Blog # 2: 1st Impressions

Well hello everyone. I have been very busy lately at work and also running back and forth from Toronto to Ottawa etc... The city of Ottawa is an amazing place and quite different from Toronto. The most noticeable difference is in the evenings and weekends. It is extremely busy in the heart of Downtown Ottawa during the 9 - 5 time frame and anything beyond that is down time. Meaning I can actually go to the mall and enjoy a nice and decent time without the fear of being suffocated by people. Think of it as an opposite to the Toronto vibe. The buildings are very beautiful and filled with history. The walk to work in the morning is a real pleasure as I cross the Rideau Canal with Parliament Hill as the backdrop. The University of Ottawa campus is really phenomenal and has made me fall in love with it. Everything is within arms length from where I live: groceries, entertainment, work and anything else you can think of. My appreciation of the city seems to be the highlight of my summer adventure but the greatest part of my trip so far is the nature of my placement at GOPAC. Located within the parliamentary centre, this global NGO has given me valuable experience and exposed me to a professional and interesting work environment. The nature of my work is really the highlight of this trip. I have had the privilege of sitting in on meetings with MP John Williams and the rest of he GOPAC team to strategize on the execution of the upcoming global conference in November. I also get to communicate with parliamentarians around the globe to strengthen regional chapters of the initiative. I was also sent to a roundtable discussion representing GOPAC on the release of Transparency International's Promoting Revenue Transparency Report where an extensive study was done on the level of transparency oil and gas companies around the world provide to the public. The staff at the parliamentary centre are friendly and kind. I have encountered an amazing coincidence in that my neighbour beside my work station knows 3 York University professors I had classes with. What a small world! Please feel free to view my pictures on facebook if you want to see some Ottawa pictures! I will be uploading more soon! Ottawa has left an impression on my like no other! I hope that everyone in the program is having a great experience and I look forward to reading all your stories!