For basic information and a statistical overview of United Nations member countries and links to local newspapers, visit:http://cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation/index.asp

To review the on-line version of the World Factbook with information about this country as compiled by the CIA, please visit: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html

Mexico for Kids: http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/index_kids.html


The following information is generalized and compiled from questions posed to the agents and interviewers in Mexico. Although camp staff from Mexico may or may not have had these experiences/beliefs, Camp America wishes to share this general information with our Camp Directors.

Health

1. Most common inoculations
   Polio, TB, tetanus, measles
2. Innoculation for TB (Tuberculosis)
   Yes.
3. Free health service
   Yes.
4. Cost and regularity of visits to the dentist
   It isn't very common, and it is very expensive.
5. "Eating Disorders"
   It is not common in Mexico.

Education

1. Percentage of 17 year olds enrolled in secondary schools: 34 (compared with 79 in the US).
2. Number of bachelor’s degree recipients per 100 people of typical graduation age in 2003: 14.3 (compared with 33.4 in the US).
3. Alternatives chosen if not attending university
   Study for a technical career, or find a job.
4. Start and finish of the academic year
   3rd week in August to Middle of June.

English Language Skills

1. Is English a compulsory subject in the schools in your country?
   Yes.
2. Description of the study of English in schools e.g. from what age English is taught, how many years is English compulsory, courses focused on written or oral skills
   Private schools begin teaching English in kindergarten for 1 - 2 hours a day (no number of compulsory years).
   In governmental schools: only 2 - 3 hours per week are focused on written English.

Childcare

1. Common attitudes to and types of discipline for children
   They are called to order, sometimes punished.
2. Physical discipline of children
   Yes but less and less.

Religion

1. Most common religions
   Catholic - evangelist
2. Practice of religion by young people
   Variable
3. Would a young person choose to practice a religion that is different than her family's religion?
   Very seldom
4. Common religious practices e.g. special practices or dietary restrictions
   At Easter they don't eat meat.

Telephone

1. Telephones in the home
   Yes
2. Would most parents/family speak English well enough to take a message from an American Camp Director?
   No
3. Computer or e-mail access.
   Not yet

Diet

1. Attitudes to eating meat
   Yes.
2. Vegetarianism
   No.
3. Other common dietary traditions
   No.

Miscellaneous

1. Freedom of their family to socialize and date
   Not much.
2. Curfews at home
   Yes.
3. Sharing household chores
   Yes, but not in the upper middle class.
4. Diversity of population
   No.
5. Three main characteristics of the people
   Joyful, ready to serve, affectionate.

Au Pair in America®, 2007