Review of interview 1

1. Who scored hightest?

 There are three people got 20 points. They are: 1. Alhajri, Mubarak M 2. Bin Jumhur, Abdulaziz S 3. Bugshan, Zaid Ali A


2. Whose interview did you like best?Why?

Alhajri, Mubarak M, because he did the all parts of the interview with a good way.

3. My Evaluation

My First Interview

  My First Interview with Heqiu

       1.   Preparations:

·               How did I approach people? When, where, and how did I conduct and record the interview?

          I conducted the interview on Saturday, October 19th at the library. This is my first time meeting with Heqiu. I was walking inside the library looking for international students to make an interview with one of them. I spent a long time looking for student who will let me record the interview. I did not find any student who will let me record the interview. Then, I decided to go home and come back to the library at night. But, I remembered that I did not go to the third floor. I went to the third floor and I found Heqiu. I asked him to help me if he can. He told me that is fine, he can do that and he has no problem with the recorder. So, we started doing the interview.

·         Whom did I interview?

Heqiu is a student from China studying in Saint Cloud State University. His major is Mechanical Engineering. He came to St. Cloud 4 years ago. Hi is living with his parents here in St. Cloud, they Immigrated to here four years ago. He likes all seasons in St. Cloud, because he is a photographer and likes the nature.

        2. Interview report:

·               Describe the interview. What did surprise me?

         The interview was very good. He answered all questions perfectly. I really enjoyed doing this new task, and it was a good experience for me. The only thing that surprised me was the families in China. They have the same what we have in Saudi Arabia, they are living with their parents in the same house. Also, the parents take care of their children even if they become over eighteen old years. Moreover, the children have to take care of their parents when they get older. So, this is the same what we have in our culture.

         3. Country Report:

China is one of the largest country and its culture one of the oldest in the world. It is located in Eastern Asia and bordering the East China Sea, Yellow Sea, Korea Bay, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). There is a largest population in the world that is about 1,3 billion people. The area of the country is 9,5 to 9,8 million kilometers. The reason of discrepancy is debate of the border with India. Borders of the country are Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, India, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam. The highest place of China is Mt. Everest or Chomolungma that is 8,850 meters, and the lowest is Turpan Pendi, that is -154 meters (Szczepanski).

The Han Chinese is the largest ethnic group of China and whole world and it occupies 95 percent of Chinese population. There are a great number of dialects in China because of the variety of ethnic groups. The most widespread dialect is Mandarin, which is the official language in Taiwan and the People's Republic of China and it is spoken by 70 percent of Chinese. The main religious views are presented by Taoism and Confucianism. Taoism is the religion that highlights the importance of relations between people and nature. Confucianism is the religion that is about the harmony of soul that can be achieved through decent relations of two persons such as student to teacher etc. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The significant part of the Chinese culture is the institute of family that is valued more than personal well-being. The social norms of this culture supposes the respectful attitude toward parents, control of emotions, and modesty (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). The Chinese have the great attention to the healthcare and believe that the correlation of health and illness that concentrates on body, mind, and spirit is expressed through yin and yang (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008).

The Chinese culture left the great footstep in the world culture. It is significant for its various kinds of art, language, martial arts, clothing, food etc. It is one of the most long-existed culture and the only one that conserved its original mediums. It has a respectful condition among other world cultures.  

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2008). Promoting Cultural Sensitivity: A Practical Guide for Tuberculosis Programs That Provide Services to Persons from China. Atlanta, GA:U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/guidestoolkits/EthnographicGuides/China/chapters/china.pdf

Szczepanski, K. (n.d.). People's republic of china facts and history. Retrieved from http://asianhistory.about.com/od/china/p/ChinaProfile.htm

         4.   Interview transcription with ‘’Heqiu’’

          M = Me

          H = Heqiu

M: Hi, Heqiu. How long have you been in the United States?

H: I have been here in St. Cloud for four and a half year, it is a long time.

M: Did you enjoy here?

H: Yes, I really like St. Cloud

M: What is your major?

H: My major is Mechanical Engineering.

M: Good it is my major too.

H: Yes, you see I am studying Dynamics right now. If you want to go to graduate school it is better to take them before.

M: How did you choose your major?

H: I was not thinking about Mechanical Engineering, but four years ago I was thinking about Civil Engineering, because I like design. But, since we do not have this program over here. So I have to go with Mechanical Engineering. However, I like math also, but I like design more. As you know, Mechanical Engineering is more math and Civil Engineering is more design. One of my professors told me that the Mechanical Engineering is one of the toughest majors.

M: Do you like the weather in St. Cloud?

H: Yes, I like it. But a lot of international students do not like the weather here in St. Cloud. Also, because it is small and so cold in the winter and you do not have anything to do. And, the downtown is too small. But, it is not a problem for me. I like all seasons in St. Cloud because I am a photographer and here in St. Cloud I am close to the nature. Here in St. Cloud you can take a picture of the all seasons. Also we have the big garden and the Mississippi river.

