Sanjina: November 2010

Thursday, November 18, 2010

My Topic

I decided to do my Final Paper on Nepal’s culture and Tradition to give information to all my classmates about my country, the environment in which I grew up in and about my country.

The winner of Second Interview

The winner of my second interview is Rashmi Pun. I really liked her interview the best than the other interview because she has all the parameters and elements needed in her interview. Firstly, in the interview she describes the preparation of her interview following with the description of how the interview was conducted and how easy it was for her to conduct the interview. She presents the facts and describes about the country Srilanka in a very meaningful way. I can actually see from the writing how Srilanka would look like. She explains the culture and different information about Srilanka in her country Report. Her interview is comprehensive and informative too in her country report. She also mentions the reference at the bottom of her report. Talking about the transcribing the interview she took with her interviewee Ajida Bikram Surya, according to me she conducted the interview really well. She has all the core questions that she had to put through the interview. The way she has transcribed the interview shows that she conducted her interview in a very comfortable environment. I think it was easier for her as she described that this interviewee was her friend since she joined Saint Cloud State University. Moreover, her document is well prepared which shows that she really put effort in her work. I think some of the places in her interview had a quite few mistakes but overall the interview was really good. The part I liked about her interview is that while I read her first interview, it gave me the impression that she didn’t put much effort but the second interview looks much well organized and informed to the audience. I think as a whole the interview was perfect and gave all the information that we wanted in the interview report and her efforts in her work.

Interview 2 result

Here

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Interview 3 with Netsanet Gebre

Sanjina: Hi! I am sanjina

Netsanet: Hi! I am Netsanet

Sanjina: How are you?

Netsanet: I am good.

Sanjina: How was your day?

Netsanet:It was good.

Sanjina : How was your class?

Netsanet:I had a couple of classes and I’m done with my class.

Sanjina : Okai Let’s start the interview. Here’s your question.

Netsanet: Thank you

Sanjina : Is it if I take a video of yours?

Netsanet: Yes. You can take my video.

Sanjina : Can you tell me something about your country?

Netsanet: I’m from Ethiopia. It’s located in the east Africa. Ethiopia is also known as the horn of Africa. It is a very diversified place. I’m from the capital city Adisababa. Well, my nationality is Ethiopian but I am from a different tribe in Ethiopia. My tribe is Tougre and we do have a different culture. Although the national language is Ismaharic, I also speak our tribe language. We have different type of culture and we embrace our diversity. The weather is not so hot and not so cold. The people call it thirteen months of sunshine and we have our own calendar. Moreover, we have eighty different types of cultures. All these cultures have their own traditions, their own cultural dress, language and food. Even though all the culture have some common features but the way they eat, wear and speak is different. Our country has a Parliamentary government system and Ethiopia has never been colonized.

Sanjina : What is the main religion in your country?

Netsanet: Well, the main religion is Christianity but the others are Muslims. My religion is Christianity and I’m an orthodox religion. Christianity has many forms of religion. They are Orthodox Christianity, Protistan Christian and Catholic Christian. Most part of it, they are the same but the culture may vary from each other.

Sanjina : Let’s talk something about your culture in your country?

Netsanet: Well, I would say my culture is conservative. There is a lot of difference between our culture and US culture. We show a lot of respect and to our elders in a different way. For example, when your elders come to your house you have to get up and say hi. When they eat we have to bring the water to them and sometimes we actually even have to wash their legs. This kind of culture is usually at the country side but we have different kinds of ways to show our respect to our elders. With my parents and my relatives we have really good relationship. I think that’s the main part of our culture but her is more like independent and people just live by themselves. My culture is more like collectivistic not individualistic. So, we do really help each other and every brother and sister make sure that everyone is happy in the family. They are pretty responsible to everybody in the family.

Sanjina : What kind of holidays are there in your country?

Netsanet: There are different kinds of holidays in our country. Most of them are national Holidays like Ester, Christmas and New Year. There are different holidays but they are celebrated differently according to the culture like Christian religion celebrate ester and Muslims celebrate id. And, with the culture, the wedding celebration is different with all the tribes. But, in the capital city where I come from everybody comes in the city area so pretty much we embrace each other culture but we are embedded into one culture. The way we celebrate is more westernized and in the capital nobody wears cultural dress except for the celebrations. It’s more like in the country side that they keep their culture than the capital city.

