Process Description:
For my third interview I decided to use the same flow chart that was so beneficial to me while conducting the three previous interviews
- Set objectives/goals for the interview
- Get hold of a recorder to help conducting the interview
- Inform the interviewee about the purpose of the interview
- Make arrangements for meeting the interviewee( Work according to her schedule since he is helping me)
- Conduct the interview, use the recorder as well
- Go over the recorded interview at home and write the transcript of the interviews
- Write my personal review about the interview
- Thank the interviewee for his time
- Revise the transcript
- Revise citations
- Post the interview on the blog before the due date.
My process turned out to be very convenient for me. I had enough time to set up the interview. Moreover, I also had enough time to transcribe the interview and compare it to my three previous interviews.
Personal Review of the Interview:
From my interview of Neha Malla, I have to come understand that she is a very independent person. She likes to make her own decisions. She is not afraid to make it on her own in the real world. She has enhanced her capabilities by moving to the United States for educations
I have also come to understand from the interview that although Nepali is the language in Nepal, most schools teach in English. As a result she and her friends who have come SCSU did not face any major difficulties.
Neha provided me insights that the males in Nepal have the major responsibilities when it came to handling finances in the family. However, both of her parents have their own careers and she was brought up in a family which encouraged both the gender to pursue a working career
Personal Review of the Interview:
From my interview of Neha Malla, I have to come understand that she is a very independent person. She likes to make her own decisions. She is not afraid to make it on her own in the real world. She has enhanced her capabilities by moving to the United States for educations
I have also come to understand from the interview that although Nepali is the language in Nepal, most schools teach in English. As a result she and her friends who have come SCSU did not face any major difficulties.
Neha provided me insights that the males in Nepal have the major responsibilities when it came to handling finances in the family. However, both of her parents have their own careers and she was brought up in a family which encouraged both the gender to pursue a working career
Country Background.
Nepal is located in Southern Asia. I took advantage of the World Fact Book to find out information about Nepal. according to the article in the World Fact Book,the color red in Nepal's flag symbolizes the the National flower of the country, the Rhododendron, which also symbolizes victory and bravery. The article also tells us that the blue borders represent peace and harmony. Currently the two triangles represent the two major religions in Nepal, Hinduism and Buddhism. However, these two triangle used to be thought to symbolize the Himalayan mountains, and the families of the King and the prime Minister. The moos denotes the calmness of the people of Nepal and the cool weather of the Himalayan parts. In addition, the article tells us that the sun represents the southern regions of Nepal which has hotter climates.
Note: (Source World Fact Book (1))
From the book titled Nepal, written Tessa Feller, I have come to learn that Nepal is a landlocked country, sharing its borders with India and China/Bhutan. Moreover, Feller mentions that " Nepal runs approximately 500 miles (800 km) from northwest to southeast, and is between 56 and 143 miles wide (90 and 230 km), covering an area of 56,827 square miles ( 147,181 square km). It is home not only to the Mount Everest, at 29,029 feet ( 8.848 m) the world's highest mountain, but to eight of the world's ten highest peaks, and several several hundred more exceeding 20,000 feet ( 6,000 m)" ( Feller 12). From my interviewee, Neha Malla, who is from Nepal, I have learned that the highest point in Nepal in Mount Everest at approximately 8,850 m and the lowest point is Kanchan Kalan at approximately 70 m.
From another book, Nepal: Profile of a Himalayan Kingdom written by Leo E. Rose and John T. Scholz, I have learnt that Nepal separates the south Asian subcontinent from central and east Asia. Nepal is a county where concepts of Buddhism and Hinduism have collided. The authors also tell us that during the time of publication of this book, " Except for a small educated elite with a more assertive national consciousness, citizens of the kingdom usually still identify themselves in regional terms- e.g. Pahari (hill man), Madehshi, ( plains man)- or by their ethnic community- e.g,. Magar, Gurung, Limbu, Rai, Tamang, Sherpa, Tharu Newar, and so on- at least in their relationship with each other" ( Rose, Leo E. and Scholz, John T. 1-2).
Works Cited
Note: (Source World Fact Book (1))
From the book titled Nepal, written Tessa Feller, I have come to learn that Nepal is a landlocked country, sharing its borders with India and China/Bhutan. Moreover, Feller mentions that " Nepal runs approximately 500 miles (800 km) from northwest to southeast, and is between 56 and 143 miles wide (90 and 230 km), covering an area of 56,827 square miles ( 147,181 square km). It is home not only to the Mount Everest, at 29,029 feet ( 8.848 m) the world's highest mountain, but to eight of the world's ten highest peaks, and several several hundred more exceeding 20,000 feet ( 6,000 m)" ( Feller 12). From my interviewee, Neha Malla, who is from Nepal, I have learned that the highest point in Nepal in Mount Everest at approximately 8,850 m and the lowest point is Kanchan Kalan at approximately 70 m.
