Process Description
The process of completing this interview was very similar to my first completed interview. To start off I had to find an interviewee who was willing to give up some of their time and be interviewed. This ended up working out really well again with the help of one of our fellow classmates. She introduced me to one of her friends and the interview ended up turning out really well. Last interview I met the interviewee at his apartment but his time we completed the interview in the library during a time that worked out for the interviewee. I ended up using my smart phone to use as the recording device again which worked flawlessly this time versus last time where I had issues with it. Like last time as well I used the same 14 questions which consisted of 7 core questions and then 7 of my own questions. This time around the 14 questions easily made way for enough conversation to complete this interview which actually lasted 30 plus minutes. I had the same learning objectives as last interview but this time I had more interviewing experience versus my first interview which helped out a lot.
1. I’d like to communicate efficiently with an international student despite the language barrier.
2. I’d like to get a better view/ broaden my horizons from a student who grew up in a different part of the world.
3. I’d like to understand his or her culture, compare it to my own, and from there analyze the major differences.
4. I’d like to learn and experience the basic fundamentals on holding an interview.
5. Improve my communicating skills, get to know, and learn from this person.
Like I mentioned my interview with Zoey went very smoothly. Once that was complete I transcribed the interview which took a few hours and then put all the pieces together and posted the interview on my blog
Personal Review
I thought the interview went really well. My first interview was also successful if it wasn’t for my recorder not working so swell which didn’t end up happening this time around. I think it definitely helped having experience and knowing what to expect more so being we already completed one interview. This gives me the confidence that my third and final interview should be successful as well. On top of all this I got to compare John and Zoey’s perspective on their Chinese culture and their new experiences/ thoughts on the United States so far. I’m looking forward to the next interview.
Interview Transcription
Jordan: Alright I suppose we could get this started. So you’re name is Zoey right? Sorry my memory isn’t all that great. But alright is that ok if I record you for this interview?
Zoey: Yeah sure.
Jordan: Awesome. Alright well I already showed you the list of questions that I wanted to ask you. But really they’re just guidelines and don’t need to be followed to a T. I really just want to learn about you and your cultural background. So anything that is on your mind go ahead and say it. That would be awesome.
Zoey: Ok.
Jordan: Alright the first question that is on this sheet is what did you find hardest about transitioning to the US? Was there a culture shock?
Zoey: Well you know people are different in the western and eastern countries. It seems like western people are more outgoing where as in eastern countries like china we are more shy. We don’t express our mind to often. For example when I interact with American guys they may feel I’m scared or I don’t want to speak with them or any activities like that. But I’m fine just a little bit shy sometimes.
Jordan: Well I can be shy quite often as well so don’t feel bad. That’s interesting, so the biggest difference you noticed was how different it is for eastern compared to western people expressing themselves socially. Interesting. Was there any other big culture shocks for you?
Zoey: Not that I can think of.
Jordan: Ok well we can move onto the next question. What are some cultural differences between your culture and here? I know we kind of just covered that but was there anything else that you can think of?
Zoey: Ha The food is the biggest one. Like the first semester I was eating at Garvey and I feel like stomach…
Jordan: So it didn’t agree with your stomach?
Zoey: Yeah it was like pretty bad.
Jordan: Yeah I suppose it’s greasier or fattier food.
Zoey: Yes. And I gained a lot of weight when I first moved here.
Jordan: Crazy. Yeah I can kind of relate. When I was in the military we were always moving and working out and what not. And then when I came back to MN four years later I ended up putting on quite a bit of weight myself. So food is kind of one of the biggest cultural difference that comes to mind then?
Zoey: But yeah it’s fine now…
Jordan: Oh so you got use to the food after a while?
Zoey: Yup.
Jordan: That’s good! I guess this isn’t one of the questions but how long are you going to stay in the United States? You going to finish school here and then?
Zoey: In more than one year I’m going to graduate from here.
Jordan: So when you graduate do you think you’re going to go back to… You’re from China right?
Zoey: Yes. Ya I prefer to go back to China when I’m done with school?
Jordan: Oh really?
Zoey: Here is really nice but I don’t want to stay away from my family. Family is pretty important to me.
Jordan: Yeah I suppose that makes sense, it would be hard to leave. I guess the next question on here is in your family who takes care of the finances?
Zoey: Oh my father.
Jordan: You’re father does?
Zoey: Yes.
Jordan: Ok cool, I interviewed another person from China earlier. Do both of your parents work? Like bring in an income?
Zoey: Yeah at first they both worked but then after a while my Mom got sick so she didn’t work.
Jordan: Oh sorry to hear that… Is she doing better now?
