Interview report

Interview Report

I was really excited when I got to know about this task. The country that I chose is India as I have always been amazed by its diversified culture and always wanted to know more about it. In recent years it has become a strong competing country among the developing countries. I started the task by forming a questionnaire. I had to be very careful about the questions that I chose, in order not to hurt or offend the people I would be interviewing because of the cultural differences. I made a list of fifteen neutral yet very provoking questions. These are:

1. Can you tell me about yourself? (your name, home country)
2. What are you planning to do after school?
3. Why did you choose to study at St. Cloud University?
4. What is the difference in educational systems between your country and North America?
5. Would you like to tell me about your country?
6. Could you tell me about your country's traditional process regarding marriage?
7. Can you tell me about activities that young people like to do in your country?
8. What are major holidays in your country?
9. What is your traditional food?
10. How is the political system of your country structured?
11. What are your country's major religions?
12. What’s considered offensive in your country?
13. What do you perceive as differences between your culture and the American culture?
14. Is there anything you would like to add before we end our interview?
15. Do you have any questions for me, now that I have had the pleasure of asking you about so many things?

I went to St. Cloud University to search for three Indians, who would give me the answers. After finding three possible candidates I went up to them and told them about the survey I was doing. I was really nervous about how they would react but they were very friendly and eager to discuss about their country and its culture. This was a very encouraging start for me and I had started to like India and its people even more. I taped the interview and later put it into writing. I found it easier to interact with them verbally, rather than writing down and talking to them at the same time. I also felt that it would not leave a good impression on them if I did not give full attention to them.

Throughout the interview, I observed the love and affection of the participant towards their Country. Obviously I was shocked, how the people of India were able to manage all those difficult phases in life. They belong to collectivist culture where relationships are important. Feelings are not openly described. Elders have the right to make all the decisions. I observed their positive attitude in all phases of life. I was astonished to see how much tolerance they have and how patiently they were answering my questions. Because what I saw before that is people look at their clocks to show they are very busy and have no time to give details. It was the moment, when I realized that in order to succeed in life, at any kind of place or in any kind of group, an individual should have a positive attitude. Even if we are the worlds’ most famous talented people; our attitude makes a great difference in living environment. As a student, this might be my first and most important lesson learned. One thing that really inspired me is that the students were more eager and concerned about their present political situation than their culture. They know that they have a very strong culture and nothing can change that. The change is needed in the administration of the country. The young generation of India is not only aware of that but is also worried about the political condition of the country and increasing poverty and unemployment. This is a very good thing and in my opinion is the first step towards change. This sensitivity and analyzing the situation of the country, keeping them updated while living in other country showed their strong association with their country. These all aspects gave a new turn to my thinking and I felt more associated with my own country.

As I already knew, and it was confirmed by my survey, that India is full of culture and the traditions are followed very strictly there. Some of these traditions are centuries old. This gives them an inspiration and a reason to celebrate. This collectivist culture with lots of traditions and values, care of each other and respect for elders with strong relationship is really worth exploring. However, political situation of the country is not very satisfying and I hope that these students, seeing how motivated they are, after fulfilling their dreams will go back to their country and change the situation for the betterment of their people living there.

 

The Objectives and Questions

The objectives are:

• I want to know what is he thinking about his future.
• I want to know if he a successful person I want to know hwo he become a successful person.
• I want to know his culture

The questions are :

1. Could you tell me about yourself?(your name, home country)

2. What are you planning to do after school?

3. Why did you choose to study at St.cloud University?

4. What is the difference in educational systems between your country and North America?

5. Would you like to tell me about your country?

6. Could you tell me about your country's traditional process ragarding marriage?

7. Can you tell me about activities that young people like to do in your country?

8. What are major holidays in your country?

9. What is your traditional food?

10. How is the political system of your country structured?

11. What are your country's major religions?

12. What’s considered offensive in your country?

Countries

India, US and Saudi Arabia – An Analysis 

Humans have become civilized for thousands of years. No part of the world is left uninhibited now. People have swarmed every nook and corner of the world. Moreover, since the advent of internet, the world has shrunk to become a global village. However, in spite of this, there are a few countries and regions of the world that have not left their unique and distinct characteristics. These characteristics make them and their people special. While doing my ongoing research of different parts of the world, I zeroed in three countries that are unique and distinct in their own way. The three countries that I have interested in are United States of America, Saudi Arabia and India.    

The first country that I am interested in is a world leader in every manner. It is called the new world as it is discovered much later than the other parts of the world. The country has been leading the world for almost a century in political as well as economic field. In fact, “In a globalizing world, the United States holds a unique — and historically unprecedented — role in international affairs. As America's geopolitical power is reinforced by a combination of economic, geographic and cultural advantages — not to mention military dominance” (Shapiro, 2008). America has taught democracy to the world. It has also taught the world a unique sense of equality in a society. America’s society is devoid of any kind of feudalism. Here people understand and respect hard work and labour. Although American Society also had racism like other parts of the world, yet now it no more exist in the American society. We can see its effect by looking at the President of America as he is an African American.

