Interview #1

Maria Wollak

10/27/09

Eng. 191.21

Interview # 1 

To prepare for this interview, I had worked in and outside of class to develop well thought out questions and objectives I would want to hold during the interview. The questions I would ask my Interviewee were decided on based on the classes compiled examples and my own ideas. I picked out ten I believed I could use to get the most valuable information out of my interviewee. The questions ranged from social, political, education and cultural. I then had to come up with a few objectives to help me ready myself for the interview. I had revised my objectives many times to get the most exact ones so I could feel completely prepared. For my interview I brought my own digital camera I simply set the camera on a table and video recorded our conversation. We sat in a comfortable spot at the library secluded from disrupting other people. From what I had learned by making objectives for myself, I remembered to dress nicely, bring a copy of my questions for my interviewee, and I had practiced how I thought my interview should go numerous times before I arrived at the library.

The student I had originally approached to set up an interview with was unable to meet me at a reasonable time before my deadline so I was in a bit of distress to find another over the fall break. Everything ended up alright though, I decided to go to the library sunday evening in search of a Interviewee. The search went well I had overheard a conversation between two people of what seemed to me African or Middle Eastern decent. I kindly went up to these students and told them what I am doing, and asked politely if I could have an interview with one of them. The woman, who’s name I later learned to be Bishaaro was more than willing to talk with me. The man on the other hand had to leave, yet he left me his number so I could call him for my second interview. I am hoping when I get the opportunity to talk with him he can help me find another friend of his to be my third interviewee. 

As I mentioned earlier we were in the library, Bishaaro was working on a paper at the time but was fine to step away from it and talk with me for a moment. As we walked to find a place to sit down we talked and laughed about the project to keep the conversation and atmosphere enjoyable. I asked Bishaaro if she’d mind me video recording our conversation, she had no problem with that, if fact she was surprisingly so easy going and excited about the interview it calmed me down immensely. I gave her a moment to read the questions, then I turned the camera on and we began our interview. It went great for both of us, she was so easy to talk with, I could ask one question and she carried it in detail having fun and finding stories to tell me with all the questions. Our conversation flowed very well I could not believe how much I enjoyed the interview; we did not want to stop chatting.

I had got to know a lot about Bishaaro throughout the interview. She was born in Somalia   but raised in Uganda and the United States due to the civil war in her country. Her and her family were sent out of Africa to America as refugees. They first were places in Baton Rouge Louisiana, yet due to the uncomfortable atmosphere there her parents moved all of the kids to Marshall Minnesota where they new a few distant cousins. Her brother first decided to go to St. Cloud State then the rest followed. She is now living with her family; all her 7 brothers and sisters and parents, in St. Cloud. Bishaaro hopes to complete her schooling with a graduate in communication studies. Her and her family are not allowed to return back to Somalia, so she will stay in America with them, but hopefully she says will move somewhere warmer!

From my position the interview process was incredible. I loved getting to know Bishaaro, i will not lie though I was not looking forward to completing this interview at all, I was nervous and thought I would embarrass myself. I was also very frustrated with the amount of work we had to put into the interview before we could go ahead and do it. After all is done though I am thankful we had the preparation we did. I came to the interview ready to go and continued flawlessly through it. I felt that Bishaaro and I had become good friends, or we talked that way  at least. We were very open with each other, laughing and joking back and forth between questions. Talking with an international student opens your eyes to a completely different view of life, at least for me that is. I have know the same place my entire life; born and raised in St. Cloud MN. I could not imagine packing up and moving to a completely different place like Bishaaro’s family did. She has suffered through a lot, I got to talking with her about her high school experiences; they sounded awful she was even punched in the face by a white man. I truly enjoyed learning all about what she though of the U.S and our culture, also how it compared to my own. In some ways it was incredibly close in others complete opposite. Take for example our religions, Christians and Islam’s have close to the same beliefs in our God they just call him a different name. Yet if you look at our governments, one will notice something very opposite. I was intrigued by Bishaaro’s views of the U.S most of her views related very close to my own. We both feel the United States people in general are materialistic. It was awesome to see that although we looked like completely different people; she wore a shawl type outfit I wore blue jeans, she had dark skin I have white. To me we seemed close to the same person, I could easily see her as a good friend. We shared many of the same ideas and values, it was amazing to me, I am very happy to have had this opportunity to step out of my comfort level and talk with such a great person. 