Sanjina : How long have you been in the states?

Netsanet: I have been here for almost three years. I came directly to Saint Cloud State University. I was a transfer student from my country and I am graduating next semester and I am excited. I decided to choose Saint Cloud State University as my very close friend decided to study in United States and I did the same. As she was already in United States, she helped me with everything and I applied only to this university and I got accepted and now I am here for almost three years. I am studying biotechnology and pretty much a lot of biology and chemistry classes.

Sanjina : What kind of food do you guyz eat? How many times do you eat in a day?

Netsanet: Backhome, from where I am from, we eat four times a day. We eat breakfast, lunch, some snacks later and dinner. With the food, it also depends on the culture. The food varies with the tribes as all the people eat different food. The main food is the Inzara which is made up of the flat bread. We eat it with different kinds of food. It can also be eaten with meat and many others food.

Sanjina : What are your plans after your graduate? What contributions will you make to your country with the education you have here?

Netsanet: After I graduate, I am going back to my country and take some experience with me. Well, for sure I am going get my master’s degree and go back to my country. With my degree as I am from the medical field, there are many opportunities in my country. There are many new hospitals built in our country and those hospitals need to build new technologies. So, I am sure I am going to help and contribute my country with my degree.

Sanjina : Are you planning to get married after you graduate? Do you think it is alright to get married with American guy?

Netsanet: I am a very family person and since I am planning to stay here for a few years, I have no plan of getting married. But I don’t mind to get married and go to school during my master’s. I also prefer to get married with Ethiopian guy to share and embrace my culture. It’s also way easier to communicate and understand each other if I marry a guy from my country.

Sanjina: Do you have more Ethiopian friends or do you get along with other people too?

Netsanet: Well, I have a lot of Ethiopian friends and few international friends. I do not have any American friends because when I first came to saint cloud, that’s what was it for me that it was pretty much segregated and I do not like that about saint cloud. It was only Ethiopians or only Americans or only international students. That’s why I got along with more Ethiopian which was easier for me because I was from the same country, language and same culture. As much as people think that Saint Cloud has diversity and you get to know many cultures but it is pretty much segregated. But I still have international friends and have got chance to know their culture and share my culture.

Sanjina: How do you celebrate the wedding ceremony in your country?
Netsanet: From where I am from the capital city, the wedding ceremony is pretty much westernized. The brides wear the white bridal dress like a gown whereas the bridegroom wears the food. The food we eat in the ceremony is very cultural. The wedding ceremony is a big ceremony so they start getting ready since six months ago. They start planning the wedding, make the cultural drink ,and sending out invitations. The wedding ceremony depends on our tribes too, every wedding ceremony is held in different way in different tribes.They have different food, dress and the way of getting married. The real wedding is held for the three days. We have different celebrations in these three days. In the first day, the guy send a lot of stuff for the bride and he gives this gift in front of all the people. He might have two or three luggage but these gifts depends on the classes too. According to the class, the high class people might gift expensive clothes , jeweleries while the low class people might gift cow, goat and other stuff. In the second, the bride goes to the hair saloon and gets ready and same with the bridegroom. The bridegroom comes with his friends and comes and take her with her friends and also take pictures. The last day is the wedding day, the bride and bridegroom get married in the church but usually they get married in the hotel. They eat , dance and have fun all the night.

Sanjina: Are you involved in any cultural organization in Saint Cloud State University?

Netsanet: I am working as a treasurer in OPA (organization for prevention of AIDS in Africa). We organize programs to fund raise in Africa and we create awareness about HIV/AIDS on campus in Saint Cloud State University. I have been members for other organization too and I always help in different programs. We also organize cultural nights that help people to know about Africa, our culture and traditions. The organization has a lot of positive effect on campus to share about our country to students in SCSU.

Sanjina: To what extent do you think you have adjusted to the American lifestyle? Do you think your time is worth more over her than in your country?

