Columbian teen is enjoying his visit to Kindersley

By Joan Janzen

Fifteen-year-old Alex Gonzalez was offered the opportunity of a lifetime at the beginning of 2024, which he gladly accepted. Alex lives in Barranquilla, Columbia, in South America, while his older sister Esmeralda Mazzei resides in Kindersley, along with her husband Cory and two young sons.

Esmeralda said she had always wanted her brother to visit Canada, so when it became possible, she approached his teachers to see what they thought. "This was the opportunity of a lifetime, and he had to take it," she said. "That's why he's here."

Since Alex is one of the top students in his class, his teachers were confident he could catch up when he returns to school in mid-April. He will graduate from Grade 11 this year, which is the end of high school in Columbia. He was allowed to skip a grade along the way, which enabled him to graduate at age 16. After graduation, Alex plans to go to university to become a mechanical engineer.

15-year-old Alex Gonzalez from Columbia, South America is enjoying his visit to Kindersley. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN

Living in a city of more than a million people with a continuous hot climate close to an ocean is a lot different than living in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. Alex described Saskatchewan as the opposite of where he came from.

He wanted to experience a Canadian winter and is enjoying it. Of course, this winter has been much milder than usual, and his sister reminded him, "When I came to Canada, it was -38 degrees!" Even though he's accustomed to temperatures of 30 to 32 degrees with lows of 26, he said he likes our weather.

"We bought him skates to see how he likes it," Esmeralda said. "And he's skating perfect, like he's always done it." And on weekends, they are taking him to see more of Canada. He's been to Banff and Johnson's Canyon, and they're planning to show him Drumheller, Calgary, West Edmonton Mall, and hopefully travel to B.C. In the meantime, he's spending time with the family and helping his sister with her home-based business.

The teen says the people here are really kind and then laughed and said, "People here say sorry to me all the time, even when it's not their fault." It's only in Canada phenomenon, but it's just one of many differences he's been observing.

Alex asked his sister why his nephews have so many teachers. Columbia classrooms have between 30 and 40 students with one teacher and no assistants. English is compulsory, and Alex understands the language quite well but is still learning how to speak it.

"At school, I have a ready-made schedule," he explained, with his courses determined for him. He is also required to do sixty hours of volunteer work throughout the year.

All students in Columbia wear uniforms to school and enjoy free meals at the school cafeteria at all public schools. The school year begins at the end of January and is completed at the end of November. Students get the month of December off, but there's staff at the school if they need to catch up on subjects.

Like most teens, Alex is looking forward to getting his learner's licence when he turns 16, but won't obtain his official driver's licence until he's 18.

"Here, you call three cars in front of you traffic. We have hundreds of cars around us in Columbia," Alex said. "That's everyday driving in Columbia if you can survive it. If you can drive in Columbia, you can drive everywhere!"

The houses are much different in Columbia. "The houses are connected and made of concrete," he said. "We have bars on all the windows and doors," Esmeralda said when she came to Canada, she didn't want to sleep in a house that didn't have bars on the windows because she didn't feel safe.

Alex and his sister admitted there's a lot of crime in Columbia, but you're more likely to see it if you're in a dangerous area. In those areas, you could have a phone or purse stolen.

There's no shortage of fast food in their city. "We fry everything!" Esmeralda said. "On every corner of the city you find a fast food place. You will never go hungry there."

However while in Canada, Alex said the food is delicious! His favourite foods are shepherd's pie and chicken pot pie. And he's really enjoying drinking Dr. Pepper, something that can't be found in Columbia.

It seems Dr. Pepper is just one of many things that has whet Alex's appetite for Canada, so much so that he would like to move to our country after he completes his university education. He wants to live in a safer place where there are more opportunities available.

I hope you enjoy the remainder of your visit to Canada, Alex. And if I happen to bump into you on the street, I'll be sure to say, "I'm sorry."