The Fulbright Canada–Maple Leaf Foundation Exchange returns this spring, bringing together students from the Boston area and Ottawa for a week of cultural discovery, academic engagement, and lasting cross-border friendship.
Sponsored by the Maple Leaf Foundation and administered by Fulbright Canada, the exchange has, for nearly three decades, provided young leaders from Canada and the United States with opportunities to step beyond their everyday environments and experience life through a new lens. This year’s Ottawa program will welcome American students for an immersive week in the nation’s capital, where learning extends far beyond the classroom.
Throughout the exchange, students participate in a wide range of educational, cultural, and community-based activities designed to encourage dialogue, collaboration, and mutual understanding. Mornings include shared breakfasts and study sessions, creating space for reflection, discussion, and connection among participants.
The week’s programming introduces students to Canada’s history, institutions, and communities through hands-on experiences across Ottawa and the surrounding region. Participants explore the natural landscape during a guided cave expedition, discover Canada’s agricultural heritage at the Agricultural Museum, and enjoy a Titans baseball game alongside their Canadian peers.
Students also take part in collaborative cooking classes and shared lunches, strengthening friendships through teamwork and cultural exchange. Recreational activities, including bowling and a visit to Escape Manor downtown, add opportunities for creativity, problem-solving, and fun.
A central focus of the exchange remains civic engagement and international understanding. Participants visit the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, attend a Youth Forum Lunch hosted at the Fulbright Canada office, and tour the House of Commons to gain greater insight into diplomacy, public service, and democratic institutions.
By combining academic enrichment, cultural exploration, and personal connection, the Fulbright Canada–Maple Leaf Foundation Exchange continues to empower the next generation of Canadian and American leaders to build bridges across borders and deepen mutual understanding between the two countries.
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On Friday, the Boston group spent the morning attending classes alongside students at Merivale High School before taking part in a series of relay races during the afternoon.
Following a short break, the Merivale students joined their Boston counterparts for a guided Haunted Walk through downtown Ottawa. The evening continued with a group dinner, followed by a visit to the ByWard Market to enjoy a classic Canadian treat — Beavertails.
Saturday marked the conclusion of the Ottawa portion of the exchange as the Boston group began their journey home. Before departing, they made one final stop at Tim Hortons to pick up Timbits to share with family and friends back in Boston. Many students proudly wore their newly acquired Canadian hats as they headed home.
Before the group left, Ms. Pratt asked the students how they would describe the connections they had made with their peers at Merivale High School. Were they pen pals? Partners? Buddies?
The response was immediate and unanimous: “Our friends!”
As the Ottawa chapter of this exchange comes to a close, excitement is already building for what comes next. Planning is underway for the Merivale students’ visit to Boston this October, where they will have the opportunity to reconnect with their new friends and continue this memorable exchange experience.