Monday, November 11, 2013

My Third Interview

Interview with Sky

Interviewer: Hello, my name is Ahmed. I have a homework for my English class and I am here today to ask you some questions and then I will write a report.
Interview: is that OK for you?
Interviewee: yes
Interviewee: Hi, my name is Sky; I am happy because you have asked me to help you with your interview.

Interviewer; let's start
Interviewee: ok, let's start

Interviewer: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
Interviewee: I am from China, this is my fourth year at SCSU, and I am twenty five years old. My major is mechanical engineering.  I live with my family back home and I live alone here in an apartment. After I graduate I want to start my life here, I will look for a job and try to work here and then try to get married from American girl. I think this will help in the future if I want to go back home and live there because I will get experience and I will be ready to do my job in perfect way. so if I do have a job here that will be easier for me to get a good salary also.

Interviewer: How do you communicate with each other in your home country?
Interviewee: usually we use phone calls, online chatting or calls, and e-mail, but these are new communicating ways. The most tradition communicates in my country is in dining time. In my country people usually will talk about everything during the dining time. Also, we have many table manners, like first time meet, business cooperation, ask somebody for help, etc. Because we believe in dining time people will feel more comfortable and they will be close to a lot.

Interviewer: what is the clothing style for men and women?
  Interviewee: now days it is the same as the US; we do not have a specific style. But we have traditional clothes from the past, men usually dress robe, long gown and also have long hair. Women dress lorgnette or silk cloth, and adorn much jewelry. For these traditional clothes we call" Han Chinese Clothing."  
  
Interviewer: How are women and men treated differently?
Interviewee: the power is for men in the family houses; men are the hard worker and they have high income. For women, because of our tradition they just stay at home, cook food, clean house and take care of children. But now, after the economy has improved, men and women their statuses are almost equally. And right now women are getting higher incomes, and they can find a job easier than men because of some companies' purpose.

Interviewer: How has your experience helped you to interpret and respect cultural differences?
Interviewee: I have got culture shocks when I first came here, but now I know everything and I feel ok. Each culture has its own characteristic, and this is why we call it different culture, also I am learning many new things from keeping touch with others from different cultures, like how are the American holidays. So, I respect all people from all around the world as long as they respect me no matter what color and what ethnic they are.

Interviewer: Do you enjoy speaking with exchange students
Yes I do. It is something I already have practiced when I was in the intensive English center and I still practice it. I also, have a good skill of communication because I am outgoing person. Also I enjoy talking and going out with my exchange student and I can make friends in easy way because we are here for the same purpose which is going to school. Sometimes I like to go to cultural meeting to learn and make new friends which is something great for me.

Interviewer: How long have you been in the United States?
Interviewee: About four years. And I spend two years in the IEC for studying English before I went to university, it was a wonderful experience, and I have many friends international from there.

Interviewer: Have you been able to visit any other parts of the United States?
 Interviewee: Yes I did, I have visited many states in American. I went to Washington Seattle, Michigan, Florida and California. I had very special feeling in every single place. I hope that I can visit the rest of the states to reach my goal which is to visit all the states.  

Interviewer: What are your home country's major religions?
Interviewee: now we do not have a major religion in my country many young people do not have a religion and they don’t believe in anything. From the past we have two religions which are: Buddhism and Taoism, these two still are the main religions for some people I mean old people.

Interviewer: What influenced you to come to the United States? Especially, Saint Cloud.
Interviewee: I came to united states by myself because it was hard for me to take the college entrance examination which is something common thing to take for all students in my country. Also, my father wants me to study here and this is the most important reason. Furthermore, the School environment here in the US is better than my country and this is my opinion.
 And why SCSU?
 One of my friends advise me to come here and because Saint Cloud is cheaper than many other places.

Interviewer:  Are there any holidays in your country and how do people celebrate them?
Interviewee: Yes, in my country we respect traditions. So, there are many holidays and people celebrate them. Also, each holiday has a special meaning, like moon-night means reunion. I think we need these holidays to make People remember our traditions.

Interviewer: what is the most common food in your country?
Interviewee: our traditional food is white rice. We usually eat it in dining time.

Interviewer: how is the economy in your country and what does expert?
Interviewee: China has a great economy and it has been improving. Also, there are many things are made in china which is something good and I am really proud of my country.

Interviewer: what is the most common form of transportation in your country?
Interviewee: people usually use their cars and at least each family has a car because the price is too cheap. Also some people like to take public transportations such as; buses.

