My third interview with Sonakshi

My third  interview with Sonakshi

 

Location: University of Saint Cloud, USA.

 

Description

 

 

                The person I conducted interview named Sonakshi is in the middle of completing her degree in Mass Communication. I found it very interesting to interview a girl belonging to an Indian culture. Overall, the interview was very thriving with regard to learning a new culture. Talking with the new person for the first time leads to many interesting discoveries. I approached Sonakhi by visiting the university cafeteria; I found her and requested her to give me an interview. Luckily, she agreed and asked me to visit her on Monday. I conducted her interview in her campus cafeteria. In order to record her answers, I wrote them down in my diary in detail. As she was obliging and nice, the interview went very successful. On the basis of my analysis, the thing that surprised me about her is that she was very down to earth girl. This interview was a unique situation for me as I came to realize that world is occupied with people of different likes, dislikes, cultures, background and styles.

 

 

 

Report

 

            As I and Sonakshi had decided to meet on Monday keeping in account the convenience, I went to meet her on Monday 10/7/2013  . The total time period that we spent together for the purpose of interview was one hour.  On the basis of my experience, this interview experience was very beneficial and useful in terms of gathering quality information. Sonakshi seemed to have good listening skills as she responded to me very well.

 

                Country Report

 

            India is a nation in South Africa that is considered as the seventh biggest nation with regard to the area. It is the second most populated nation in the entire world with the popualce3 of around 1.2 billion. By Nominal GDP, India is the eleventh biggest economy. India is a famous for its religious diversity; with most diverse culture and societies. Religion plays definitive and central role in the life of Indian people. India has a complex culture due to the present Western culture impact, the colonialism impact and historical traditions. India is famous for its biggest film industry all over the world. It is known as the birthplace for religions; such as, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism that are known as Indian religions collectively.

The culture of India is representation of its different food, religion, languages, food, architecture, music from one place to another place. The culture of India is a merger of several
cultures that has been influenced by the several millennia old and history (Keay 2011). On the basis of 2011 consensus, the 80 % of the populace are Hindus and 13 % of people are Muslims (Religion Muslim, 2006). India has a joint family system under which all family members live together; such as, children, parents, spouse, grandfather, grandmother etc (Indian Families, 2011). The Indian cultural history has been spanning since last 4,500 years.

India is the multi-religious and multicultural society that celebrates various events and holidays. Indian traditional cuisine and clothing is famous all over the world. Mostly marriages in India happen in an arrange manner.  However, this trend is changing faster due to the Western influence. Indian names vary from naming conventions, systems, regions, caste, religion and many more aspects. The people living in India speak Hindi that is similar to Urdu language; however, Hindi is associated with Hindus and Urdu with Muslims of South Asia. The art of dance makes the Indian culture different and unique. The classical dance is the sign of Indian culture that has had a long romance history. Indian music is famous all over the world due to its various religious styles and traditions.

*References
Keay, J. (2011). India: A History, 2nd Ed - Revised and Updated, Grove Press / HarperCollins, ISBN 978-0802145581, see Introduction and Chapters 3 through 11

Religions Muslim". (2006). Registrat General and Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the originalon 23 May 2006. Retrieved 1 June 2006.

 

               

 

1-      Do you like the weather in St.Cloud? Please explain.

It depends as sometimes it is very cold that make it very difficult to study appropriately. Personally, I like the warm and moderate weather for studies. Therefore, I feel comfortable when it is warm. However, we enjoy cold when we all friend are together and have to do some fun. But, from the study point of view, I don’t like the cold weather.

 

2- What do you do for leisure?

            The schedule of studies is tight and I stay busy all the week completing assignments. However, when I get free time on weekend, I like to go out and spend time outside with friends. After studying for five days continuously, I like to go out at a place where there are no studies and no stress. In addition, I have some relatives living here, so I visit their place whenever I am free.

3-Could you please tell me about yourself?

 

            I am an open minded, straight forward and honest girl. I believe in religious values and beliefs. I like hard work, so I am struggling to achieve a high standing. This is the main reason I came in ST. Cloud to attain higher education.

 

4- How often do you communicate with your family back at home?

 

            I communicate with my family after every one or second day. I communicate with my family through viber software. Furthermore, whatsapp is new and good software that helps me stay in touch with my family on regular basis.Hence,

 

5- What is the biggest holiday in your country? Please explain about the holidays (Activities, Food, Date, Origin, and etc,)

            The biggest holiday in the nation is Independence Day that people celebrate this event with high spirit as both Muslims and Hindus are engaged in this event together. Food is an integral aspect of Indian culture. For example, vegetarian dishes are famous as Hindus are vegetarian. Cow is considered as the sign of goodness so Hindus don’t prefer eating its meat. However, Muslims living there eat both meat and vegetables.

 

6- In what ways might it be difficult to practice your religion here in the U.S?

 

            It is difficult for me to practice religion here as I don’t find time to offer prayer in the same I used to do in my nation. Furthermore, I can’t celebrate holy in the way as India as it is one of my best and favorite events. But, I practice Yoga that I also find same in US as India that makes me happy.

7- Tell me some important things from your culture?

            Indian culture is unique as in terms of dance and traditions. For example, holy celebrated by Hindus is one of the unique events that make it different. The ethnic and traditional Sarees that Indian women wear also make it different. Indian women are obligatory to wear Sarees dress in their home and religious events.

 

8- What’s the biggest difference between the American culture and your culture?

 

            American culture is more Western and Indian culture is still conservative in many areas of the nation. The biggest difference between two cultures is the family relations. Indian people like to live together as they are family oriented. However, American are individual oriented and they prefer individualism.

9-What are your goals for the future; after you graduate, what are you going to do?

 

            In the future, I would like to peruse my education in USA in the PHD degree. After completing my degree, I would like to stay here and get some experience of job. After getting good experience, I will go back to my nation as my family wants to get me married there.

10- Do you have any questions for me? I have asked so many of you! (mandatory question at the end)

I don’t have any questions. However, thank you for your concerns.

 

 

11-Did you face any racist since you came here?

 

            No. The people here are cooperative and optimistic. They don’t believe in the difference any longer. I guess this is due to the fact that America has become a Multicultural nation as well and people are used to of living with different people.

 

 

12-If you are an international student, how long have you been here? Are you feeling homesick?

I feel homesick and miss my family members. But, to achieve something in life, it is necessary to stay here in the long-run. I am going to stay here till the time I get some high level experience of the business world.

 

 

13-what is your favorite sport?

 

Cricket is my favorite sport. I also play this whenever I get time.

 

14-why did you choose you’re major?

 

            ST. Cloud is a reputable and recognized university. I have chosen this major as I like this subject as its scope is increasing in the business world.

 

 

References

 

Indian Families". (2011). Facts About India. Retrieved 11 October 2011.

 

Keay, J. (2011). India: A History, 2nd Ed - Revised and Updated, Grove Press / HarperCollins, ISBN 978-0802145581, see Introduction and Chapters 3 through 11

 

Religions Muslim". (2006). Registrat General and Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the originalon 23 May 2006. Retrieved 1 June 2006.