My Report
My first challenge for conducting this interview was finding an international student to interview Specifically at Saint Cloud State University. Because that I had talked with my professor about if I can do my interview with any international students who is student at any other University; he said yes. From that time I went to prepare my interview questions to ask three of my friends from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who are students at University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul City. In fact, I connected and talked with them about my interviews and how I can meet them. Actually, they have been consistently very busy with the mid-term tests. On October 26th at Coffee Bene in Saint Paul City I met with Gauthier Mubwa. Gauthier is the first one I interviewed with him before we start I asked to recorded our conversation; he said yes. Actually, he was very comfortable when he was taking with me and told me a lot of his experience and some of problems are facing international students in the United States of America. In fact, I cannot describe all what I did but it was really challenged to me. It is very hard work when you listen to someone and at the same time you write what he said.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire, is a nation located in Central Africa, with a short Atlantic coastline. It is the third largest country in Africa by area after Sudan and Algeria and the 12th largest in the world. The Democratic Republic of the Congo – with its population of nearly 71 million,– is the eighteenth most populous nation in the world, and the fourth most populous nation in Africa, as well as the most populous officially Francophone country.
In order to distinguish it from the neighboring Republic of the Congo to the west, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is often referred to as DR Congo, DROC, DRC, or RDC (from its French abbreviation), or is called Congo-Kinshasa after the capital of Kinshasa (in contrast to Congo-Brazzaville for its neighbor). It also borders the Central African Republic and Sudan to the north; Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi in the east; Zambia and Angola to the south; the Atlantic Ocean to the west; and is separated from Tanzania by Lake Tanganyika in the east. The country enjoys access to the ocean through a 40-kilometre (25 mi) stretch of Atlantic coastline at Muanda and the roughly nine-kilometer-wide mouth of the Congo River which opens into the Gulf of Guinea.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo was formerly, in chronological order, the Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo-Léopoldville, Congo-Kinshasa, and Zaire (Zaïre in French). Though it is located in the Central African UN subregion, the nation is economically and regionally affiliated with Southern Africa as a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The Second Congo War, beginning in 1998, devastated the country, involved seven foreign armies and is sometimes referred to as the "African World War". Despite the signing of peace accords in 2003, fighting continues in the east of the country. In eastern Congo, the prevalence of rape and other sexual violence is described as the worst in the world. The war is the world's deadliest conflict since World War II, killing 5.4 million people.
Citizens of the DRC are currently among the poorest in the world, having the second lowest nominal GDP per capita. The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently the second poorest country in the world, ahead of Zimbabwe.
First interview
Khalid: Hello sir, who are you doing?
Gauthier: I am well and you?
Khalid: I am fine thanks.
Khalid: Could you please introduce yourself before we get started?
Gauthier: Oh well, my name is Gauthier Mubwa; Mubwa is my last name my first name is actually Gauthier it is French name, yah.
Khalid: Ok. Could you tell me a little bit about yourself and your home?
Gauthier: oh, well. I am from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa and my country was a former Belgian colony and because of that I speak French it is my first language. yah that is what I can say, well a little bit about myself I get the united state of America 2008 so far I have been here for 2 years. Yah so, I really enjoy every thing about this country I mean accept way there.
Khalid: Excuse me; you said you can speak French language?
Gauthier: Oh, French is my first language actually because my country was a former Belgian colony, and French is widely used in Belgium. That is why we speak French Congo.
Khalid: Ok, let us move to second question. What is your academic background? And what is your major?
Gauthier: I am now student at the University of Saint Thomas and my major is international business. Even though I already speak French, I was thinking about adding making it my minor because international business here at the University of Saint Thomas is generally associated to the following languages: French, German, and Spanish. So I would say like international business as a major and French as a minor. I am even taking a French class. Some people tell me “it is crazy; you already speak French, why are you taking a French class.” It is actually French history and has nothing to do with grammar for example. I am learning French history and it is really interesting.
Khalid: When and where have you done your under-graduation?
Gauthier: Oh, well just like I said back home I just was studying in college for 1 year then I drop it out but I had admission from Saint Thomas so I had stopped to come here. So back home just I spent 1 year in college then I came here 2 years so far.yah, University of saint Thomas.
Khalid: Why did not you study for this degree in your home country? And why you drop it? You said drop it?
