Academy

• General
• Course Overview
• Schedule
• Tuition
• Payment info
• Bios
Live Different exists to empower youth to bring positive change by being changed themselves. This happens when we live our lives with purpose. Our Academy Program consists of leadership development classes, a social justice course and personal growth experiences. All of these aspects are focused on helping you to see the part you play in changing and shaping the global future, starting with your own.
Through two semesters of life coaching, leadership training, and practical hands-on experience, you will begin to understand and develop your incredible potential through a program that is both transformational and relevant.
The focus of the whole year is built on the foundation of what the Live Different movement is and what we believe we are able to accomplish together: changing the world and allowing ourselves to be changed in the process. Live Different Academy is not an accredited college course, nor do we consider it to be the completion of an education; it exists to be experiential and life-directing. Our staff and leadership are very confident that after a year with us, you will have a much clearer direction for where you want to go in the future and what you are capable of doing today. You will discover gifts and talents that you never knew you had, as well as have the amazing opportunity to grow in an environment you would not normally get the chance to be a part of.


For more information about our Academy program, please contact joy@livedifferent.com.

For more details on Live Different Academy, download this PDF:
More Details





Our school year is divided into two semesters. One semester is spent touring across Canada participating in Live Different's Presentations and the other semester is spent living, studying and working in the community of Vicente Guerrero, Baja California, Mexico.




Half of the time as an Academy student will be spent in Canada, where Academy students will be a valuable part of reaching youth in Junior and Senior High Schools across the nation with the message of purpose and hope while providing them with an opportunity to make a difference in the world. The other half of their time will be spent in Vicente Guerrero, Baja, Mexico, where they will be a part of a team who is making a visible difference in the lives of those who need it. During the time spent in Mexico, students will also have substantial class and personal development time as they begin to understand the bigger picture of our global community and how their life can help change and shape the future.
While in Mexico, our students will be working with and training under our Hero Holiday Mexico team. It will be an exciting opportunity to focus on social justice issues and opportunities to effect change. While in Canada, our students work with our high school assembly teams, speaking in high schools and advocating for social justice to this generation in our motivational experience, Live Different.





Our Staff

Christal Earle - Program Director
Joy Yu - Program Administrator
Heather Fortin and Andrew Arnal - Academy Facilitators in Mexico
Follow this link for staff bio's.


*Dates subject to change
2013 - Term 1
• August 18th - Housing is open for students' arrival.
• 
August 19th - General Orientation starts at 10am.

• August 20th - 30th - Leadership training and Road team or Mexico orientation. (Depending on what team you are on)

• September 3rd - December 21st - First Semester - half touring across Canada with our road teams and the other half in Mexico.
• December 21st - Christmas break begins.
2014 - Term 2
• January 19th - Housing re-opens for second semester.

• January 20th - 27th Road team or Mexico orientation. (Depending on what team you are on)

• January 28th - May 31st - Second Semester - half touring across Canada with our road teams and the other half in Mexico.
• 
May 30th - Grad Ceremony.

• June 1st - Fly or Drive Home.



The cost for the year is $7,995.00 CAD.


Live Different is committed to the potential of this generation, and because of this, we are also currently offering a $300.00 bursary (click to download) to successful applicants who are in need of financial assistance.


This price includes:


• All accommodations in Hamilton, on the Canadian tour, and in Mexico.
• International Social Justice course texts and materials.
• Meals on the Canadian tours and meals in Mexico.
• Internet connections in Hamilton and Mexico.
• Return flights from Hamilton to Mexico.
• Laundry in Hamilton and Mexico.



The price does not include:


• Travel to and from Hamilton at the beginning/end of the year and at Christmas time.
• Student's meals while they are in Hamilton. Each student must personally budget to pay for a maximum 8 weeks worth of meals throughout the semester in Canada. If the tour schedule demands that the students are in Hamilton beyond 8 weeks, Live Different will provide them with a grocery allowance.
• Travel medical insurance is required for the amount of time spent outside of Canada.
• A passport is a personal expense and a required travel document that the students must have before beginning the program.




There are three ways a Student can make payments towards their school fees: direct payment, donation, or funds raised through a fund raising event.




