My Second Interview

My Second Interview with Sam Wa

1.      Preparations:

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

          I conducted the interview on Tuesday, October 29th at the library. This is my first time meeting with Sam Wa. After I finished from my math class I decided to go to the library to find any Chinese student to make an interview with. I was walking inside the library looking for Chinese 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 in the first and second floors. Then, I did as last time and I went to the third floor. I went to the third floor and I found Sam Wa was doing a paper for his philosophy class. I asked him if he has free time to help me. He told me he can do that and he has no problem with the recorder. So, I went to the first floor to get a study room to meet him. After that, we started doing the interview.

·        Whom did you interview?

Sam Wa is a student from China studying in Saint Cloud State University. His major is Accounting. He came to St. Cloud 4 years ago, and he likes to be here in St. Cloud. His parents are living in China, but he has some relatives here in the U.S. He likes the weather here in St. Cloud, and he has no problem with the snow because he grew up in a city which always snowing.

2.      Interview report:

·        Describe the interview. What did surprise you?

The interview was very good. He answered all questions perfectly. I really enjoyed doing this task again, and it was a good experience for me. The only thing that surprised me he talked about the same thing that surprised me in the last interview, and it 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 and what Heqiu told me also. The second thing was surprising me that both of my interviewees want to complete their lives here in the US, and they will visit their families from time to time in China which won't happen for me, because we cannot leave our families even a year.

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 kilometres. 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 ‘’Sam Wa’’

          M = Me

          S = Sam Wa

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

S: I have been living in the United States for four years now, it is a long time.

M: Did you enjoy here?

S: Yes, I think I enjoy living here very much.

M: Oh nice

M: What is your major?

S: I am majoring in Accounting, and I am in my last year.

M: How did you choose your major?

S: I chose this major because I am interesting in math also I like business, so I think it is a good combination of math and business. So, that's why I chose Accounting.

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

S: Yes, I think it is very good. In the summer it is wonderful and in the winter we have beautiful snow except the very cold few days, but both mostly I think enjoy it.

M: Do you like the snow?

S: Yes, but I do not like to drive my car in the snow. Actually, I grew up in place where is too much snow, so I think it is kind of fun and exciting to see the snow.

M: What do you do for leisure?

S: Actually, I like sports, table tense, soccer, and I like stuff do with technology which is doing stuff with computers and internet. Also, I like to hang out with friends, go to see movies, and travel around the world.

M: Could you please tell me about yourself?

S: I am Sam Wa from China. I came from china four years before.  Also, I have some family here in the United State. Now, I am trying to finish my last year of school, and next year January I will be starting the job. So, I am very excited about it. I am thinking of taking my master degree but not now, it will be after working probably two year and get good experience, then I will start my master degree.

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

S: Usually, either call or email them. Probably email them once or twice a week, or call them once or twice every months. Actually, my parents and grandparents are in China but I have some relatives here in the United States.

M: How many holidays in your country?

S: I do not remember exact number, but there are common holidays with here which are New Year, Christmas, and more few holidays. And, there are some which are not exist here. Actually, we do not have a lot of holidays; I think we have almost the same what they have here.

M: What is the biggest holiday in your country?

S: I think the biggest holiday in China is the Spring Festival which is another way called Chinese New Year, because it based in different calendar. So, the day of the New Year will be based on the common calendar we have, so it is different than the New Year here in the United States. The New Year in China is always the first day of the spring. Actually, there are a lot activities in that day which are eating food, get together with the family and we have a big meal, and go to watch traditional Chinese show.

M: In what ways might it be difficult to practice your religion here in the United States?

S: For this question I do not have specific answer because when I came here I do not have specific religion, so when I came here there is on difficulty for me to practice my religion, but now I am Christian.

M: Tell me some important things from your culture?

S: Actually, the most common thing in China we have to respect older people, your family, and your manager at work. For example, when I meet here with people who older than I am I can call him by the first name, but in China we have not to call him John, but may be uncle John or may be grandpa John to show your respect. 

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

S: probably in Chinese culture emphasize more about group, but in my opinion in American culture value more about person individual rights, so American culture based on the individualism compared with Chinese culture. And Chinese people mostly work as group.

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

S: Actually, my goals after I graduate I want to stay here and work because I like here very much. Also, I already got a full time job position and I will be graduate in May next year and starting work in June. Also, I am planning to live here and visit my family from time to time.

M: What is your favorite sport?

S: My favorite sport is soccer; I enjoy playing and watching it.

M: What is your favorite team in soccer?

S: My favorite team is Liverpool.

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

S: Yes, Could you tell me about yourself?

M: Sure, I am Faisal Alhajri, I am from Saudi Arabia. I have been here maybe more than one year and a half. This is my second semester at St. Cloud State University, and my major is Mechanical Engineering

S: What is your favorite sport?

M: Soccer, in my country soccer is the popular sport everyone likes to play and watch soccer.

M: Do you have any other question for me?

S: No, I think that is all.

M: Thank you so much.