Canadian experiences inspires cultural novel (2010)

Every year there is a slew of international students that come from abroad to take classes in a foreign country. Manuel Fons is an international student from Guadalajara, Mexico, currently attending Mount Royal University until the end of December. He is a published author and is using his spare time in Canada to work on his second book.

“I have enjoyed my time in Canada and will use what I have learned about Canadians in my next book.” Fons said.

Manuel’s first book is a collection of postmodern science and fantasy short stories. It is titled Manuscrito hallado en un manuscrito, (Manuscript found in a manuscript). He went to the University of Oxford in July to talk about his book in a Latin American literature conference.

The next book Fons is working on will be a novel about people from different countries meeting each other and learning that, while they have very different cultures, they share many fundamental similarities. Manuel is still looking for a publisher to publish his second book.

Fons said that while he thinks Canadians are some of the nicest people around, he finds Canadian

culture a bit cold.

“When I go to class, here in Canada, everyone is sitting quietly and not talking,” Fons said. “In

Mexico, people are always talking and doing stuff before class.”

Fons also said he has yet to be invited out to a bar by a classmate.

“I don’t think it is a language issue because I have talked to other (international exchange students) who know much better English than me and they say the same thing,” Fons said.

Fons said he thinks it is possible that the cold weather might cause Canadians to be more distant.

Fons said that, “Only when you come from another place can you notice such an interesting cultural difference.”

Fons spoke of how helpful the school was and how easy they made his stay. He mentioned Kyla Sinclair who works for the International Education/Languages Institute at MRU. He said he Sinclair was extremely help full with helping him meet other students. He said he also really enjoyed a trip to Banff that Sinclair organized for all of the international students.

“One of the high lights of my life is knowing that beautiful parks like Banff exist,” Fons said. “I help our international exchange students with everything from visas to course enrollment,” 

Sinclair said. “I am in constant contact with them from the moment they apply and stay in some contact after they leave.”

“No words can describe the value of having international students in our school,” Sinclair said. “They bring diversity and different experiences to the classes they are in.”

Sinclair said she finds out what the international students think of Canada and Canadians through talking with them throughout the year and by having all the students complete a survey before they leave Canada.

Sinclair said the notion that Canadians are cold and never talk in class is one that she has heard before. She said it depends on what program their classes are in, for example, when a student attends different classes that are in different programs, similar to what Fons is enrolled in, you don’t see the same people every class and people talk less. Feed back from international students that are enrolled in classes in the same program like public relations have been the opposite, the students all know each other from other classes and there is much more talking.

Fons’ Latin American culture is also a lot more open than ours, Sinclair said.

Naomi Jamieson is the receptionist at the International Education/Languages Institute, She is the first person students see when they go to the institute for help. She provides advice on visas and where to go to in the school like the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University. Jamieson describes the international students as very confident.

“International students are very polite and extremely happy to be in Canada,” Jamieson said. “They say they like how Canadians treat them.” 

Jamieson makes sure the International Education/Languages Institute is always welcoming and festive.

“The students get very excited about our holidays like Halloween and Christmas,” Jamieson said.

Currently Jamieson has the institute fully decorated for Christmas including a tree, ornaments, and

figurines. There is also a fresh bowl of chocolate for anyone who wants one.

Fons said although he is used to a more outgoing culture he has had a great time in Canada and really likes Canadians.

“I have loved my time here and I plan on coming back to Canada. I think I will go to Vancouver, I have heard it is beautiful.”