My Second Interview: Germany

                       My Second Interview: Germany 

Introduction: 

For my second interview, I chose Germany because I am interested in the products and culture there. I know some of the culture of Germany for example the art there is very popular and media there is huge. But I wanted to know more about the political system of Germany. I began my interview process. 

Preparations: 

To prepare for my interview on Germany I first organized my interview questions. I had prepared for myself and my interviewee 12 questions about the culture, school process, and anything else I could learn about Germany. I then began to think of any German people I knew. I knew none. I called my friends and asked if any of them knew anyone from Germany, they said they would look around and get back to me. The next day I got a phone call from my good friend Ali. Ali had an old classmate that now was attending school in the cities but Ali was sure his friend could help me out. Ali sent a message over a social network to his old classmate and got a positive response. Ali gave him my information and he contacted me that day. His name is Christian Hahn and he is from Berlin, Germany. 

Me and Christian exchanged our names numbers over the internet and decided to take it from there. Later that day, I contacted Christian via telephone and asked if he was up for doing the interview later that week, Christian agreed and told me the best time for him would be that

Thursday, November 1st. I agreed and asked Christian how he would like to do the interview, since he lives in the cities. Christian offered to do the interview online or over the phone. I chose to do it over the phone since it would be more live like. Christian agreed and said to call him around noon that thursday. We hung up the phone and I was anticipating and also nervous for the interview since this was someone I didn't know and I wasn't sure if he would answer again, but I trusted my friends resource. I thought to myself it was very nice of my friend Ali to help me and also Christian to take the time out of his day to help someone he didn't know. I was thankful. I went straight to my laptop after the phone conversation with Christian and opened the questions I had for him and made sure they were legit ones. 

Interview report: 

On the day of my interview, I woke up confident and felt prepared for it. When noon came, I was surprised to see that Christian had called me before I called him. It made us both laugh and lightened the mood of the conversation. The interview went very smoothly as we both were in a good state of mind and although we were not face to face, we were still able to connect on the same level. 

The interview was on both a professional and friendly level. We talked about the school and marriage systems in Germany. We also talked about the culture and some of the foods they eat there. The interview lasted about a half hour long and we both learned a lot about each others countries and cultures. It was interesting to learn not only about some of the political systems but also so much culture that I learned that I didn't know about. 

The interview went very well and it was good to get the experience of interviewing someone I hardly know. I was happy to talk with Christian and learn about his culture in Germany and was glad to hear his positive attitude over the telephone. In my next interview, I would like to interview someone I don't know face to face. I would like to make more questions in my next interview to get better details on the culture of the country. Also, I would like the interview to last a little longer. Christian and Ali were very helpful with this interview and I thanked both of them.

Interview Bio: 

Christian Hahn is from Berlin, Germany. Christian is 23 years of age and has been residing in St. Cloud,MN for four years. Studying English Interpreting at the St. Cloud State University, Christian says he enjoys it here but misses home. After school he is undecided of where he will live as he stated in the interview: 

"I'm not sure yet I want to go back home to my family but I like America a lot. It just depends on the future I guess." 

Christian first started school at the age of 6. He switched schools until he hit the age of ten and then chose one of four school to study at, which would determine his later career. Christian also stated in the interview that the colleges and universities were paid for by the tax payers, not the students. After completing his general studies classes, Christian graduated high school and began to work for his father in his bakery shop. His father owned many shops around the Berlin area, which is part of the reason as to why Christian came to America. Christian's father wants to better the business by bringing in more tourists to his shops. By promoting that his business operators know english, more tourist business for him. Christian then decided to come to America to study English. He came for his father and also for himself. He is now furthering his english studies and communication for his future. 

Country report: 

Germany is one of the most popular countries in the world. It is knows for tourism, art, geography and culture. The population in Germany is very high (approximately 81,859,000 people live in Germany) and they have one of the best educational systems, production rates, and technology developments. One of the biggest things about Germany is its tourism. The biggest city in Germany and the capital of Germany is Berlin. People go there from all around the world for their music, art, museums, and heritage. There are also many rivers, lakes, and parks including one of Germany's largest lakes, Lake Muggelsee. 

Germany has one of the most diverse cultural influences of any country. People, for the most part, love to get together and celebrate, they celebrate mostly breads and wines. People in Germany, of course, speak German. Although most of them know good English, there can be some complications with tourism and business owners. However, most businesses have learned to practice english for their company. 

Some facts i learned from my interview with Christian about Germany are the educational system, marriage system and somewhat about the culture. Christian also told me about the health of most Germans, holidays and other traditions Germans have. 

