Why did you choose this program?
I chose this program over many other programs in other resorts because of the skiable terrains in Whistler. I want to ski different types of terrains, with different steepness and different difficulty. As one of the largest resorts in North America, Whistler does just that.
Over a competitor, I chose YES because of their correspondence and response. Over email, they demonstrated local knowledge and expertise, which many of their competitors don’t provide. Plus, they are very warm and personal, which I like. I don’t want to spend 7 weeks in a corporate-y environment during my career break.
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
The provider assisted me with all aspects of the program, including accommodation, ski instruction, season pass, and exams. I organized my own equipment and food, but shall I choose to ask for assistance; the provider has hosts who are knowledgable to assist.
We have a social gathering twice a week, which YES organizes and it’s easy to get assistance during this time from our hosts.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
I would say, stay at least for the 7 weeks program and commit to the training and instruction throughout the program. The classes are only as good as what you make them be, and throughout the duration, everyone is given access to world-class instructors.
More participation and more commitment mean more value out of the program.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
We are on the snow for 5 days a week, roughly for about 5-6 hours each day. On weekdays, we have instructions to improve our skiing/snowboarding and teaching skills; and then on a Sunday, we have a “guiding” day, which is a free-ski day where our instructors take us to varied terrains and runs. Guiding day is my favourite day as it gives me the chance to apply the techniques and teachings into fun runs.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
I was 27 when I did the program, and the program was primarily advertised as a gap year program. I was afraid that I won’t belong to the group of teenagers in the program.
It turns out that there are also mature participants in the group, most of them I call friends to this day. And hanging out with teenagers is not such a bad thing too; it brings out the youth in me.
Would you recommend doing the program by yourself or with your friends?
Honestly, one of the greatest things about the program is that you will meet people. I went to the program by myself and finished the program with more friends I had when I came.
With such a big group, you are bound to meet people who share similar interests as long as you are willing to just say hi.