From another book, Nepal: Profile of a Himalayan Kingdom written by Leo E. Rose and John T. Scholz, I have learnt that Nepal separates the south Asian subcontinent from central and east Asia. Nepal is a county where concepts of Buddhism and Hinduism have collided. The authors also tell us that during the time of publication of this book, " Except for a small educated elite with a more assertive national consciousness, citizens of the kingdom usually still identify themselves in regional terms- e.g. Pahari (hill man), Madehshi, ( plains man)- or by their ethnic community- e.g,. Magar, Gurung, Limbu, Rai, Tamang, Sherpa, Tharu Newar, and so on- at least in their relationship with each other" ( Rose, Leo E. and Scholz, John T. 1-2).
Works Cited
(1) World Fact Book https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/np.html
Feller, Tessa. Nepal. London: Kuperard,2008.
Print
Rose, Leo E. and Scholz, John T. Nepal: Profile of A Himalayan Kingdom.
Boulder, Colo : Westview Press, 1980.
Print.
Boulder, Colo : Westview Press, 1980.
Print.
Transcript of The Interview
Interviewer: Asif Hussain (AH)
Country: Bangladesh
Interviewee: Neha Malla (NM)
Country: Nepal
AH: Hello. My name is Asif Hussain.
NM: Hi. I am Neha Malla.
AH: Where are you from Neha?
NH: I am from Kathmandu, Neplal.
AH: And how was your day?
NM: Oh, it was fun.
AH: Really? Why is that?
NH: Because now I am done with finals and I don't have anything else to do besides just one presentation.
AH: How did you manage to be done with your finals already?
NM: I'm kind of an early doer. I do not procrastinate. Therefore, I got done with all my papers.
AH: That's great. I wish I was in your situation. So this interview is actually final project for my English 191 class. I would like to thank you for time.
NH: It's not a problem.
AH: Before we start, I wanted to ask you if you would mind if I record this interview.
NM: No. I don't.
AH: So this is the list of the questions that I will be asking you today.
NM: Thank you.
AH: The first question that I had for you is why did you decide to come to SCSU/ U.S instead of studying or working in your home country?
NM: When I was in high school, I always knew that I wanted to experience something new because I love to travel. I knew I wanted to get out of Nepal. Since a lot of my family members and friends from high school were in the United States, I decided to come here. I applied to applied to some universities and I received scholarship offers as well. One of the reasons I came to SCSU is that there was a big enough crowd of International students here compared to other universities I applied to. Moreover, I received a scholarship here as well. Even without the scholarship, SCSU
AH: okay. Well the next question that I have for you is not on the list that I have given to you. You said a lot of your friends decided to come here,is there any particular reason why they decided to study abroad or in the U.S instead of studying in Nepal?
NM: I feel like everyone wants a bit of exposure. They want to get out of the small space that they have grown up in. Everybody wants to learn more about what is out there in the world. I thinks it has more to do about exposure and learning.
AH: What was the hardest thing about transitioning to life in the United States?
NM: I think it was knowing how to act and talk with the people here in certain ways. When you are from a different culture, you follow different customs. This was a little bit rough. It wasn't the hardest thing. the hardest thing would be not being with my family. Not having that support. On the other hand, it was also nice to be more independent.
AH: How is your life in the United States different from your life in Nepal?
NM: it's a lot different. I always wanted to be in dependant but I did not know what it would be like. I have learned to deal with things on my own not to depend on others. I think I am enjoying life. I have good friends and good people all around. And I really miss the food and the weather.
AH; was there any difficulties that you have faced here in school where English is now the dominant language?
NM: Not at all. Because I have been speaking in English from a very young age. I learned my native language, Nepali, at home but as soon as I got admitted to a school I started to learn English.
AH: Is this the same case for all or most students from Nepal?
NM: No, I don't think so. There are schools in Nepal where you get to choose the language in which you want to be taught in. But most schools in Nepal teach in English.
AH:I know you touched on this earlier and I am sure you miss it a lot, how does the climate here differ from Nepal?
NM: The climate here is always extreme during every season. It's either too hot during summer or extremely cold during winter. But there are a few states in the U.S where the weather is perfect all year around. You feel blessed to be in those areas. In Nepal we never spoke or were concerned about the weather. It did not make a huge difference. However, I always have to update myself regarding the weather here because it can reach extreme conditions. I never did this during my stay in Nepal. I love the weather back home.
AH: You have also mentioned some of the social norms which are different in the U.S from Nepal, are there any cultural differences between the United States and Nepal?
NM: There are a lot of cultural differences. The biggest difference in the U.S has a very individualistic culture. You are taught to think about yourselves first, your successes and your failures Nepal has a more collectivist culture. Everything is related others, both successes and failures. You never give to yourself only. You give it to everyone.
AH: Do others play a role in your life? I mean do they get to have a say in what you should not do?
NM: Yes, they do. I like to make my own decisions. According to our culture, our family members have a say in what we should do and should not do.
AH: The next one is my favorite question. Who takes care of the finances in your family?
NM: When I was growing up, both of my parents worked. They had their individual careers. I hate to say this but it is mostly the males who take care of the finances.
