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 will participate in a wide range of educational, cultural, and community-based activities designed to encourage dialogue, collaboration, and mutual understanding. Mornings will include shared breakfasts and study sessions, creating space for reflection, discussion, and connection among participants.
The week’s programming will introduce students to Canada’s history, institutions, and communities through hands-on experiences across Ottawa and the surrounding region. Participants will 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 will 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, will add opportunities for creativity, problem-solving, and fun.
A central focus of the exchange remains civic engagement and international understanding. Participants will 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.