Direct Payment: These payments are not tax receiptable and are refundable within the program's refund schedule (see application). In case of emergency, up to 80% of your tuition payments can be refunded at the discretion of Live Different




Donation: (from you or a 3rd party) that is eligible for a Canadian donation receipt for income tax purposes. According to charity law, a donation is a voluntary transfer of property without valuable consideration to the donor; donors cannot choose the beneficiaries of their donations, and a charity must have full discretion in deciding how to allocate its funds. Academy students are not the beneficiaries of this charitable program, they are volunteers that carry out the humanitarian work. Therefore any donations raised by a participant volunteer will be allocated, upon approval from our Board of Directors, towards a fund that subsidizes expenses (fees) of all participant volunteers (the primary criteria in subsidizing fees is the amount that volunteers respectively fund raise). What this means is that all donations are 100% non-refundable. In event of any cancellation, funds will instead be allocated towards other charitable programs. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more. Tax receipts to be issued by February 28th of the following year.




Donation from fund raising sales/events: direct proceeds from the sale of goods or services (ex. charity auctions, dinner tickets, book sales, etc). These profits are not eligible for a charitable tax receipt, and are 100% non-refundable.

Category: Academy 2012-2013

• 

  David MacNeil

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  David MacNeil

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  

  Hometown: Bridgewater, Nova Scotia

  How did you first hear about Live Different?

  I first heard about Live different when they did a presentation at my school when I was in grade 8. I thought they were rock stars. A couple years later I had the travel bug and remembered the group talked about Hero Holiday. So in grade 11 I decided to sign up for a summer trip to the Dominican Republic. 

  What is your favorite moment from your Academy year if you could only pick one?

  That's the hardest question I've been asked in a long time. This year has been the best time of my life and it has been filled with many amazing moments. Although if I had to pick one it would be the feeling I got when I entered Mexico. I stepped outside the plane and a new chapter started in my life. One where I could make a difference in a community and share an incredible experience with 5 others who are equally as passionate about helping as I am. I'll never forget the excitement that I felt with my first steps in Mexico. 

  What was the most challenging thing about your Academy year and how did you overcome it?

  The most challenging for me was being away from the people I love. I developed a strong bond with everyone here but found it hard sometimes being away from my friends and family. Being around the amazing people here helped me a lot and I know when I leave I'll miss them a lot as well. 

  What does your near future look like?

  My near future is me working at Michelin earning money to attend school in the fall. I will be learning about automotive restoration. 

  What have you learned and enjoyed from your experiences this year?

  Honestly I feel that in these past 8 months I've learned more then I did in 13 years of school. I learned so much about myself and global issues. I can't wait to take what I've learned and apply it to my daily lifestyle back home.

• 

  Carina Mutschele

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  Carina Mutschele

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  

  Hometown: Horsefly, British Columbia

  What is your favorite moment from your Academy year if you could only pick one?

  "What... Only pick one? I don't think I could pick a moment that WASN'T great!:)

  I've put off answering this question for days to try and come up with just one thing, and so here is one of the MANY great moments from this past year:

  Here in Mexico we just experienced Shack Week, where we saw what it was like to live, work, eat and sleep like a Mexican for 7 days and nights. It was such an eye-opening and life-changing week. On our last day of work we went night clamming. We got up at 1 in the morning and drove through all these bumpy back roads to get to the beach. Then we made our way into the freezing cold ocean in the middle of the night to dig for clams. It was intense and very very cold. But it was also so exhilarating; one of those moments where you just feel so alive. I will never forget that feeling. What felt like hours later when we were finished, we all stoop shivering by a little fire we had build on the beach. The Mexicans were all still in the water when we finally climbed back into the box of the truck and drove away. We were high on life just thinking about what we had just done. Like come on, who else gets to, not only literally walk in someone else's shoes for a week, but also have all these unusual and out-of-body experiences! 

  The sun was coming up just as we were leaving the beach and we all snuggled up in the back of the truck singing as loud as we could to the beat of our own drum. It was one of those picture perfect moments where I couldn't help but stop and be so incredibly grateful for my life and all the people and experiences in it. I can't help but wake up every day loving life knowing how blessed I am to be a part of so many incredible things. But like I said, that was only one of so many moments that would take days for me to write about. Driving on back roads in Mexico in the back of a truck with some of the most incredible people of life, watching the sunrise, knowing we just accomplished something AWESOME, was something I will never forget."

   

  What was the most challenging thing about your Academy year and how did you overcome it?

