Orientation Weekend

Each year, Fulbright Canada brings the new cohort together for orientation. This year was the 25th (Silver) Anniversary, so in addition to the regular activities, the 2015-2016 cohort got to be part of the celebration Gala. Here is the official Press Release for the Event.

I wasn't sure what to expect at Orientation - not because we were uninformed about the activities, but because I've not really had the chance to interact with a lot of Fulbright Scholars. I think prior to receiving the award, I only knew four others who had received the award (only two others were scholars - including my dissertation chair). So, to say I was excited to meet more Fulbrighters is an understatement.

Actually, I think it is more accurate to say I was pretty nervous. Before meeting so many others, my perception of Fulbright was extremely bright people doing prolific things (turns out, that is true). I mean, I think I have a good project, but wow, among the student participants alone were recent Peace Corps alumni and Ivy League researchers here to work alongside globally recognized scholars. The other faculty I read about in the bios they sent us beforehand were working on climate change initiatives in North America, doing cultural work alongside First Peoples, and participating in significant social justice efforts.

My Biography from The 2015-2016 Cohort Book 

As you can see by the last line in the second paragraph, I was a bit less formal in mine. That's probably the student affairs administrator in me trying to humanize myself in print. I was also a bit disappointed I sent the coat and tie pic in with my application and not the new headshot (no tie) I recently had taken, but that was probably a good thing after introducing myself as the board gamer of the cohort. I probably should have been a bit more serious, but as you'll see in a future post, that particular hobby continues to help me meet people and experience the culture of the city. All that said, its still pretty nerdy, I admit. But, I digress...

Orientation was held in Ottawa September 18-19. I could say A LOT of great things about the weekend. In three words, I would summarize it as: relieving, enlightening, and enjoyable. I was especially happy to meet other Fulbrighters who had families with them. That has been one of the greatest aspects of this experience, but not one without challenges. Needless to say, it was good to compare notes with others who brought young families to Canada.

Below is the agenda, along with some commentary (italics). I also included pictures after each corresponding day - some I took and few the staff shared with us afterward.

• Train from Montreal to Ottawa
  I was probably more excited about this than I should have been. I love trains.
  
• Arrival & Registration at the Lord Elgin Hotel
  This was indeed a "iconic" hotel and a fantastic location.
• Check-in and Badge pickup.
  By Badge I also mean "great swag." A bag, pins, pen, and journal.
• Welcome Lunch
  Here, I met others in this cohort, including the very impressive Killiam Fellows.
• Parliament Tour
  I'll cover Parliament in more detail later, as I took my family again this past weekend.
• Gala and Dinner at the Museum of Nature
  Very classy event and extremely well done. I particularly enjoyed the speakers, which honestly, says a lot if you know me and my general aversion to banquets. Also, I felt very academic attending a Gala at a museum.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

• Panel Research Discussions
  We were pre-divided into groups based loosely around research-interests and participated in short panels in front of the group. This was a great way to learn about what everyone else was doing (in their own words) and prompted good discussion later.
• Group Discussions
  The panel discussions moved to tables and the students could walk around, join a table, and ask questions and/or participate in discussions. I really enjoyed this more structured, but casual opportunity to get to know everyone's interests. The content was also very enlightening - I've used the notes I took to help work out questions about my work here.
• Walk to Museum of Choice
  I chose the Canadian Museum of History. If you recall my bio, I noted an affinity for ancient culture. An exhibit entitled Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great was there. I cannot begin to describe my excitement. Needless to say, I spent the entire time we had - 3.5 hours - in just this exhibit and was nearly late for the next event. More about this in a future post on "Museums."
• Travel by bus to the Carleton University Ice House
  When I read this initially, I thought...Ice House? as in skating? Oh no, not just skating...
• Hockey game and Dinner
  Yup, that's right. A great foreshadow to this was the Chief Executive Officer's opening remarks to us on Friday, when he said, "Welcome to Canada, we love hockey!" and he does and they do. That enthusiasm is infectious. I could not wait to play and while I can't say I did even marginally good at it, I had a fantastic time. My only regret really is not getting a chance to keep (or purchase) the jerseys.
• Watch the Alabama/Ole Miss football game.
  OK, this was not part of the official events, but I did make sure to add it to my itinerary. Did I mention watching college football is not easy in Canada?* post forthcoming.

Thank you very much again to the staff and volunteers at Fulbright Canada. Orientation was a wonderful experience. Since then, a few of us in Montreal have already gotten together and I am looking forward to connecting with others during my time here and beyond.