Haiti is an island nation that lies only 681 miles from Miami, Florida. Yet its culture and its people are immensely different from those in America, only a short plane ride away. Separated and isolated from the rest of the world by the great warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, this island nation, populated by the descendents of slaves and native islanders, live a lifestyle that is full of hardships. Yet, despite lacking in the modern luxuries that are readily available in the United States, they also live a vibrant life full of flavorful food, music, dance, ritual and  celebration. There are many differences in the way in which people lives their lives in Haiti versus in America, including schooling, work, members of an average household and religious leanings, and while not all of these differences are bad, it is obvious that the great disparity of wealth between the two nations has led one to thrive and prosper and the other to struggle for simple daily survival.

Haiti is a third world nation while the USA is a first world nation. While the two share vastly different living standards due to the prosperity of the nation, both share a strong sense of nationalism to their nation (Swartz)  While Americans may show this pride in putting an American flag sticker on the back of their care, the average Haitian may wear a soccer jersey of the national team, which is a great source of pride for Haitians rich and poor.

Most Haitians live in rural areas whereas most Americans live in urban areas. As of 2011, 60% “of Haitians lived in provincial villages, hamlets and homesteads across the rural landscape (Swartz).” Daily life for an average rural Haitian includes tending the family farm animals, cleaning the home, and preparing food. In Haiti, families live in extended groups with multiple generations under one roof. Not all young Haitian children go to school as they mostly do in America. Most American’s send their child to some sort of school during the day. In rural and urban Haiti, many children are sent to work at an early age, or are kept home to help care for younger children or the home.

Home life for the rural Haitian is vastly different than it is in America. In Haiti, “most families live in one or two bedroom homes without electricity or running water and rely on charcoal as the principle energy source (Nicolas).”  While in America most people are able to quickly prepare a meal using a microwave or conventional oven, Haitians must first gather coal or firewood in order to even begin to cook. Meals are prepared from simple vegetables, meats or salted fish. There are no grocery stores to shop for goods in Haiti. Each village will instead have a central market area in which goods are purchased or traded. Running to the store for an emergency gallon of milk is not possible in most of Haiti where people must instead just learn to live with what they have available.

Haiti religion and language is also very different from America. American’s speak English, one of the languages that was brought by the settlers that dominated it. In Haiti, the language is a unique mix of French, African and indigenous dialects. Their religion, which is an important part of daily life and ritual, is also a mix of these cultures, and Voodoo is today known around the world as distinctly Haitian. The Haitian people are very superstitious and believe in things like witchcraft, spells and hexes and their daily lives are dominated by trying to protect themselves from harm from bad juju and attracting good juju at the same time.  This is very different from the typical American, who tend to not believe in superstition.

While daily life in America is much different than in Haiti, there are many similarities as well. Underneath all of our cultural differences, the same heart still beats. Food must be eaten, clean water must be drank. Everyone must sleep at night, and wake up to a bright new day. Spending time with family and friends is at the center of the lives of both Americans and Haitians. With all of our differences, we are all simply human beings living a life on plant Earth.