Only in Canada...Pity

by Diane Russell, Feature Writer

How often have you heard someone say "Canada's a great country, but there's more opportunity in the USA"? Indeed, the media feeds the supposed concept of the "brain drain" of professionals to points south of the border. Closer to home, we may know someone who has been residing happily in the USA for many years, which leads us to wonder how our lives might be different if we were born or raised American. Is there really more opportunity?

The Move to Vermont

I've only been living here in Vermont for a month, which hardly qualifies me to tackle the myriad of complexities in comparing one country to another. For my husband and me, Vermont does afford more opportunity—outdoor recreational opportunity, that is. Certainly, employment was also a factor, and I'm hoping to offer some insight into employment issues, visa requirements etc. in a future issue. But for now, I'll share one observation about two countries which have many similarities, yet are concurrently very different.

Student Loans

"Canada's Best Schools" trumpets the cover page of the latest Macleans magazine. But what if your child attends a school that remains unmentioned? In Canada, chances are they'll do just fine. Growing up, I had the dubious pleasure of attending some less-than-stellar schools in some equally mediocre neighbourhoods.

Thanks to student loans, I was able to graduate from university and make my own way in the world. I can name many others who have achieved no less under similar circumstances. The point I'm trying to make is: we have educational standards in Canada; a child can succeed regardless of parental income level. Sadly, I have discovered that this is not the case for some American children—and I'm not referring exclusively to "inner-city ghettoes" either.

School Districts

Looking for a house in America? Better check what school district you are in before you buy. If you live one street away from the boundary of a "good" school district, your offspring will be denied entry, and thereby forced to attend a school deemed substandard. And the "good" school districts? In almost all cases, they are the domain of those families with an income well above the state average. In other words, if your parents cannot afford to live there, you're at a disadvantage from day one.

College Costs

It doesn't get any better if you do make it to college... even if you grew up in that "bourgeois" neighbourhood. Tuition fees are substantially higher here than in Canada, even for lower-cost "state" colleges. Costs are high enough to act as a deterrent to the point that many bright young people simply abandon the idea of higher education and advancement.

Canadian Grades

Growing up Canadian, I never gave much thought about whether I'd be able to go to university; it was more a question of obtaining the required grades for entry. Granted, I knew I'd have to rely on student loans, but I was confident that I could pay them off using my newly acquired skills.

Celebration of the Advantages

My aim here is not to criticize the American way, but rather to celebrate one of the advantages of being Canadian. I've always wanted to live in Vermont, and Tom and I are happy with our decision to take that giant leap and make it a reality. But since my arrival, a disconcerting thought has been coursing through my mind: had I actually been born in this state, I wouldn't be what I am today. And all because my parents lacked the financial resources to select a good school district from the start.

Most of our STC members have benefited from some form of post-secondary education. Take a moment to be grateful for the opportunity...how might your life be different if you were raised elsewhere?

About Diane Russell

Diane Russell has been a member of STC for two years and is thankful for her BSc, DDS, and (recently-acquired) BA degrees. She currently lives in Quechee, Vermont.