My Third Interview

  Description of preparations:

 

Before beginning the interview, we wrote an objective in class. This objective answered the questions “why”,“with whom”, and “how”referring to the interview with an international student. We also wrote ten questions together as a class. Also I did add five of my own questions to the ten questions that we already chose as a class. After that I started looking for international students to interview them.

 

 

How did I approach people?

 

I started studying at St. Cloud State University August of 2009. As a result I have met many students from many countries. Moreover, I did live at the dorm for two years, so my communication skills improved a lot and I became very social. I go to the library every day, except weekends because I am taking 19 credits this semester, as a result I have a lot of work to do every day. On Nov 18th I was at the library and I saw my friend from Ethiopia, I told him I have to interview international students for my English class. He said "ok I am done with my homework you can interview me now" I said ok and I started interview him.

 

 

When, where, and how did I conduct the interview?

 

 

I conduct the interview on Monday, November 18th at the library. I saw him there when I was studying. We said “hi” to each other and I told him about my project for my English class. He said ok right away “let us do it right now” because he was done with his homework and he had nothing to do.

 

 

Whom did I interview?

 

 

I did interview Dawit. He is an international student studying at St. Cloud State University from Ethiopia. He came to St. Cloud in Aug 2011, his major is Economics.

 

Country Report:

Country: Ethiopia

 

Location; The State of Oromia borders Afar, Amhara and the State of Benshangul/Gumuz in the north, Kenya in the south, The State of Somali in the east, the Republic of the Sudan.

The area: the estimated area of the State of Oromia is about 353,690 Km2, and accounts for almost 32% of the country.

The population; the total population was 18,732,525 of which 9,371,228 were males and 9,361,297 females.

Major economy activates; Over 90% of the people of Oromia live in the rural area, and agriculture has remained the source of livelihood for the overwhelming majority of the people. The main agricultural crops include maize, teff, wheat, barely, peas, bean and various types of oil seeds.

The languages: 84% of the people spoken Oromo language. Other major language is Amharic.

 

 

Interview transcription:

M = Moheemed (me)

D = Dawit

M: how do you communicate with each other in your home country?

 D:  There are about 85 languages in Ethiopia, however where I live there are two main languages that are spoken, Oromo Language and Amharic Language. People communicate through these two languages.

M: what is the clothing style for men and women?

D:  women wear dresses and men wear jeans. However now they are following the western cultures when it comes to clothing. In some places Muslim women still wear coverings, and Muslim men also use the Muslim traditions. On other hand Christians men and women dress just like western.

M: How are women and men treated differently?

 D:  About a decade back women work in homes and take care of children, when men work outside to provide for families. However these days that has dramatically changed. Women are also working outside to support their families. Women are now attending school in large numbers as well.

M: How has your experience here helped you interpret and respect cultural differences?

D: When I was in Ethiopia I was only exposed to about two to three different cultures. But when I came to U.S I was exposed to much more cultures. I think diversity is good thing. Here on campus I get to know people from different countries and cultural background, which opened me to the greater world. I definitely love other cultures and respect them.

M: do you enjoy speaking with other exchange students?

 D: Yes I definitely enjoy speaking with other exchange students. I have learned lots of things from them and I also thought them lots of things they didn’t know before. I think having exchange students is such a wonderful, because we can learn each other’s’ culture, religion and manners at the same time respect them and live with them peacefully.  

M: How long have you been in the United States?

 D: I have been In United States for 6 years.

M: Have you been able to visit any other parts of the United States?

 D: Yes I have visited some states. I visited, Georgia and Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Kansas.

M: what are your home country’s major religions?

 D: Christianity is major religion by 43%. Islam is the second religion by 34%. There are also some traditional religions.

M: what influenced you to come to the United States? Especially Saint Cloud State?

 D: There are many things that influenced to come to United States. Since there were wars and chaos going on where I was living I didn’t have any choice to live in such environment, but to flee it. So US happen to help me live here. U.S is known for helping people who are in need and want migrate from such conditions. I came to St. Cloud State University because there are lots of opportunities for me here. The campus is clean and their education is much better than other schools. The students’ body is not too big or too small. The city is also located in good place and it not too large or too small, just the right school I was looking for.

M: how is the political system of your country structured?

D: it is a parliamentary system.

M: what are the major holidays in your country?

D: there many holidays in my country, but the major holidays are New Year eve, Genar, and Fashiacka.

M: what do you perceive as differences between your culture and the American culture?

D: the American culture is more modernize then my culture.

 M: can you tell me about activities that young people like to do in your country?

D: soccer, and playing carts.

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

D: no.