Children in Germany attend three different school until they reach the age of 18, most like here in America but the school systems are ran through the state. Tax payers pay for the students school from the time they start at the age of 6 all the way through their college. When the children reach the age of 10, they then go to a school of which then might determine their future, since their are four different types of trade schools in Germany. The marriage system is also very interesting. Since there are many different cultures in Germany, there are many traditions when getting married. Before having an actual ceremony for the bride and groom, they must already be legally married. The wedding style can vary depending on the culture of the combined families but most women wear white dresses with flowers in their hair and the men wear simple black suits. Before the wedding the bride and groom wear their rings on their left hand, after the wedding, they switch the rings to the left hand, in some cultures. 

Germans eat a lot of healthy food. The meals in their day consist of bread and noodles. In the morning they typically have thick nutritious bread with jelly. In the afternoon the family makes a large meal for all of them containing potatoes, meats, veggies, and of course, breads. At night, a typical German will eat a sandwich with noodles or bread. They eat these big meals during celebrations on holidays also. But with much more. Wine is typically drank on celebration days also. Some holidays in Germany are the same as here in America. They have Easter, New Years, and Christmas. Other holidays they have for themselves are Epiphany and Unification day. 

Our Conversation: 

Me: Hello Christian, how are you today?

Christian: Good nice to be talking to you today. 

Me: You too, thanks for talking with me.

Christian: no problem.

Me: Ok I have some questions about you and where you are from. Can you begin by telling me a little about yourself like your home country and your name?

Christian: Sure, my name is Christian Hahn. I'm from Berlin, Germany but I live in St. Cloud, Minnesota. I'm 23 years old and I have been here studying English Interpreting for four years now. I like it here a lot. 

Me: Why did you chose to study here? 

Christian: I had a lot of opportunities to study in varies countries but I wanted to learn more english and major in it. I knew I wanted to come to America to study but not St. Cloud in specific. How about you? Why did you come here?

Me: Just like you, I want to learn more english and I study Business Administration here. So what will you do after school are you going to go back home or will you stay here?

Christian: I'm not sure yet I want to go back home to my family but I like America a lot. It just depends on the future I guess.

Me: Even if you want to go back home you can still get a good job there because of your degree and visit here if you want. But I know what you mean I love it here also. 

Christian: Yeah, your right I just don't know yet.

Me: Do you want to tell me more about your country? Anything you find interesting compared to America? 

Christian: I'm from Berlin which is the capital and largest city in Germany. 

Me: About how many people live there? 

Christian: Like 4 million people. It huge. It has a lot of trees and parks and water. It's a beautiful place to live. A lot goes on there because there are a lot of tourists. But what I don't like about Germany is that I feel like I have no freedom of speech. That's what I love about America because that's what America is. 

Me: I agree, we have the same problem where I come from

Christian: Where are you from? 

Me: I'm from Saudi Arabia, I've been here for a few years now. 

Christian: Ok cool.

Me: Could you tell me the difference between the educational system compared to North America?

Christian: When I was a kid, I started school at the age of six. It was mandatory that we attend school for at least nine years. When I turned ten, I went to one of the four types of schools available for my future. The schools were ran by the state and not on a local level so school was free. In America, students have to pay for college but in Germany, taxpayers put us through school. 

Me: Wow people there are lucky to have free school. Did you go to college after you attended general study classes? 

Christian: When I turned 18, and after I graduated, I started working in my dad's shop. He owns numerous bakeries around Berlin and they are very popular. My father wanted more business through tourists but because of the little English he knew, I took it upon myself to come to America to study, not only for the interest of my fathers business, but for me also. I have learned english now but want to continue with my studies before thinking about returning home.

Me: It's nice that you are there for your father and you want to do it for him and yourself.

Christian: I'm always there for my family but I have to plan my future also. That's one very important culture trade my father depends on me to succeed in my studies.

Me: What about the marriage process? Countries have a lot of different ways of getting married. What are some traditions when getting married in Germany? 

Christian: Usually, people in Germany wear their rings on the right hand after the wedding. And in the wedding, the brides wear white dresses but usually wear flowers or other things in her hair instead of a veil. The men just wear black suits and before they have a ceremony, the couple must be already legally married because it is illegal to have a ceremony without being married through the government already. 

Me: I learned about traditions here in America for weddings and it sounds like a really big difference. 

Christian: It is and there are a lot more traditions. Germany has the most traditions for weddings that I think I've ever seen. 

Me: What kind of activities do young people like to do in your country? 

Christian: Well a lot of young tourists come here so there are many things to do here for them but for the people that live here, beach parties, football games, and shopping are some things young people like to do. 

