After nine months at sea, Kim Wallace is back on solid ground—at least for now.
The Jasperite returned home this month, after teaching for Class Afloat—a private school that educates students aged 14 to 21 on a tall ship as it travels the world, stopping in 23 ports along the way.
Reflecting on the experience last week, she said it feels a bit like a dream. In fact, since returning home, she’s asked herself numerous times whether it happened at all.
“I guess that’s a common experience for people who have life changing experiences,” she reflected.
It’s funny, though, last September, when Wallace walked aboard her new home, the Norwegian tall ship Sørlandet, she didn’t expect it to be a life changing experience. Rather, she expected to remain the same, while playing an important role in her students’ right of passage.
“I thought, I’m 41 I’m not going to change.”
But change she did. She learned about herself and about the relationship patterns she creates no matter where she lives, and most importantly, she learned a significant lesson: “no matter where you go, there you are.”
“It’s a lesson in being present,” she said. “Wherever you are is where you need to be.”
With that in mind, Wallace said she was able to focus on the experience of being a teacher and full-time parent to 40 students, instead of longing for home during her journey.
Of course, being present in such close quarters, with as many as 23 days on the open water without setting foot on land, isn’t always conducive to endless days of sunshine and roses.
Wallace is quick to admit there were moments of discomfort. But, even amongst the discomfort, she found learning experiences—like meeting conflict head on.
With nowhere to run, you have to “step into it,” she said.
“That was really cool.
“Here on land, I sometimes try and step into the conflict, but sometimes people run away. But, there you kind of have to deal with it.”
The ship was a safe place to practise that approach, she said, because everyone cared for each other.
“What I really recognize the most about living on a ship is how it’s a microcosm of our larger world—except we see the effects of things more instantly,” she said.
After travelling from Collingwood, Ont. through the Great Lakes, down the historic St. Lawrence Seaway and then across the Atlantic Ocean, all the while visiting 18 countries and 23 ports, Wallace said it has been a challenge reintegrating into her old life on land.
“It feels a little bit like two currents coming together at full force, and I’m just everywhere,” she said.
But, with the help of good friends and time spent in nature, she’s “regrounding.”
Part of that is also returning to work. For the past two weeks she’s been subbing at the Jasper Junior/Senior High School and École Desrochers, and next month she’ll be teaching the Career and Life Management course at the Palisades Stewardship Education Centre.
“It’s an addiction,” she joked, noting that she’s giving herself the month of August to relax before hopping on a plane to England, where she’ll meet her new students and regain her sea legs for another year afloat—this time on the Dutch ship, the Gulden Leeuw.
For the 2014/15 school year, Wallace said she wants to let go of all expectations. Because, although the last nine months were spent with amazing students, teachers and crew members, there’s no guarantee it will be that easy again.
“I want to start with fresh eyes,” she said, noting that she’s grateful to have had such a powerful and enriching experience this year.
“It was amazing.”
To see photos from her many adventures, or to read Wallace’s reflections on her year afloat, visit her blog, www.kimafloat.wordpress.com.
Nicole Veerman
