Even though the United States and Canada are right next to each other—some northern states are so close to the border that it only takes a short drive to get to Canada—they are very different.
Some of the biggest differences between the U.S. and Canada listed here, like how you pay at a restaurant and what you might put on your fries, or how politics and education work, might surprise you.
Canada Sells Milk in Bags
Canada sells milk in bags, while the U.S. is known for its milk cartons. The reason for this is that pouches save money because they are cheaper to make than cartons. They are also better for the environment.
When Canadians take the milk home to use it, they pour it into pitchers.
College and other types of schooling in Canada are not the same
Even though there are colleges and universities in both countries, the terms mean different things. In Canada, degrees are given out by universities, while certificates and diplomas are given out by colleges.
In Canada, a college is like what people in the United States call a community college.
Higher education in Canada is cheaper than in the U.S
In the U.S., it’s common for students to pay tens of thousands of dollars to get a degree, but getting a college degree in Canada is much cheaper.
In the U.S., the average cost of tuition is about $32,000 per year, while in Canada, the average cost of tuition is about $5,000 per year. This is because colleges and universities in Canada are paid for by provincial governments so that Canadians can get an education for less money.
Hockey is more well-known in Canada than football
Football is the most popular sport to watch in the United States. Baseball is the second most popular sport. Basketball, ice hockey, and soccer are the next most popular. These are the “five major sports” as a whole.
Canada is not the same at all. Ice hockey is the most popular sport, and Canadians love it so much that it is the country’s official national sport. The next most-played sports in the country are lacrosse, soccer, baseball, and cricket.
Canada doesn’t have a middle school
In the U.S., middle school (or junior high) comes after elementary school and before high school. In Canada, middle school isn’t a thing. Instead, kids go to elementary school until they are in the seventh grade, and then they go to high school until they are in the 12th grade. And in Quebec, high school ends after the 11th grade. Then, for two years, they go to a trade school.
It’s not as easy to buy alcohol in Canada
In many parts of the U.S., it’s easy to buy alcohol, not just at liquor stores but also at grocery stores and convenience stores.
In some Canadian provinces, liquor can only be sold in stores that are owned by the government.