AH: When you say the males take care of the finances, do you mean that they earn more or that they decide how to spend the finances?
NM: In my family it is a joint decision. There are some decisions in which even our grand parents have a big say in. However, there is more pressure on the males. I think this is because of the culture that we have back in Nepal.
AH: How is the education system different here to that of your home country?
NM: There are a lot of differences. We do not have categories such as high school and middle school. In the city where I am from in Nepal, there is more competition and pressure on students. the curriculum is harder and longer as well. Education is more book oriented in Nepal. in the United States, you have more practical and hands on learning. However, the education system is changing in Nepal.
AH: is the relationship between a professor and a student different in Nepal.
NM: The relationship is a little more informal in Nepal. In SCSU, the relationship between a professor and a student is more formal, well at least for International students because some of us are not very comfortable talking in a different language.
AH: You don't have to answer the next question if you do not wan to. Have you experienced any form of racism here in the United States.?
NM: Yes. I have. I have disagreed with it but it is just the way it is. It will be like this for a while and there will not be any drastic change in the near future. International students like us, people of a different color, will always be looked at in a little different way. Yes, the students here will be your friends, but there is always a little difference in the way they look at you compared to their domestic friends. People who are not even friends with can treat and talk to you in a different way. I think has a lot to do with the stereotypes that many have of foreigners.
AH: What kind of foods did you eat in your country?
NM: We had a lot of fruits and had a lot of vegetables. I kept wondering why people, especially kids, here do not like to have vegetables. May be it is because of the way the way they cook it. We eat a lot of curry and a lot of rice. we do consume too much fast food. It might be once in a while that we may eat fast food.
AH: What do you miss the most about Nepal?
NM: The valley that I lived in. I miss waking up in a Neighbourhood with surrounding green mountains. Sometimes, I miss the snow capped mountains too. I miss my family. I used to get sick of festivals when I was back in Nepal and all the places you had to go visit with you families, but sometimes now I miss those moments as well.
AH: How often and through what medium do you get to communicate with your parents?
NM:I met my father quite a lot of times because is currently in the United States. Other than that, I get to talk to them over the phone, and Skype too.
AH: Do you usually call them or do they call you?
NM: It is kind of a mutual thing.
AH: What are your plans after you graduate?
NM: This is a question that i do not know how to answer to (Laughs). I do not know for sure what I will do after I graduate. I will probably apply for a few jobs, work for a year and then go to Grad school.
AH: Do you have plans of staying or working here?
NM: I don't want to settle here but I do want to work here for a while.
AH: Is there any particular reason why you want to go to other countries?
NM: I think some of the other countries are more laid back. There is too much stress here. You do not get to much time to spend with your family.
AH: How would you summarize your stay so far in the United States?
NM: I think it has been a positive experience. There have been a few negatives but they have led to positive outcomes in the end. It was a little rough in the beginning with so many changes. The culture here has led me to think more about me as an individual.
AH: Would you say that you have integrated in to the U.S culture or you have still held on to your culture? Or is it a combination of both cultures now?
NM: The culture you grew up in will never go away. It will always be there. I think I also did integrate the culture which exists here but I have not forgotten my own culture as well.
AH: Well that is all the questions that I have for you today.
NM: Thank you for interviewing me.
AH: Do you have any questions for me?
NM: No. It's fine.
AH: Thank you very much. My professor will really appreciate the inputs that you have provided to me. Thank you for your time.
NM: Thank you too.
Country and Interview Comparisons:
Both Sri Lanka and Nepal are located in the southern regions of Asia. However, there are a few differences in the geography of the two countries. Nepal is a landlocked country; Nepal is surround by land all around. On the other hand, Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean. Nepal has many hills and mountains all over the country. On the other hand, the majority of the areas in Sri Lanka are mostly low, flat to rolling plain. majority of the people in Nepal re Hindus. In contrast, Budhism is the major religion in Sri Lanka.
From my previous interviews of three International students from Sri Lanka, I learned that a collectivistic culture and society exists in Sri Lanka. People are not individualistic. There is also a tendency in people to socialize with everyone around them. Children live with their parents and may not move out before the get married. In a lot of cases, children still live with their parents after marriage. The reason behind this is the culture that exists in Sri Lanka. It is a shared belief that it is the responsibility of children to look after their parents when they turn old. It is frowned upon in society when children send the old parents to nursing homes. These cases are also true when it comes to Nepal. The people of Nepal think about their families and not just for them. Children may even stay with their parents after the get married. The children are responsible for looking after their when they turn old just like the way their parents looked after them when they were growing up.
From all the interviews that i have conducted for this English class, I have come to understand that both males and females work in Nepal and Sri Lanka. However, males are thought to be the primary providers for the family. Although this the shared belief in the two countries, my interviewees mentioned that females have a bigger say on how to spend the income on the families. Even if the father is the only financial provider for the family, the mother will still have a big say regarding how the father plans to spend his money.
In conclusion, I can say that Nepal and Sri Lanka have similarities in their culture. What differentiates the two countries on a major scale are the geographic aspects of the two countries.