The second country that I am intrigued is Saudi Arabia. It has monarchy. The modern country as Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is established by King Ibn Saud in 1926. “Saudi Arabia has a unique responsibility to the world of Islam since one of the Five Pillars of Islam or religious duties of every Muslim is the Pilgrimage, or Hajj, to the Holy City of Mecca once in his or her lifetime. The Holy Mosque in Mecca was also the first place of worship for Muslims: Non-Muslims are not allowed to visit Mecca” (Facts about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, n.d.). Islam is the most widely spread religion of the world. Besides the Islamic religious center, Saudi Arabia has been able to give an identity to Islamic world. The country is a unique blend of modernity and tradition. It has a developed economy, but it has fully secured its traditions to guide the Muslims of other parts of the world. The country is an example of how modernity and development can be secured along with the culture and tradition. 

The third country that I would like to explore is India, the most colourful country of the world. India has a unique charm and magic that no other country has. India is neither a political and economic power like America nor it is a religious seat of power like Saudi Arabia. In fact, it is the second most populous country of the world, has a developing economy and have thousands of families whose monthly income is less than 100US$. Then, what is so special about the country that put it different from other countries? “The understanding of India, if she were noticed casually, would be incomplete, misdirected, and even wrong. India cannot be understood unless you follow her and submit to her with a students’ quest, and it is then that she lets you see beyond the obvious, into the deep wells of her mystic realm” (Tiwari, 2011). Thus, India has a mystical charm that shows you the power of infinite, the unlimited or the unfathomable. In fact, it makes every Indian smile and happy in spite of the chaos and cacophony of Indian roads.     

Thus, the world is made of different kinds of people, culture and countries. Majority of them are ordinary as they tread on mundane path. However a few of the people and the countries are unique as they have different specialities that set them apart from ordinary or average status. 

    

References 

Facts About the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (n.d.). CIA. GOV. Retrieved from http://www.kiosk.net/infosaudi/ 

Shapiro, Robert. J. (2008). The Unique Advantage of the United States. The Globalist. Retrieved from http://www.theglobalist.com/printStoryId.aspx?StoryId=7049 

Tiwari, Vaibhav. (2011). India: A Unique, Individual Country of Variety and Warmth. Chillibreeze. Retrieved from http://www.chillibreeze.com/articles_various/untitled.asp 

   

Five books

Today I found five books from my classmate there are very differences those topics. Alnawmasi, Sultan F has “Now Is the Time for Running” (1) also, I found on page 15 “You know what sacrifices were made for the freedom we now enjoy” I do not know if he enjoy when he read it. Galkina, Elena V   has “Loud and Clear” (2) than I found on page 15 “A costly plan of action may prove to be the ideal solution in a given situation” I thought she like it because she is studying Biasness International. Ouedraogo, Jonathan T has “How To Talk Minnesotan” (3) so, in page 15 is “Many cooks substitute pickled herring for the hamburger and use cream of mushroom soup instead of Cheese Whiz as a topping” I do not worry about him if he read it or not. Sengwiza, Loris has “U.S. Economic Policy Toward Africa” (4) and again in page 15 is “For instance the foreign aid appropriations legislation for 1991 declared in part that the purpose of DFA was to help the poor majority of men and women in sub-Saharan Africa to participate in a process of long-term development through economic growth that is equitable, participatory, environmentally sustainable, and self-reliant” I thought he enjoy with it. Toure, Mohamed L has "Islam Without Fear" (5) in page 15 is “With exaggerated seriousness, the prominent Islamist columnist Ahmed Bahgat reports in al Ahram of August 13, 1995, on “breaking news” from the art world” finally I like this book because it’s talk about my religion.

 

Work cited

1-      Willaims, Michael, Now is the time for running, New York and Boston2011, page 4.

2-      Morrisey, G. (April 1997, fourth ed.). Loud and Clear, New York, USA: Addison-Westly Publishing, Inc.

3-      Mohr, Howard. (August 4th, 1987). How to Talk Minnesotan: A visitor's Guide. New York, USA: Penguin Group.

4-       Herbst, Jeffrey Ira, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS PRESS, New York 1992.

5-      Baker, Raymond William, 1942, Islam Without Fear, HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS in Boston and London in 2003.

Why Students Choose Books

                    In fact, I read most of the blogs posted to my classmates I found a difference in their views and ideas each and every one of them has a different preference find enjoy reading this book or topic, but if we gave him to someone else deems not find any enjoy it.


 First blog review (http://tareqalsomahi.blogspot.com/ )

    Second blog review (http://elenaen191f12s28.blogspot.com/ ) 

    Third blog review (http://en191fl12s28mohamedto.blogspot.com/ )

Fourth blog review (http://en191f12s28yiming.blogspot.com/ )

Fifth blog review (http://en191f12s28yanjunli.blogspot.com/ )