News Article

In what can only be described as a trip of a lifetime, four lucky alumni of College of the North Atlantic (CNA) made the journey from Newfoundland and Labrador to the State of Qatar. The graduates were chosen from numerous applicants to attend the 10-year anniversary celebrations at College of the North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA-Q).
 
Graduates submitted essays outlining why they should be chosen for the trip, vying for the four available seats to the A Decade of Excellence celebrations. Once selected, they made the 24-hour trek from St. John’s, NL to Doha, Qatar.
 
Kyle Sampson of St. John’s is a two-time graduate of CNA, first from the Business Administration and the Programmer Analyst programs in 2006. He is employed at Eastern Health as a systems/computer support specialist. He feels the trip has affected him deeply and he hopes to return to Qatar as soon as possible.
 
“The trip overall was absolutely perfect. I can’t rate it on a scale from one to 10 as it was off the charts. It was a life-changing experience, one I will never forget,” said Sampson.
 
“I find myself evaluating my life, where I currently work, how much I earn, my potential to expand my career, where I live and how the climate really affects my standard of living here on the east coast of Canada. Experiencing what Doha and CNA-Q has to offer, the welcome I received and the send-off I was given from the staff and people of Doha has me determined to get back, and get back soon.”
 
Carl Perham of Burin graduated from the Practical Nurse Program in 2011 and is also currently employed with Eastern Health. He says nothing could have prepared him for the warm reception he received in Qatar.
 
“The gala and graduation were unlike anything I have ever seen in my life. The exciting atmosphere of staff and students was more than evident in all venues. What a wonderful feeling of family protruding through every fibre of the CNA-Q celebrations,” Perham said.
 
“Never have I been treated with such generosity and honour as was given by CNA staff. I, of course, am not surprised by this since there is a common thread of professional understanding and respect from CNA-Newfoundland, reaching across the ocean to CNA-Qatar.”
 
Jennifer Whelan, of Smith’s Harbour in central Newfoundland, graduated from the Office Administration Executive program in 2008. She is an administrative assistant and business counselor at the Community Business Development Corporation in Baie Verte and says she was honoured to have been able to experience the Qatar culture, describing it as nothing short of spectacular.
 
“The tour of the Museum of Islamic Art was fascinating! The facility was breath taking. All of the architecture is just mind boggling. The city tour and the visit to The Pearl are just too much for me to even explain – it’s just magnificent,” she said.
 
“We also toured the CNA-Q campus which was phenomenal! They have a state-of-the-art facility there with top of the line training equipment. I was thinking, wow!  How I would love to be an instructor in a facility like this.”
 
She was very touched at the gala and graduation ceremonies.
 
“I looked around (during the gala) at the other members that were instrumental in the implementation of CNA-Q and it was very emotional. I felt their sense of pride. We were special guests to the graduation and I was very honoured to be there. As the graduates all went on stage to receive their diplomas I was pleased by the amount of pride and joy they took in receiving their credentials. It was a trip of a lifetime. I had the time of my life!”
 
These sentiments are echoed by Sarah Pope of Mount Pearl, who graduated from the Petroleum Engineering Technology Program last year and gained employment as a field specialist with Schlumberger, the world’s largest oil and gas industry provider.
 
“To be a part of something so special was an honour. As a recent graduate from the college, I could sense and relate to the excitement of the graduates. Their energy and pride took over the room. It was such an amazing experience,” said Pope.
 
“The hospitality of the Qatari people is second to none. The culture is beautiful and the CNA-Q campus is amazing. The excitement for us alumni was infectious. I couldn’t have imagined three better people to travel with than Jennifer, Kyle and Carl. As strangers, we embarked on this journey together, and quickly became life-long friends.”
 
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Media Contact:
 
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709.643.6408
glenda.mccarthy@cna.nl.ca