M: Do you like the snow?

H: In my first two years I was so excited to see the snow; it is beautiful to see the snow for the first time.

M: What do you do for leisure?

H: In leisure time I take a lot of pictures. Also, I like to watch movies, because I am thinking to shoot a movie and I want to be movie director.

M: When did you begin to be a photographer?

H: I started to be a photographer three years ago. As you know, Mechanical Engineering is kind of boring, so I decided to do something for fun. Also, now I am working in taking wedding photo, and some people ask me to do that.

M: Could you please tell me about yourself?

H: I am Heqiu from China, southeast coast of china. Also, this is my last year in St. Cloud State University.

M: How often do you communicate with your family back home?

H: Actually, I live with my parents here in St. Cloud, because we moved here five years ago. A lot of international students here feel homesick, so I am lucky because I do not miss my family. I just miss some of my friends in China.

M: Do you want to go to China soon?

H: Actually, now I am 25 years old, I think I will take a long trip to China when I become 30 years old.

M: How many holidays in your country?

H: We have a lot of holidays in my country. We have maybe one holiday every month.

M: What is the biggest holiday in your country?

H: The biggest holiday in China is Spring Festival. We called it New Year Festival. The first day of the spring is China New Year. Our activities in that day are, watching national TV shows and eating food.

M: Tell me some important things from your culture?

H: Actually, we appreciate our family in our country. When you are a child your family always supports you. In our culture when your parents get older, we have to support them financially and take care of them. And in China we have one child policy. So when we get married we have to take care of our parents and raising our children. It is hard to take care of this entire people, especially when you become 50 years old you have to take care of all this people and you do not have that much of time.

M: What is the biggest difference between the American culture and your culture?

H: I see the American culture emphasize the individualism. You have to do everything in your own. Here are a lot of teenagers live in an apartment and they have to work to pay the rent and pay the university tuitions, and some of them have to get a loan to pay their needs. But, in China it is different even if you are 18 years old or older, you can get money of your parents and they pay your needs even though I like both cultures.

M: What are your goals for the future, after you graduate, what are you going to do?

H: I am thinking to go to graduate school University of Minnesota to complete my master degree in Civil Engineering, I do not know if I will get that money to complete my master degree. I will work after finishing my bachelor degree to collect some money to complete my master degree. Also, I want to be a good engineer and photographer in the same time.

M: What is your favorite sport?

H: Basketball, I do not watch sports anymore.

M: What is your favorite team in basketball?

H: San Antonio Spurs Team.

M: Do you have any question for me? I have asked so many of you!

H: Yes, you have Saudi Night tonight right?

M: Yes.

H: My friend invites me and he said it is one of your holidays?

M: No, it is just an activity here in St. Cloud State University. You can come tonight and enjoy.
H: Thank you.
M: You are welcome, I appreciate your help.

                                           

My Final Questions

a. How long have you been in the USA?

b. What is your major?

c. Do you like the weather in St.Cloud? Please explain.

d. What do you do for leisure?

e. Could you please tell me about yourself?

f. How often do you communicate with your family back home?

g. How many holidays in your country?

h. What is the biggest holiday in your country? Please explain about the holidays (Activities, Food, Date, Origin, and etc,)

i. In what ways might it be difficult to practice your religion here in the U.S?

j. Tell me some important things from your culture ?

k. What is the biggest difference between the American culture and your culture?

l. What are your goals for the future; after you graduate, what are you going to do? 

m. What is your favorite sport?


n. Do you have any questions for me? I have asked so many of you! (mandatory question at the end)

Objectives and Questions

1. Objectives:

       My goal is to find three students and ask them about themselves, their culture, country and the other important things. So, I hope to get more understanding and knowledge of another countries.

2.  Questions:

1. Do you like the weather in St.Cloud?

2. What do you like to do in your free time?

3. What is your major?

4. What is your goals for the future?

5. How many holidays in your country?

6. What are your favorite holidays?

7. Please give me an idea about your culture?

8. What are the main differences you noticed between your country and the United States?

9. what is your favorite sport?

10. Do you have any questions for me?

Page 15 summary and the other books

                                                          
                                                Page 15 summary and the other books

             I am summarizing page 15 and the first five sentences of page 16 of the book an Old Man and the Sea. These two pages are based on the concepts of youth, old age and poverty. The theme of youth is brought out by the boy whose young age enables him to lender his held to the old man. Old age is brought out by the old man regardless of the fact that he believes he can handle himself well through all fishing situations. Poverty is evidenced by the fact that no one would be willing to steal from the old man, because he is so poor that he has to rely on his neighbors for his needs. This paper therefore deals with a summary of the above pages as well as a synthesis of other works of literature that embody the same themes.

