Interview Answers

1. What could SCSU do to make your stay on campus better?
There are a few things on my list that St. Cloud State University could do to make my stay better. At the top my list is parking. I drive to school everyday and get extremely frustrated with the parking situation.  No matter how early I leave for class I am always late because I can't find parking on the streets.  When this happens I try to park in the ramp and it is full.  They built the parking ramp to help elevate the situation but it is only 3 levels tall.  I believe they should have built a much larger one.  Also, I think there should be more dining options on campus.  The only place that I will actually spend my money at is Subway.  They don't have many healthy, affordable dining options which I think other students would appreciate this as well.


2. Could you tell me a secret about yourself that very few people here know about and that shows us well, who you are and what you stand for?
No one in this classroom knows anything about me so I suppose anything I tell you would be a secret.  There are very few places in the world that I would not want to visit.  I am open to trying to new things. I like learning about different cultures, trying new food, seeing different architecture, and natural attractions. If I had an indispensable amount of money I would spend it traveling to different parts of the world.


3. Which country`s food do you like the most? What are the similarities and differences between it and your own culture`s food?
I love food from Asia.  I don't mean America's version of this either.  The ingredients in a lot of the dishes consist of rice or noodles, meat, vegetables, and spices such a red chili peppers, cilantro, garlic, sesame paste/peanut sauce.  I also really like sushi.  American cuisine is derived mainly from French cuisine drawing from other culture's traditional dishes.  Since America has so many different culture's and ethnic background's we have a lot of food that is similar to others from around the world but it really isn't the same.  I think we tend to eat a lot of food that consists of pasta, beef, potatoes, corn, and breads. 


4. What are the typical greetings in your culture and what do they mean?
There are different greetings used depending on who you are interacting with.  Many people say "hello," "good afternoon," do a head nod, or wave when in passing.  If you are greeting someone you know you will often say "Hello, How are you?"or  "Hey, what's up/whats going on?"  If you are greeting a close friend, family member, or partner you can greet them with a hug.  The only time, I feel, it is appropriate to greet with a kiss is with you partner.  If you are interacting for the purpose of business you will greet with a firm handshake.

 5. What kind of government is in charge of your home country, how did it affect your life and how has democracy in America been a change?
I am from America and have been raised under a Democracy.  This has affected my way of life and thinking greatly.  We are raised to believe that the Democracy we live under is the best in the world and other nations should model their country like us.  I don't always believe this to be true.  I don't feel like we are as free as we think.  There are many undemocratic things the United States government does around the world. Don't get me wrong, I do love my country and happy that we are a democracy but I don't believe that the rest of the world needs to model after us, nor could it always work for them.  There is always going to be corruption with power whether it is a democracy, monarchy, communism, etc...


6. What different modes of transportation are used in your country?
There are many modes of transportation used in the United States.  In Minnesota, however, I think it is most common for people to use vehicle transportation.  We either drive ourselves, carpool, or take the bus. Depending on the distance people will take taxi's as well.  In larger cities it is often faster and more convenient to take the subway.  In the metro they have built the light rail but it is still limited to certain areas.  I think it will become increasingly popular as it expands. For long distance travel people will usually take a plane or drive. I don't think train travel is all that popular in the United States. 


7.  At what age do you start school? Are you under a lot of stress in school??
Kids usually start kindergarten around age 5 or 6.  In most states It is mandatory to attend school until age 17 or 18 unless parents give permission for drop out.  After graduating from high school I did decide to further my education.  I started college in fall of 2007 and transferred to St. Cloud in 2008.  I would have graduated last semester but I took 6 months off of school to intern at a hotel in China. I am under some stress in school because I work a lot when I am not in class.  It is also stressful trying to figure out my next path after graduation.


8. What religious holidays or other cultural events do you or others celebrate; can you explain your traditions for each? 
The main holidays that I celebrate with my family are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.  Though these are mainly religious holidays, my family doesn't celebrate them for that reason.  They are times during the year that we get together to visit with each other which is centered around a large meal.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  The family gets together, either immediate or extended, and has a large dinner. The meal consists of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberries, salad, and some sort of vegetable.  We also drink wine and eat dessert.   
8b Do you have any daily rituals in regards to your religious beliefs? 
No. I do not follow an organized religion though I am a spiritual person.  I try to center my mind and body through regular yoga sessions.  I suppose that would fall under daily rituals.


9.  How would you describe famous sports in your country?
Football, hockey, and baseball are the most famous sports in our country.  I am really not a big sports fan but I like to watch "important" games with a group of friends while eating delicous junk food and drinking beer.  The Superbowl is the most popular football game. Every year it is at the end of January beginning of February.  Hockey is played on the ice. It is a more aggressive sport. I also like drinking beer while watching this sport.  It is really fun going to SCSU hockey games to cheer on the Huskies.  Baseball is a more laid back sport.  Drinking beer and watching it at Target Feild is fun on a summer day.

10.Can you describe a typical day for a child in your country?
This is a very broad question to answer. I think many children in our country live very different lives depending on their background.  For the most part, I would say, children go to school, do some sort of after school activity, then do homework.