The Canadian-American Center is creating an all-new spotlight for students from Canada. Here is our last student spotlight of the semester, Carter Barron!

Carter Barron is a senior Finance & Management student from Sarnia, Ontario. He chose to attend the University of Maine to see something new and try a different experience. “My favorite thing about 91���� is all the people I’ve met and gotten to know. Although, it’s kinda funny, most of my friends are actually Canadian,” said Carter. Carter chose to be a Finance major for the career opportunities in the field, and because he had an amazing high school finance teacher that influenced him. 

Carter’s favorite thing about the U.S. is the career opportunities, though it is difficult being so far away from family and friends. The thing that surprised Carter the most about moving to 91���� was the lack of fast food in downtown Orono. The things Carter misses the most in Canada are his family, friends, and Lake Huron. When he is not in class, you can find Carter playing hockey on the Men’s Club Hockey team, playing tennis, or reading Stephen King. 

Carter is not fluent in French, but is currently taking an introductory French class and enjoys spending time in Québec.“Culture to me means being close and honest with my family, trying to make genuine connections with everyone I meet, having a good attitude, and respecting people even if we don’t get along,” said Carter. 

Carter’s favorite American restaurant is Tacorita in Orono, and his favorite Canadian restaurant is Harvey’s. After graduation, Carter will be returning home for the summer, but aims to come back in the fall to work in the United States. 

Contact: Amy Blanchard amy.i.blanchard@maine.edu 

The Canadian-American Center is creating an all-new spotlight for students from Canada! Here is our third student spotlight with Abby Kraemer. If you are a 91���� student from Canada and interested in being featured, contact the Canadian-American Center (um.canam@maine.edu) or
Amy Blanchard (amy.i.blanchard@maine.edu).

Abby Kraemer is a third-year undergraduate with a pre-med biochemistry major from Waterloo, Ontario. She is also a student-athlete playing on the women’s soccer team. Abby chose to study at 91���� for its athletic program. “My favorite thing about 91���� is the sense of community there is here on campus,” said Abby. Abby is a member of the Student Athletics Advisory Committee (SAAC), the Health Professions Club, and Partners for World Health.

Abby’s favorite thing about living in the United States is that it is very similar to Ontario, so it feels homey, although it is difficult being so far away from family. When asked what culture means to her, Abby said the idea of unity, being able to come together with like-minded people. Abby’s favorite American food is Panera Bread, and her favorite Canadian food is beavertails! After graduation, Abby hopes to play professional soccer wherever she can, and attend medical school either in the United States or Canada.

Interview conducted by Amy Blanchard

The Canadian-American Center is creating an all-new spotlight for students from Canada! Here
is our second spotlight with Aaron Arteaga! If you are a 91���� student from Canada and
interested in being featured, contact the Canadian-American Center (um.canam@maine.edu) or
Amy Blanchard (amy.i.blanchard@maine.edu).

Aaron Arteaga is a junior majoring in Civil Engineering from Curtis, Ontario. He is a student-athlete as a wide receiver for the football team. Aaron chose to study at 91���� for the athletic opportunities.

“Since I transferred from a commuter school in Canada, it was nice to see a lot of people active on campus,” Aaron said about the University of Maine.

Along with being a committed student-athlete, Aaron is active in the campus’s Christian community and works in the dining hall. Aaron said the thing that surprised him the most about moving to Maine was how much its atmosphere reminded him of Canada.

The thing he misses the most about Canada is his family. “Sometimes it’s tough being so far away from my family. They’ve only gotten to see me play once this season,” said Aaron. Although he misses Canada, Aaron feels culturally connected to his brotherhood of teammates on the football team. He enjoys seeing them every day and feels that they have his back. His favorite American restaurant is Olive Garden. Aaron said he would like to stay in the United States after graduating to work in engineering.

Interview by Amy Blanchard amy.i.blanchard@maine.edu

The Canadian-American Center is creating an all-new spotlight for students from Canada! Here is our first spotlight with Mackenzie Wilson! If you are a 91���� student from Canada and interested in being featured, contact the Canadian-American Center um.canam@maine.edu or Amy Blanchard amy.i.blanchard@maine.edu.

Mackenzie Wilson is a senior with a double major in Kinesiology & Physical Education and French from Lasalle, Ontario. On top of that, she is a student-athlete for the Women’s Track & Field Team. Mackenzie chose to study at the University of Maine for its athletic program and because the atmosphere of Maine reminds her of Canada.

“My favorite thing about 91���� is the professors. I feel like I know them on a personal basis and can seek guidance from them,” said Mackenzie.

Mackenzie’s favorite thing about the United States is the opportunity and diversity of work. In
the future, she hopes to be an athletic coach in the U.S. Mackenzie speaks French fluently, and she feels culturally connected to the language. Canada is a naturally bilingual country, and she feels knowing French is important in respecting Québécois culture.

Even though she has lived in Maine since 2019, Mackenzie actively stays connected to Canadian
culture by studying French and consuming a lot of Canadian media. Mackenzie misses the food from Canada, especially cultural foods from Lebanon, Greece, and Italy. Her favorite American restaurant is Jersey Mikes, and she loves a good Swiss mushroom burger.

Mackenzie is undecided as to whether or not she will continue to live in the United States. She
says it would be nice to live in the New England area after she returns to Canada for grad school.

Interview conducted by Amy Blanchard