1. Interview Preparations
l Description
of preparations:
At first we wrote the
objective in the class, and the objective answers the questions of “why”, with
“whom”, and “how”. After that we wrote ten more questions about we want
interview or interesting for international students. Before beginning the
interview, teacher teach us how to do the interview and how to communication
when we as question to international students.
l How
did I approach people?
The first time that I met my interviewee was
when I first time come to the SCSU during the after dark. He said “你好” to me because in my country we always said "你好” When we greeting each other. Well, we have the same way like Chinese
meet each other. But we shank hands with a polite bow to each other. In the
same way we will have to hug with each other. If the person who is the first
time to meet you have to bow and hug each other. This is our greeting way when
we meet on the road. Actually I like the way which is like American do greeting
each other. Also, he would like to send some messages and I teach him at
weekend. So, when I asked to him about the interview project, he felt happy to
help me the interview. I would like to interview my friend Rayan and how his
microsystem changed his daily life.
l When,
where, and how did I conduct the interview?
I met with Rayan in
coffee shop at Atwood on the 7th of November morning because it was nice
day. We interview around 60 minutes. In addition to the interview, I sometimes
invited him, and he tell me he really like my country’s food. We enjoyed the
lunch first with good atmosphere in the Atwood, and then I began to interview
him with drinking coffee, after I tell some interesting story about my family
in China. For the recording, I used my phone when I asked to her about the
recording the interview, he willingly allowed recording the interview.
l Whom
did I interview?
His
name is Rayan and he is from Saudi Arabia. He was 21 years
old, his
major is Mass Communication, he has one younger
brother and younger sister, and He had been there one and half year. His major
is Mass Communication. He don’t like the winter weather in Minnesota because it
is very cold whatever the daytime and midnight.
2. Interview report
l Describe
the interview?
The interview was
entirely with a good mood because we are very close each other. I told him more
information about the interview, such as I was doing it for my English 191
class. I also asked him if it was okay for me to record the interview, so I
could transcribe it later. Actually, we
do not need any icebreaker because I already knew most things about him. We
have shared our personal and cultural information in many times. However, the
only thing that I need to be careful was that it was an interview, not a
personal conversation. I did not know how far he could accept about his
information, and it was very important thing that I need to consider. The
interview lasted about 70 minutes.
l What
surprised me?
Different countries have different
belief systems that are based on their own cultures. In order to highlight
these differences, I
already had some information about their culture because we are both Asian. It
is because I would like to interview my friend Rayan and how his microsystem changed his daily life. My
microsystem as a child greatly influenced the personality, values, and beliefs
that I have today, but if I had grown up in the microsystem of my classmate, Rayan,
my values and beliefs would likely be very different. Rayan and I come from
different cultures, so we had very different childhood microsystems. We
discussed how different cultural principles work in family, classroom, and
traditions.
3. Country Report
l Country:
a) Officially
known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arabic pronunciation (help•info)), is the
largest Arab state in Western Asia by land area (approximately 2,150,000 km2
(830,000 sq mi), constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula) and the
second-largest in the Arab world (after Algeria). It is bordered by Jordan and
Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab
Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast, Yemen in the south, the Red Sea to
the west and Persian Gulf to the east. Its population is estimated to consist of
16 million citizens and an additional 9 million registered foreign expatriates
and 2 million illegal immigrants.(1)
b) Saudi
Arabia’s geography is diverse, with forests, grasslands, mountain ranges and
deserts. The climate varies from region to region. Temperatures can reach over
110 degrees Fahrenheit in the desert in the summer, while in the winter
temperatures in the north and central parts of the country can drop below
freezing. Saudi Arabia gets very little rain, only about four inches a year on
average.(1)
c) This
area of the website offers facts and physical information about the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. Here you can read about early Saudi Arabian history, which as
part of the Middle East was the birthplace of civilization, and how the modern
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia came into being in 1932 .(2)
d) Learn
about the Saudi government and how the Kingdom’s political system is rooted in
Islam's traditions which call for peace, justice, equality, consultation and
respect for the rights of the individual. Read about the modernization of the
Kingdom’s transportation and communications infrastructure and the special
emphasis on sports and recreation being accessible to all Saudis. Facts and
figures provide an overview of the physical country, including time zones,
currency and more .(2)
e) Saudi
Arabia has the world's 2nd largest oil reserves, which are concentrated largely
in the Eastern Province. Oil accounts for more than 95% of exports and 70% of
government revenue, although the share of the non-oil economy has been growing
recently. This has facilitated the transformation of an underdeveloped desert
kingdom into one of the world's wealthiest nations. Vast oil revenues have
permitted rapid modernisation, such as the creation of a welfare state. It has
also the world's sixth largest natural gas reserves.(3)
l Languages:
The official language of Saudi
Arabia is Arabic. The three main regional variants spoken by Saudis are Hejazi
Arabic (about 6 million speakers), Nejdi Arabic (about 8 million speakers[) and
Gulf Arabic (about 0.2 million speakers). The large expatriate communities also
speak their own languages, the most numerous being Tagalog (700,000), Rohingya
(400,000), Urdu (380,000), and Egyptian Arabic (300,000). (4)
l Religion:
a) There
are about 25 million people who are Muslim, or 97% of the total population.