Zoey: Uhh I think so.
Jordan: Alright good. Is it kind of common for women to have jobs over in China?
Zoey: Well I live in Shang Hi and it’s common there. It depends. In big cities it’s common but in certain areas it’s only the men that still work.
Jordan: Sounds quite similar to the United States I guess. About twenty years ago it was pretty common for just the guy to have a job where the woman typically stayed home and took care of the family. It’s definitely not that way anymore though. I guess question number four is have you had any personal experiences with racism since you’ve been in the United States?
Zoey: Ummm No?
Jordan: Ok so no racism, everybody has been nice since you’ve been here? Awesome! That’s actually what John the other person I interviewed said. He said one of his friends experienced something with it but other than that everything has been pretty good. Good to hear.
Zoey: And I went to Chicago over Spring break and I found that people in St. Cloud tend to be more nice than people in Chicago.
Jordan: Really? I suppose huh… It’s kind of a bigger city so I suppose people may be a little more on edge.
Zoey: So I prefer being in St. Cloud.
Jordan: So did you just go to Chicago for fun or?
Zoey: Yeah we just went for fun over spring break.
Jordan: So did you drive there or?
Zoey: Nope we went by air.
Jordan: So you guys flew then?
Zoey: Yep by air.
Jordan: Actually my godmother or Aunt moved to Chicago for job purposes. Alright well another question is what were your preconceptions about the US before coming here and how have they changed?
Zoey: Like when I was in China I saw movies of big cities and all the buildings were tall and people were all pretty busy and crowded. But after I came here I found that it is more peaceful here.
Jordan: A little more relaxed than those videos you saw huh?
Zoey: Yeah and I prefer this kind…
Jordan: So I suppose Chicago was more like those videos you saw in China then?
Zoey: Yeah yeah.
Jordan: That makes since… So you said you’re from where again?
Zoey: Shang Hi.
Jordan: That’s kind of a big city too isn’t it?
Zoey: Yes it’s kind of like Chicago but it’s too crowded to me. All of the people in Shang Hi are always in a rush and it’s very busy.
Jordan: Yeah I believe that. That’s kind of funny cause I grew up in a small town of 500 people and then when I went into the military it was like night and day. A whole bunch of different kind of people so interact with so I suppose it’s almost in a way like you’re experience with movie from Shang Hi to St. Cloud in a way.
Zoey: And in a small town all people know each other. It’s pretty nice. When I lived in Shang Hi you just go home and lock the door. You don’t know the neighbors.
Jordan: Yeah I suppose that would kind of be different. You were right in a smaller town you do tend to know everyone in the town and pretty much all that goes on. That’s how it is where I grew up anyways and I kind of liked living like that I guess. I guess the next question kind of talks about food again. So what is your opinion of the American diet? How does it differ from your home country? I guess what were some common things you ate in China?
Zoey: They’re totally different. We like to fire the food together, kind of like mix them up. I don’t know how to say it. We mix a bunch of different vegetables and meats together to make as one dish. Where the Americans make one individual dish where you can put it together but separately with other foods. Jordan: Sounds delicious to me! I guess this next question kind of relates to school. Do you think you’ll have difficulty finding a job when you finish college? Why and why not.
Zoey: Yes I think so.
Jordan: So you’re going to have a degree from the US and then you’re going to go back to China. Do employers like that or would they prefer you to have a degree from China?
Zoey: Yes they prefer that I have a degree from here because then I have a different experiences versus just having a degree from China.
Jordan: Awesome so you will kind of have a heads up on a lot of people then because of your US degree.
Zoey: Yes that is one of the main reasons why I came here.
Jordan: So that’s the biggest reason why you came here then? For the educational background?
Zoey: Yes. For the educational background and Chinese people like America. It’s hard to explain but if they know something is from America Chinese people will feel better about it.
Jordan: That’s interesting. Number eight kind of talks about language. So what languages do you know? Chinese and English then?
Zoey: Yes I only know these two languages.
Jordan: Oh ok well I’m impressed either way. I only know how to speak one language so my hats off to you! So was speaking English your decision or was it kind of pushed on you and your school system?
Zoey: I suppose I was kind of pushed to learn English. In China I was learning English when I was ten years old already. But now I have a younger brother and he was starting to learn English when he was three or four years old.
Jordan: Oh wow.
Zoey: Because in China we think English is very important so we can communicate and deal with international trade. But I don’t like language because I find it really hard. But we did have the option to learn more languages if we wanted besides English.
Jordan: Well either way I’m still very impressed because your English is very good.
