International Studies students Huy Tran and Priya Khaira participated in the Bridgewater State Virtual Summit, engaging with Canadian peers on contemporary U.S.–Canada relations. The discussions explored political and cultural differences and challenged assumptions about the relationship, underscoring the importance of media, national identity, trust, and empathy in sustaining long-standing diplomatic partnerships during times of political strain.
Huy and Priya shared their experiences with us below:
My name is Priya Khaira and I am a fourth-year at the Jackson School studying International Studies with a focus on technology, security, and diplomacy. My experience at the summit was extremely positive and I am grateful for everything I learned from my Canadian colleagues sharing their perspectives and stories. Growing up in a border state like Washington and going to Canada often, I always felt like I knew enough about Canadian culture but after today, I know I have a lot left to learn!
The summit was insightful, thought-provoking, and at times even poignant. I certainly understand the gravity of having the U.S. as a neighbor a bit more now and how easy it is for us Americans to take for granted the support Canada has shown the U.S. for decades. They’ve certainly held their end of “Brethren dwelling together in unity” and with the U.S. challenging their sovereignty, economic strength, and place in the world, it is understandable why many Canadians feel hurt and betrayed. In terms of how this all aligns with my academic insights, I would say that the summit made me realize just how significant trust and empathy are in diplomacy and leadership in general. Strong relationships are the cornerstone of a healthy world order and the more leaders turn their backs on one another, the more precarious matters become. There is only so much that any one of us can do but those with power ought to recognize the importance of being willing to compromise, recognize shared histories, and have humility.
My name is Huy Tran, and I am a student at the University of Washington studying International Studies. The Bridgewater State Virtual Summit was a very educational experience, especially hearing directly from Canadian students and their perspectives on the current state of U.S.-Canada relations. A major focus of the discussion was political and cultural differences, particularly how recent developments in the American administration are viewed from a Canadian perspective. It was valuable to hear how these factors contribute to a sense of strain or uncertainty in what has traditionally been a very stable relationship.
The conversation helped me better understand that even close partnerships can be shaped by differences in political climate, media narratives, and national identity. It reinforced the importance of looking beyond surface-level similarities and engaging more seriously with how each country interprets shared challenges. Overall, the summit deepened my academic understanding of U.S.-Canada relations by adding perspectives that I would not normally encounter, especially from Canadian students directly experiencing these dynamics.