A little about the country of Somalia: From what I have learned through talking with Bishaaro and from studying online, Somalia is not a pleasant place to live. According to bbcnews.com Somalia has had no effective government since 1991. Bishaaro had told me they call it a failed state and one of the most dangerous in the world. “A third of the population is dependent on food aid , and the inability to deal with famine and disease have led to the deaths of up to one million people.”(1) A civil war has been going on for close to 20 years now. Many of its people were sent away to America, like Bishaaro and her family to have a better life. Other countries warn there people to not travel to this area. “Somalia is located in Africa along the east coast, to many it is referred to as the horn of africa. It is slightly smaller than Texas with its population about 9 million and its main terrain is flat with a few hills to the north” (2) 

“Today, about 60% of all Somalis are nomadic or semi-nomadic pastoralists who raise cattle, camels, sheep, and goats. About 25% of the population is settled farmers who live mainly in the fertile agricultural zone between the Juba and Shabelle Rivers in southern Somalia. The remainder of the population (15%-20%) is urban.” (2) Somalia because of its government is not developing well at all, they have no railways they only way to travel is truck or bus, possibly a small plane. The resources in Somalia are not well at all either they rely heavily on imports abroad. There is just too much fighting to move ahead in Somalia, also the U.S embassy closed down in 1991 due to the collapse of the government. Looking away from the evil stuff we see when we look at Somalia there is much to learn about its culture.

 The official language of Somalia is Somali yet other languages spoken are Arabic, Italian, and English.(1) Islam is Somalia’s religion, the people follow a book known as the Qur’an. To follow their religion Many Somali women cover their heads and bodies with a brightly-colored hijab when they are in public. In addition, Somalis abstain from pork, gambling and alcohol also receiving or paying any form of interest. (3) As Bishaaro had taught me Somalis deeply value their family, “with the strength of family ties providing a safety net in times of need and suffering.” (3) What use to be a common in Somalia was arranged marriage, especially favored was that of distant cousins, now a days Somalia is seeing romantic marriages as more common. The dress for Somali people look very “covered up” men typically wear the macawis, which is a sarong like garment worn around the waist. On their heads, they often wrap a colorful turban or wear the koofiyad, an embroidered fez. During regular, day-to-day activities, women usually wear the guuntino, a long stretch of cloth tied over the shoulder and draped around the waist. In more formal settings such as weddings or religious celebrations like Eid, women wear the dirac, which is a long, light, diaphanous voile dress made of cotton. (3) Last the food of the Somali people is typically “meat driven, vegetarianism is relatively rare. Goat, beef, lamb and sometimes chicken is fried in ghee, or grilled or broiled. It is spiced with turmeric, coriander, cumin and curry and eaten with basmati rice for lunch, dinner and sometimes breakfast.” Vegetables appear to be a large side dish and often woven into a meat dish.” (4)

Although there is much dispute in Somalia, with the Civil war tearing there country apart, we still need to see the people from that area just like we do Americans, Bishaaro spoke of many racial issues she had with Americans because of where she came from. It must be very difficult for these people to move here and dismiss there culture from where they came. As Americans we need to be very open to new people in our communities, respecting everyone equally.

1: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2863.htm#at 10/26/09

2: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1072592.stm 10/26/09

3: http://wapedia.mobi/en/Culture_of_Somalia

4: http://www.somaliculture.net/food/index.html 10/26/09

Maria Wollak

10/25/09

Interview with an International student

Name: Bishaaro

Age: 22

Country: Somalia

Major: Communication studies

The interview went like this...

M- Bishaaro where are from?

B- I am originally from Somalia yet I was raised in Uganda and the United States.

M- Why did you come to the United States?

B- (laughs..) That is a very long story. 

My Parents brought us here because we were refugees due to the civil war in Somalia. Yet we could not pick where we wanted to go we were just thrown randomly to live in Baton Rouge Louisiana. Yet there were no other Somali people living there. It was very uncomfortable for our family. We at the time could not speak any english and had no clue of American culture. So my mother found a distant cousin that lived in marshall Minnesota. My brother then moved up here, we really just kept following people.

M- So you have a lot of family that came with you?

B- Yes, well just my immediate family, mom dad sisters brothers. The rest of them are still in Somalia.

M- Do you get to visit them at all?

