Fulbright Canada kicked off September by bringing together the latest cohort of bright minds, big thinkers, and emerging leaders for Fall Orientation in Ottawa. Over two days, Fulbright grantees and Killam Fellows connected with one another, engaged in thoughtful discussions, and explored the capital’s most iconic sites, setting the tone for the academic year ahead.
The program began with a welcome session at the Lord Elgin Hotel, framed around the theme “a time for choosing.” This idea encouraged participants to choose adventure, seize opportunities, engage with their communities, and remain open to new perspectives. Reflecting on the program's purpose, Fulbright Canada President and CEO Dr. Michael Hawes remarked, “Every Fulbrighter is presented with choices—how to engage, connect, and lead. The choices you make during your time on exchange will help define not only your experience, but the broader impact of this program on our shared future.”
Throughout the orientation, attendees participated in panels with scholars and alumni and a memorable evening at the iconic Rideau Club. The welcome dinner and reception brought together grantees, Killam Fellows, alumni speakers Sari Ohsada, Niyoosha Tabassum, Julia Nguyen, and Elisabeth Anderson, Fulbright staff, and distinguished guests from the U.S. Embassy, Global Affairs Canada, and local universities. In the words of Fulbright alum Pascale Fournier (2001–2002), “It was a unique occasion to gather, celebrate, and discuss with grantees, alumni, and distinguished guests. The Fulbright program was both an exciting and transformative experience for me, and the sense of community it fosters continues to inspire.”
The following day, participants explored Ottawa’s landmarks, from the Supreme Court of Canada to the Canadian Museum of History, before lacing up for a free skate and spirited hockey game at Carleton University’s Ice House. The program concluded with a farewell dinner at Colonnade, bringing the orientation to a warm close.
For many, the experience provided a renewed sense of excitement and appreciation. As U.S. Student Jillian Phillips reflected, “Learning more about the program’s history and growth, while connecting with other Fulbright Students, Scholars, and Killam Fellows, gave me a renewed appreciation and excitement for the journey ahead. Highlights for me included visiting the Supreme Court of Canada and hearing from Fulbright Scholar Uma Gupta, who shared powerful insights on the implications of AI in education.”
As this year’s cohort sets out on their journeys across Canada and the United States, the spirit of “a time for choosing” will remain a guiding theme—choosing adventure, curiosity, and connections. We wish each of them success as they begin this remarkable chapter, and we look forward to the impact they will make through their studies, research, and exchange experiences.