Interviewer: now I have asked you many questions do you have any question for me
Interviewee; No, thanks for asking
Interviewer: you are welcome

 

Country Report


Location
Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam.

The country's Flag
The flag of China was officially adopted on October 1, 1949
The red of the Chinese flag symbolizes the communist revolution, and it's also the traditional color of the people. The large gold star represents communism, while the four smaller stars represent the social classes of the people. In addition, the five stars together reflect the importance placed on the number five in Chinese thought and history. (Worldatla).

The capital city of China is Beijing
The population in China is 1.351 billion
(Cia.gov)

The Constitutional System
The existing Constitution was adopted for implementation by the 5th Session of the 5th National People’s Congress on December 4, 1982. Amendments were made to the Constitution respectively at the 1st Session of the 7th National People’s Congress on April 12, 1988, the 1st Session of the 8th National People’s Congress on March 29, 1993 and the 2nd Session of the 9th National People’s Congress on March 15, 1999. (china.org.cn))

            Major stipulations in the Constitution in regard to China’s political system

Major political principles in China

          1-The Communist Party of China is the country’s sole political party in power
The People’s Republic of China was founded by the Communist Party of China which is the leader of the Chinese people
            2-the socialist system
The socialist system led by the working class and based on the alliance of the workers and farmers is the fundamental system of the People’s Republic of China.
3- All rights belong to the people.  
All the power in the country belongs to the people who exercise their power through the National People’s Congress and local people’s congresses at all levels.
The people manage the state, economy, culture and other social affairs through a multitude of means and forms.
           . 4- The fundamental task and goals of the state
To concentrate on the socialist modernization drive along the road of building socialism with Chinese characteristics; to adhere to the socialist road, persist in the reform and opening up program, improve the socialist system in all aspects, develop the market economy, expand democracy, and improve the rule of law; to be self-reliance and work hard to gradually realize the modernization of the industry, agriculture, national defense, science and technology so as to build China into a strong and democratic socialist country with a high degree of cultural development.
      . 5- Democratic centralism
The organizational principle for the state organs is democratic centralism.
6- The armed forces of the people
The armed forces of the People’s Republic of China belong to the people.
The tasks of the armed forces are to consolidate national defense, resist invasion, defend the country, safeguard the people in their peaceful work and life, take part in the country’s economic construction and strive to serves the people.
             7- To govern the country through the rule of law
All individuals, political parties and social organizations must abide by the Constitution in all their actions and shall not be privileged to be above the Constitution or the law. All acts in violation of the Constitution and law must be investigated. The rule of law is practiced to build China into a socialist country with the rule of law
          . 8- The system of ethnic regional autonomy
All ethnic groups are equal
All prejudice and oppression against any ethnic group is forbidden. All behaviors harmful to ethnic unity and aimed at ethnic separation are forbidden.

        The most significant features are, The Great Wall of China, Mt. Everest Kunlun Mountains, Tian Shan Mountains Altay Mountains, Greater Khingan Mountains, Plateau of Tibet Taklimakan Desert, Gobi Desert Northern China Plain, Manchurian plain, and Huang River, Chang Rivera and Yangtze River Yellow Sea. (china.org.cn).
  
                     Preparations for interview

In my third interview i became adapted because it is something I have done it before. I am interested in China and its culture. I made an appointment with my class mate Sky. Also, I brought the ten core questions from the class plus five questions of mine to ask my interviewee. My points were to learn some information about my classmate and some traditional things such as clothing, food, transportation, and economy. I prepared my iPhone five to record the conversation, so it will be easier for me to listen to the audio at any time later.

How did you approach people?

I have asked my classmate sky and two other chines students who were my classmates in the IEC. I was lucky because they all agreed to make the interview and finally i have done it. I made schedule with them and we did choose a place to meet in every time.

How did you conduct the interview?
I invited Sky to my apartment to make the interview because he is a close friend for me. he came ten minutes before the meeting time. It was at 4:00pm. The reason why I invited him to my house was because I made a lunch for him.I started the interview after we have done the lunch. After doing the interview I told sky that I am interested to learn about the chines culture more than doing the interview by its self.

Whom did you interview?
I Interviewed Sky. He is form China. He is 25 years old. His major is mechanical engineering . He wants to work work and get married after getting his bachelor. also he wants to get a gob experience to help his country's economy when he goes back home.

Describe the interview

I think that I did well in my interviews. I have learned more about the chines culture. Something interesting for me was how Chinese people are kind and friendly. i really appreciate Sky's help. He came on time. Also, he answered all the questions. Finally, I think that I have enough information about china.




