Maybe the campus confectioneries are stocked with ketchup chips and Nanaimo bars. Could be everyone wears toques - not beanies. Perhaps the school has embraced the metric system.
Whatever it is, the University of Utah seems to feel just like home to Canadians, particularly those that know their way around the hardwood.
Since 1992, there's been at least one player from the North of the Border on the Utes women's basketball every year. Today, Winnipeg's Emily Potter is helping carry on this tradition that includes current Senior Women's National Team members Kim Gaucher (Utah class of 2006), Shona Thorburn (2006) and Michelle Plouffe (2014).
"What drew me there is the success they had in university and they translated it over to Canada Basketball, and that the school was completely supportive of me playing for Canada Basketball and just wanted to help me develop for Canada Basketball" says Potter, a six-foot-four centre.
After missing the entire 2014-15 campaign with a devastating ACL injury, Potter made a tremendous comeback last season as a redshirt sophomore. She was named to the All-Pac 12 First Team and received a host of other honours after averaging 15.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and setting a team record with 83 blocks, in 33 games.
"I don't ... dwell on the past and I'm excited for the opportunities I have this summer, and to build towards next year to help me in my season," Potter said.
Potter is currently in camp with the Development Women's National Team, which is traveling to Prague for a five-game exhibition tournament June 20-25.
Earlier this month the 20-year-old made her SWNT debut on an exhibition tour of Europe. Potter earned a spot on the trip after attending the team's Phase One training camp, her first involvement with the SWNT.
It's a good measuring stick of where I measure up with the other girls on the team because you can see what strengths they have that you're lacking that you might need to improve on," she said.
"So I'm just trying to squeeze everything that I can out of the experience and take it back with me with things to work on."