OXBOW — Amy Brook always wanted to travel, and England was at the top of her list for places to see.
When Brook was eight years old, her parents Kathleen Rae and Dale Brook moved to a farm outside of Oxbow with her older sister Rebecca.
Brook attended Oxbow Prairie Horizons School, where she took an interest in volleyball and basketball. She participated in the drama club and was part of the school band for five years until she graduated.
For six years she was in the Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter and became the president her last year of school.
Outside of school, she volunteered at the library and for 13 years she danced with the Drewitz School of Dance in Estevan.
Playing softball most of her younger years, at the age of 16 she handed in her ball glove to become a competitive show jumper.
Recently graduating from Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, B.C., she received her bachelor of arts degree with a major in history.
With Brook still dreaming about travelling, a program called Away to Work was a perfect opportunity, as they helped Brook find a place to work and live, and they also take the struggles out of getting documents, visas and insurance.
At the end of April, Brook was off to Exeter, in the historic county of Devon, England, which is about 16 kilometres from the ocean.
This program gives people from the ages of 18-35 the chance to travel and work in another country.
She currently lives with a woman named Lois, who has had international people before. She also has a granddaughter who visits regularly, which Brook enjoys, and as a bonus the woman has two cats.
Brook first worked at the Devon Hotel as a waitress and bartender, but changed jobs and went to a small restaurant called Bill’s to bartend there.
In her free time, she checks out the sites by travelling to St. Ives, Cornwall to see the vast expanse of the ocean.
“It was full of joy and culture,” said Brook.
“There are dogs everywhere on the streets,” she said. “The colours of the buildings are amazing.”
One highlight was seeing Scotland. There she was able to climb a volcano, saw a castle, and explored the beauty of the city while listening to musicians and performers on the streets.
In London, Brook has enjoyed several musical performances. She was hurrying through a garden to attend another musical when she came upon a large, beautiful fountain.
She wondered which fountain this was, as its beauty was breathtaking. As she looked up once more and to her right, she saw that in front of her was a large crowd and Buckingham Palace.
“It was completely by surprise that I saw it,” said Brook.
Brook will return at Christmas for an extended vacation and then go back to England until May.
She always read about places like England in books, including its history and the beauty.
Going to different parts of the world gives Brook the opportunity to decide whether she would like to remain close to the home that she loves or try living in other countries, to see what she loves the most.
“This program has allowed me to go places,” she said. And she feels it is worth others to try who wish to work and travel across the seas.
