Innisfail's Pat Bidart is changing the world.
As part of the Colleges & Institutes Canada team that is working in the Caricom region of the Caribbean, the former chair of the Innisfail Christmas Bureau and Welcoming Committee resides in Kingston, Jamaica and serves in that country as well as in Belize.
Prior to her move to Jamaica in January of 2014, Bidart commuted around the world for a couple of weeks to a month at a time, and when the opportunity came to live overseas, she jumped on it.
“I had already been working overseas in Asia with Olds College, and in Africa when I received an offer to work in Jamaica with a two-year contract,” said Bidart. “My husband and I told our kids late last year that we would not be home for Christmas for the next two years and we would be in Jamaica. They told me they ‘hated' me.”
The Innisfail woman has a lengthy title -- senior technical advisor, Belize and Jamaica/conseillère technique senior, Bélize et Jamaïque -- but in short, she works with member countries and helps them provide advanced skills and strategies for social and economic development.
“In Jamaica, I work with Excelsior Community College as they provide education in the areas of design programs for the shipping and freight industries and renewable resources at the National Tool and Engineering Institute,”said Bidart. “In Belize, we are working with the University of Belize Central Farm Campus on their production crops and animals courses. In all cases, Canadian institutions have partnered with the Caribbean schools through the government sponsored program.”
The Central Alberta resident enjoys working in Jamaica alongside people who genuinely want to make a difference in their country.
Bidart's international adventures started in 1998 when she was working at Olds College and she was asked to go to the Philippines to work on a project.
“Somehow, that added international to my profile and in 1999 I was asked to go to China, and then later to Mozambique and Tanzania. While my skills have helped me help others, my experiences have given me a different perspective on life in Canada. We really are fortunate to live here.”
The international traveller is pleased to see her 32 years of post- secondary educational experience is being used to help people.
While living in Jamaica, Bidart and her husband are taking the time to explore as much of the area as they can.
“Earlier this year, we went to a track and field meet where a young Jamaican broke Usain Bolt's 10-year-old 100-metre record,” added Bidart. “Track is so big in Jamaica and there are always meets somewhere to go to. In July we went to a reggae festival that started at 7 p.m. and ended 12 hours later! It was amazing.”
She added that travelling to the exotic locations is an easy task, often as little as 90 minutes away by bus.
“My assistant is a Jamaican woman, and once she found out I was from Innisfail, she looked into moving here,” said Bidart. “I am often asked how to find a job in Canada as many people want to move here.”
More information on the international programs can be found at www.collegesinstitutes.ca.