Netsanet: I have adjusted somehow bit it’s always hard to assimilate in the culture. Even though I am here for three years, I have some difficulties for some of the culture. There are things that don’t bother me anymore. I have adjusted to this busy doing something all the time and the time goes so fast. The good thing is I have become more independent.

Sanjina: Do you have any questions for me?

Netsanet: Nope

Sanjina: Thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate for you help

Netsanet: Thank you. No problem.

Preparations for the interview:

I first prepared the questions of my interviews and then I printed it out. According to the class, we had to include the core questions so I included those questions with all my questions. I decided to conduct my interviews with my Ethiopian friends because I had a lot of friends from Ethiopia that I get along with. I decided to use my own camera as a voice recorder. I had some friends who lived near my apartment. I actually called them and decided to meet in my house for the interview. My first interviewee was very helpful and she also helped me to find second interviewee. She helped me to find my second interviewee. I decided to ask my interviewee if she wanted to hold the interviewee the place she wanted. The interviewee and me came to a conclusion that we will conduct the in my apartment. We sent emails to each other to confirm the date of interview. I took this interview with Netsanet Gebre and this interview was held on October 25^th. My third interviewee was Netsanet Gebre who is my friend from Ethiopia. We made a decision to meet on November 4th for the interview. On November 4^th, I met her in my house and I conducted the interview. We figured out that doing the interview in my room would be much comfortable. I was ready with my questions and my recorder so right away I gave her my questions and started the interview.

My Country Report

Flag

Ethiopia is Africa’s oldest independent country and it is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second most populous nation in Africa with more than 85.2 million people. Ethiopia is officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The capital of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa and is bordered by Eeitreae to the north, Sudan to the west, Somalia to the east and Kenya to the south.

People

Etiopian is one of the oldest sites of human existence known to scientists today. During the time when Africa was divided up by European powers at the Berlin Conference, Ethiopia was one of only two countries that retained its independence. After a period with Italian occupation, Ethiopia became a charter member of the United Nations. When other African nations received their independence following World War II, many of them adopted the colors of Ethiopia’s flag, and Addis Ababa became the location of several international organizations focused on Africa.

The modern Ethiopia and its current borders are a result of significant territorial reduction in the north and expansion in the south toward its present border, owing to several migrations. The country is a land of natural contrasts, with spectacular waterfalls and volcanic hot springs. Ethiopia has some of African’s highest mountains as well as some of the world’s lowest points below sea level. The largest cave in Africa is located in Ethiopia of Sof Omar, and the country’s northernmost area at Dallol is one of the hottest places year-round anywhere on Earth. There are altogether around 80 different ethnic groups in Ethiopia.

Nature

Ethiopia has close historical ties to all three of the world’s major Abrahamic religions. It was one of the first Christian countries in the world, having officially adopted Christianity as the state religion in the 4^th century. It still has Christian majority, but a third of the population is Muslim. Ethiopia has culture and traditions over 3000 years, with over 80 different with their own language, culture and traditions. The church ceremonies are a major feature of Ethiopian life. The orthodox Ethiopian church has its own head, follows its own customs, and is extremely proud of ots fourth century origins.

Food

Bridegroom and Bride

Bride of different tribe

Bride's friends

References:

http://www.tadias.com/01/26/2009/ethiopia-braces-for-wedding-season/

http://www.tourismethiopia.org/

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107505.html

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Interview 1 Result

Here

Inteview 2 with Brukti Kinfe

Interview 1

Brukti Kinfe

ENGL 191

Prof. Specht-Jarvis

Date: 11/04/10

Sanjina: Hi! I’m Sanjina

Brukti: Hi! I’m Brukti

Sanjina: Good. How was your day?

Brukti: It was pretty much good.

Sanjina: How were classes?

Brukti: It is going well.

Sanjina: How is the semester going on for you?

Brukti: It is not hard because I am taking psychology classes.

Sanjina: Well think you know why you are here for. It s for my English 191 class is it alright if I take a video of this interview.

Brukti: No I do not want you to take the video.

Sanjina: Is it alright if I record your voice then?
Brukti: Its ok.

Sanjina: So here are my questions.

Brukti: Thank you

Sanjina: You can take a look at it.

