Join us for an open and engaging conversation about North American culture and values in order to more fully prepare your students for their exchanges.

1. Preparing Students for an
Exchange in North America:
Canada
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA
Pre-Convention 2017
Atlanta, Georgia USA – Jun-08th

2. Overview
• Understanding:
• Values
• Expectations of students
• Taboos (what not to do)
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

3. Facts
• 2nd largest country in the world
• 6 time zones ( …. 5 ½ actually)
• Small relative population
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA
Country Size
(million km2)
Population
(million)
People/km2
Canada 9.976 36 3.6
Brazil 8.516 208 24.4
France 0.643 67 104
USA 9.834 321 32.6

4. Facts
• 12 000 years prior to colonization
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

5. Facts
• Colonization by French and English ~ 1500’s
• Significant immigration in 1900’s → diverse
• Majority of Canada is north of the 49th parallel
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

6. Facts vs Myth
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

7. Myths
• Myth #1:
• Most Canadians do not
live in igloos
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA
• Myth #2:
• Or go to work/school
by dog sled

8. Symbols & Values
• So what are some of those things or events
which have helped to shape “a Canadian
persona?”
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

9. Symbols - Values
•The beaver:
• Rat-like character, with a broad
flat tail
• A comical face highlighted by
front chewing teeth
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA
•Industrious
•Triumphs over the
seasons
•Humble
•Non-predatory
•Diligent

10. Symbols - Values
•The Mountie (RCMP: Royal
Canadian Mounted Police
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA
•Risk of a “wild frontier”
•Colonization was by
law rather than by
force
•Peace makers
•Humility
•Diligence

11. Symbols - Values
•Hockey
•Canada’s national sport
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA
•Vigorous
•Often violent
competitive team
sport
•National unity
•Sense of community

12. Symbols - Values
•Tim Horton’s
•… a Canadian institution
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA
•Whole new vocabulary:
• Regular =
• Double double =

13. Symbols - Values
Multiculturalism:
In 1971, Canada was the first country in the world to
adopt multiculturalism as an official policy. By so
doing, Canada affirmed the value and dignity of all
Canadian citizens regardless of their racial or ethnic
origins, their language, or their religious affiliation.
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

14. Symbols - Values
Multiculturalism - Diversity:
• Immigrants represent over 20% of the total
Canadian population
→ the highest in the G8 countries
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

15. Expectations:
Host Families:
• Middle class (not wealthy)
→ typically “no maids”
• Both parents often working outside the home
• Children expected to help with chores/tasks
around the house (food preparation, clean
their room, yard work, etc.)
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

16. Expectations:
Host Families:
• Recognize the role of the mother in the family
and be respectful
• Understand that there is no male gender
superiority over the female
→ has been a problem with some cultures
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

17. Expectations:
Host Families:
• Fewer smokers in households and if someone
smokes → often outside the house
• If student “does not smoke” on the application
→ student “does not smoke” on the exchange
• Alcohol with meals usually restricted for
special occasions and will vary significantly
from family to family
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

18. Expectations:
School:
• Effort vs Grades
→ more important for a student to participate
and try to complete assignments (effort) than
the actual grade received
• Schools often have ESL (English as a second
language) support → but should not be a
crutch
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

19. Expectations:
School:
• Attendance & Punctuality
→ don’t miss classes and BE ON TIME
• Both teachers and students move to different
classrooms throughout the day
• Great variety of elective (non-compulsory)
courses → students encouraged to try
something different
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

20. Expectations:
School:
• Extracurricular activities (teams, clubs, etc.)
are an integral part of Canadian schools with
activities after school day
• Maximize the benefit of school environment
and make friends → join:
• Sports team(s) (few eligibility restrictions)
• Club(s): music, drama
• Activities: school and community based
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

21. Expectations:
Rotary:
• Middle class (not wealthy)
• In general:
• not overly formal
• Many small community based clubs of 25 –
50 members
• Students should attend if it does not interfere
with school day
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

22. Expectations:
Rotary:
• Exchange students should:
• Ask to be involved in a club fundraising or
community event
• Ask to be able to update the club on his/her
(the student’s) activities
• Be thankful (say it!!!!) for things the club
does for the student
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

23. Expectations:
Rotary:
• Absence or minimal ROTEX
• Schools – some have Interact clubs
• RYLA – student should attend
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

24. Expectations:
Transportation:
• Rural vs Urban
• School bus is common if more than ~ 3 km
from school
• Public transportation – even in urban centers
(except large cities) may not be as extensive
as in other countries
• Many teenagers drive
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

25. Expectations:
Teen Life:
• Many belong to activities at school
• Part-time after school or weekend jobs are
common
• Dinner – main meal is usually still with family
in evening; critical time for interaction
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

26. Taboos:
• Just like
Finns ≠ Swedes (“Scandinavians”)
Argentinians ≠ Brazilians (“South Americans”)
… Canadians ≠ Americans (“North Americans”)
• Comparisons that emphasizes any inferiority
or similarity to US:
• Health care
• Value of Cdn $ vs US $
• Language (spelling is different)
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

27. Taboos:
• Lack of respect or tolerance for diverse
groups:
• Religious
• Ethnic
• Language
• Gender or orientation (LGTBQ)
• General – same as other exchanges:
• Not interacting with HF – isolation in
bedroom
• Excessive computer usage
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA

28. Questions or Discussion?
Preparing Students for an Exchange in North America
Pre-Convention 2017 – Atlanta, GA, USA