Three Australian university students are in Saskatoon for the next six weeks to get in-the-field experience as paramedics.
The partnership between Medavie Health Services and two universities was set up three years ago.
Their first shift came during the blowing snowstorm and Ryhs Hillsley took it in as part of the Saskatchewan experience.
He is one of the three students getting practical training after completing the first year of the degree program back home.
Hillsley says the death of his grandfather when he was 13 prompted his decision to become a paramedic. He says he watched as paramedics tried to save his grandfather’s life and never again wanted to be in an emergency situation not knowing what to do.
Ryhs also says he wants a career where he can help people and jumped at the opportunity to further his career aspirations by getting practical training.
It’s a difficult time to leave his home country which is battling the devastating wildfire.
Hillsley remembers going on vacations as a youngster in some of the communities now destroyed or evacuated because of the blaze.
The Saskatchewan experience for the students will include Blades and Rush games as well as time on the ski slopes and trails.