Alexis Caffin de Chelsea, which., He turned 18 weeks ago only a few weeks ago, the perfect moment for his first vote.
But instead of heading to a nearby voting station to launch its vote in the Federal Elections of Canada, Caffin will vote at the Canadian embassy in Berna, Switzerland.
That is because he has been traveling through the North Atlantic on a high ship.
“I am excited to have the ability to vote and have an impact on the future of Canada,” says Caffin.
He joins him in emotion is his voter partner for the first time Linnaea O’Brien de Halifax.
“I am happy to finally have a voice,” says O’Brien.
Caffin and O’Brien have just finished an educational navigation expedition of six months.
Class aFloat-West Island College International It is an academic program based in Lunenburg, NS, for students from 16 to 19 years around the world. The program is accredited through the Department of Education of Nueva Scotia and the development of early childhood.
The school began in September with a part of land trips in Germany and the Netherlands. Alexander von Humboldt II sailed from Germany in October. He returned to Germany after six months and the students are finishing the last months of the program on land.
The ship was in Portugal when the Canadian elections were called.
It was then that Brychan Williams, the teacher of social studies of the ship, intervened to guide Canadian students through the voter registration process.
Civic duty
He said it is the civic duty of the students to vote. “You have to do what you can do in any situation, even if you are on the other side of the ocean.”
However, without internet access at sea, keeping alert about politics can be a challenge, says Williams.
“We are so disconnected during most of the year that we have been living in this ship. Things like rates and really everyday life in Canada is on the back of the burner for us.”
For Emma Visser de Ottawa, being far from home, and without internet access, it can be an advantage. She says she has given her space to develop her views more independently.
“I feel that when it comes to social networks, it tends to show you what you want,” says the 18 -year -old Visser. “Being able to form my own opinion has been very useful, but it has been a bit scary. But I am excited. I am excited to vote.”
Visser and Caffin have also been immersing themselves in their own research by catching up with the news or consulting with their families at home and talking about politics. Caffin is making sure to leave time aside to see the debates last week before voting.
“I want to make sure you have 100 % confidence,” says Caffin.
A dozen students and four teachers will release their vote on Tuesday.
