Preparation
As I didn't find the next Korean, I found that I wanted to know more about African country. Because there are large number of Africans around campus, I usually don't have chance to talk more or deeply with them. So I want to interview an African and know more detail of what he/she thinks of his or her culture and life in the USA. In this way, I choose one of my African peers to interview, his name is Mike. I asked him would him like to be interviewed about international students, for my English 191 class. He said no problem, and then gave me his e-mail address to connect. We decided the time and place through e-mail, so we met at first floor of Library, October 22, 2010. When we met, we start talking by small talk, such as "How's your day?” When we got seat, I also asked him did he mind me record the interview by my phone. He had no protest. Then, I passed my interview questions list to him, told him that I might ask him these questions and when he went through the list, I wanted to know did him have any more questions, he had no more question. After everything was all right, we started the interview.
Describing of the interview
I stared interview by asking when him came to the USA. Mike told me that he came here two years age that's 2008, and at the first time he came his English was not good enough, so he were enrolled by the IEC( Intensive English Center) program. After one semester's hard work, Mike went to the undergraduate program. He said that when he came to the USA at the first time, he was very shy to speak English, because he was always afraid of making mistake and didn't want others laughing at him. It's uncomfortable to him to speak without mistake. And Mike didn't adapt the Minnesota accent, so he had a hard time to listen and speak; during this time he usually stayed with his friends and spoke French, his first language. However, he said that he got over these language obstacles by watching American TV show and English songs, he learned a lot from that.
I asked him where he came from. He told me that he came from Burundi the east Africa. And I got to know that he had some friends who came from the same place with him, they usually hanged out and got together, the small group just liked a big family. Then, I asked him about the festivals, American festivals and Burundi festivals. He said that there were differences about the festivals between these two countries. They usually celebrate Christian festivals such as Christmas and Easter, because the majority religion is Christ in Burundi. So Mike didn't spend Thinks Giving Day in his country, and Christmas was his favorite festival, he said that it meant family and he loved his country. However, Mike also mentioned that he thought nowadays more and more festivals lost their meaning, the festival was more likely a day to hold parties. When talked about the similarities or differences between Burundi and USA, Mike said that these two countries had really different cultures. In his country, people are polite and they have different way to talk with elder people, they respect elder people very much. For example, if you see the elder people who don't have seat in the bus, you have to give your seat to them. I was really surprised when I heard that, and Mike showed his kindness when he talked. Mike also told me that he felt shame when he saw the students showing their disrespectful attitude to their professors, he didn't like just call professors their names, and he thought it's rude.
When we mention life in the USA, Mike showed his likeness. He likes American food though he misses the food from his own country. He usually hangs out with his friends and plays soccer during his free time. Furthermore, Mike gets a job on campus, when he told this news to his parent, they couldn't believe it. Mike fits life in the USA, though it's hard for him at the first time. He said that children in his country did nothing; parents would do everything, such as cooking, washing dishes, doing the laundry. But Mike had to do all the things by himself and he had to learn to be responsible for himself and his little sister who was with him now. Mike had a thanking heart; he earned money to pay for his rent fees, Internet fees and so on. He said he wanted to help his parent and just wanted them to pay for the tuition fee for him. Mike got a big change in the USA, he said USA was really good place for children to learn to be adult; learn to be responsible and independent. He thanks his parent that sent him to the USA. Mike also mentioned the different environment and resource between Burundi and USA University. He told me in Burundi there was no enough resource, small room contained large number of students, no computer lab, no new books, low quality teachers and limited particular learning. So he opened his mind when he study in the USA, he appreciated it. Mike even planed after master degree, he wanted to get few years working experience in the USA, and then came back to Burundi, trying his best to help his country to become stronger.
Through the interview, I could see that Mike really loved his family and respect his family and elder people; he keeps the good manner in the USA. He said that even he argued with his parent, he still argued with respective. Don't like some American children, yelling their parents or even hit their parents. Mike thought our parents gave us birth and life, so we had to respect them, especially when they were old; we need to take care of them more.