About 85–90% of Saudis are Sunni, while Shias represent around 10–15% of the
Muslim population.The official and dominant form of Sunni Islam in Saudi Arabia
is commonly known as Wahhabism (a name which some of its proponents consider
derogatory, preferring the term Salafism), founded in the Arabian Peninsula by
Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab in the eighteenth century, is often described as
'puritanical', 'intolerant' or 'ultra-conservative'. However, proponents
consider that its teachings seek to purify the practice of Islam of any
innovations or practices that deviate from the seventh-century teachings of the
Islamic Prophet Muhammad and his companions. Shias face persecution in
employment and religious ceremonies.
(5)
b) In
2010, the U.S. State Department stated that in Saudi Arabia "freedom of
religion is neither recognized nor protected under the law and is severely
restricted in practice" and that "government policies continued to
place severe restrictions on religious freedom". No faith other than Islam
is permitted to be practiced, although there are nearly a million Christians –
nearly all foreign workers – in Saudi Arabia. There are no churches or other
non-Muslim houses of worship permitted in the country. (6)
c) Conversion
by Muslims to another religion (apostasy) carries the death penalty, although
there have been no confirmed reports of executions for apostasy in recent
years. Proselytizing by non-Muslims is illegal, and the last Christian priest
was expelled from Saudi Arabia in 1985. There are some Hindus and Buddhists in
Saudi Arabia.(6)
l Culture:
a) Saudi
Arabia has centuries-old attitudes and traditions, often derived from Arab
tribal civilization. This culture has been bolstered by the austerely
puritanical Wahhabi form of Islam, which arose in the eighteenth century and
now predominates in the country. The many limitations on behaviour and dress
are strictly enforced both legally and socially. Alcoholic beverages are
prohibited, for example, and there is no theatre or public exhibition of films.
However, the Daily Mail and Wikileaks indicate that the Saudi Royal family
applies a different moral code to itself ("WikiLeaks cables: Saudi princes
throw parties boasting drink, drugs and sex. Royals flout puritanical laws to
throw parties for young elite while religious police are forced to turn a blind
eye.") Public expression of opinion about domestic political or social
matters is discouraged. There are no organizations such as political parties or
labour unions to provide public forums.(7)
b) Daily
life is dominated by Islamic observance. Five times each day, Muslims are
called to prayer from the minarets of mosques scattered throughout the country.
Because Friday is the holiest day for Muslims, the weekend was Thursday and
Friday. Starting on June 29, 2013 the weekend has been shifted to
Friday-Saturday to better serve the Saudi economy and its international
commitments. In accordance with Wahhabi doctrine, only two religious holidays
are publicly recognized, Celebration of other Islamic holidays, such as the
Prophet's birthday and ʿĀshūrāʾ (an important holiday for Shīʿites), are
tolerated only when celebrated locally and on a small scale. Public observance
of non-Islamic religious holidays is prohibited, with the exception of 23
September, which commemorates the unification of the kingdom. (8)
• Works
cited:
4. Interview transcription of my interview
with “Ibrahim Al”
R:
Rayan
Y:
Yipeng ( me )
Y:
Hi, Rayan. How are you?
R:
Good. How are about you?
Y:
I’m good. Are you ready for the interview?
R:
of course, how long we can finish?
Y:
I think about one hour. I will do my best to cooperate with you. Actually, I
need to record our interview, is it ok for you when we do the interview?
R:
It is ok. No problem. I don’t mind.
Y:
Thanks you. I will ask you ten core questions same with my classmate s and five
question that I made. So totally fifteen questions, and this is the question
list. You can check the list (I give him cope for the questions).
R:
I think I can answer it, you already hard work for the interview.
Y:
Thank you! Let’s we start the interview.
Y: How
do you communicate with each other in your home country?
R: Everybody
said our language with each other.
Y: ok.
But I will speak English with others because I would like to talk with American
students that are a good way to help my English get better. And other question
is what the clothing style is for men and women?
R:
Every woman in Saudi Arabia is
required to be covered from head to foot in what they call an Abaya, a large
black robe that covers every part of the body. This is also accompanied by a
veil to cover the face leaving only the eyes showing and a headscarf. Some
women here in Saudi Arabia even wearing black gloves and a full veil so that nothing
of their body is showing. Many women in Saudi Arabia that I have spoken to believe
that this is their religious obligation and they do this willingly, after all
they have been brought up this way from very young. Children are not expected
to cover up; however once they start to “develop” they are covered up.
Y: When I search Google, I know younger Saudi girls that
I have spoken to who have travelled overseas and have access to “western” TV
cannot wait for the day when they can get away without wearing it! In fact I
have seen many that try to find ways to get around the rules, leaving Abaya's
unbuttoned to show fashionable clothes beneath and many no longer covering
their heads.
R:
I
think so.
Y: How
are women and men treated differently?