   

  The most challenging thing about this past year...hmm... well there have been constant challenges that have allowed me to grow and learn a lot. One challenge over the past year has been reminding myself not to feel guilty. It's natural to feel this way when you get to know people who live in a dirt floor shack and have no prospect of bettering their lives, whereas I have a world of opportunity at my feet simply because I was born in a different country. Crazy. But feeling guilty doesn't do anyone any good. Instead, reminding myself that I have the power to help these people and bring hope to their lives is what helps to inspire me. It can be frustrating to think about how unfair the world can be, but then remembering to utilize the incredible opportunity that I have been given to do something significant with my life, reminds me, not to feel guilty, but to make my life count for something.

  What have you learned and enjoyed from your experiences this year?

  I have learned to be more appreciative of what I have. It's so easy to take things for granted or feel like we never have 'enough'. I have learned, more than ever, that people are what matter. Having meaningful relationships is what life is all about. It is our attitude that defines our experiences. In the wise words of Christal Earle, "If you label it a disaster, it is. But if you label it an opportunity, it can become that, too". So true. Almost anything can be turned into something great, but only if you let it. My life has been greatly enriched by all the experiences I have had over the past year and by all the amazing people I have had the privilege of meeting. How could I not love every second of it!     

• 

  Alex Middleton

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  Alex Middleton

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  

  Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario

  How did you first hear about Live Different?

  I first heard about Live different two years ago when my dad and I were planning a trip together. We both knew we wanted to do a mission trip but we had no clue which group we wanted to do it with. By chance my dad had friends in common with the principal at Madawaska District High School whose students were doing a Hero Holiday in March. We asked if we could join their trip and they graciously accepted. That March I found myself in Mexico surrounded by amazing people, and a positive atmosphere the likes of which that I had never experienced before. It was so refreshing to see a group of people who all shared the same passion come together and actually be able to change peoples lives. 

  What is your favorite moment from your Academy year if you could only pick one?

  My favorite moment of my Academy year is one that I will never forget. On my return to mexico as an Academy student we visited the family I built for the previous spring. We said hello to them and they all remembered my name, asked about my Dad and other members on our build team. We spent a few minutes together and then had to go visit the second family we built for. As we were leaving Ambrosia ( the mother of the family) ran up to our van and passed something through the window and said it was for me. When I looked at it I realized it was a bracelet I left lying in the dirt one year before. The fact that she remembered it belonged to me and managed to save it for so long even though she didn't know if I was coming back just blew me away. She has such a big heart and I'm happy to be able to call her my friend.

  What was the most challenging thing about your Academy year and how did you overcome it?

  My most challenging aspect of my Academy year was telling my personal story on stage and talking about a friend I had recently lost to substance abuse. Writing the speech and presenting it on stage less than one month after he passed away was very difficult for me, especially having to recall and share memories of our friendship. My speech was about how he was just a normal guy like me who was going through some troubles, it was about how to approach a friend you might think is in trouble and how no one is ever beyond help. I was able to come to peace with losing my friend, and I'm positive that after touring all of eastern Canada and sharing his story with thousands of High school students that his story made a big difference in a lot of lives. 

  What does your near future look like?

  My near future is uncertain, I am enlisting in the Canadian forces within the next two years, that has always been the plan for me but after being in the Academy I think I'm going to use the knowledge I have learned and take a year to help out another organization doing similar work. 

  What have you learned and enjoyed from your experiences this year?

  One of the reasons I joined the Academy was for the social justice curriculum we do during our Mexico semester, I was very excited to start learning and wow did I ever learn!! It was described as a crash coarse in social justice but its much more then that, its a detailed analysis of relevant international issues that completely tie into life in Mexico, and even in Canada. It has opened my eyes to so many injustices that happen and further drives my passion to make a difference for people who have nothing but their family and their prayers.

• 

  Kevin Gordon

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  Kevin Gordon

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  

  Hometown: Richmond, British Columbia

  How did you first hear about Live Different?

  A few years ago, my friends and I had a ritual of going out for chicken wings at a pub every Thursday night. Every week, we were greeted by the same awesome waitress, named Joy. After a while, Joy had become good acquaintances with me and my friends because of her outgoing personality. One night, Joy mentioned that she wouldn't be around to serve us for a few weeks because she was going to Haiti to help rebuild a school after the earthquake that happened there. I was interested and asked her for the name of the organization she was going with. I looked them up and signed up for my first Hero Holiday that night! Thanks Joy!!

  What is your favorite moment from your Academy year if you could only pick one?

  There are so many incredible memories that the Academy year has given me. If I had to pick one moment, it would have to be from the 4 months we spent in Mexico. Nearing the end of our time in Mexico, our team decided to take a bit of a vacation and explore the other side of the Baja peninsula. On the way to San Felipe, our destination, we stopped in the middle of the desert to catch a glimpse of the amazing off-road Baja 1000 race. We stayed the night in the desert and watched bikes, buggies and giant trucks race down the peninsula.  