During the interview, we enjoyed talking and I learned a lot from Mike. This was a great time.
Transcribe of the interview (q=me, m=Mike)
q- When did you come to the USA?
m- I came to the USA two years ago, it was September 2008.
q- 2008?
m- Yea, when I came here, I took IEC the English classes first. After four mouths, I went the collage program that's 2009.
q- So what's your major?
m- My major is Finance and if everything goes smoothly, I will be enrolled in my major.
q- How about the first time you came here, how was your English? Not good?
m- Yea, when I came USA, I was shy to speak English; I was afraid to make mistake and I didn't want people laughing at me. So I didn't want to make mistake when I talked, that's really uncomfortable. Specially, people from Minnesota have different accent, it's hard for me to understand them with my African accent. But TV and music were really helpful, like I learned a lot from songs and TV shows like "Friends" and "Family Guys".
q- So how long did the hard time be taken?
m- I would say one semester. After that, I began to talk more in English and felt more comfortable with English. Before that, I usually spoke French, my first language.
q- Oh, so where are you come from? I mean which part of Africa?
w- I come from Burundi, east Africa.
q- So do St. Cloud State has students from the same country as you?
w- Not too many, just 20. It can't be compared with the country like China, but that's enough for us. We usually hang out together or have party together, that's good, just like a big family.
q- During this time, what national festival you spent in USA?
m- We don't have many same festivals as USA, we celebrate Christmas and Easter. We don't have Thanks Giving Day. Because most of us are Christian, so we celebrate Christian festival.
q- How did you spend your own country festival?
m- We prepare the dinner, and invite the old family. We hang out together, eat together, and talk with each other. It's very sad that nowadays the festival lose their meaning, like Independence Day or other festival just a time for people get together drink and eat.
q- So which one you like more about the festival?
m- I have to say my country; I have to stand in my country's side to support my country. Although I have been USA two years, I really miss my country.
q- Which festival you like best?
m- I would love to say Christmas. Because Christmas is all about family, I really enjoy the Christmas dinner with my family.
q- Do you think your country and USA are similar?
m- No, we have very different culture. The differences, for example, in my country people are very polite. We have different way to talk with elder people and younger people; we have to speak in special way to elder people to show our respect. There is one example, if you see the elder people don't have seat in the bus, you have to give your seat to them.
q- So how about younger people?
m- That depends on you; if you are kind you can do that. I have been USA two years, every time I see the way Americans talk to the professors, I will feel shame.
q- Because you have been USA two years, how about your way to your professors? Is that changed too?
m- I respect my professors, and I just show my admiration. I never talk to others, text or play cell phone, use my laptop and sleep during the class. I don't eat in the class. And I call my professors with Ms/Mrs. /Mr.; I don't just call their name.
q- So you still keep your traditional manner in USA.
m- Yea.
q- Do you miss the food of your country?
m- Yea, I miss the food of my country. I found some food here, but they were very different from the food of my country, because the taste and quality of the food is bad. Although I cook by myself, you know is far more not good as the food mother or cookers cook.
q- What do you usually cook?
m- I cook meat like beef and chicken.
q- Do you like Garvey?
m- No, the food is not good not taste. But I think Garvey is just a place to meet people and get new friends.
q- How about go to outside restaurants?
m- Yea, I like going to restaurants, the food is good. I like the way the waiter and waitress treat people, they are nice and friendly. In my country, the waiter and waitress are not so friendly, and they just ask people what do you want, that's all. They don't greet people. I was very surprise American way of serving. Americans will ask “how are you?", “how’s the day?” something like these. That's the thing I want to teach the people from my country, to teach them you have to be kind to customers like USA “customers are God". If you don't take care of or respect your customers, you will lose your business.
q- Do you like American food?
m- Yea, I really like American food. There are a lot of American foods supporting in my country, like pizza, hamburgs.
q- How do you spend your free time?
m- During my free time, I visit my friends, play soccer.
q- Soccer? That's good. So how do you think of American football?
