Kirsten: The hardest part was putting myself out there and being my true self. Once you do that, it becomes easier to find people who have similar interests and who you get along with.

Aiden: I arrived during the later years of high school, when many friendships had already been established. I had to be willing to take a risk, put myself into new situations, and approach people I thought I could build a friendship with - even if it felt uncomfortable at first.

Ava: Many students had known each other since middle school, so it was difficult to join already-established groups without feeling like I was being too pushy.

Aiden: I began to feel like I belonged when I joined my school’s Student 2 Student club, which welcomes students arriving from other parts of the state or from other countries. I found a community of people who cared about helping new students, and I felt like I could really be myself.

Noah: Clubs and shared interests helped the most. I joined SkillsUSA and made many of my friends through the club. Classes also helped me meet people with similar interests, goals, and plans for the future.

Ava: There were many more course options than I expected. Along with the standard subjects, there were specialized courses such as floral design and agriculture. It gave students more opportunities to explore different careers and interests.

Noah: There was much more variety, especially in career and technical education. Students could take courses in welding, engineering, automotive technology, and other skilled trades. The school itself was also much larger and took time to learn how to navigate.

McKinley: I expected to be behind, especially when I started algebra, but the work was not as overwhelming as I thought it would be. I eventually felt ahead and more prepared than I expected.

Elizabeth: It depended on the subject. Because my previous school used the British curriculum, I was placed in Algebra 1 even though I had already learned much of the material, so I felt ahead in math. In U.S. history, however, I felt behind because many classmates had been learning it for years. I had to work harder to catch up.

Aiden: During my first OUTCAN posting in Hawaii, I met a staff member who ran the school’s transition centre. She inspired me to help other new students. Through that experience, I joined more clubs, became more socially confident, and began making a difference in my community. As my confidence improved, my schoolwork improved too.

Aiden: The emphasis on school sports was one of the biggest differences. Sports were a major part of school announcements, social media, and community life. Political conversations were also more common and more open than what I had experienced in Canadian schools. It helped to arrive knowing that I might hear opinions I was not used to hearing and that I could choose whether or not to engage.

Ava: At first, people would talk about local places, news, and experiences that I did not understand. I had to remind myself that I did not need to know everything or have exactly the same experiences as people who had always lived there.

Elizabeth: Many of my classmates had known each other since kindergarten, so there were memories and references I did not understand. I reminded myself that we had more similarities than differences and focused on the things we shared.

Aiden: I have stayed true to who I was before moving. When people ask about how I speak, why I say “eh,” or what life in Canada is like, I answer their questions and have fun with the conversation. Even questions that sound silly may be things someone genuinely wants to understand.

Elizabeth: I like comparing Canadian and American experiences in a lighthearted way. I have told friends about things like bagged milk, which they found very surprising. Humour can be a great way to teach people about Canada while still keeping the conversation fun.

Ava: I have become much more confident and learned more about what I enjoy and what I might want to do in the future. My teachers and school programs helped me discover new interests. I also learned that I can accomplish the goals I set for myself.

Aiden: I learned to trust myself - both socially and academically. I also discovered that I enjoy helping people and supporting those who are moving or adjusting to a new country. The courses and experiences available to me helped me decide to pursue international relations at university.

Aiden: Adjusting to differences in the school system was difficult at first. The schools were larger, students changed classrooms throughout the day, and traditions such as the Pledge of Allegiance were unfamiliar. It took time to understand how everything worked.

McKinley: The social side was the most challenging. I am shy when I first meet people, so putting myself out there and starting conversations was difficult.

Kirsten: My school offers many specialized classes, including woodshop, metal design, and automotive courses, along with clubs for nearly every interest.

Noah: There are many advanced courses and extracurricular opportunities. Through SkillsUSA, I earned the opportunity to attend a national event in Georgia. Experiences like these can help you explore the country, develop your skills, and better understand what you may want to do after high school.

Aiden: There are many Advanced Placement, career-focused, music, and technical courses. Outside of school, there are also plenty of volunteer opportunities - from helping protect sea turtles in Hawaii to participating in local beach cleanups.

Ava: I was able to try marching band, which was completely new to me, and it helped me grow as both a person and a leader. I also joined a knitting club that creates items for retirement homes and children’s hospitals. These activities allowed me to use the things I enjoy to support my community.

Know that it may be better than you expect

Moving can feel difficult and bring many emotions, especially when you are leaving behind a school and friends you love. Give your new community time. You may discover that you enjoy it much more than you expected.

Take advantage of every opportunity

Explore the courses, sports, clubs, volunteer activities, and experiences available in your new community. Try something you could not do in Canada, even when you are unsure whether you will fit in. Taking that first step may lead you to a new passion, friendship, or future career.

Research your school before arriving

Look into course selections, application deadlines, specialty academies, advanced programs, and extracurricular activities before the move. Some schools offer programs in areas such as marine biology, STEM, health sciences, legal studies, the arts, world languages, or the International Baccalaureate program, but applications may need to be submitted early.

Find people through shared interests

Clubs, teams, classes, and volunteer opportunities can make it easier to meet people naturally. You already have something to talk about, and shared activities can help new friendships develop.

Remember that you are not the only new person

Even when you are the only Canadian student, you may not be the only person adjusting to a new school or culture. The United States is made up of many different communities and experiences. There is space for you, and you do not need to completely change who you are to belong.

Be open to people who are different from you

Some of your closest friends may have personalities, interests, or backgrounds that are very different from yours. Stay open to getting to know people you may not initially expect to connect with.

Be yourself

It is okay to pronounce words differently, speak differently, or keep the traditions and interests you had in Canada. Let the experience add to who you are—not replace who you are.

Go for it

Try new things even when you are nervous. The outcome may not always be exactly what you hoped for, but you will still gain experience, learn something about yourself, and grow.

Trust that you can do this

The beginning may be difficult, but the experience can bring opportunities that not everyone receives. Have confidence in yourself, stay open-minded, and remember: you’ve got this.