  What was the most challenging thing about your Academy year and how did you overcome it?

  The most challenging part of my Academy year must have been living in Mexico with 4 girl teammates. Surviving a 5 hour Taylor Swift documentary marathon is something I would not wish even on my worst enemy.

  What does your near future look like?

  Homelessness.

  What have you learned and enjoyed from your experiences this year?

  I've learned that there are so many people, more and more each day, who have the same heart as me to make a difference in our world. I have enjoyed working alongside these people and have witnessed the difference that a driven group of individuals can make. I feel so lucky to have experienced all that I have during the Academy year!

• 

  Jenna Silbernagel

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  Jenna Silbernagel

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  

  Hometown: Calgary, Alberta

  What is your favorite moment from your Academy year if you could only pick one?

  There have been so many incredible moments during the Academy. However, if I only had to pick one, it would be when we went to San Felipe during our stay in Mexico. We helped out at an orphanage called Casa de Fe and it was a home run by a couple who took in girls who were taken out of abusive homes by Social Services. There was one little girl who was almost 2 years old in a swing. She was pretty quiet compared to the other girls. I noticed that she had a sad expression on her face and I went up to her and asked "Do you want out of the swing?" Though she couldn't understand my English words, she motioned her arms upwards and I lifted her out of the swing. As soon as I had her in my arms, she clung onto me and rested her head on my shoulder. I held her in my arms for what seemed like forever. She didn't want to let go nor did I want to let her go. In that moment it didn't matter that we didn't speak the same language or didn't come from the same place. In that moment, we accepted each other and it was in that moment that I felt love without barriers.

  What was the most challenging thing about your Academy year and how did you overcome it?

  During the Academy I have experienced more obstacles than I have in my entire life. It was the most challenging thing I have ever done, but by far the most rewarding. Probably the most challenging thing was being away from home for the first time. On my Hero Holidays I always had my dad with me so this was the first time I had ever been without my family. I was completely outside of my comfort zone with people I didn't know. I struggled with it for months and it truly affected my experience in Mexico. It wasn't until I had gone home for Christmas when I was able to work through my emotions and realize that I needed to adjust my perspective and challenge myself to thrive outside of my comfort zone. Tour was when I was able to truly accept who I was and truly enjoy what we were doing. To overcome these challenges, I had to learn that to experience my full potential I had to step outside of my comfort zone and find the joy no matter what.

  What does your near future look like?

  What I know now is that I need to use my life for change. I am attending university in the fall and I will be looking into organizations working to abolish slavery so that I can continue to work towards my goal of working for those organizations. Also, I am continuing to challenge myself to go outside of my comfort zone. This summer, I will be a camp counselor at a Christian camp outside of Calgary and hopefully in the fall I will be a youth leader at my church. I want to continue to push myself and I want to continue to make a difference. I now see that there is a whole world out there...and I am super excited to get out there and make a difference in it!  As Gandhi once said "be the change you wish to see in the world." That's exactly what I intend to do! 

  What have you learned and enjoyed from your experiences this year?

  I have learned so much about myself and about the world around me during this year. I have come to realize my full potential and I am on the path to accepting who I am for the first time in years. Through my expanded knowledge of worldwide injustice, I have realized my passion to be apart of the solution. I now know I can't stand around waiting for change. I need to go out and be the change. The moments I have enjoyed the most were the moments of unexpected surprises. The moments when we went out and did things that either weren't planned or something we knew almost nothing about. Our expectations were always exceeded and we always experienced something amazing and new.

• 

  Gaillyn Alexander

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  Gaillyn Alexander

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  

  Hometown: Fort McMurray, Alberta

  How did you first hear about Live Different?

  I was on my first hero holiday and had the opportunity to meet the students that were living in Mexico and I had asked what they were doing and they explained it to me. I thought it would be an amazing experience! After high school I had no idea on what i wanted to do, so i signed up for the Academy program! 

  What is your favorite moment from your Academy year if you could only pick one?

  I have had many many great moments in LDA. If I had to pick one it would have to be our last night in St. Johns Newfoundland! I had met some amazing people that I didnt want to leave! This last night our team had went out to go bowling, played pool, and then headed to our friend's church. We are there until 2am. I know I didnt want to leave, or want this night to end! It was very sad to leave but this just makes me want to go back to see them all again! My new found friends! :) 

  What was the most challenging thing about your Academy year and how did you overcome it?