Brukti: So shall we start than?

Sanjina: Which country are you from?

Brukti: I am from Ethiopia.

Sanjina: What is your nationality?

Brukti: I am an Ethiopian and I am from North of Africa.

Sanjina: What is your religion?
Brukti: I am an orthodox Christian.

Sanjina: Do you guys have forms of Christian?
Brukti: Yes we do.

Sanjina: What is the main religion in your country?
Brukti: Well, I would say half Christian and half Muslim.

Sanjina: Can you tell by looking by them weather they are Christian or Muslims.
Brukti: Not by looking but you can tell by looking at what they wear. The Christians wear the normal dress while the Muslims cover their head with a scarf.

Sanjina: What is you first language?

Brukti: It is Ismharic. This is the native language of the country.

Sanjina: Do all the people in the country speak the same language?

Brukti: No, usually the native language speakers are more in the central Ethiopia and some small cities.

Sanjina: So, different have their own languages?

Brukti: Yes.

Sanjina: Do all the people in the country understand the native language?

Brukti: No they do not understand only some people who speak that language understands it.

Sanjina: Can you tell me something about you country then?

Brukti: My country is known for the horn of the Africa. When you look at the map it looks like the horn. My country has never been colonized by any other countries in the past. It is located in the east Africa.
.

Sanjina: Does country has hills and mountains?

Brukti: We have mountains but it is just so hard to explain about my country.

Sanjina: Is it like the US, do you guys have flat land?

Brukti: No, it is really different than the US we do not have flat lands but we do have mountains and deserts.

Sanjina: How long have you been in the states?

Brukti: It’s been 2 and half years.

Sanjina: Why do you choose to be in this university?

Brukti: Because my brother and sister were already attending this university. When I came first in the US I studies in Montana state university but then I transferred here.

Sanjina: What is you major again?

Brukti: It is psychology.

Sanjina: Did you go to the school for undergrad in your country?

Brukti: Yes I did. I went for business but now I changed to psychology.

Sanjina: But why did you change to psychology then?

Brukti: Because Sisay (my brother) my friend took for two years and I also wanted to take science. I see like before I was not into science but now I just want to give it a try.

Sanjina: Talking about your culture what kind of culture do you have in your country?

Brukti: We have different type of culture each region have their own culture.

Sanjina: Do they have the same dress and same food?

Brukti: No, they dress different and eat different they make it differently and speak different.

Sanjina: Talking about your food, what do you guys eat daily?

Brukti: We eat different kind of food the food can be consumed differently by rich, poor and the middle class people. Rich people eat American food like spaghetti, sandwiches and even the middle class people eat the similar food but the poor people are more into flat bread and curry. The poor people eat the flat bread because it is cheaper and affordable.

Sanjina: Do you guys eat once a day or twice a day?

Brukti: We eat three times a day.

Sanjina: Is it the same food all day?

Brukti: We eat similar food twice a day but in the dinner we might cook different food.

Sanjina: So what did you think about the food when you come to the US did you like it?

Brukti: Well for me it did not make the difference because even back home I used to have a lot of fast food. Even here I consume a lot of fast food. So it did not make difference for me.

Sanjina: So have any other international students or Americans tried Ethiopian food?

Brukti: A lot of friends back home consume the Ethopian food but only some international friends tried it. I have only few American friends who like our kind of food. Some of them said it was spicy and some of them who are used to with spicy said it was less spicy.

Sanjina: Do you have American friends who like Ethiopian food?

Brukti: Just one or two of them liked it.

Sanjina: Do you think Americans wonder about your food?

Brukti: They actually do wonder and want to know how the food is, but they do not try it. They just want to look at it and know about it.

Sanjina: So let’s talk about your national dress. What kind of dress do you wear?

Brukti: The national dress is made up of cotton and it is generally white in color.

Sanjina: So every dress is white in color?

Brukti: Most of the dresses are white in color but now a days p[people have different colors like yellow and orange. But most of them prefer white.

Sanjina: What does a girl wear and what does a guy wear?

Brukti: The girls wear long skirt in white and the boys wear shirt and pant which are also mostly white in color.