m- I don't like it, I think it can't be called football; they don't use foot at all. I like playing soccer, soccer is very popular in my country. I enjoy play soccer with my friends, but I like hanging out with people most, I like taking to people and laughing with them.
q- That's good. So how do you think life in USA?
m- When I was in my country, I had my parent, they helped me to pay for all the bills, and they cooked for me when I was back, they would wash the dishes after eating and they would do the laundry. So I didn't need worry about everything, but when I came America, I have to do everything, like I have to cook, wash dishes, and do laundry. I have to do everything and I have to take the responsibility. I have a younger sister here, so I also have to be responsible to my sister and take care of her. Yea, I also have job too. I want to help my parent, and I get a job just want to pay for me tuition fee. You know, I my country, I just sit down and do nothing. But now I do a lot.
q- So you change a lot.
m- Yea. It's really hard at the beginning, I have to think as an adult not a kid, I have to take responsibility of myself. It's one part of life.
q- How your parents think of you about this?
m-They could believe it, when I told them I got a job at Pizza Hut. Because back home, kids don't do anything just play, they don't work. So I'm appreciating for my parent that sent me to USA. USA is a place to learn how to live, to learn how to be independence and responsible. Although it's challenge, I like life in USA.
q- How about you friendship in USA?
m- I have to say that I have a lot of international friends. Because we have the similar situation, we have the same topic to talk.
q- Do you think it's hard to make American friends?
m- At the first time, I was often care about what the Americans thinking about me, so I thought it's hard to make friends with Americans. However, I found that they were normal people too, so I just need to be myself and make friends in normal way with Americans.
q- Do you have any plan about future?
m- Yea, I want to continue my master degree in USA after graduating. And then, I will work few years in USA to get experience of working. After that, I want to come back to my country, because my country is not rich, so I want to try my best to help her developing.
q- Can I know how many children in your family?
m- There are four children; I have one younger sister and one younger brother, one elder sister.
q- So what's the common number in one family in your country?
m- it depends on people, but usually five.
q- How do you think you the university of your country, could you please compare with USA?
m- Actually I didn't go the University of my Country, but according to what I know and what my friends told me, the condition is not good in my country. It likes small room containing a large number of people, there is not enough material, and they don't have computer labs and good books. The things we learn are different too. For example, I can learn a lot of parts from the Ten Goals in my general years, like to improve my writing skills and presentation skills, but in my country people just learn one part particularly. So study in USA really opens my mind.
q- How's difference do you think the family between your country and USA?
m- We really respect our parents, even when we arguing with them. But I saw there were American children who didn't not respect their parents, they yelling at their parents and even hit their parents. That's really bad! Our parents give us birth, we have to respect them, especially when they are old, and we have to take care of them.
q- Do you have different rules of eye-contact and body language in your country?
m- It depends on people, like my sister is close to my father, so she usually does eye-contact and body language to my farther. But I don't.
q- All right, that's my last question. Thank you so much!
m-You are welcome.
Report on country
(Location, population, language, religion)
Burundi is a landlocked country at Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo. The total area of Burundi is 27,830 sq/km and it is slightly smaller than Maryland. (www.cia.gov)
The total population of Burundi is over ninety millions, population growth rate is 3.561%. And birth rate is 41.43 births/ 1,000 populations. People who are 65 years and over take small part of total population, just 2.5%. In Burundi there are one million people living with HIV/AIDS, which take 44th place in country comparison to the world. "Burundi is one of the world's poorest nations, is emerging from a 12-year, ethnic-based civil war." (webcache.googleusercontent.com)
The official languages are French and Kirundi in Burundi. There are 59.3% of total populations people can read and write, which means low literacy rate. Ten years school life expectancy totally. In Burundi, there are just 201 Internet hosts and 65,000 Internet users.
There are most Christian holidays are celebrated in Burundi, and Christmas is the largest one. July 1st is Burundian Independence Day.
In Burundi, Roman Catholic takes the first place of religion with 62% proportion. The percentage of the other religions such as Indigenous, Islam and Protestant are as follow: 23%, 10% and 5%.(en.wikipedia.org)
Work Sited
"Burundi". Central Intelligence Agency/Library/Publication/The World Factbook. October 27, 2010. Web. November 03, 2010. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/by.html#>
"Wikipedia- Burundi, religion". Wikipedia. Web. November 03, 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burundi#Religion>
" Burundi country profile". BBC News: News Front Page/Africa. October 06, 2010. Web. November 03, 2010. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1068873.stm>
Describing of the interview
I stared interview by asking when him came to the USA. Mike told me that he came here two years age that's 2008, and at the first time he came his English was not good enough, so he were enrolled by the IEC( Intensive English Center) program. After one semester's hard work, Mike went to the undergraduate program. He said that when he came to the USA at the first time, he was very shy to speak English, because he was always afraid of making mistake and didn't want others laughing at him. It's uncomfortable to him to speak without mistake. And Mike didn't adapt the Minnesota accent, so he had a hard time to listen and speak; during this time he usually stayed with his friends and spoke French, his first language. However, he said that he got over these language obstacles by watching American TV show and English songs, he learned a lot from that.
I asked him where he came from. He told me that he came from Burundi the east Africa. And I got to know that he had some friends who came from the same place with him, they usually hanged out and got together, the small group just liked a big family. Then, I asked him about the festivals, American festivals and Burundi festivals. He said that there were differences about the festivals between these two countries. They usually celebrate Christian festivals such as Christmas and Easter, because the majority religion is Christ in Burundi. So Mike didn't spend Thinks Giving Day in his country, and Christmas was his favorite festival, he said that it meant family and he loved his country. However, Mike also mentioned that he thought nowadays more and more festivals lost their meaning, the festival was more likely a day to hold parties. When talked about the similarities or differences between Burundi and USA, Mike said that these two countries had really different cultures. In his country, people are polite and they have different way to talk with elder people, they respect elder people very much. For example, if you see the elder people who don't have seat in the bus, you have to give your seat to them. I was really surprised when I heard that, and Mike showed his kindness when he talked. Mike also told me that he felt shame when he saw the students showing their disrespectful attitude to their professors, he didn't like just call professors their names, and he thought it's rude.
When we mention life in the USA, Mike showed his likeness. He likes American food though he misses the food from his own country. He usually hangs out with his friends and plays soccer during his free time. Furthermore, Mike gets a job on campus, when he told this news to his parent, they couldn't believe it. Mike fits life in the USA, though it's hard for him at the first time. He said that children in his country did nothing; parents would do everything, such as cooking, washing dishes, doing the laundry. But Mike had to do all the things by himself and he had to learn to be responsible for himself and his little sister who was with him now. Mike had a thanking heart; he earned money to pay for his rent fees, Internet fees and so on. He said he wanted to help his parent and just wanted them to pay for the tuition fee for him. Mike got a big change in the USA, he said USA was really good place for children to learn to be adult; learn to be responsible and independent. He thanks his parent that sent him to the USA. Mike also mentioned the different environment and resource between Burundi and USA University. He told me in Burundi there was no enough resource, small room contained large number of students, no computer lab, no new books, low quality teachers and limited particular learning. So he opened his mind when he study in the USA, he appreciated it. Mike even planed after master degree, he wanted to get few years working experience in the USA, and then came back to Burundi, trying his best to help his country to become stronger.
Through the interview, I could see that Mike really loved his family and respect his family and elder people; he keeps the good manner in the USA. He said that even he argued with his parent, he still argued with respective. Don't like some American children, yelling their parents or even hit their parents. Mike thought our parents gave us birth and life, so we had to respect them, especially when they were old; we need to take care of them more.
During the interview, we enjoyed talking and I learned a lot from Mike. This was a great time.
Transcribe of the interview (q=me, m=Mike)
q- When did you come to the USA?
m- I came to the USA two years ago, it was September 2008.
q- 2008?
m- Yea, when I came here, I took IEC the English classes first. After four mouths, I went the collage program that's 2009.
q- So what's your major?
m- My major is Finance and if everything goes smoothly, I will be enrolled in my major.
q- How about the first time you came here, how was your English? Not good?
m- Yea, when I came USA, I was shy to speak English; I was afraid to make mistake and I didn't want people laughing at me. So I didn't want to make mistake when I talked, that's really uncomfortable. Specially, people from Minnesota have different accent, it's hard for me to understand them with my African accent. But TV and music were really helpful, like I learned a lot from songs and TV shows like "Friends" and "Family Guys".
q- So how long did the hard time be taken?
m- I would say one semester. After that, I began to talk more in English and felt more comfortable with English. Before that, I usually spoke French, my first language.
q- Oh, so where are you come from? I mean which part of Africa?
w- I come from Burundi, east Africa.
q- So do St. Cloud State has students from the same country as you?
w- Not too many, just 20. It can't be compared with the country like China, but that's enough for us. We usually hang out together or have party together, that's good, just like a big family.
q- During this time, what national festival you spent in USA?
m- We don't have many same festivals as USA, we celebrate Christmas and Easter. We don't have Thanks Giving Day. Because most of us are Christian, so we celebrate Christian festival.
q- How did you spend your own country festival?
m- We prepare the dinner, and invite the old family. We hang out together, eat together, and talk with each other. It's very sad that nowadays the festival lose their meaning, like Independence Day or other festival just a time for people get together drink and eat.
q- So which one you like more about the festival?
m- I have to say my country; I have to stand in my country's side to support my country. Although I have been USA two years, I really miss my country.
q- Which festival you like best?
m- I would love to say Christmas. Because Christmas is all about family, I really enjoy the Christmas dinner with my family.
q- Do you think your country and USA are similar?
m- No, we have very different culture. The differences, for example, in my country people are very polite. We have different way to talk with elder people and younger people; we have to speak in special way to elder people to show our respect. There is one example, if you see the elder people don't have seat in the bus, you have to give your seat to them.
q- So how about younger people?
m- That depends on you; if you are kind you can do that. I have been USA two years, every time I see the way Americans talk to the professors, I will feel shame.
q- Because you have been USA two years, how about your way to your professors? Is that changed too?
m- I respect my professors, and I just show my admiration. I never talk to others, text or play cell phone, use my laptop and sleep during the class. I don't eat in the class. And I call my professors with Ms/Mrs. /Mr.; I don't just call their name.
q- So you still keep your traditional manner in USA.
m- Yea.
q- Do you miss the food of your country?
m- Yea, I miss the food of my country. I found some food here, but they were very different from the food of my country, because the taste and quality of the food is bad. Although I cook by myself, you know is far more not good as the food mother or cookers cook.
q- What do you usually cook?
m- I cook meat like beef and chicken.
q- Do you like Garvey?
m- No, the food is not good not taste. But I think Garvey is just a place to meet people and get new friends.
q- How about go to outside restaurants?
m- Yea, I like going to restaurants, the food is good. I like the way the waiter and waitress treat people, they are nice and friendly. In my country, the waiter and waitress are not so friendly, and they just ask people what do you want, that's all. They don't greet people. I was very surprise American way of serving. Americans will ask “how are you?", “how’s the day?” something like these. That's the thing I want to teach the people from my country, to teach them you have to be kind to customers like USA “customers are God". If you don't take care of or respect your customers, you will lose your business.
q- Do you like American food?
m- Yea, I really like American food. There are a lot of American foods supporting in my country, like pizza, hamburgs.
q- How do you spend your free time?
m- During my free time, I visit my friends, play soccer.
q- Soccer? That's good. So how do you think of American football?
m- I don't like it, I think it can't be called football; they don't use foot at all. I like playing soccer, soccer is very popular in my country. I enjoy play soccer with my friends, but I like hanging out with people most, I like taking to people and laughing with them.
q- That's good. So how do you think life in USA?
m- When I was in my country, I had my parent, they helped me to pay for all the bills, and they cooked for me when I was back, they would wash the dishes after eating and they would do the laundry. So I didn't need worry about everything, but when I came America, I have to do everything, like I have to cook, wash dishes, and do laundry. I have to do everything and I have to take the responsibility. I have a younger sister here, so I also have to be responsible to my sister and take care of her. Yea, I also have job too. I want to help my parent, and I get a job just want to pay for me tuition fee. You know, I my country, I just sit down and do nothing. But now I do a lot.
q- So you change a lot.
m- Yea. It's really hard at the beginning, I have to think as an adult not a kid, I have to take responsibility of myself. It's one part of life.
q- How your parents think of you about this?
m-They could believe it, when I told them I got a job at Pizza Hut. Because back home, kids don't do anything just play, they don't work. So I'm appreciating for my parent that sent me to USA. USA is a place to learn how to live, to learn how to be independence and responsible. Although it's challenge, I like life in USA.
q- How about you friendship in USA?
m- I have to say that I have a lot of international friends. Because we have the similar situation, we have the same topic to talk.
q- Do you think it's hard to make American friends?
m- At the first time, I was often care about what the Americans thinking about me, so I thought it's hard to make friends with Americans. However, I found that they were normal people too, so I just need to be myself and make friends in normal way with Americans.
q- Do you have any plan about future?
m- Yea, I want to continue my master degree in USA after graduating. And then, I will work few years in USA to get experience of working. After that, I want to come back to my country, because my country is not rich, so I want to try my best to help her developing.
q- Can I know how many children in your family?
m- There are four children; I have one younger sister and one younger brother, one elder sister.
q- So what's the common number in one family in your country?
m- it depends on people, but usually five.
q- How do you think you the university of your country, could you please compare with USA?
m- Actually I didn't go the University of my Country, but according to what I know and what my friends told me, the condition is not good in my country. It likes small room containing a large number of people, there is not enough material, and they don't have computer labs and good books. The things we learn are different too. For example, I can learn a lot of parts from the Ten Goals in my general years, like to improve my writing skills and presentation skills, but in my country people just learn one part particularly. So study in USA really opens my mind.
q- How's difference do you think the family between your country and USA?
m- We really respect our parents, even when we arguing with them. But I saw there were American children who didn't not respect their parents, they yelling at their parents and even hit their parents. That's really bad! Our parents give us birth, we have to respect them, especially when they are old, and we have to take care of them.
q- Do you have different rules of eye-contact and body language in your country?
m- It depends on people, like my sister is close to my father, so she usually does eye-contact and body language to my farther. But I don't.
q- All right, that's my last question. Thank you so much!
m-You are welcome.
Report on country
(Location, population, language, religion)
Burundi is a landlocked country at Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo. The total area of Burundi is 27,830 sq/km and it is slightly smaller than Maryland. (www.cia.gov)
The total population of Burundi is over ninety millions, population growth rate is 3.561%. And birth rate is 41.43 births/ 1,000 populations. People who are 65 years and over take small part of total population, just 2.5%. In Burundi there are one million people living with HIV/AIDS, which take 44th place in country comparison to the world. "Burundi is one of the world's poorest nations, is emerging from a 12-year, ethnic-based civil war." (webcache.googleusercontent.com)
The official languages are French and Kirundi in Burundi. There are 59.3% of total populations people can read and write, which means low literacy rate. Ten years school life expectancy totally. In Burundi, there are just 201 Internet hosts and 65,000 Internet users.
There are most Christian holidays are celebrated in Burundi, and Christmas is the largest one. July 1st is Burundian Independence Day.
In Burundi, Roman Catholic takes the first place of religion with 62% proportion. The percentage of the other religions such as Indigenous, Islam and Protestant are as follow: 23%, 10% and 5%.(en.wikipedia.org)
Work Sited
"Burundi". Central Intelligence Agency/Library/Publication/The World Factbook. October 27, 2010. Web. November 03, 2010. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/by.html#>
"Wikipedia- Burundi, religion". Wikipedia. Web. November 03, 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burundi#Religion>
" Burundi country profile". BBC News: News Front Page/Africa. October 06, 2010. Web. November 03, 2010. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1068873.stm>
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