Work Cited

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-
factbook/geos/ch.html

Monday, November 4, 2013

My Second Interview

Friday, November 1st. 2013
191




Interview with Allen

Interviewer: Hello, my name is Ahmed. I have homework for my English class and I am here today to ask you some questions and then I will write a report.
Interviewee: Hi, my name is Allen; I am glade because you have asked me to help you with your interview.

Interviewer; Alright let's start
Interviewee: ok, let's start
Interviewer: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Interviewee: I am from China, this is my third year in SCSU, I am twenty years old. My major is international business. After I graduate I will look for a job and try to work here for one year, because for the business major work experience is much important, so if I do have a job that will be easier for me to get a good salary in my country.

Interviewer: How do you communicate with each other in your home country?
Interviewee: we use phone call, online talk, and e-mail, but these are new communicate ways, in our country the most tradition communicates is in dining time. In our country people usually will talk their things during dining time, and we also have many table manners, like first time meet, business cooperation, ask somebody for help, etc. Because we believe in dining time people will feel more comfortable and their relationship will more easily be close to.

Interviewer: what is the clothing style for men and women?
  Interviewee: Right now is same as the US; do not have very specific style. But for the past I mean for the traditional clothes, man usually dress robe, long gown and also have long hair. Women dress lorgnette or silk cloth, and adorn much jewelry. For these traditional clothes we call Han Chinese Clothing Last we look up to men and down on women, because for the past people do not have high productivity.
   
Interviewer: How are women and men treated differently?
Interviewee: Men are the most manpower in family; men could work more and earn more. For women, in the past because of our tradition usually they just stay at home, cook food, clean house and take care of child. But now, after the economy has improved, men and women their social status is almost equally. And right now for some of ways women are getting higher status, like they can find a job easier than men. Many companies need and hire more women than men.

Interviewer: How has your experience helped you to interpret and respect cultural differences?
Interviewee: Here's experience let me got culture shock at first, but now I know every culture have their own characteristic, and this is why we call it different culture, Also after I contact this different culture I am learning many new things, like how to get along with American people, and how is their different holidays real meaning. So, I respect them, even some of them I still cannot accept, like drinking ages.

Interviewer: Do you enjoy speaking with exchange students?
Yes I do. It is interesting and I have a good skill of communication. Also I am very enjoying connecting and having new friends. Sometimes I like to go to cultural meeting and organization to learn and make new friends which is something great for me.

Interviewer: How long have you been in the United States?
Interviewee: About three years. And I spend two years in IEC studied English before I went to university, and I have to say the time that I studied in IEC was very wonderful experience, on the other  hand I am adapted with the US environment, on the other hand I have got many good international friends

Interviewer: Have you been able to visit any other parts of the United States?
 Interviewee: Yes I did, I have visited many city in American. For the east I went to Washington DC and New York. North, I went to Michigan about four times. For the West I went to Portland State this summer and it is very beautiful state. And for the South, I went to California State. I had very special feel in each different place; especially Portland State.

Interviewer: What are your home country's major religions?
Interviewee: Actually right now, in our country we do not have major religions; many young people do not have a religion and they don’t believe in anything. There are two religions which are: Buddhism and Taoism, these two still are religion for some people.

Interviewer: What influenced you to come to the United States? Especially, Saint Cloud.
Interviewee: I went to the US, by myself I did not want to take the college entrance examination in my country, and my family want me to study here and this is the most important reason, the US study environment is better for me. And why SCSU? Because one of my friends advise me to here, and the tuition at SCSU is cheaper than other school?

Interviewer: Are there any holidays in your country and how do people celebrate them?
Interviewee: Yes, there are many holidays in my country; people celebrate them because we respect tradition. In our country each holiday have their special meaning, like moon-night means reunion. People need these holidays to remember our tradition.

Interviewer: what is the most common food in your country?
Interviewee: White rice. Especially in our country we eat rice in dining time?

Interviewer: how is the economy in your country and what does expert? 
Interviewee: I think we have a great economy and I believe that there are many things; "made in China" and this is something normal to see.

Interviewer: what is the most common form of transportation in your country?
Interviewee: cars are the most common transportations. Right now because of scientific and technological progress, the price of car become cheaper, so in our country most families at least have one car.

Interviewer: now I have asked you many questions do you have any question for me?
Interviewee; No, thanks for asking.
Interviewer: you are welcome

  

Country Report 


Location:
Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam.

