On December 21, 2020, I learned that my international travel assignment was Germany. My first choice was Africa, but Fulbright assigned me to Europe, my second preference. I was super excited thinking that I could help connect the U.S. with Germany in this Fulbright fellowship!

After one year of waiting, I learned on December 20, 2021, that my international travel assignment was changed from Germany to Canada. Fulbright was so kind to have granted my request to travel only during summer. My excitement to connect with a foreign country in this Fulbright fellowship continues; this time, with Canada!

I attended the Canada Pre-Departure Orientation Webinar on May 23, 2022. A requirement for the fellowship, the webinar introduced background information about Canada and its education system​ and discussed key components and preparation steps of the IFE. My group is the first Fulbright TGC cohort to be sent to Canada.

On June 6, 2022, I finally departed the U.S. for Canada. From Midland, TX, I flew to Denver, CO, to meet some of my fellow Fulbrighters. Then from Denver, we flew as a group to Toronto, ON.

On June 7, 2022, we met with the representatives of IREX, U.S. Consulate Toronto, U.S. Embassy Ottawa, and Toronto District School Board. We were reviewed with the expectations of the IFE and informed of the work of the U.S. Consulate and the U.S. Embassy. We were also introduced to the Toronto DSB programs.

We visited some schools in Halton District School Board on June 8, 2022. We were divided into four groups to travel to Aldershot School, Hayden Secondary School, Iroquois Ridge High School, and Oodenawai Public School. I was assigned to visit Aldershot School.

We visited the Forest Valley Outdoor Education Centre on the morning of June 9, 2022. After lunch, we had a cultural activity at the Royal Ontario Museum. Then we came back to the hotel for our networking dinner with Fulbright alumni and the U.S. Consulate.

On June 10, 2022, my group traveled to Quebec for our community visit. Originally, we were divided into three groups to visit Quebec, Saskatoon, and Whitehorse. Due to the risk of COVID-19, nobody was sent to Whitehorse.

We had a cultural tour of Île d’Orléans, Sanctuaire Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, and Parc de la Chute-Montmorency on June 11, 2022. We enjoyed the scenic, guided bus tour to the three destinations. We also visited Cuivres d'Art Albert Gilles Boutique et Musée on our way back to Old Quebec.

On June 12, 2022, we had a cultural activity at Musée de la civilisation. We learned a lot about civilization and the humanities. We walked to the museum as it was just a little over one kilometer from the hotel.

We visited the Quebec Ministère de l'Éducation on the morning of June 13, 2022. After lunch, we went to École secondaire de Rochebelle. We finished the day by visiting the U.S. Consulate General Quebec.

We visited Université Laval on June 14, 2022. The university is known as Canada's oldest university and the first French-language university in North America. We learned more about the Quebec education system from the university staff's and guest school's presentations.

On June 15, 2022, my group traveled back to Toronto to convene with the other group for our final meeting. We went to the airport at high noon to catch up on our afternoon flight to Toronto. At the airport, I already missed Old Quebec.

On June 16, 2022, we held our IFE debrief in the hotel and completed our last cultural activity at The Distillery Historic District. We wrapped up our IFE with reflective discussions and action planning. We then explored the historic district and had our last social engagements.

I finally returned home on June 17, 2022. From Toronto, ON, I flew to Denver, CO, with some of my co-Fulbrighters. Then from Denver, I flew to Midland, TX, while others flew to their respective final destinations.