My First Interview
1. Interview preparations.
My preparations for first interview started in class when teacher require us to come up 20 questions for interviewees. I started to think about what I need to do,so I make a checklist to make sure I won’t forget things. This is my first time to interview people. So I am a kind of less experience to perpare things that I need. I just following my checklist’s process to start my interview. Because it is my first time to interview people, so I think about I am going to find a asian interviewee first.
A.How did you approach people?
I have a chinese friend ,her roommate is from vietnam. I knew her for one year. Also, she lives in some dorm with me. I just went to her room to ask her could you help me to do my english 191 interview. Then, she agreed, and tell me that she have a lot of time during spring break.
B.When, where, and how did you conduct and record the interview?
I met her at Hill-Case Hall 4th floor activity room at march 3,2012 in 4pm. Before I met her, I set up all staffs I need. Then,I knocked her room to ask her come over acitivity room. She said she do not care I use recorder. Therefore, we start our interview.
C.Whom did you interview?
My interviewee’s name is SZY, she is sophomore and study in nurse major. she comes from vietnam. She can speak chinese, Vietnamese, english, and Cantonese. She have a lot of volunteer experiences in Saint cloud state unniversity.
2. Describe the interview. What did surprise you? How did the interview unfold?
It was very nice that if you I think I have very good sart to do my interview. When I interview someone especility is my friend’s friend,I didn’t feel nervers during our comversations. But engilsh is not our first laugurage for both of us. Sometimes, we still need to spend more time to figure out what are other people trying to say. Overview for my first interview, my lauguage skill need to improve. Also, notice key answers and think about some good following questions are very important. She is very open and nice girl. She told me I can ask whatever I want to ask her.
(2) Interview report
3. Report on country/region and culture:
Vietnam is located on the eastern Indochina Peninsula between the latitudes 8° and 24°N, and the longitudes 102° and 110°E. It covers a total area of approximately 331,210 km2 (127,881 sq mi),Vietnam's land is mostly hilly and densely forested, with level land covering no more than 20%. Mountains account for 40% of the country's land area, and tcover around 42%.The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a single-party state. The official national language of Vietnam is Vietnamese, a tonal monosyllabic Mon–Khmer language which is spoken by the majority of the population.
For much of Vietnamese history, Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism have been the dominant religions, strongly influencing the national culture. The Vietnamese government rejects allegations that it does not allow religious freedom. The state's official position on religion is that all citizens are free to their belief, religion and that all religions are equal before law.Nevertheless, only government-controlled religious organisations are allowed; for example, the South Vietnam-founded Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam is banned in favour of a communist-approved body.
Vietnam's culture has developed over the centuries from indigenous ancient culture with wet rice agriculture as its economic base.
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4. Transcribe the interview. (LATTER ON)
L(me)
Y(SZY)
L: Hello, thank you for coming here. How are you?
Y: hi, I am fine that is not a big deal.
L: I doing this for my English 191 class. I want to know more different about our cultures.
Y: Ok.
L: Thanks, first I am going to introduce myself. I come from china, I am freshmen and I study in information systems major.
Y: My name is YSZ, come from Vietnam. I am sophomore and I want to study in nurse major.
L: he he, are you ready for my interview?
Y: Yes, I am ready.
L: Can you tell me something about your country food?
Y: Vietnamese cuisine uses very little oil and many vegetables. The main dishes are often based on rice and soy sauce.
L: That is look like Chinese food. They have same cuisine with us. Do you like American food?
Y: I cannot eat hamburger and pizza every day. But I think American food is more convenient to eat.
L: Is there any typical food that you like expect your country food?
Y: Actually, I like to eat Chinese food. Chinese food has more choose for people.
L: yeah, Chinese food is very good.
Y: What do you think about live in American. Because American and Vietnam have different social structure.
L: This is a tough question. haha. No matter what kinds of social structure only if citizens can get a better life.
Y: yeah, you are right.
L: ok. Let’s move to next question. What are the typical greetings in your culture and what do they mean?
Y: it depends cause when I’m with my friend I use handshake or whatever something different but normally if it’s more formal I use handshake if you do not know that person very well but if it’s with friends I use hi or how is going.
L:Haha. That’s right. Every country has different greeting way.
Y: yean.
L: Move to next question, what different modes of transportation are used in your country?
Y:in my country. The most popular transportation is car and train. They are very convenient to us.
L: for sure, they can transfer many things and people.
Y: flood is very common disaster in vitamin. We usually buy a less expensive car.
L: that’s cool.
L: Can you describe a typical day for a child in your country?
Y: I will tell you one of my best days in China. When I was ten years old birthday my parents gave me a lot of candy and toys to make me happy and after that they took me to a restaurant to have a good dinner.
L: Do you have any daily rituals in regards to your religious beliefs?
Y: I don’t have any rituals during a day; I just wake up and do everything i need.
L: So what is your favorite sport?
Y: I like to play pin pang but I am really not good at it.
L: that’s my favorite one. Sometimes we can play it.
Y: ok.just calls me when you have time.
L: what age do you start to school?
Y: I went to elementary school at six. It looks like very early.
L: are you under a lot of pressure when you first came.
Y: My parents don’t want me just study at home. They want me start to learn more knowledge. So I think I have a lot of stress.
L: Could you tell me a secret about yourself that very few people here know about and that shows us well, who you are and what you stand for?
Y: Before I came to America to study business, I had been studying music for almost 12 years. I started to learn a Chinese traditional folk instrument since I was five. Every day, I spent 3 hours in practicing the instrument due to my parents force.
L: you are so smart. Isn’t?
Y: don’t let me laugh.
L: are you taking any class about religions so far?
Y: No yet. I don’t want to go deep for knowing more about religions. For me I don’t have any beliefs.
L: people usually trust god because they think god can help them, it is so fake.
Y:yran you are right. That’s why I don’t trust it.
L: I think I have all things I need to know today. Thanks for helping me.
Y; you are welcome. Have a nice day.
