interview number one (united states)

Interview Number One (United States)

After choosing the United States as a country to find an interviewee from, I knew my friend of 2 years would help me if I asked. Kayleen agreed to do the interview after I called her and she met me with me on Saturday October 20^th, 2012 at the library to do the interview. We agreed to record the interview to intensify the importance of diversity of language. I asked her 11 questions about herself and was surprised she had a question for me at the end of the interview.

I began the interview by asking Kayleen to describe herself. I know a lot about her already because we have been friends but I was surprised and happy to learn more about my friend. Kayleen’s full name is Kayleen Amber Phillips. She recently turned 20 years old and lives in St. Cloud, MN. Kayleen was born in the United States of America in the state of Colorado in 1992 but she was raised in Minnesota. Kayleen described herself with these words, “I’m a bright fun person and love people.”

         After describing herself, Kayleen began to tell me of her plans after college and in the future. She plans to attend school for nursing and human services. After school she wants to get a job and plan the future for her family. One thing she wants to do for fun is travel to the Bahamas, but she loves where she is from.

         I asked her to tell me about where she is from and she responded by saying,

“My country is the country of “Freedom” and “Liberty.” America gained its independence on July 4^th 1776 and has been the “country of opportunity” since. It has 50 states and its capital is Washington D.C. The first people of the United States were natives but it is occupied by all diversity now.”

        

         She also told me about the way people in America typically get married. The traditional way people in America usually get married is by having separate parties for the husband and wife before having a ceremony together with friends and family. After this ceremony, they continue to celebrate with each other. I then went on to ask Kayleen about her country and what people her age do for fun. She told me people her age usually go to clubs with friends and dance for fun. They also eventful things with their families like bowling and camping. Camping is one of Kayleen’s favorite things to do. 

         “I love the long night by the fire and swimming and being in nature.”

After telling me about some of her favorite things to do, I wanted to know more about her country as a whole. I asked her things such as the holidays and traditions of the United States. One country I know of and remember her telling me is July 4^th.  This is when Americans get together and have fireworks and food and spend time with their family, remembering their independence. Another holiday in the United States she talked about was Christmas. This is on December 25^th. It celebrates the date Jesus was born. They share gifts and food and love with their families.

We went on to talk about the different kinds of foods that are usually eaten in America.

“Americans eat food that is mostly originated from the Native Americans. Foods like wheat, corn, potatoes, pork and beef are the main traditional foods from America.”

I thought this was interesting because in my religion we cannot eat pork but we often eat vegetables like here.

We also talked about the political system in America. She told me about freedom and how people have their own rights for their independence. She told me about the religions they have here in the U.S. The main ones include Christian, Catholic, and protestant. I was surprised to learn that a lot of people, like Kayleen, have no religion at all. This does not mean she doesn’t believe in anything but she doesn’t consider herself a certain religion, as she believes a lot of different things about life.

I really enjoyed to learn about Kayleen’s life in the United States because it is much different from where I came from. After learning about the United States Kayleen had a question for me.

“Was there anything about the United States that you learned in the interview that you didn’t know before?” 

I answered by telling her I learned a lot about my own friend that I didn’t know that is very important and one thing I learned about the United States that I didn’t know is what Americans do when they camp. It is different from my country because the ecosystems are different.

I thanked Kayleen at the end of the interview and really appreciated her help with this interview and enjoyed learning more about the United States of America.

Our Conversation:

Me: “ Could you tell me about yourself? Like your name and where you are from?”

Kayleen: “My name is Kayleen Phillips. I recently turned 20 years old and live in St. Cloud,MN. I was born in the United States of America in the State of Colorado in 1992. I moved to Minnesota when I was two and have been here since. I’m a bright fun person and love people.”

Me: “ What are you planning to do after school? “

Kayleen: “After school, I just want to get a good job and stable life and be able to start a family. I want to travel though, I want to see the Bahamas, but I love where I’m from.”

Me: “ Would you like to tell me about your country?”

Kayleen: “My country is the country of “Freedom” and “Liberty.” America gained its independence on July 4^th 1776 and has been the “country of opportunity” since. It has 50 states and its capital is Washington D.C. The first people of the United States were natives but it is occupied by all diversity now.”

Me: “Why did you choose to study at St. Cloud University?”

Kayleen: “I chose to study here because my family is here and the University has the best programs for me.”

Me: “Could you tell me about your country's traditional process reguarding marriage?”

Kayleen: “In America, people get married in probably the most traditional way possible. It varies depending on religion but for

 the most part, the traditional Christian way is used. They have their ceremonies for both bride and groom and then one together. Then they have a big party after where everyone pretty much just celebrates and dance.”

Me: “Can you tell me about activities that young people like to do in your country?”

Kayleen: “In America you see most young people going to big cities for fun. We go to the clubs and dance with friends. Other things we do for fun are bowling, camping, shopping for girls and most men like sports, like every man. Camping is one of my favorite things to do. I love the long night by the fire and swimming and being in nature.”

Me: “ What are major holidays in your country?”

Kayleen: “One of the biggest holidays in America is July 4^th. This is the date when America gained its independence. We have a lot of fireworks and everyone gets together to have fun. Another one is on December 25^th its Christmas. Jesus was born on this day so we celebrate his life and share gifts and food and family time.”

Me: “ What is your traditional food?”

Kayleen: “Americans eat food that is mostly originated from the Native Americans. Foods like wheat, corn, potatoes, pork and beef are the main traditional foods from America.”

Me: “What’s considered offensive in your country? “

Kayleen: “Racism exists everywhere but it is still a big problem here.”

Me: “How is the political system of your country structured?”

        

Kayleen: “The United States has a federation and it’s the oldest in the world. Politics are big here and there are many boards and branches. There are a lot of rights for the people that are followed also which is good for us so we have our freedom.”

Me: “What are your country's major religions?” 

        

Kayleen: “There are many religions here because of the diversity but the main ones I would say are Christian, Catholic, Protestant, and a lot have no religion at all. I don’t have a religion but I believe in God. I just believe a lot of different things about life so I don’t consider myself a certain religion.”

Me: “ Do you have any questions for me, now that I have had the pleasure of asking you about so many things?”

Kayleen: “Was there anything about the United States that you learned in the interview that you didn’t know before?” 

Me: “I learned a lot about my own friend that I didn’t know that is very important and one thing I learned about the United States that I didn’t know is what Americans do when they camp. It is different from my country because the ecosystems are different.”