Me: Sounds like fun. So if I went there what would you suggest I do? 

Christian: Go to Berlin there is a lot more to do there because of its size. 

Me: Thanks for the suggestion. 

Christian: Your welcome. 

Me: So can you tell me about some major holidays in Germany? 

Christian: The main holidays I would say are New Years Day, Christmas, Epiphany, and Unification Day. 

Me: What do you do for these holidays? 

Christian: We celebrate just like any other country. Food, gifts, laughter and fun with family and friends. 

Me: What kind of food does your family enjoy?

Christian: In the morning we usually eat bread with jelly or something and for dinner we usually have potatoes and noodles or sandwiches. Those are the main foods in my day. 

Me: That sounds really good. Haha 

Christian: What does your family have? 

Me: For food? We usually eat rice with meat and for breakfast we have eggs with bread or just bread and cheese. 

Christian: Nice. 

Me: Thank you. So, is there anything in your country that is considered offensive? 

Christian: Haha. Yeah, there are a lot of insulting words just like here. 

Me: They would be really hard for me to say because German is a hard language. 

Christian: Yeah, but once you learn it, it is pretty easy. 

Me: Alright, I have one more question for you before we end our interview. What do you perceive as differences between your culture and the American culture?

Christian: There are many differences. A few of them are the way we eat, concern for global warming, and constant concern for our health. These are the most interesting and the best examples for you because America is much different. 

Me: What makes you feel your concern for health is more then here. 

Christian: On almost every corner in Germany, you find a bakery. Every corner in America has a McDonalds. 

Me: Haha, that is very true. Is there anything you want to add to conclude our interview? 

Christian: You should visit Germany one day. It is amazing there. Also, I enjoyed being interviewed and having this conversation with you. 

Me: It was my pleasure, I really appreciate you meeting with me for the interview.

Christian: It is no problem, good luck with your presentation. 

Me: Thank you again and I also thanked Ali for helping find you because I didn't know anyone from Germany until now. 

Christian: I'm glad to help you don't worry and if you need anything else just call me or email me. 

Me: Ok thank you Christian have a nice day. 

Christian: You too man, talk to you later.

............

Resources: 

http://www.germany.travel/en/index.html 

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107568.html 

wiki 

http://userpage.chemie.fu-berlin.de/adressen/berlin.html 

Reviews of the first interview

My scorecard

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.”

Comparison of the three essays

The link is here

Challenges and benefits of interviewing an international student

                          Challenges and benefits of interviewing an international student

        There can be many challenges and benefits of interviewing an international student. Some challenges one may face while interviewing another is understanding the person and thinking of what questions to ask. International students might be hard to understand depending on their experience with English. There are different accents and ways people pronounce their words so it can be challenging. Also, when thinking of questions to ask, it is challenging because you don’t know the person or if they might find some questions to be offensive or not. 

 

       Besides challenges, there are benefits to interviewing international people as well. You get to know different cultures. Also, languages sometimes can be similar sounds between the interviews, which are really enjoyable. This can be very good for your personal experience. Also, by interviewing people, you get experience with being comfortable asking strangers’ questions. The interview process has both good sides and challenging sides to It., but in the end we hope for a good outcome.

Challenges and Benefits Ideas

Those challenges and benefits Ideas for our group: (Mostafa, Yang, and Hassan)

1.       It is benefit for us to learn other countries’ culture.

2.       We can learn them what they have experienced in their home country

3.       Some topics are sensitive to them because of the different culture background.

4.       We do not have to talk some racial issues.

5.       We can get much information from the interview.

6.       From the interview we can make more friends.

7.       Some international students are shy.

8.       It is not easy for us to do an interview with each country’s student.

9.       Interview can improve our English.

10.   It is hard for us to find some problems regarding this interview.

11.   Difficult communication.

12.   It can be enjoyable.

13.   Language barrier.

14.   It is hard to find an international student.

15.   We will be interested in some places.

16.   To know about many different holydays.

17.   Interesting about new traditional food. 

18.   Improve your speech during the interview.

19.   To be ready in the future for getting job.

20.   The uniform about another country.

21.   Learn the different between families.

22.   Learn about the different lifestyles.

23.   Know the different roles in the other country.

24.   The sports the country interesting.

25.   What’s the country export outside?

26.   Other countries’ system.

27.   The flag of country.

28.   The population of the country.

29.   The location of the country.

30.   The different between the body language.

31.    Which religion they follow.

32.    We can learn how to prepare a professional interview.

33.    Learn about a new heritage.

34. which types of education they learn.

35. the relashinship with other countries.

36.  Sovereign rights.