Life in Mexico is very different from life in Canada
By Joan Janzen
Mexican resorts are a popular vacation destination for many Canadians, but have you ever wondered what life is like for the people who live there? A Kindersley resident who came here from Mexico was willing to share her comparisons of Mexican culture with our Canadian way of life. Angie McCormac married a Canadian and moved to Canada several years ago, and they are now the parents of two young daughters.
Angie McCormac is originally from Mexico and lives in Kindersley along with her Canadian husband and their two daughters. She reminisced about life in Mexico, and how the traditions and culture differ from life in Canada. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
She was born in Mexico City and lived there until she was five years old. At that time, her family moved to Texas for several years because her brother needed surgery. She also frequently visited her grandparents in Ohio.
However, after living in Texas for several years, the family returned to Mexico, where Angie continued her education at a private school. There are both private and public schools in Mexico, which are similar in many respects. Both have English programs, and Angie's mastery of her second language is evidence of the quality of those programs.
Uniforms are also a requirement at both public and private schools. "When I moved to the States, we wore whatever we wanted to school. But when I went back to Mexico, I didn't mind wearing uniforms because there's less competition," Angie said. "And it's easier in the morning because you know what you have to wear."
Parents are required to purchase uniforms, backpacks and books at both private and public schools, which can be difficult for lower-income families. However, private school tuition is very expensive, almost equivalent to that required at a college.
Scholarships are offered at both schools. "Those who want scholarships work really hard to get it," Angie said. "Mexico has great universities, but most of them are private, and there's lots of opportunities for exchange students to attend their universities." There's also a program (UNAM) which offers university admission at a minimal charge.
"If you have a university education, you have the advantage of starting work as an intern," she said. "But wages are generally awful unless you're working in a corporate position, such as a CEO." Doctors in private health care get paid much better than public health care doctors, and the same situation applies for teachers.
"There's always work if you want to do the job," she explained. "Everybody is willing to start from the bottom." She gave the example of a waiter who would earn $10/day minus deductions. "They live mostly off of tips."
Most people own their homes in Mexico, but the increased cost of housing has resulted in more people who rent. However, there is a program available that helps people with lower incomes buy homes, but the payments are extended over a long period of time.
There are many contrasts between life in Mexico and life here in Canada, but the most significant difference is in their culture. "It's just different than here," Angie said. "Different culture, different music; it just doesn't compare. Mexico is a very friendly place. There's more fun. They don't live to work; they live to enjoy life."
Even after a long work day, Mexicans will still make time to have fun. "When talking to other people, whether they're from Mexico or the Philippines. One thing they all say is that it is very lonely here," she commented.
Many Catholic traditions are celebrated in Angie's home country. A baby's baptism is an all-day affair with friends, family, food and drinks. The same holds true when a child has their first communion.
A girl's 15th birthday is celebrated with a huge party, much like a wedding, complete with gowns, music, food and dancing. And weddings in Mexico are much different than those in Canada.
"I remember showing up at a Canadian wedding in a gown and was shocked!" Angie recalled. Weddings in Mexico are black tie and gown events. "You would never ever see men wearing ball caps. My jaw dropped when I saw that," she said.
Christmas in Mexico is similar but different, she explained. On Christmas Eve, people living in small towns go from house to house, re-enacting the biblical account of Mary and Joseph looking for a place to stay. "The house that is hosting the dinner invites them in, and there are sparklers and candles, and a piñata is broken," she said.
Kings Day is celebrated on January 6th when they celebrate the three kings. "Everybody cuts a piece of a cake. Inside the cake, there's a plastic figurine of a baby, and whoever gets it has to make tamales for the February 12th celebration." Angie plans to pass on all those traditions to her children.
People from Mexico immigrate to Canada for various reasons. Those who come to Canada to work seasonally are often people coming from rural areas. Many professionals come to attain better wages; however, the immigration process is often long, difficult and expensive. "It took almost three years to get my permanent residency," Angie said.
Like most Mexicans, Angie didn't move here because she wasn't happy in her home country; she moved out of necessity. Their daughter required surgery because of a heart defect; the surgery would have cost $200,000 (US dollars), not including the hospital stay. But in Canada, their daughter receives excellent care.
Moving to a different country is always challenging. Our country's pioneers, who are our relatives, came here from numerous countries to make Canada their new home. Together, they faced tremendous adversity, all the while supporting one another. Hopefully, we can continue to cultivate that pioneer spirit and welcome and support one another.