  I would have to say living away from home. It was challenging because, it was really the first time I had lived away from home. There were many times when I wished I was at home or just wanted to give my mom a hug. I had overcome this by talking with the people I had lived with. In the end they had become my family and it was really had for me to leave them. They were my family away from my family! 

  What does your near future look like?

  Taking the next year to work, save money, go on another Hero Holiday, travel some more, work with youth and apply for college. I can't wait to take on the future! 

  What have you learned and enjoyed from your experiences this year?

  I have learned that there is more in life than "stuff". The Live Different Academy has been the most life changing experience, I have learned to value my friends, family and the people around me. One thing I really enjoyed was meeting new people all the time! I love it! :) 

• 

  Emily McCallum

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  Emily McCallum

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  

  Hometown: Barry's Bay, Ontario

  What is your favorite moment from your Academy year if you could only pick one?

  This is a rather impossible question lol EVERYTHING!!!......ummm For tour its probably the meeting new people every day and hearing their stories. For Mexico its probably building the relationships here with new people (the schools, old folks home, building week, etc).

  What was the most challenging thing about your Academy year and how did you overcome it?

  Saying goodbye to people. I've met so many amazing people and the thought of having to say goodbye is so awful. I keep telling myself that we all have been through this incredible experience and because of that we all share something that connects us, I know we'll stay in contact. And I know I'll see everyone again someday. 

  What does your near future look like?

  The Live Different Academy has given me the clarity and the courage to pursue what I believe I was meant to do. Half-way through tour I changed my mind of what I was going to study in University. Originally I wanted to study Nutrition and Health Sciences then continue on to medical school. Now I am going to study International Development and Globalization, and hopefully work hands on with different NGO's in developing countries. LDA has helped me find my passion and put me on a very different path to what I started out on, and for this I am so thankful!

  What have you learned and enjoyed from your experiences this year?

   I have grown so much as a person. Been around so many inspirational people has taught me so much! I've learned how to speak on stage, how to work technical equipment, how to build relationships with people very different from myself, how to teach english in a school, how to communicate (a little) in spanish, how to show respect in a different culture, how to live in a shack, how to work different Mexican jobs...this list could go on forever. 

• 

  Jamie Moore

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  Jamie Moore

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  

  Hometown: Williams Lake, British Columbia

  How did you first hear about Live Different?

  Throughout my grade 12 year I was getting into a lot of trouble and getting bullied, it was hard for me to learn in that environment. But my dream was to change the world or at least see it. And I still have that passion and I was strong and always told myself only a little longer and then I can leave this place and make myself change others' lives for the better. I had never heard of Non-Profit Organizations or NGOs like Live Different and my plan was to just pack a backpack and go to Africa and backpack around and work in shelters and orphanages. When I told my mom of this idea she understood my passion but didn't want me wondering around Africa by myself looking for elephants. She started to research different NGOs and organizations that did what I liked but as a group. One night she came across Live Different's Academy page and showed it to me and it sounded like a dream come true. 

  What is your favorite moment from your Academy year if you could only pick one?

  My favorite moments of my Academy year are when we're helping Rosa, Pedro, Yirria, and Genesis build their beautiful home and go to their beautiful wedding. I love kids and I am always trying so hard to be little Edwin's friend some days it worked, others it didn't. Sometimes he, Maggie and I would run laps around the house while he's laughing and smiling like the beautiful young boy he is.

  What does your near future look like?

  Before Live Different my future looked bleak and undesirable. Now I have high hopes for the future, I plan to move to Comox on Vancouver Island to live with my best friend that I ended up meeting through Live Different, and go to school to become a social worker so I can help the girls that get rescued from the brothels in Cambodia or the boys who are trying to put their life back together after a life of a soldier in Uganda.

  What have you learned and enjoyed from your experiences this year?

  There are so many life altering lessons; I've learnt to keep my mouth shut when my words aren't necessary or nice, when to speak up for what I believe in, how to interact with people on a professional level, how to rely on my friends and family, and how to be awkward. The amount I have grown in the last eight months is noticeably good in a young adult way.

     

   

• 

  Brigitte Bouchard

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  Brigitte Bouchard

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  

  Hometown: Ramore, Ontario

  What is your favorite moment from your Academy year if you could only pick one?

  My favourite Academy moment would probably be doing our Academy build in Mexico, I have never been on a Hero Holiday and I had heard tons of people talk about how amazing it is to build a house for a family. Doing the Academy let me experience that for myself for the first time and it was incredible, and what made even more special was sharing it with my fellow Academy students. 