Zoey: Well thank you. And learning English is kind of pushed by society because if you can’t speak English you will of troubles finding a good job.
Jordan: Oh ok very interesting. You said you have a little brother right?
Zoey: Yes.
Jordan: I thought in China a couple is only suppose to have on child?
Zoey: Yeah yeah. In China it is our policy that one couple just have on child. But if the mother gets pregnant despite of birth control they won’t make you get rid of the baby. But there may be fines for such a thing.
Jordan: Well that worked out very well for you then I guess. You have a little brother.
Zoey: Yes I appreciated that because it is very very lonely when there is only one child in a family. And then their grandparents and other family members focus all their attention on this one child and they get spoiled.
Jordan: That makes sense. I guess that would be kind of hard for me as well because I have a fairly large family. Three brothers and two sisters and I’m really close to them all and it would be hard to imagine what my life would have been like without them around. But that’s cool you have a little brother.
Zoey: Yeah just a few people my age have a brother or sister.
Jordan: Do you by chance know about how long that rule has been in place where a couple can only have one child?
Zoey: Yeah I think it was roughly 10 or 15 years or so.
Jordan: So it’s kind of new then?
Zoey: So people older than me may have younger siblings.
Jordan: Oh ok… Well just out of curiosity how old are you?
Zoey: Oh sorry I’m 23.
Jordan: Oh really? Ok I’m 23 as well. Cool. Ok well to the next question. How essential is having a college degree? Or like a post high school degree type of thing?
Zoey: Well it is important but not everyone goes to school. After high school every student has to take a very important exam. And how you do on this exam decides what level of education you will go onto. So it is very important and a lot of pressure…
Jordan: Wow that does sound like it would a lot of pressure.
Zoey: Yes and I don’t think it is fair because some people get anxious or nervous and that could affect their score on this very important exam. This was the most important exam of my life so far. So what you do in high school isn’t that important. It all leads to this test. And China has a very big population so it is the only way really to decide who should go to what level of education after high school.
Jordan: So I suppose it’s sort of like the ACTs and SATs in a way but sounding a little more intense. So another question is what did you do for fun when you were in China?
Zoey: I like to hang out with my friends. We went shopping and did a lot of Karaoke.
Jordan: It’s funny you said Karaoke because there was a lot of Karaoke places down in Texas and I got convinced to tag along a few times and it was a lot of fun. I don’t have a good singing voice by any means but it was fun none the less.
Zoey: Yeah you don’t need to be good at it. Living in a big city life can be stressful so it’s just something fun to do and you don’t need to be good at it. I really like it.
Jordan: Did you Karaoke in the US at all since you’ve been here?
Zoey: Yes in Chicago I we did.
Jordan: How many people did you go to Chicago with?
Zoey: Five people.
Jordan: Awesome! I’m kind of jealous… I really didn’t do anything over spring break. Was mostly lazy and kicked back.
Zoey: That’s nice too.
Jordan: Well I guess we already talked about your family already. So basically you said family is very important to you. So is that kind of a theme in China? Is family important to everyone and how does that compare to what you see in the US?
Zoey: It’s like different kinds and different styles. In China my father still takes care of me currently and pays for my tuition and other expenses. And like when my parents get old I will still like to be with them and take care of them as much as I can. But in America, I don’t know if I’m right, but you are more independent. Like for me later on in life maybe I’ll live with my parent’s husband and child. But here in America it seems more common where the kids separate from the family and start their own family more distanced from their parents.
Jordan: I think you’re right though. A lot of families move apart in America. For example like with what I said with my godmother how she moved away from our family to Chicago for better job opportunities. I guess that’s kind of common in the US. But I guess I’m kind of more like you in that sense because I cherish family and I plan on staying at least driving distance from them. I guess onto the next question. In the United States you can see how it’s becoming more and more ethnically diverse. Is this common in China from what you could see?
Zoey: No it is nowhere near as common. In Shang Hi you will meet white and black people but it’s not nearly as common as in the United States.
Jordan: Oh ok so you do see it but it is just not as common, makes sense. Well I really hope that someday I get to travel to China, something I always wanted to do so we shall see what happens. So pretty much your first year here is dedicated to learning English better? What’s that called?
Zoey: Oh you mean the language department.
Jordan: Oh is that what it is? So that’s pretty much all you do for that year or half of a year then?
Jordan: Yes it is a half a year and it’s a called IC. Oh ok is that pretty tough or?
Zoey: I liked the time I spent there. I met people from many different countries even though it was kind of hard to communicate with some of them. But it was still great because we learned a lot about different cultures and many other unbelievable things.
