1. Interview
Preparations
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.
How did I approach people?
The first time that I met my interviewee was
when I first time come to the SCSU during the orientation, specifically the
spring of 2013 because I am going pursue a bachelor degree of international
business from George Fox University in Portland, OR. In 2012, I transferred to
St Cloud State University and now I am studying a junior course of majoring in
management, and then I got into the regular course at SCSU. His name
is Alshaikhahmed and he is from Saudi Arabia. Since that time, he is one of my
friends in St. Cloud, and I have gotten many good memories with him when we go
to the fitness center. Also, he would like to send some messages about what she
doing 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 Alshaikhahmed
and how his microsystem changed his daily life.
When, where, and how did I conduct the interview?
I
met with Alshaikhahmed in coffee shop at library on the 2th of November
afternoon because I wanted to serve the Chinese food to him as a reward for the
interview. we interview around 70 minutes. In addition to the interview, I
sometimes invited him to serve some our country food, and he really like my
country’s food. We enjoyed the lunch first with good atmosphere, 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.
Whom did I interview?
His name is Alshaikhahmed
and she is from Saudi Arabia. He is studying for undergraduate program, and he
major is IS (Information System) he had been an exchange student with the
Pritchett in university school, it is because some Saudi Arabia school have
exchange program with United States University who has a good grade in the
school. The reason that he decided to study in America was because he wanted to
experience other cultures. Also, he was bored of his working, and came to
America for studying abroad. I think this is easy way to help her learn more
information and culture about other country.
2. Interview
report
Describe the interview?
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.
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. However, one thing that I was surprised about their
culture was about Taoism, which is one of the religions in Saudi Arabia. This
is their traditional religion, and many people went to traditional temples, and
wish their hopes like healthy, marriage, promotion, and so on. Although other
religions we knew like Muslim, Catholic, Buddhism and Christianity also exist
in the country, Taoism is special and traditional their own religion. Actually,
I knew that Taoism is one of their religions, but I was surprised that Taoism
is a big part of their religion. It is because I would like to interview my
friend Alshaikhahmed 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, Alshaikhahmed, my values and
beliefs would likely be very different. Alshaikhahmed 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
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)
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)
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)
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:
1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia Visited 11/3/2013
2) http://www.saudiembassy.net/about/country-information/
3) http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/satoc.html
4) http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Saudi-Arabia.html
5) http://traveltips.usatoday.com/culture-religion-saudi-arabia-15694.html
6) http://www.christianpost.com/news/muslim-leader-calls-on-us-obama-to-stop-ignoring-saudi-arabias-religious-freedom-violations-101403/ Visited 11/3/2013
7) http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/saudi-arabia-country-profile.html
8) http://www.ethnologue.com/country/SA
4. Interview
transcription of my interview with “Ibrahim Al”
A:
Alshaikhahmed
Y:
Yipeng ( me )
Y:
Hi, Alshaikhahmed. (You
name is hard when I call you)How are you?
A: Good.
How are about you?
Y: I’m
good. Are you ready for the interview?
A: Sure,
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?
A: 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 her cope for the questions).
A: I
think I can answer it, you already hard work for the interview.
Y: Thank
you! Let’s we start the interview.
A: Of
course.
Y: How
do you communicate with each other in your home country?
A: We speak Saudi
Arabia language with each other, but sometimes I would like to other countries
people Because I want my English get better and usually the ex-patriot
community makes great efforts to put together a wide variety of activities,
from running clubs to theatre groups, that is a good way make
sure to get to know American or other countries colleagues as they will provide
an entrance to other countries culture.
Y: I
agree with you because I would like to talk with American students that is a
good way to help my English get better. And other question is what is the
clothing style for men and women?
A: Naturally
according to Islam, the muslim woman at least should be dressed modestly at all
times, even while wearing an abaya. In Saudi Arabia it is expected for
all women to wear an abaya whether a muslim or not. However I have found
in my own experience whether a woman is a muslim or not, a woman will pretty
much wear whatever SHE prefers to wear under an abaya. You can easily spot the
more conservative woman because while wearing the abaya she may be wearing
gloves and socks. You can safely assume this would not be a woman who
would wear anything viewed as un-modest under the abaya.
For rare chilly days, Saudi men wear a camel-hair
cloak (bisht) over the top. Women's clothes are decorated with tribal motifs,
coins, sequins, metallic thread, and appliques. Women are required to wear an
abaya or modest clothing when in public.
Y:
Saudi Arabian dress follows strictly the principles of hijab (the Islamic
principle of modesty, especially in dress). The predominantly loose and flowing
but covering garments are helpful in Saudi Arabia's desert climate.
Traditionally, men usually wear an ankle-length shirt woven from wool or cotton
(known as a thawb), with a keffiyeh (a large checkered square of cotton held in
place by a cord coil) or a ghutra (a plain white square made of finer cotton,
also held in place by a cord coil) worn on the head.
A:
Yes, you are right.
Y: How
are women and men treated differently?
