Fulbright Canada’s 2026 Fall Orientation welcomed 52 Fulbright Students and Scholars and Killam Fellows to Ottawa for two days of academic presentations, thoughtful conversations and shared cultural experiences. Participants looked ahead to the year to come and began building professional and personal relationships across the new cohort.
Participants came to Ottawa from communities across Canada and the United States, bringing a range of academic backgrounds, disciplines, and career experiences. For many, it was their first chance to meet. Over the two days, they exchanged ideas at an energy policy panel, connected with Fulbright alums, explored Canadian history, and joined a longstanding Orientation tradition on the ice. Fulbright Canada’s Fall Orientation helps grantees prepare for the practical aspects of their exchange experience, but it also gives them time to connect and share.
Welcome to the Fulbright Canada Community
Orientation began at Ottawa’s Lord Elgin Hotel with registration and a welcome lunch. Dr. Michael K. Hawes, President and CEO of Fulbright Canada, welcomed the incoming cohort alongside representatives from Global Affairs Canada, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Embassy in Canada.
Participants also met with members of Fulbright Canada’s Alumni Advisory Committee. In small group conversations, incoming grantees asked questions, heard from people who has completed their international exchange, and shared their own ideas for the year ahead.
One participant described the session as a highlight:
The initial roundtable discussions on day one of Orientation were a wonderful way to connect with the cohort and meet new people, including alumni and Fulbright Canada Staff.
Engaging with shared challenges
Later that afternoon, the cohort moved to the National Arts Centre for the launch of Fulbright Canada’s Energy Security & Sustainability Initiative (ESSI) at Canada’s spectacular National Arts Centre.
Moderated by Nik Nanos, the panel featured Dr. Monica Gattinger of the University of Ottawa, Dr. Robert Johnston of the University of Calgary, and Dr. Stephen Bird of the University of New Hampshire. The discussion explored the connections among energy security, economic growth, affordability, and technological change, and considered how these issues are shaping the energy landscape in Canada, the United States, and beyond.
For the new cohort, the panel offered an early example of the exchange of knowledge and perspectives at the heart of the Fulbright experience.
Participants, alums, and partners gathered that evening for a reception and dinner at Ottawa’s storied Rideau Club. Representatives of the Canadian and U.S. governments offered remarks that connected the new cohort to the longstanding partnership behind the bilateral academic exchange. The gathering also gave guests time to meet and carry the day’s conversations forward.
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Exploring Canadian History Together
Following an information session on Friday morning, participants visited the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau. Its exhibitions provided an opportunity to engage with Canadian history and with the histories, cultures, and achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
The visit also gave participants time to learn about one another’s interests and research. As one participant observed:
“People talked a lot about their own interests and research, so it was a great way to learn about one another and gain a deeper understanding of Canadian history and culture.”
Throughout Orientation, conversation continued between scheduled activities – over meals, on buses, and while walking between venues. Those informal exchanges helped participants discover shared interests and begin forming connections across disciplines.
A New Team on the Ice
On Friday evening, the cohort gathered at Carleton University’s Ice House for a free skate and Fulbright Canada’s annual friendly hockey game. Participants who stayed off the ice joined a Canadian trivia competition from the stands.
For some, it was the first opportunity to skate and play hockey. For others, it was a familiar activity shared with new teammates. One participant called the game “surprisingly awesome”; another valued the chance to take part in a distinctly Canadian experience while getting to know the cohort.
Orientation is finished, but the new year is just beginning
By the end of Orientation, participants were already making plans to reconnect. Conversations begun in Ottawa had opened the door to future visits, collaborations, and friendships.
It was a great experience, and I already miss everyone in the cohort!
From Ottawa, participants travelled to their host institutions in communities across Canada and the United States. They left with practical information, a more personal understanding of the Fulbright Canada tea, and a stronger sense of the broader Fulbright community they had joined. The connections made over those two days are now part of the year ahead.