Sanjina: How about your friends? Do you have more international or American friends?

Brukti: I have more Ethiopian friends but I do not get along with the American friends. I personally do not have many friends but I get along with the international students.

Sanjina: Do you know how many Ethiopian students are there in SCSU?

Brukti: Since I am a transfer it is hard for me to figure out the number of Ethiopian students. I do not even know all the students at SCSU.

Sanjina: Are you involved in any cultural organization at SCSU?

Brukti: Yes I am involved in ESA and ASA.

Sanjina: Do you organize any programs that educate the SCSU students about Ethiopia?

Brukti: The African students association has ASA night. ESA was established two months ago so we have not organized any programs yet. We are working on it.

Sanjina: Are there a lot of students involved in the organization?

Brukti: Not a lot of them but we are trying to find more volunteers not only from Ethiopia but also from other countries.

Sanjina: I heard that you guys have Ethiopian pot-lock tomorrow?

Brukti: Oh yes I forgot to tell about it, it’s going to be organized on Thursday Nov 4^th at 6 pm. You should come.

Sanjina: I have an English class at that time. I will talk to my professor, if he lets me out than I’ll come for sure. Do we have to pay for Ethiopian pot-lock?

Brukti: Yes you have to pay 4 dollars and it is like a buffet so you can eat as much as you like.

Sanjina: So you said your major was psychology right? Do you plant to go back or stay here after graduation?

Brukti: I might stay here for few years and get the experience of job and probably go back to my country.

Sanjina: What contributions will you make to your country with the education you have here?

Brukti: Once I get a job and some experience and I will go back to my country and work over there.

Sanjina: Are you planning to get married after you graduate?

Brukti: It’s a kind of funny question; I was not expecting this question from you. But thank you for asking. I do not think I am going to get married. I might … I am going to think about it.

Sanjina: Do you think it is alright to get married with American guy?
Brukti: Oh yes, there is no stereotype on me. I can marry to whoever I like. So I can marry any person.

Sanjina: But personally do you prefer an American or some other people from other country?

Brukti: I really don’t know at this time.

Sanjina: The other thing I am interested about your culture is the wedding ceremony?

Brukti: The wedding ceremony is three days long. The first day the groom’s family gifts to the bride’s family. The second day is the wedding day and the third day the bride puts on a cultural dress and eats the traditional food. People eat dance, eat and have fun all day long.

Sanjina: Is the wedding ceremony held at home or at the church?

Brukti: The gift ceremony is generally at bride’s house and the wedding day is at the church. On the wedding day the lunch will be served at the bride’s house and the dinner will be at the groom’s house.

Sanjina: Do you think your time is worth more over her than in your country?

Brukti: Back in my country I used to spend most of my time watching movie and TV all the time but here I go to school and work. So it is more productive here.

Sanjina: To what extent do you think you have adjusted to the American lifestyle?

Brukti: I use daily schedule to plan my day. I am really busy all day long with my studies and work.

Sanjina: Do you have any questions for me?

Brukti: No, nothing.

Sanjina: Thank you very much for you time. I really appreciate it.

Brukti: Thank you.

Preparations for the interview:

I first prepared the questions of my interviews and then I printed it out. According to the class, we had to include the core questions so I included those questions with all my questions. I decided to conduct my interviews with my Ethiopian friends because I had a lot of friends from Ethiopia that I get along with. I decided to use my own camera as a voice recorder. I had some friends who lived near my apartment. I actually called them and decided to meet in my house for the interview. My first interviewee was very helpful and she also helped me to find second interviewee. She helped me to find my second interviewee. I decided to ask my interviewee if she wanted to hold the interviewee the place she wanted. The interviewee and me came to a conclusion that we will conduct the in my apartment. We sent emails to each other to confirm the date of interview. I took this interview with Brukti Kinfe and this interview was held on October 25^th. My second interviewee was Brukti Kinfe who is my friend from Ethiopia. We made a decision to meet on October 25^th for the interview. On October 25^th, I met her in my house and I conducted the interview. We figured out that doing the interview in my room would be much comfortable. I was ready with my questions and my recorder so right away I gave her my questions and started the interview.

My Country Report