The second interview

The second interview

Interview preparation

During my first interview, I learned a lot about how to talking with others.  But I didn’t complete record the answers of the interviewee, my transcript is a little bit short.  So for my second interview, I really prepared a lot.  I have designed a few extra questions in order to make the interview richer and let all of extra questions be more logical.  Then I decided to interview MK.  He is my classmate and we know each other in a group meeting.  So I asked him if he could take some time for an interview with me.  And he asked he is glad to help me.  We set up the time last Friday in Atwood for the interview.  Before the Friday, I print out all of the questions on two papers and put recording pen into my bag.  On the Friday, we found a quiet place together on the second floor and started the interview.  During the interview, I also made some notes in order to remind me of some details.

Interview report

This is my second interview.  In this time, I also had a good time with my interviewee.  We talked a lot, not only about the interview, but also talking about our interests and dreams.  I think American people are easygoing and interesting.  And everything went well, I am not nervous like the first time anymore.  In order to avoid talking about some sensitive issues, I have learned some Korean history and also have watched current events in America on the internet.  During the interview, I can easily make sense what he said.  He is surprised that I know many things about America.  So I think, before you make an interview with someone else, it is important to know something about their country.  This can make both of you closer and gain more information.  In addition, it is a good way to make the process of interview more comfortable and interesting.  Above all, the interview really improves my communication skill a lot and let me be confident.  And I believe that I can do better during the third interview.

Country report

The United States of America also called the United States, the U.S., the USA, America, and the States.  It is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district.  The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its forty-eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the south.  The state of Alaska is in the northwest of the continent, with Canada to the east and Russia to the west, across the Bering Strait.  The state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific.  The country also possesses several territories in the Pacific and Caribbean.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the country's population now to be 313,252,000, including an estimated 11.2 million illegal immigrants.  The U.S. population almost quadrupled during the 20th century, from about 76 million in 1900.  The third most populous nation in the world, after China and India, the United States is the only major industrialized nation in which large population increases are projected.  Even with a birth rate of 13.82 per 1,000, 30% below the world average, its population growth rate is positive at 1%, significantly higher than those of many developed nations.  In fiscal year 2010, over 1 million immigrants were granted legal residence.  Mexico has been the leading source of new residents for over two decades; since 1998, China, India, and the Philippines have been in the top four sending countries every year.

The United States is a federal union of fifty states.  The original thirteen states were the successors of the thirteen colonies that rebelled against British rule.  Early in the country's history, three new states were organized on territory separated from the claims of the existing states: Kentucky from Virginia; Tennessee from North Carolina; and Maine from Massachusetts.  Most of the other states have been carved from territories obtained through war or purchase by the U.S. government.  One set of exceptions comprises Vermont, Texas, and Hawaii: each was an independent republic before joining the union.  During the American Civil War, West Virginia broke away from Virginia.  The most recent state—Hawaii—achieved statehood on August 21, 1959.  The states do not have the right to secede from the union.

Source:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americas.

Transcript

Hao Xu = H

MK = M

H: Hello, MK.

M: Hello, Hao.

H: How are you today?

M: Good!

H: Let’s start the interview.

M: OK.

H: Are you from St. cloud, MK?


M: Oh, no. I was born in Wisconsin.  My family is living in Wisconsin now.  I have a big family and I have a younger brother and a elder sister.

H: Why you choose St. Cloud State University?

M: My family is in Wisconsin and it's close to MN.  My parents hope me to choose a school not in Wisconsin.  Because they want me to study outside and live by myself.

H: What is your major?

M: My major is marketing.  I like this major and I have been studying in  SCSU for 2 and a half years.

H: Are you interesting in Marketing?

M: I love this major and it’s build on my hobby.  

H: How is your class going?

M: Not bad.  

H: How about your life on campus?

M: It’s a brand new life.  The university life is totally different from high school.  I live on campus and I have a lot of friends here including some international students.  I come back home about once a month.  I have a car and I drive home by myself.  I feel comfortable and excited for studying here.

H: It sounds great.  And how could SCSU do to make students stay on campus better?

M: I think SCSU has done very well to make students stay on campus.  I just think it’s difficult to park sometimes because there are too many cars on campus.  So I think if there could have more parking lots, it will become better.

H: Good idea!  Is the car as the most common transportation in the America?

M: Sure.  Almost most of people have their own car including some university students.

H: When did you start school?

M: I started school at 8 years old.  After I graduated from primary school and high school, I went into university school.

H: Are you under a lot of stress in school?

M: I don’t feel too much stress on myself.  I think this is only the process of growth.  It’s useful for me to learn more knowledge.

H: How about your hobbies?  Which sport do you like best?

M: Sport?  Absolutely, my favorite sport is American football.  I played with my friends each week.  I watched the Super Bowl on time every year.

H: Can you describe famous sports in America?

M: Of course.  In the USA, American football and basketball are the most famous sports.  We have two famous unions in these two sports.  There are NFL and NBA.  American people like to watch the games and enjoy them very much.

H: I watch the NBA basketball games sometimes and I like it very much.

M: Really?  Sometimes I watch the NBA basketball but actually I watch the NFL games more often.

H: Let’s talk about the food.  Which country’s food do you like?

M: American food, of course.  Sometimes I will choose to eat Chinese food and Italian food.  They are all very delicious.

H: Do you cook by yourself or by other ways?

M: Most of all, I cook by myself.  I can cook hamburgers and chicken wings.  The rest of time, I will go to the restaurant.

H: I want to know about holidays in the USA.  Which holidays people celebrate in America?

M: We celebrate Christmas, Easter Day and Thanksgiving Day.  These are the most important holidays in the USA.  Students need to go back home and celebrate holidays with their families

H: I also want to know some typical greetings in your culture.

M: When people need to greed someone, they say “Hi”, “Hello” or “How are you?”.  On the other hand, people smile and shake their hands.

H: I think so, too.  In the last part, I want to ask you something about your government.

M: No problem.  The government in America is the democracy.  People can go to vote and elect the leader.

H: I have finished asking all my questions.  Thanks for having a interview with me.

M: You are welcome.

H: It’s a great interview.