Preparation
This is
my first interview, so I prepare for a long time. It is difficult for me,
because I have not done it before. But the teacher shows us a good example that
how to interview people in class, so I try to imitate it. First, I choose the
12 questions on the teacher’s blog, and then I expand these questions to 18-20
questions. The first interviewee is Loris who is my ENGL 191 classmate. We met
in school library on Sunday, October 21, 2012. I use my IPod Touch to record
our dialogue.
Interview
Report
The
first interview has a good result. We chatted with each other relaxed. My touch
shows the record is thirty-seven minutes. I interview him first, and then he interviews
me. First, we introduce each other. Loris comes from Burundi and has been the
United States since 2011. He family all believe Christian. Then I asked him 12
core questions and he gave me the detailed answers.
Country
Report
“Burundi, officially
the Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered
by Rwanda to the
north, Tanzania to the east
and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.
Its capital is Bujumbura. Although the
country is landlocked, much of the southwestern border is adjacent to Lake Tanganyika.”[1]
“The
Twa, Tutsi, and Hutu peoples have
occupied Burundi since the country's formation five centuries ago. Burundi was
ruled as a kingdom for over two hundred years. However, at the beginning of the
twentieth century, Germany and Belgium occupied the
region, and Burundi and Rwanda became a European colony known as Ruanda-Urundi.
Political
unrest occurred throughout the region, in part, because of social differences
between the Tutsi and Hutu, provoking civil war in Burundi throughout the
middle twentieth century. Presently, Burundi is governed as a presidential
representative democratic republic.”[2]
“Burundi's
first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after
only 100 days in office, triggering widespread ethnic violence between Hutu and
Tutsi factions. More than 200,000 Burundians perished during the conflict that
spanned almost a dozen years. Hundreds of thousands of Burundians were
internally displaced or became refugees in neighboring countries. An
internationally brokered power-sharing agreement between the Tutsi-dominated
government and the Hutu rebels in 2003 paved the way for a transition process
that led to an integrated defense force, established a new constitution in
2005, and elected a majority Hutu government in 2005. The government of
President Pierre NKURUNZIZA, who was reelected in 2010, continues to face many political
and economic challenges.”[3]
"Burundi's culture is based on local tradition and the influence of
neighboring countries, though cultural prominence has been hindered by civil unrest. Since farming is the main industry in Burundi, a typical Burundian meal consists of sweet potatoes, corn, and peas.
Due to the expense, meat is eaten only a few times per month. When
several Burundians of close acquaintance meet for a gathering they drink
impeke, a beer, together from a large container to symbolize unity.
Notable Burundians include the footballer Mohammed Tchité and singer Jean Pierre Nimbona, popularly known as Kidumu"[4]
"One of the smallest countries in Africa, Burundi is landlocked and has an equatorial climate. Burundi is a part of the Albertine Rift, the western extension of the East African Rift. The country lies on a rolling plateau
in the center of Africa. The average elevation of the central plateau
is 5,600 feet (1,707 m), with lower elevations at the borders. The
highest peak, Mount Heha at 8,810 feet (2,685 m),
lies to the southeast of the capital, Bujumbura. The source of the Nile River is in Burundi province, and is linked from Lake Victoria to its headwaters via the Ruvyironza Rive
.Lake Victoria is also an important water source, which serves as a fork to the Kagera River.
Another major lake is Lake Tanganyika, located in much of Burundi's southwestern corner."[5]
Reference:
Transcript
X:
Xu
L: Loris
X: Hi,
nice to meet you, Loris.
L: Nice
to meet you too.
X; Can
we start now?
L: Ok
B: Can
you talk about yourself?
L: Yep, as
you can see, I am an international student. I come from Burundi. Burundi is a
real little country; it is at the east of Africa. I came here in 2011, last
year in general. My major is international business. When I finish my major, I
can go back to my country. Maybe I will work there for a few years, but I want
to go back, work for my country and make it better.
X: I
want to know you study in this university; the tuition fee is paid by your
family or your government?
L: My
parents paid it.
X: So
you come here only you or with your friends together?
L: I
have some friends here who are also come from the same country with me, but I
come here only myself. My roommate comes from the same city with me, now our
parents know each other. We also can take care of each other.
X: what
are you planning when you graduate from St.Cloud State University?
L: I
want work here to make some money, and then go back my country. Because if I back
my country when I graduate, people will laugh you that you go to America but
you do not make dollars.
X: what
the difference in education system between your country and America?
L: the
first thing is student can choose their course they want. In my country, the
university arranges the courses for you, this semester you take these courses,
then you take those courses next semester. You cannot choose them. One semester
has 12 courses, so most students study hard because they do not have the enough
time to study. In addition, high school is very strict, you cannot call teacher’s
name, you must call teacher. For example, if you do something wrong, they “knock”
you for a reminding. However, I think it is good, because it let you know which
person you should respect, what you can do is right. I like this system.
X: Could
you tell me about your country’s traditional process regarding marriage?
L: We
still have the traditional marriage; we do not change it a lot. So it is still
close to the traditional marriage. For example, we have three parts that are
three days in traditional wedding. First day, The bridegroom will go to the
bride house. He should bring a lot of things like food, gifts, and money. It will
take a long and hard time for bridegroom, then he will see the bride. Second
day, it will be held the wedding; this wedding is very interesting and fun. Bridegroom
and bride will go to the church with some formal wedding ceremony. It is an
important step. Then, there is a grand reception. The bridegroom and bride will
choose a good restaurant. The guests can enjoy this wonderful dinner. During the
dinner, the bridegroom and bride should make a speech then their parents also
will do a speech. All of these people are very happy. After dinner, the bridegroom
and bride move into their new house. Third day, some important friends and
family will go to their new house for dinner. During this dinner, bridegroom
and bride still do a speech, then all of people can do a traditional dance. When
you done you will feel very tired, because it is a real hard process but it is
worth to do it.
X: I want
to know how much cost for this weeding. Can you give a range?
L: I do
not know, but I can give you a example, my cousin get married this summer, he
spent 10,000 dollars.
X: Can
you tell me about activities that young people like to do in your country?
L: They
like party. On Friday, you can see all young people outside for fun. There are
some lakes in city. So they go to beach every week. But I also want to say, the
part-time job spend young people lots of free time. Most young people also feel
stressed. They look for jobs. Some young people who are only eighteen find pat-
time jobs, if they do not have license. At the same time, they have to go to
college.
X: Do
their parents give their money after eighteen?
L: Yes,
but they give a little, the rest of money need young people make it. I think
people thinks are changed. In the past, parents pay for all the money. But now,
they do not. They hope their children can independent. It is a good chance to
train them.
X: What are
your major holidays in your country?
L: there
is Christmas Day, New Year, Independence Day (1st July).
X: What
are you country major religions?
L: Christian,
a lot of people believe this religion.
X: what is
percent of your country population believe Christian?
L: 90
percent believe Christian; a few people believe Muslim. There are two religions
in my country.
X: Are
you live in different areas if you have different religions?
L: yes, I
say there are few Muslim, they live in the same city, I mean the province. But
if a person believe Christian and another believe Muslim, they know each other,
they can live close.
X: What
is your traditional food?
L: Cassava
Dough
X: how
to make it?
L: I have
a picture to show you (he shows me a picture). There is rice, meat, sauce, fries,
red bean, vegetable, and manioc. Then, make them into a roll. It tastes
delicious.
X: When
you eat them, in an important day, or no limited?
L:
Whenever you want, you can do it in any time.
X: How
is the political system of your country structured?
L: It is
a hard question; I know a litter about it. It is republic. They are a lot law;
rules have been done, because we collaborate with Germany. There is president,
vice-president, if president died or killed, vice-president can be the
president, take over his power. We have the elector. People can choose who can
be senator. When nation want to make a law, these senator can vote it and
decide if it pass. We also have minister. Like minister education, minister
environment. They also include in this system.
X: Is
there anything you would like to add before we end our interview?
L: that
is a wonderful experience. We can exchange the information. Maybe some are the
same. Like wedding, when I talk about it, I see you smile; I think we probable have
the similar wedding.
X: OK. Thank
you for help me finish this speech.
L: You’re
welcome.