According to page 15, the boy is willing to help the old man even though he is no longer fishing with him. At the beginning the boy assures the old man he would pretend to see something that his almost blind captain can’t see the following say so that they can go further to sea to help the old man. The old man believes that the Captain should not have a problem with his eyes as he did not go turtle-ing which weakens eyesight. In reply to the boy’s question of how his eye site survived turtle-ing in the Mosquito Coast, the old man says he must be a strange man. The second part of page 15 deals with the strengths of the man as he can handle a big fish alone regardless of his age. In this part, the man says he can handle a big fish and if not he can use a few tricks to do so in answer to the boy’s question of whether he can handle the same. He asserts, “I think so, And there are many tricks” (Hemingway, 2004. p15).

 The boy and the old man then collect the fishing gear and head to the man’s shack. The boy carries the wooden box with the shaft, harpoon, gaff and brown lines, while the old man carries the mast alone. The first five lines of page 16 confirm that the old man had faith in his neighbors as they provided for his needs. According to the lines, though the old man knew that no one could steal from him, he had to take the heavy lines and sail with him because they could easily be destroyed by the dew and he also did not want anyone to fall into the temptation of stealing from him regardless of his poverty.

While I only summarized the topic of  the sea, old age and poverty above, I expanded on the concepts/ ideas with some additional research. I found the book Typhoon by Joseph Conrad can be linked this because if focuses on the experience of a seaman who sails a steamer through a typhoon. In this book, the seaman though is faced by many obstacles in his way, believes in his ability to sail the steamer through the typhoon. This Captain can be likened to the old man who regardless of the many obstacles brought about by his old age, believes that he can handle a big fish, if need be with the tricks he possesses. Furthermore, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad can also be linked to this as it deals with the maturity that Marlow gains as he ages in his sea expedition. Though many believe that he is not worthy to steer his ship to safety he manages to dispel their anxiety by steering the ship to safety. Inherently, the article Sharks Absent, Swimmer, 64, Strokes from Cuba to Florida that describes the swimming journey of a 64 year old woman across the sea from Cuba to Florida can be linked to the subject of the summary. This is because the woman, regardless of her age believes that she can make the swimming journey and finally does so though she was faced by a variety of obstacles on her way. Another online resource that can be linked to the same subject of endurance regardless of old age and obstacles encompasses Carried to sea: Old Man Endurance Sustains Grandson for an Hour. Just like the Old man in the summary, the 67 year old man in this article endures the obstacles posed by the sea with an attempt to save his grandson from drowning though the grandson was reported dead after the ordeal. The old man even persevered enough to swim to shore after the boy was rescued.

This paper begins with an introduction of the themes of sea, old age and youth. The summary of the page fifteen and the first five lines of page sixteen as provide in the paper emphasize on the above themes and how the Old man regardless of his age and the young age of the boy, he assures that he is capable of overcoming the obstacles on his way using the tricks he has acquired in his fishing career. This old man can be likened to Marlow in Heart of Darkness and the sea man in Typhoon who are unwilling to let their old age come between them and their triumphs in sea. In conclusion, the themes found in Old man and the Sea can also be likened to similar themes in Typhoon and Heart of Darkness.

 

References:

Alvarez, L. (2013, September 2). Sharks Absent, Swimmer, 64, Strokes from Cuba to Florida The New York Times, pp.1A

Conrad, J. (1975). Heart of darkness. Harmondsworth: Penguin.

Conrad, J. (1919). Typhoon. Auckland: Floating Press.

Hemingway, E. (1952). The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.

The Sydney Morning Herald. (1933, December 21). Carried to sea: Old Man Endurance Sustains Grandson for an Hour. The Sydney Morning Herald, pp 1A

Review of Five Classmates' Posts

                                             Review of Five Classmates' Posts

1. Hazza Alhajri.

Hazza Alhajri chose the book ''How to Improve Your Reading'' by Paul Witty. He chose this book because he wants to improve his English language and his reading. This book is only has one author. It printed by Science Research Associates, Inc. in The USA. And, it was published in 1963.

2. Brandon Doege

Brandon Doege chose the book ''Vietnam the (last) war the U.S. lost'' by Joe Allen. He chose this book because this book had a picture with two soldiers in cover and an explosion in the background. This book is only has one author. It printed by Haymarket Books. And it was published in 2008.

3. Peterson, Victoria

 Peterson Victoria chose the book ''The Mummy'' by E.A. Wallis Budge. She chose this book because she interested in ancient Egyptian society. This book is only has

 one author. It printed by Random House. And it was published in 1989.

4. Justin Ruud

Justin Ruud chose the book ''The Physics Handbook'' by Charles Poole Jr. He chose this book because he is using it to prepare for the Physics Graduate Record Examination (GRE) exam. This book has only one author. It printed by John Wiley and Sons, Inc. And it was published in 1998.

5. Dong Hyuk Lim

Dong Hyuk Lim chose the book ''The Korean War - No victors, No Vanquished'' by Stanley Sandler. He chose this book because he wants to learn more about Korean wars. This book is only has one author. It printed by TJ International Ltd, Padstow, Cornwall. And it was published in 1999.