My Fulbright Canada Killam Fellowship experience

I received Fulbright Canada’s Killam Fellowship for the Fall 2022 semester, which facilitates educational exchanges between Canadian and American university students. This gave me the opportunity to spend a semester at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa with a $5,000 scholarship, a Fall Orientation in Ottawa, and a Spring Seminar in Washington D.C. This exchange was an amazing opportunity for my learning and personal growth.

During my five-month stay on the island of O'ahu, I was able to immerse myself in the native Hawai'ian culture and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for their customs and way of life. Academically, I was able to take unique classes that are not offered at the University of Calgary, and the small class sizes (around 20 people per class) at the university allowed for so many networking opportunities with professors and teaching assistants who I am still in contact with. I also received an $800 mobility grant to travel to the neighbouring islands of Big Island, Kaua'i, and Maui, which left me with a greater respect for the land and its people. Some of my highlights from the semester included making so many new friends from across the world, living in a warm climate (a nice change from Calgary’s winter weather!), volunteering at the local humane society, and getting to step out of my comfort zone and try new experiences every day.

Being so closely connected with the United States, the academic connections that I made are valuable assets that I will be able to take with me further in my future career. I am grateful to be a part of the esteemed Fulbright network, and attending the Spring Seminar in Washington D.C. has allowed me to connect with so many accomplished awardees from across North America. I am greatly appreciative of this wonderful opportunity that I would highly encourage others to apply for, as it has opened my eyes to so many new adventures, experiences, and friends.