Life in the North
Your Home Away From Home
Accommodations
Home away from home
There are 3 buildings that are used as shared accommodation for residents and medical learners that are on rotation in Iqaluit :
NunaFam House: 867-975-3497 (Building # 5118D) : is a 3-bedroom unit up on the “plateau” hill which is about a 15-20 minute walk to the hospital.
site in progress - 5006 (right number?)
site in progress - lower plateau
The houses are equipped with:
Kitchen: Stove, oven, toaster, coffee maker, kettle, teapot, microwave, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery
Living Room: Couch, arm chairs, table with chairs, TV (with cable TV), VCR/DVD player, stereo, CD player, bookshelves, desk, home phones
Bedrooms (3): closet with hangers, dresser, double bed, sheets, conforter.
Bathrooms: Tub, shower, sink, toilet, linen shelves. (Note: There are towels and face cloths available in the linen closet.)
Laundry Room: Iron, ironing board, washer, dryer
Internet: The apartments have Wi-Fi, but please note that unlimited Wi-Fi is not available in the North. You will be assigned a generous number of gigabytes. On the other hand, the hospital does not have Wi-Fi, but you can log on to any of the computers at the hospital to access the internet, including the laptops in the residents’ office. Please also note that most email domains are blocked on the computers at the hospital. It’s a good idea to make sure your phone has data.
Activities
Things To Do
Weather
It is said that Nunavut has five seasons, and these are experienced differently across the territory. Traditional knowledge about the changing weather patterns, and what fauna and flora thrive from month to month, has been passed on through the generations.
The weather app in Nunavut is anything but reliable! It is not uncommon to see people take an early lunch or a day off when the sun peaks through. If you wait even a few hours, the weather may turn, and you will have lost your chance to enjoy some sunshine!
The temperature varies throughout the territory. Kugluktuk, in the Kitikmeot region, is the warmest community, with temperatures sometimes rising to 30°C in the summer. In contrast, the coldest community in Nunavut is Grise Fiord. Summer temperatures hover over freezing and can plunge to -50°C in the winter.
Despite the cold weather, the territory receives lots of sunshine throughout the spring and summer and reflected sunlight off the snow can cause sunburn! Don’t forget to protect your eyes and skin while travelling in Nunavut.
Average Temperatures in Qikiqtaluuk
What to bring?
Packing list for your stay in Nunavut
Warm Clothes
Hat, mitts, gloves, scarf, fleece, windbreaker, jacket liner, hiking boots (summer) and winter boots.
No matter the time of the year, Nunavut can be cold! Make sure to pack something warm. The NunaFam house has parkas that you may borrow.
Work Clothes
Scrubs, casual pants (khakis, joggers), shirts, sweaters, comfortable shoes
Dress clothes are not required! Dress comfortably and casually for your shifts.
Recreation
Gym clothes, hiking clothes, bathing suit, running shoes, hiking boots
There is a yoga center and a gym in the Aquatic Center and there is lots of outdoor adventures to experience while in the North.
Transports
Day pack, ear plugs, manuals, flashlight, ACLS card, calculator, journal
Also, pack extra snacks and clothes
Food
Snacks, coffee, tea, comfort foods, granola bars, cereal etc.
Make sure to bring comfort foods as they may not have them at the grocery store!
Miscellaneous
Calling card (long distance) and a phone plan with data, hair dryer, bank card, cash, DVDs or downloaded movies on your laptop, stethoscope and medical texts
Transportation
Getting Around
Walking: Iqaluit is a very walkable city! It is common practice to see locals walking across the tundra to get to their destination.
Snowmobiling/Four wheeling: You will notice that parked outside most homes, there are snowmobiles and ATVs. Both are allowed on the road in Iqaluit and are an easy way for locals to navigate both the city and surrounding territory.
Taxis: You will receive taxi vouchers upon your arrival in Iqaluit. Each taxi ride costs a flat rate, which can be covered by 1 voucher. Simply call the number on the slip and give the taxi driver the number of where you are going (street names are not used in Iqaluit).
Car Rentals: You may wish to rent a car from Driving Force while you are in Iqaluit, although this is not common practice for most learners.
Airplanes: the only way to travel to and from communities in Nunavut is by air travel. Canadian North has daily flights from Ottawa to Iqaluit.
Many locals order packages and specialty items from the South. There are also some food services that send via cargo up to Iqaluit.
Mail can be sent to:
Your name - General Delivery
Iqaluit, Nunavut
X0A 0H0
For amazon orders (free delivery available to Iqaluit), it is recommended you send to the amazon hub.
Helpful Phone Numbers
Qiqiktani General Hospital : 975-8600
Downtown Residents’ Apt: 979-2829
NunaFam House: 975-3497
Canadian North: 979-5331
First Air: 979-8300
Nunavut Tourism: 979-6551
Help Desk: 975-6411
Wellness
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Our students are the heart of QGH Orientation, and the reason why our virtual academia has truly thrived. Students stay connected through a variety of online channels, and also organize in-person meetings and events in various locations. If you’d like to speak directly with one of our students, feel free to reach out and we’d be happy to connect you.