Biculturalism is a way of life along the US-Mexico border, especially in the Tijuana/San Diego region, where the busiest land border crossing in the world can be found.
The population in both cities has grown, stimulated by the rising number of international companies that have moved to Tijuana to take advantage of the strategic geographic location along the pacific rim, proximity to the American consumer market and highly skilled, cost-efficient workforce.
In order to survive and thrive, people on both sides have become well versed in Mexican and US cultures, allowing them to interact seamlessly with neighbors and business associates alike.
The border is increasingly moving toward one giant economically integrated, bicultural society, which suggests that economic ties that began under the North American Free Trade Agreement, 20 years ago, are affecting life beyond trade, strengthened by the influence of global phenomena such as social media.*
Many border residents cross the border to visit family, and for routine tasks such as shopping, a haircut, dentist visit, attending school or working. And most value their shared sense of community forged by history, blood ties or livelihood. The bicultural environment found in the Tijuana/San Diego region is something quite beautiful – two countries, two languages, two cultures, one people.*
*Corchado, Alfredo (2016, July 18) Poll finds U.S.-Mexico border residents overwhelmingly value mobility, oppose wall. The Dallas Moring News.
