This weekend I traveled to Ottawa (Canada’s capital) for the Fulbright Canada and Killam 2010 Fall Orientation. About seventy extraordinary students, researchers, and professors received these fellowships this year and almost all attended the event. The group was incredibly diverse - there were representatives of all disciplines, originating from all parts of the U.S. and Canada, in all stages of their careers.
The orientation was a spectacular experience – I was thoroughly spoiled and boy, did they keep us busy! We hit the ground running on Thursday evening, attending the Fulbright Canada 20th Anniversary Gala at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Crossing a red carpet, four hundred guests composed of sponsors, alumni, and current Fulbrights and Killams gathered together for a sparkling (as we were instructed to dress, haha) evening of mingling, speeches, and a delicious, multi-course supper.
On the Red Carpet (credit: Rebecca Dixon)
The Three Mt. A/AU Killams
Friday started out a bit less formally. We received information on our exchange, listened to a panel on Canada-U.S. relations, and were introduced to Canadian culture and identity (check out the story, "The Hockey Sweater"). In the afternoon we toured the Museum of Civilization, literally walking through Canadian history. I saw a First Nations long house; recreations of early settlements; and segments of villages, towns, and cities illustrating Canada’s development.
Ottawa River and Parliament Hill
In Ottawa on the way to the Museum of Civilization
Totem Pole at Museum of Civilization
Try giving him a high-five!
This sculpture is on Canada's $20 bill.
In the evening, we dressed up once again and were bused out to the residence of U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson. He lives in an opulent home on a rolling green lawn nestled in a lush, forested neighborhood that overlooks a scenic river below. Needless to say, it was quite impressive. For about an hour we sampled gourmet hors'dourves, mingled amongst ourselves and with embassy staff, and explored the Ambassador’s residence. Interestingly, one of the men working for the embassy went through his foreign service training with my former high school government teacher, Brent LaRosa, who is now stationed (I believe) in Ghana. This world keeps getting smaller! After the Ambassador’s we capped the night off with another bountiful meal at Le Café.
On Saturday the coordinators put us to work, dividing everyone into several groups focusing on academic and current issues (mine was cultural interpretations of sustainability). I was struck by just how interdisciplinary the topic of sustainability is and how it relates to research in economics, public health, communications, environment, geography, aboriginal cultures, anthropology, human rights, science, justice...the list goes on. It was also really valuable to hear about other research projects, particularly those of the Fulbrights, to get an idea of what could lay ahead after I finish my undergraduate work. After group presentations and an interesting discussion we scarfed lunch and walked over to the Parliament of Canada.
Centre Block of Parliament Hill
House of Commons
Library...the higher levels have frosted glass floors!
Senate Chamber
East Block of Parliament Hill
After seeing Parliament, we made our way over to the National Gallery of Canada. My tour's guide was the museum curator of the Canadian art section. This man talked 100 miles a minute, nonstop for an hour and a half about hundreds of paintings. My favorite artists included Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, Emily Carr, and David Milne.
Our final event of the weekend was the most downright fun - HOCKEY! In the Carlton University Ice House we played the Fulbright Canada Annual Hockey Game. After taking a bit of time to get back in the swing of skating, I found a helmet, Killam jersey, stick, and puck and got to it! I spent a good deal of time practicing, getting the hang of multi-tasking on ice. After an hour of free skating everyone assembled and we were split into more or less evenly matched teams. The group was given lyrics to "O Canada" and "The Star Spangled Banner" (depending on nationality) and tried, somewhat pathetically, to sing both before the start. During the game, I managed to first fall flat on my bum and then redeem myself later by scoring one of my team's two goals (unfortunately we lost). We topped off the orientation with a well-deserved supper of pizza and beer. IT WAS A BLAST!
Learning to play hockey (credit: Rebecca Dixon)
Playing hockey! (credit: Rebecca Dixon)
The 2010-2011 Killams after the hockey game.
Silly moose Killams.
For more pictures, check out Fulbright Canada's Flickr stream:
