Kara Moss took her two children to Guanajuato, Mexico as part of a university exchange program. Living in Mexico as a single mother was challenging but provided many learning experiences. She lived with two different families which exposed her children to different cultural experiences. Kara worked with special needs children and helped lead a girls group. Her daughter became actively involved in community programs. The experience opened both of their eyes to other cultures and deepened their appreciation for life in Canada. Kara is grateful for the life-changing lessons and international friendships gained from the exchange.

1. Kara Moss
Summer 2010
Guanajuato, Mexico

2. 

3.  Coming to Guanajuato with my two
year old son and thirteen year old
daughter as a single mother was a
challenge. Two years ago I was
approached by one of my professors to
participate in the Verano Exchange. I
was completing my Master’s program in
social work and my hope was to
eventually work in a foreign country.
The exchange would lead to this
opportunity. I did not realize the impact
this journey would have on me on many
levels. There were the comparisons and
differences between cultures, personal
observations and experiences and the
impact on my children and what this
journey accomplished for me
personally. These are a few of the areas
that I will be share with you today.

8. Interesting Facts

 80% or more of the people in Mexico City are
Catholic
 After 5 years of living in one place you can ask for
state papers to own the land
 water is the # 1 problem in Mexico some place don’t
even have water for up to 2 to 4 days
 Cemeteries are also a serious problem in Mexico City
due to space issue

9. Traditions and Culture

 People and traffic abounded at all hours of the day.
The ancient history of the city in the form of
monuments, churches, museums and palaces lend
themselves to the mystery and depth of this culture.
These two facts alone lend themselves to mystery
and depth. Street art and music displayed depicting
the rich culture and traditions of Mexico. My
enjoyment was enhances by the symbolism and
metaphors in every aspect of their traditions.

11. The Mexican Culture has many parallels with the Aboriginal Culture in Canada. This
could be an entire paper in itself but I will mention a few points that are very similar to
demonstrate these parallels. The Aboriginal People of Canada have also been
assimilated in their own country. Their language and customs have been lost through
the years. Aboriginal peoples of Canada have also lost much of their land to the
government. It became evident to me when we visited the rural school “Benito Juarez”
and observed the Mazahuas. While passing through their village I was reminded of
reserve communities that I have experienced in Canada. There was lack
housing, sanitation and lack of basic necessities. The village school principal indicated
that some funding is received from the Federal Government but it is not adequate for
their needs. The families have to fund raise and give additional funds to keep the school
running. This also happens on the reserve communities in Canada. If the aboriginal
people decided to stay on their reserves their living conditions are often compromised.
They live in substandard housing; lack proper sanitation and do not received the same
amenities as most non aboriginal communities. An example of this is that most small
towns have a hospital but aboriginal communities may have a nursing station and
people must be flown to larger center to receive medical care. I really enjoyed
interacting with the children at the school. The children taught me a great deal about
their way of life. I tried to speak to as many locals as possible to learn about their
culture but there was a language barrier as I do not speak Spanish. (Insert from Journal
Week 1).

13. Symbolism and metaphors and legends all seemed to be entrenched in both
cultures. Story telling is a method of passing on traditions and lessons.
Some mediums that are also used for story telling are through paintings and
art. The use of the spoken language is also a common thread between both
the Mexican and Aboriginal customs. Strong family values and ties are
apparent in both cultures.

14.  Aboriginals in Canada have seven sacred teachings
that are tied to an animal. There is much diversity
between the different aboriginal communities in
Canada but most Aboriginal Communities believe
and teach the seven sacred teaching.
1) Love = Eagle,
2) Respect = Buffalo,
3) Courage = Bear,
4) Honesty = Sabe,
5) Wisdom = Beaver,
6) Humility = Wolf,
7) Truth = Turtle.

15. One of my lectures in Mexico pointed out that there is also a lot of diversity
within the Mexican Culture; it discussed the difference between being culturally
poor versus being culturally rich. This sounds like a typical lecture at the
University Level of education but unfortunately most students don’t get the
opportunity to experience or witness this first hand. This exchange experience
enabled me to perceive in a very real way the fullness of so many aspects of the
Mexican life and culture.

16. Observations and
Experiences

When we arrived in Guanajuato we
were living with a single woman
who rented out rooms in her house.
We appreciated the accommodation
but realized it was not the best fit for
me and my family. My coordinator
was able to acquire another
residence for us which were much
better. I was accommodated
promptly without any questions.

17. I was able to move into a residence with
a family. They had grandchildren my
son’s age and were able to accommodate
my schedule much easier. I was able to
experience two very different living
conditions. The first experience was
undisciplined especially at meal time.
The meal was usually buffet style. The
second accommodation was family
oriented and meals took place while
sitting at a table together as a family.
Both were unique and fulfilling.

18. We met many people from all over the
world. Through conversations with these
individuals we learnt about their culture
and home towns. In Canada my children
and I live in a single family house. In
Mexico we experiences culture shock
communal living is the norm. Our
individualistic was altered and required
some getting used. The communal life was
very enriching and rewarding and
something we have attempted to
incorporate into our lives since returning
to Canada.
HouseMates

19. Reflections

Early in the exchange our group was asked to think
about our individual personal mission. We were
asked to consider ways in which we could be
culturally responsive. In addition to that we were
asked to embrace an attitude of gratitude. We are
requested to consider semiotics which means
experiential learning through service.

20. Work Placements

My experience was in a special needs school, specifically in a parent child
classroom. This program was designed to provide assistance to the parents
as well as their children. I was fortunate to work with several children, a six
year old boy with Down syndrome, another boy who was deaf and had
hydro syphilis, and a four year old girl who had micro syphilis. Various
family members participated in the program in hopes of learning coping
mechanism to deal with their children’s disabilities. These children and
families had very little community resources but the very best use of every
available opportunity. These families and children appeared to have
attitudes of gratitude. I learnt patience and felt a sense of community
within this group.

21. Resplandor International

 Another site at which I
was fortunate enough
to have participated in
their programming was
a place called
Resplandor
International located in
Cajone, GTO. One of
their visions was to
strive for a just and
sustainable community.

22. 5 Core Principles

1) Unity in Diversity,
2) Equity and Justice,
3) Gender Equality,
4) Trustworthiness and Leadership,
5) Independent Investigation of reality.
(hand out from Todd Fletcher, 2010, GT0).
Replandor stresses the fact that education is an on-going life
journey. Their philosophy promotes inspirational learning
through means of music, arts, poetry, reflection and
interactions with the natural environment. Learning is in
everything they do it is not restricted to a formal educational
experience. We were challenges to stop talking about the
behavior and start talking about the attitude.

23. Girls Group

Third project that I was involved in was a weekly
program that we designed. It was geared towards
teenage girls to enhance their self-esteem and to
promote self-awareness. Through the use of art
poster, dialogue, activities and games the girls learned
some of the differences between Mexican and other
cultures. This became a platform for both sides to
learn about begin to comprehend the cultural
differences and similarities that teen age girls
experience.

25. Personal Insights

Living in Canada I am very self- reliant. In Mexico I
struggled with the concept of being reliant on others for
many aspects of my daily life. This included
communication, meals, medical attention for my son. My
professor was most accommodating in making sure my
son medical and pharmaceutical assistance when he
required it. This experience left me more able to accept
help from other people and to be available for assistance
to others. I continue to strive to learn Spanish but it still
remains on-going effort.

26. My daughter became very involved with
the program and she coordinated sports
activities and art projects. She has told me
that this experience has changed outlook
and she appreciates her life in Canada to a
greater degree. She expresses empathy for
some of the less fortunate people in the
world. It has given her a real sense of the
differences in culture between Canadian
and Mexican civilizations.

27. These are just a few highlighted
lessoned learnt while in Mexico. I was
fortunate to be one of the first
Canadians to experience this program.
Because of this program I have met
people from other countries and have
sustained friendships from other parts
of the world. In my estimation, this
experience was a life changing. The
lessons and skills acquired during
through this program could not be
learned in a classroom environment. I
am extremely grateful to have had this
opportunity to further my life long
education.

28. Memories
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