new languages and cultures -- by living them -- participants will be unlocking the door to some real learning and growth opportunities, he says, just like Przemek and his counterparts did last year.
“When you learn a new language, you have a new vision of the world,” he says.
That’s why interacting with host families and members of the public are important components of the exchange.
“And we’d also like the community to learn from the participants, and encourage residents here to approach the team members on the street, in the shops, wherever, and ask them questions – what ever they want to know.”
Jelenik also invites Slave Lake and area residents to come to the welcome reception Friday afternoon at 5:00.
“Just give Jennifer Cowan a call at 849-3403 if you’d like to come to the potluck. Help welcome the participants to Slave Lake.”

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