<p>"You better not be one of those america haters that thinks canada is the best because they have free med care, and whatnot."</p>
<p>Cool your jets, Bigtwix, I'll proudly tell anyone that I'm an America hater, but not because we don't give out free med care. I wanted to study in Canada because it's just that Canada, and that social atmosphere is completely different than that of America's. Regardless of how your feel, or what you've been taught to think, I find the current direction of this country much too similar to that of a train derailment happening in slow-time, that topic however, isn't for this thread. </p>
<p>To put it simply, my experiences in Canada have led me to feel like the people up to our north are just, by default, much more laid-back then we are. Which leads me to ask, how much time have you actually spent in Canada, and not just Montreal? I have a hard time finding people who don't go up there and come back a bit more jaded towards our country (aka griping about how people here are meaner than up there. How people here are visibly so much more stressed, etc.). Maybe it's a difference in our drinking water; whatever it is though, it makes the grass much greener on the other side. </p>
<p>This country was built on and by dissent, buddy. You should applaud anyone for being an "America hater", because those are the people who'll truly get (positive) things done around here.</p>
<p>so you're an America hater who loves America. How chic.</p>
<p>Ignorant liberals...king you better not be conservative, cuz if you are we're gonna have to set up another thread</p>
<p>Great points, drmambo.</p>
<p>And do not worry, I do NOT consider myself conservative. I will not shy from using the term ignorant conservative, and I in no way meant to impose the epithet "ignorant" upon ALL liberals. I would say I am fairly moderate with an obvious lean towards the left. I just don't try to argue points that I don't fully understand, and I try not to harbor a strong opinion on debatable issues until I understand BOTH sides of the argument.</p>
<p>I have this slight bias mainly because I grew up and am living in Portland, OR where the contagion of liberal ignorance seems to have run rampant for the past few presidential elections. Just this last year, it was impossible for my AP US history teacher to open a current (or historical) event up to class discussion without around ten students jumping from their seats, spewing bias (mostly liberal, but some conservative) that they had been fed by their parents. </p>
<p>Yet another reason to go to school in Canada... no(t as many) ignorant super-liberals screaming/wetting themselves about some cause across the entire campus (I would say conservatives too, but they tend not to do this as much; they stick to stealing Michael Moore movie projection reels and throwing bottle torches into Planned Parenthood, at least here in Portland). I want to go to college to learn, to party, and to enjoy the overal collegiate environment: not so much to be a political activist, nor to be verbally raped by some.</p>
<p>But by all means set up another thread, and we can further discuss this issue, although frankly I'm not quite sure what it is yet.</p>
<p>"so you're an America hater who loves America. How chic."</p>
<p>Swampy, that best not be a response to my post.</p>
<p>Here's another. You sound very young.</p>
<p>mambo, </p>
<p>Sorry, my preceding comments were too glib and impatient--I appreciate your idealism. I remember it well. After all, "he who is not a man of the left at the age of 20 has no heart", though I think you may be painting with too broad a brush in your praise of Canada and criticism of America. Undoubtedly, America has a lot of faults, as does any place, but I wouldn't extrapolate too much from the attitudes of many people in the Northeastern megalopolis as exemplary of America. Additionally, there is a responsibility that comes with being the world's remaining superpower and largest economic power that makes it just a bit more difficult to be carefree. Regarding economics, I too have issues with big business and the primacy of working over living here in America and what it can do and has done to the quality of life, but who among us is willing to sacrifice the economic well being of his family and friends. For sure, it is small business that is the backbone of America. Unfortunately, experience reveals that there's good reason for the saying "He who is still a man of the left at the age of 40, has no head."</p>
<p>To say Canada is much more laid back and accepting is quite the blanket statement, although it is a positive one at that!</p>
<p>The truth is that much like the United States, the climate, geography, economy, and also the political atmosphere varies greatly throughout the country. It is hard to avoid such diversity and disparity in the second largest country in the world (behind Russia, of course).</p>
<p>A person moving from Miami to Winnipeg in the winter would be in for quite a cold shock, while a person moving from Chicago and Vancouver in the winter would find it to be much milder climate (and also constant rain). A person moving from Phoenix to Montreal in the summer might find it quite a relief, while a person moving from Seattle to Osoyoos or Medicine Hat in the summer might find it too hot.</p>
<p>The same is true for the economy and political climate. Some provinces are well off economically (Ontario, BC), one is an absolute economic powerhouse right now (Alberta), and some are struggling as of the moment (Saskatchewan, the Maritime provinces). Also, the political atmosphere can vary greatly depending on where you are in Canada. For example, Quebec and the West Coast are very liberal, while Alberta is completely conservative. For example, the Conservative Party of Canada won 28 out of 28 seats in Alberta last election.</p>
<p>So the truth is, Canada is not really as great or welcoming as it may seem. There is a LOT of anti-Americanism in eastern Canada (especially around Toronto and Montreal), while a province like Alberta is so much like the US that anti-Americanism is quite rare. When I travelled to the US, I didn't really notice any difference between Canadian and American behaviour.</p>
<p>mambo</p>
<p>Please accept my apologies for my first two comments about your post--They may have proved your point about American aggressiveness or sarcasm, at least. The third post is more respectful and representative of my views. There's a lot to be critical of when it comes to America. In fact, your views of America remind me of those I held myself as a college student. In my case, much of my dissatisfaction was merely projection of internal angst and struggles. On the whole, America is still a pretty good place, and is a system capable of peaceful change. In that regard, I highly recommend Hannah Arendt's "On Revolution" in which she compares the American and French Revolutions and lauds the genius of the Founding Fathers.</p>
<p>Look swamp, the things you said need no apologies (perhaps maybe post #27, heh). What I, perhaps, shouldn't have omitted to my rant was about how there still are great things about America. For instance, something I love about America, is how each little state is like a country onto itself, yet being part of a Union, I'm free to go where-ever I please (granted I can transport myself). The freedom of mobility one can exercise in this country is truly amazing. </p>
<p>My initial reply to your post was mainly one of confusion. Meaning, I looked at what you wrote, then looked at what I wrote, and then asked myself how in hell you came to the conclusion you did. </p>
<p>Make no mistake, labeling myself as an America Hater is merely an attempt to save server storage. A complex country, and thus situation, obviously is going to illicit complex emotions (of which, I cannot truly include "America Hater" as an appropriate one). </p>
<p>To Neutrino, of course my comments were a bit broad (what comments about an entire nation of people isn't?). Canada's just different to me, is all. Perhaps Canada, to me, is just a new beginning; a place I can project the attitudes I desire most in a country? Either way, I'm northernly bound for fall whether my projections are true or not. </p>
<p>Back to foxxy. Perhaps in the end we both proved each other's points. Which ever the case, this is a hell of a country (in good and bad ways).</p>
<p>How many students at McGill are from the US? Do they adapt well socially, assuming they learn to control their drinking so as not to act like they've discovered alcohol for the first time?</p>
<p>Students from the U.S are supposed to be half of the international student population, which is around a quarter of McGill's total student body.</p>