  What was the most challenging thing about your Academy year and how did you overcome it?

  I think on the road the most challenging thing is to always stay possitive, and I discovered that if you see the humour in every situation nothing seems like a negative because it's funny. In Mexico the biggest challenge was not allowing myself to let a day pass by without experiencing Mexico, and I overcame that by going outside...simple as that. Walking around and seeing the beauty of the culture around you rather then sitting on a computer in the house. 

  What does your near future look like?

  Next year I will be taking Pre Health Sciences at Cambrian College, in Sudbury. 

  What have you learned and enjoyed from your experiences this year?

  I have learned so much, like how to build a house, how to be more patient, how to care more, love more, and be an all around better person. I've learnt to see the possitive in every situation, to not let things get to you, and I've built up a ton of confidence in myself. These are all things I will carry with me for the rest of my life. 

   

• 

  Chuan Du

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  Chuan Du

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  

  Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia

  How did you first hear about Live Different?

  During that time in grade 12 when I couldn’t quite figure out what I wanted to do with the next year of my life, my friend told me about a presentation that she still remembers from 5 years ago. She talked about the music, the energy, the speakers, and just an overall sense of inspiration that she felt afterwards. That made me really eager to check out what Live Different is all about!

  What is your favorite moment from your Academy year if you could only pick one?

  I smile every time I think about two talkative young ladies that I met while working in the raspberry fields. Our conversations went from talking about our families, school, boys, and music!  They hummed Justin Bieber’s songs and wondered what China and Canada are like. We grew up in different continents and are from such different backgrounds but that day, we ended up in the same place working the same job. I could hardly believe the amount of things we were able to share with each other and how much we were able to laugh together.

  What was the most challenging thing about your Academy year and how did you overcome it?

  So many aspects of the program pushed my comfort zone like public speaking and teaching English to kids. Sometimes, instead of looking forward to what is to come, I feel fear and nervousness. It’s a challenge to come to terms with these negative feelings and work up the willpower to address them. It involves the constant tweaking of my attitude so that I’m in the right mind set to welcome the next activity. After all, I would not want to embrace all these awesome opportunities that I may not otherwise have been able to experience with anything other than appreciation and excitement.  

  What does your near future look like?

  Come September, I’ll be studying environmental sciences at UBC! 

  What have you learned and enjoyed from your experiences this year?

  Being on the road and being in Mexico has helped me care about people deeper than I ever could before. Often, I have found myself wanting to care about something but was unable to feel connected to the issue. The stories from the students we've met have given me a cause to care for those who have more bad days than good in school. The shack week gave me a better understanding of the lives of those who have less than I do. Empathy comes really easily to me these days and it reminds me that I am privileged to be able to give a helping hand whenever I can.

• 

  Chey Pecarskie

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  Chey Pecarskie

  Academy Student 2012-2013

  

  Hometown: Barry's Bay, Ontario

  How did you first hear about Live Different?

  I have seen the Live Different shows in my high school twice. It wasn't until my Principal planned a Hero Holiday trip in my school that I really got involved with Live Different. Myself, my Nana and my best friend all signed up and went on the trip together, along with other peers from my school. During my Hero Holiday I met former Academy students Shayna Wallden and Carly Nebbs and they were the ones who told me about the Academy program.

  What is your favorite moment from your Academy year if you could only pick one?

  Going back to visit the family I built for in Mexico back in March 2012. Words cannot describe how I felt; being able to see the progress that family has made since we have given them a little bit of hope was incredible to see. They definitely hold a special place in my heart.

  What was the most challenging thing about your Academy year and how did you overcome it?

  There have been many challenges over the course of my year with Live Different. I have learned a lot about friendship, and appreciating the people who truly care about you and who want to help you and see you succeed. 

  What does your near future look like?

  I am definitely going to start fundraising for my next Hero Holiday! In the meantime, I am going to be working at a Summer Camp with people who have Intellectual Disabilities and getting ready to start post secondary in the Fall! 

  What have you learned and enjoyed from your experiences this year?

  I have learned so much about how precious and incredible life really is. This applies to both on the road and in Mexico. It's crazy, the things people are capable of accomplishing and the amazing opportunities that we have to help others, to me this is something that has made this experience so awesome. I have been given the opportunity to change the lives of others on this journey, but to by honest, my life has been changed by the people I have met more than they'll ever know. 

Student Quotes: