My Frist Interview

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:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burundi, Oct 23, 2012. [1][2][4][5]
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/by.html, Oct, 23, 2012.[3]

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 (1^st 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.