B- No I am not allowed back there because of the Civil War for the past 18 years.

M- Well that is sad, do you still have grandparents alive in Somalia?

B- Yes actually my mom’s mother was in somalia for a long time, but she is about 80 and it is not safe at all for her there so my mother moved her to Uganda to live with my aunt.

M- Good...Can you tell me a little about your culture, what life was like in Somalia?

B- Ok, I’m from Africa, we are very family oriented like most African cultures. Unlike America where you can do anything for you and be more of an individual. Somalia you do everything around your family. Everything I think about I first consider my family. Whatever you do the whole community knows about it. And these actions reflect on your parents raising ability. It definitely makes you more cautious of what you do. (laughs) I see this as good thought because it got me out of a lot of trouble.

(mutual laughing) 

M- So you are kind of a trouble maker...

B- Well I don’t know, no not really compared to all these crazy college kids I see running around drunk. Because of my religion I do not drink, smoke... do drugs, you name it. I hated this as a teenager, yet now I am very thankful for it. For example every friday I come to class and half the class is wasted feeling like sh.. I am so happy for not choosing that path. I am a naturally high person I do not need that other stuff.

M- Along with what you mentioned about drunk college students, are there other things you do not like about the United States and our culture?

B- The one thing I would have to say is how materialistic many people are.

M- I agree with you strongly on that.

B- yes, it is always about getting the new car, fancy clothes...and sometimes I feel myself falling into that yet I need to remind myself this is not what I want. I want to be happy with what I have. I feel God gives you what you need, and shows you to live happy without everything else.

M- With that comment on God..I wish you could explain for me your religion. Is it close to my view as a christian at all?

B- Yes, as a matter of fact it is, Islam is a lot like Christianity.  We believe in God yet we call him Ala. We believe in Jesus yet we call him Isa. We believe Jesus is one of the prophets not the son of God.

M- So they are very similar.

B- Yes yes and I checked also.. you are not suppose to drink with christianity and all these things. It is crazy to me Islam is looked at as strange but really we have the same views yet you do not follow your own. And also another thing I hate is the media. For Americans what the media says is true. Right now the war in Iraq especially. They make Islam look like such an evil religion and all we do is kill people...which is completely not true.

M- I’m sure it is really hard to hear all this evil stuff portrayed about your home region.

B- Yea and the sad part is some have the courage to come to me and ask... “you guys do that” 

M- So you will face a lot of people saying something to you?

B- Yes. Being from St. Cloud, because I went to high school here.

M- Oh you did, where did you go?

B- Tech High School, yea it was very dramatic. St Cloud is very close minded, If you are not christian, white you are not welcome. They would call me terrorists, it got so bad there were fights where half the school was involved.

M- Oh wow, has this got better do you believe since you’ve been in college.

B- O yes when I came, no one had really scene Somali people. Now my sisters go there and there is a lot less problems than there use to be.

M- Good, and for you at St. Cloud State do you feel accepted? Have many white friends?

B- Yes I have many white girlfriends, yet I am afraid of white men still since high school. I was punched in the face by one. And cannot get out of my comfort level to talk to them. I talk with anyone else yet I cannot talk to them.

M- I hope that can change for you..

B- Ha yea everything else has changed but we’ll see.

M- Anything else you’d like to touch on about Minnesota?

B- Haha the snow! the first time I saw that I was in shock we woke up to everything white! My mom went to look outside and she fell in a huge snow pile it was so funny!

M B - (Laughing)

B- It gets so cold here I always ask my mom out of all the states we could have moved to why did you choose minnesota!? She told me because Minnesota has a lot of Somali people. It is very nice to have that population of Somali people. There are malls and such places to help us out here so I can buy my outfits and food. Otherwise I would not be able to find the stuff I need around here. 

M- What is the Somalian Government like?

B- There is none! Technically we do but the government they have no control over anything.

M- Who does?

B- Random people, there is gun fire everywhere. It is worse than iraq, It is considered one of the most deadliest City in the world! Now it is called a failed state, because for the past 20 years they’ve been in war with no functioning government

M- Do you speak any other languages?

B- English, Somali, Swahili, Bugata

M- Great... Is there anything else you’d like to share with me?

B- Ah..no I dunno. 

M- Ok sweet, well thank you, I loved getting to know you, this was awesome thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me. Have a good night :)