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.