R:
Most
Saudi men tend to spoil their wives and they do treat them very well. I think
Saudi men respect American women a lot when they're working in Saudi Arabia.
However, I think there is a stereotype that exists...Some think that American
women are easy, so some of them think if they go to the US, they will easily
find a girlfriend, etc. This is partially due to the movies, so they don't get
a good idea of what most of America is like.
Y: How
has your experience here helped you interpret and respect cultural differences?
R: I think as the United
States becomes a more culturally and ethnically diverse nation, public schools
are becoming more diverse. And understanding the potential differences between
our Western and other cultures’ concept of time and immediacy. Relationships
are powerful. Our one-to-one connections with each other are the foundation for
change. And building relationships with people from different cultures, often
many different cultures, is key in building diverse communities that are
powerful enough to achieve significant goals.
Y: So,
other question is “Do you enjoy speaking with other exchange students?”
R: Yes,
of course. We can share different culture between our country and the United
State.
Y: How
long have you been in the United States?
R:
I been here for almost 2 years because I learning second language of English
for 1years. I love the United State, and I don’t want come back because I want
to found good chance in this big country.
Y: Have
you been able to visit any other parts of the United States?
R:
Yes,
Y: Yes,
I like to. If I have a blue feeling, I would like to travel make me feeling get
better.
What are your home
country’s major religions?
R: Islam is the state
religion of Saudi Arabia, and virtually all citizens of the country are Muslim.
Although no law formally forbids Saudi Arabian citizens from practicing another
religion, in practice it is heavily frowned upon. The legal system of the
country is based entirely on Sharia law, and the government has stated that the
Holy Quran and the Sunni school of Islam are the nation’s constitution. Those
caught proselytizing another faith may be arrested and imprisoned. They may
even be sentenced to death.
Y: In
China a lot of people believe Buddhism, and most of custiom derives its origin
form Buddhism. On the extreme northwestern outskirts of the city stands the
Buddhist temple. And what influenced you to come to the United States?
Especially, Saint Cloud State?
R:
I like
the study way in the USA. The students are very free here they have more
personal time whatever they study in the middle, school high school even
university. They have more free time
than the student who studies in the Saudi Arabia. They
have opportunity to feel the world and their life. I think the Chinese students
have the same feeling like the Saudi Arabia students.
Y: Yes this is why I chose the overseas study
here. I felt free too. And have more time to do some sport and do some cook at
home. I like this life style. So when you graduate from university were you go
home or stay here?
Y: I have few questions I wrote for you, can we do it right now?
R: Ok, no problem.
Y: So when you graduate from university was you
go home or stay here?
R: I want to get higher level education. I want
to get the master degree when I graduate from university. Or I will find a job
to work first, when I earn the money can offer me the all tuition when I take
the master degree. Then I will go back to school to take class for master
degree. This is my dream I can get the master degree in the USA. But if my
parents ask me to go home, I have no choice I have to go home after graduation.
Y: I think many international students will meet
this questions so hope you can solve it successfully. Can you talk about your class, such as what
problem do you meet, and what class do you think it is very hard to learn.
R: My major is Mass Communication; I always do
the presentation in the class. You know as a international student we will meet
the biggest problem is the language problem. The students who study the Mass
Communication they need have good language performance. It is easy for the
American students but sometimes it is very hard for the international students.
This is why a few of international students to choose this major.
Y: I think the students who choose the Marketing have a lot of
presentation too. I want to know what the most important festival in your
country is.
R: In my country Saudi
Arabia has two holydays that is Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha is the most important festival. On that day
the family will get together to have dinner, and communicate each other. This
festival the civil have 3 days off. But this Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha Festival I have to stay here and ate the moon cake alone. Actually,
every time celebrate a festival I will call my parents and blessed them. At the
same time I felt lonely as well. So I usually call my parents when I heard
their voice I felt very worm from my heart.
Y: I have the same feeling. What do you think of your roommate? I know he
is also an international student right?
R: Yes, he is coming from Pakistan. He is really nice, we always talk each
other about our country and family. Sometimes we study and solve the problems
together. I think he always feels lonely too, he called his parents every week
I at the weekend. I am sure he missed his parents very much. But he chose the
overseas study, he had to keep going until successfully.
R: How is the education here compare to back home?
Shane: American students have more
time to do what they want, whatever in middle school high school and
university. After the class they can play the football basketball and baseball
together. This is why the American students are good at sport. But in Saudi Arabia we have to work hard every day in order to get high grade. And we can
do the things which are asked by our teacher. It means we have no chance to do
any things what we want.
Y: So man and women can study in one classroom? How to contact each other?
R: Yes, we can have the class in the same classroom. In my country just a
few school was separated into two areas for man and women. So in the class we
have time to communicate each other and solve the problems together. However
most of time in the class we have to listen to teacher carefully.
Y: I agree with you. I
usually cook food by myself. And do
you have any questions for me? I have asked so many of you!
R: No.
I enjoying with you do the interview time.
Y: Okay
will end our interview, thank you very much for all your time and information.
R: You are
welcome.