The country's Flag?
The flag of China was officially adopted on October 1, 1949
The red of the Chinese flag symbolizes the communist revolution, and it's also the traditional color of the people. The large gold star represents communism, while the four smaller stars represent the social classes of the people. In addition, the five stars together reflect the importance placed on the number five in Chinese thought and history. (Worldatlas).

The capital city of China is Beijing.

The population in China is 1.351 billion.
(Cia.gov)
The Constitutional System
The Constitution is the fundamental law of the state
The existing Constitution was adopted for implementation by the 5th Session of the 5th National People’s Congress on December 4, 1982. Amendments were made to the Constitution respectively at the 1st Session of the 7th National People’s Congress on April 12, 1988, the 1st Session of the 8th National People’s Congress on March 29, 1993 and the 2nd Session of the 9th National People’s Congress on March 15, 1999. (china.org.cn).

            Major stipulations in the Constitution in regard to China’s political system

Major political principles in China

            1-The Communist Party of China is the country’s sole political party in power
The People’s Republic of China was founded by the Communist Party of China which is the leader of the Chinese people
            2-The socialist system
The socialist system led by the working class and based on the alliance of the workers and farmers is the fundamental system of the People’s Republic of China. 
3-All rights belong to the people. 
All the power in the country belongs to the people who exercise their power through the National People’s Congress and local people’s congresses at all levels.
The people manage the state, economy, culture and other social affairs through a multitude of means and forms.
            .4- The fundamental task and goals of the state
To concentrate on the socialist modernization drive along the road of building socialism with Chinese characteristics; to adhere to the socialist road, persist in the reform and opening up program, improve the socialist system in all aspects, develop the market economy, expand democracy, and improve the rule of law; to be self-reliance and work hard to gradually realize the modernization of the industry, agriculture, national defense, science and technology so as to build China into a strong and democratic socialist country with a high degree of cultural development.
            5- Democratic centralism:
The organizational principle for the state organs is democratic centralism.
6- The armed forces of the people
The armed forces of the People’s Republic of China belong to the people.
The tasks of the armed forces are to consolidate national defense, resist invasion, defend the country, safeguard the people in their peaceful work and life, take part in the country’s economic construction and strive to serves the people.
            7- To govern the country through the rule of law
All individuals, political parties and social organizations must abide by the Constitution in all their actions and shall not be privileged to be above the Constitution or the law.
All acts in violation of the Constitution and law must be investigated.
The rule of law is practiced to build China into a socialist country with the rule of law.
            8- The system of ethnic regional autonomy.
All ethnic groups are equal.
All prejudice and oppression against any ethnic group is forbidden. All behaviors harmful to ethnic unity and aimed at ethnic separation are forbidden

        The most significant features are, The Great Wall of China, Mt. Everest Kunlun Mountains, Tian Shan Mountains Altay Mountains, Greater Khingan Mountains, Plateau of Tibet Taklimakan Desert, Gobi Desert Northern China Plain, Manchurian plain, and Huang River, Chang Rivera and Yangtze River Yellow Sea. (china.org.cn).

Preparations for interview

In my second interview first I was adapted because it is something I have done it before. I am interested in China and its culture. I made an appointment with my class mate Allen. Also, I brought the ten core questions from the class plus five questions of mine to ask my interviewee. My points were to learn some information about my classmate and some traditional things such as clothing, food, transportation, and economy. I prepared my iPhone five to record the conversation, so it will be easy for me to listen to the audio at any time later.

How did you approach people?

I have asked my classmate Allen and two other chines students who were my classmates in the IEC. I was lucky because they all agreed to make the interview. I made schedule with them and we did choose a place to meet in every time.

How did you conduct the interview?
I conduct the interview with Allen at the caribou cafe. I went to the Atwood ten minutes before the meeting time. It was at 2:00pm. The reason why I went to the coffee early was to look for a nice spot. I started the recording and we began the interview directly when Allen arrived because he is my classmate and he already knows about the whole process. After doing the interview I told Allen that I am interested to learn about the chines culture more than doing the interview by its self.

Whom did you interview?
I Interviewed Allen. He is form China. He is 20 years old. His major is international business. He wants to work for one year after getting his bachelor degree to get an experience.

Describe the interview

I think that I did well in my first and second interview. I have learned more about the chines culture. Something interesting for me was how Chinese people are kind and friendly. Allen helped me to make the interview in easy way. He came on time. Also, he answered my questions with no problems. Finally, I hope that my next interview will go well like the first and second one.




Work Cited

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html