Ivy (14) and her family run "The Malta Bake Shop", a famous restaurant in the Toronto Maltese community. Ivy and her three siblings are responsible for making the pastries, keeping up the restaurant and serving customers. Her family is very involved in the Maltese culture, making it a big part of her lifestyle. On the flip side, Janice (13) and her family live on a farm near Belleville and are involved in a very addictive hobby: dog sledding. Part of the Ontario Siberian Husky Club, both Janice and her older brother Craig enjoy racing and attending regular team meets that often take place at their farm.

The Swap: Watch as Ivy braves the winter weather, the outdoors and working with nine Siberian huskies! Ivy will learn how to groom, harness, handle and even spin the Siberian husky fur into her own creation. Meanwhile, Janice will try her hand at pastry making and learn how to work in a restaurant, while also gaining the all-round Maltese cultural experience through food, dance, community and music.

SWAPPER JOURNAL: IVY

"After dog sledding I felt so happy, because I accomplished something new in my life, something that I would have never thought of doing. Even after the whole weekend was over, I was proud of myself because I had accomplished so many new things in one weekend."

SWAPPER JOURNAL: JANICE

"For my swap I got to go to Toronto to a Maltese bakeshop that Ivy’s parents own. I got to make pastizzis, serve people, and play the violin. I also learned a Maltese dance. I was most scared when I first got there and I was left to make the pastizzis with Antoine because he was someone I didn’t know at all but he was very nice. I was most proud of myself when I served a customer went I wasn’t even suppose to. She thought I worked there and wanted another coffee and two more pastizzis. The thing I will remember most about my swap would be making and serving the pastizzis. I had never done anything like it before."