A: Men and women have always seen things differently. Now we're close to understanding why. Women may be attaching more risk to looking people in
the eye," Mercer Moss noted, which is why they may focus their gaze on a
lower part of the face than men do. Unsurprisingly, Islamic advertising is
different in Muslim countries. In ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia, women often
don't appear in ads and when they do only their eyes may be showing. In
Indonesia, however, ads are more playful and female characters often bare a
similar amount of flesh as they do in the Europe.
Y: How
has your experience here helped you interpret and respect cultural differences?
A: Hard core rappers are
always knocked by the older, Whites of the country. It will be interesting to
see in another fifty years what the outlook will be (whether it will change or
not - I bet it will). Our ethnic culture is falsely represented in
the media, schools and in the majority of jobs. Our culture is constantly being
chastised...falsely observed as an ethnic group that operates under the
stereotypes that society perceives us Hispanics to be. Our heritage is falsely
viewed. Other ethnic minorities have obtained a few notches ahead of racism and
stereotypes, but our Hispanic people have neglected to fight for ourselves to
remove any stereotypes that hinder our progress. Instead we have become silent.
Y:
I only chose to leave it because it represents what some may believe. The truth
is that hip-hop represents an urban culture. It is a conglomeration of Blacks,
Latinos, and even Indians. This urban culture also represents Whites, and was
it not for them (groups such as the Beastie Boys), there wouldn't be such a
large market for rap today.
A:
I think this is a good way get more new friends.
Y: So,
other question is “Do you enjoy speaking with other exchange students?”
A: Of
course, When I was in high school, the foreign
exchange students who studied in our school were some of my favorite people (of
course there were exceptions). I enjoyed spending time with them, getting to
know their culture, helping them understand American culture and norms better,
helping with their English, get out into our own community more (showing it to
someone else gets you more familiar with it), etc. I would love to help a
student get the best possible experience coming here to learn.
Y: How
long have you been in the United States?
A:
I been here for 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?
A:
Yes, I have trip to San Francisco over spring break, I enjoy with my friends because
I like to visit with my friend or my family because the United Sates is a good
vacation country in the world.
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?
A: My home country’s
major religions are Islam and Muslims. The Pillars of Islam (arare five basic acts in Islam, considered
obligatory for all believers. The Quran presents them as a framework for
worship and a sign of commitment to the faith. They are the shahaah,
daily prayers, almsgiving, fasting during Ramadan
and the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime. The Shina and Sunni sects both agree on
the essential details for the performance of these acts. Ritual prayers, called
Ṣalāh, must be performed five times a day. Salat is intended to focus the mind
on God, and is
seen as a personal communication with him that expresses gratitude and worship .
Salat is compulsory but flexibility in the specifics is allowed depending on
circumstances. The prayers are recited in the Arabic language, and consist of verses from the Qur'an.
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?
A:
I think is a dream and benefit, when I listing
Martin Luther King speaking “I have a dream” that make me want to come to the
United States because I want have a good future in here and learn more
knowledge for university in the Saint Cloud State, and there teacher are very
nice because their will help any students who needs help.
Y: I
believe you can do it, and your dream will come true. I have few questions I
wrote for you, can we do it right now?
A: Ok,
no problem.
Y: What do you
think of this country like the weather, temperature population and location?
A:
Actually this city is beside the ocean so I feel is not very hot in the summer
and not very cold in the winter because the oceans can decalescence from the
dry land so the Inchon is the most popular city in Saudi Arabia’s. This city is
a most comfortable place for people to live. So most Saudi Arabia’s choose here
to live and some of them in order to provide for the aged. There are 246million
in this city so this is a big city in Saudi Arabia.
Y: So What you usually do in American
what you usually do in your free time? and what you would like do in Saudi Arabia when you have free time?
A: In USA I always
go to fitness in the fitness center in the school. Sometimes I will go to mall
with my roommate. But in the Saudi Arabia I like outdoor activities. For example
I can play basketball and football. Sometime I will play baseball in the
garden. In the night I like watching movie in the cinema. Because I have few
American friends so I just stay in the dorm in the night. Sometimes I felt
lonely and fear. The students began to feel homesick after they had been here for a month.
Y: I
always have homesick, so take with my parents everyday.
A:
I would like send short messages to my brother and parents.
Y:
what do you think of the American food? I mean you can compare the food between Saudi Arabia and USA and list some difference.
I:
Basically, I do not like American food.
Not only it had a lot of fat but also it too sweet to eat. So at the weekend I
also go to Cash Wish to buy some Saudi Arabia food or some vegetable cook by myself.
In my opinion the biggest difference between Saudi Arabia food and American food is
the test. In Saudi Arabia we like the spicy food. In the same we like rice noodle and
pickle actually. But in America we have no opportunity to eat these foods in
the restaurant. Other hands American always like fresh food, Saudi Arabia often eat
the cook food. I think Chinese students do not like the American food as well,
right?
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!
A: No.
I enjoying with you do the interview time.
Y: Thank
you very much. Have a nice day.
No comments:
Post a Comment