Jordan: Yeah that makes sense. I suppose you are all trying to master English and that’s the language you’re communicating with so it’s not always easy getting your point across. Ok have you worked in the United States at all? Or do you have to work strictly on Campus?
Zoey: No we are restricted to working on campus.
Jordan: Oh ok, for as long as you are here or is there a time when you can eventually get a job off campus?
Zoey: Well it’s just the policy and I won’t be able to get a job off campus unless I have a visa.
Jordan: Oh ok I suppose. Well what do you do around here for fun? Same type of things that you use to do in China or?
Zoey: I find Shang Hi is much more fun than here.
Jordan: So why is Shang Hi more fun than this area out of curiousity?
Zoey: I think it is the difference in culture. Cause in America if you want to go anywhere to do something you have to drive. In Shang Hi everything you want to do is within walking distance so it is more convenient.
Jordan: Have you gone to any bars around here?
Zoey: Ha No.
Jordan: So you try and stay away from them then?
Zoey: Yeah but I think I want to try and go to one once and see what it’s like. It is part of American culture. Yeah I suppose it is.
Jordan: Nothing to exciting really, just a place to hang out with your friends and have a few drinks and socialize. I’m not sure if you drink at all but is there a drinking age or limit in China?
Zoey: Uh nope. I’m not sure but I know my little brother could go to a store and buy alcohol without a problem. I think maybe because we have no age limit when you can start drinking people aren’t so eager to drink. Like in America on your 21st birthday you are so happy! And then you go to the bar and drink a lot.
Jordan: So in China you slowly gradually learn how to drink so you don’t get so excited when you turn 21. That’s a good way to look at it I guess. Well I think we talked about everything that I needed to know. Was there anything else you wanted to add?
Zoey: Huh yes the weather. This weather is too cold to me.
Jordan: Ha You don’t like the cold weather in MN?
Zoey: Before I came here I was really excited because in Shang Hi it wasn’t common to see snow. And my father told me that I was going to a place where they have a lot of snow and I was so excited. Because my Chinese name means flying snow. So I really wanted to see snow the first winter but after the second winter I just couldn’t wait for spring to come.
Jordan: I know what you mean. The winter is fun for a few weeks and then you get sick of being cold and trapped indoors.
Zoey: Plus I have no car so I have to take multiple buses to go grocery shopping and in the winter that is no fun.
Jordan: So if you wanted to drive here in MN would you have to get a drivers license here?
Zoey: Umm yes.
Jordan: Do you have a drivers license in China.
Zoey: No I don’t ha
Jordan: Well I suppose it’s not quite as important to have a drivers license in Shang Hi when everything is so close. Alright well Zoey I appreciate you doing this interview with me! It was very interesting…
Zoey: You’re very welcome
China Country Report
China is clearly one of the oldest civilizations that is present today. This is shown by their vast amount of history, culture, and art that thrived very well before the 19th century. China is located in eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, and Vietnam. With the total area relationship being slightly smaller than the United States with a total of 9,596,961 sq km, it has the highest population over any country in the world at 1,336,718,015. The standard language of The Peoples Republic of China (AKA China) is Mandarin.
China's geography causes an uneven population distribution; 94 percent live in the eastern third of the country. The coastal areas of China tend to be the most economically developed and because of this many poorer people from bigger cites tend to migrate there in hopes to find work and prosperity.
The Han Dynasty (206 A.D.-226 B.C.) seems to be when the country of China flourished. Due to their military power and advancements at the time they created an amazing age of art, politics, and technology. Many ethnic Chinese still refer to themselves as the "People of Han," and Han Chinese consist of roughly 92 percent of the total country's population.
There aren’t many cities in America or many other countries where you can’t find delicious Chinese food of some sort. Rice is a major food source for the Chinese people. Other than to be eaten as a solid the Chinese also use rice to make beers, wines, and vinegars. In northern China people heavily rely more so on flour based food such as noodles, breads, dumplings, and steamed buns. Noodles are a symbol of longevity and good health according to their traditions. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that between 2001 and 2003 12% of the total population was malnourished.
Although religion is not banned by the constitution of Peoples Republic of China, it is not encouraged. The three most commonly practiced religions are Taoist, Buddhist, and Muslim.
The capital of China is Beijing with a total population of 10,849,000. Also the power or government lies within the Chinese Communist Party.
China is such a huge country with so much culture and history it’s hard to hit any of the main points thoroughly without writing a novel. The GDP of this country quadrupled between 1978 and 1998 so going off of this trend I suspect as the years go by, China is going to have a very large influence on this world. This is definitely a country I hope to visit someday.
Sources
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