Gauthier: Oh yah ok, back home my major was economics. First of all I really like it but education system I mean education level between the Democratic Republic Congo and The United States of America is really different so to me coming here opportunity to learn a lot. I mean learn a lot of stuff I was going to learn in my country but was not like here, because here education level is very high we have opportunity to learn and experience at the same time but in back home just practice you know something like that.
Khalid: I agree with you about this point.
Khalid: Could you tell me some difference between American education and your home education?
Gauthier: Oh, well, I am just giving you a couple of examples, I see people switch his major well you can see someone who has been like for three years in his major economics or international business and he decently the person change his mind and decide to something also but in my country does not work like that. When you switch your major you lose all your credit so by the time when you get to college make sure you made a right dictation not like about credit you can keep it in future. Another example we actually do not chooses our classes in my country but here we can choose what we like of classes. Yah, that is the big different.
Khalid: What kind of good things do you know about America?
Gauthier: Oh, well, I would to say it is a lot of fun. Compared like... I am living in campus. First of all is a big experience for me because I am living in campus and far away from my parents. No parents control I am free but most college students have a lot of at home there most of yah you sleep or you check the kitchen what mom cocked life like easy but here in my cause take care of myself and fell more responsible most of American students they really take care themselves they study and work at the same time. I was not doing like that study and work at the same time in my home. That is something I really like it about this country.
Khalid: How do you know about University of Saint Thomas? Why this university and not other universities?
Gauthier: to be honest, I first started applying to Kansas State University because one of my dad friends is professor political since department but this university takes a long process on my documents and then I contacted with old friend of mind he left Congo 2003 with his whole family whenever keep on teach since then but years after I just running to my friends on street and I get my friend’s number in the United States he just graduate of University of Saint Thomas, he graduated on last May, he is working now. However, I called him and I asked to help me to study at University of Saint Thomas. Yah, he really helps me to come here.
Khalid: Could you tell me a little bit about University of Saint Thomas?
Gauthier: before I come here I just know its pictures and a little bit as my friend told me but after I came I founded it is very amazing school and professors cool. Yah I really happy because I here. It is not a big and huge I guess it really good for me as international student.
Khalid: How long will you study in the United States of America?
Gauthier: So far until I graduated I guess 2013; yah I am going graduated 2013 maybe 12 or 13. So what I say from now three years I get three years to go.
Khalid: Do you have any relatives here or in the United States of America?
Gauthier: yah. I have old brother. He is living in bulling next to mind but he came to the United States of America on 2009 and I came here 2008 so he came here after.
Khalid: What are your resources to pay your university charges?
Gauthier: my family, from my parents.
Khalid: What will you do after you go back to your home country?
Gauthier: well, first of all before I go back to my home I would like to get some experience and as you know I am from French speaking country and I am studying in English speaking country .it is challenge because learn English is challenge for me and I am glad to studying. So there is my point I would like when I go back home do some business and help old people but I would like to get job here to get experience, make money and learn more.
Khalid: Do will you go home during Christmas holiday? Why?
Gauthier: Unfortunately no. well I early mentioned the political situation between my country and the United States of America. It is really hard to for us to get a student visa. So I am stuck here and I do not take want the risk to back home because I do not know what may happen. I hope one day everything get butter. But now, it is not good to talk about it.
Khalid: What are your career goals?
Gauthier: Actually, if I cannot get job here nor do business I would like to do business in Europe such as French or England.
Khalid: Where do you see yourself fifteen years later?
Gauthier: It is hard to say about fifteen years later but I hope to get nice job and get some money to help people like my parents and my friends.
Khalid: Do you have any achievements? What is it?
Gauthier: yah, I get to speak English language very well. Actually, I am really happy to speak English. As I told you on 2008 I could not speak to people like right now. I hope to ask me this question after 3 years I think I will be able to answer it.
Khalid: Ok, last Question, please be careful. Before we finish this interview do you have any word or advice for international students?
Gauthier: Yah, of curse of curse. First of all I know first month will be very hard but you have to learn American culture so learn of them and let them to know about your culture because we as you know ambassadors of our countries here. That is most of international students keep in main. And in first year I recommended to international students spend more time with American students I do not ask them to do not connect with students from their country but I want them to spend more time with American students it is really helpful. I am now taking of my experience American students really help me a lot.
Khalid: thank you, thank you very much and I appreciate that and it was a pleasure talking with you.
Gauthier: yah me too, you are welcome.
Second Interview
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire, is a nation located in Central Africa, with a short Atlantic coastline. It is the third largest country in Africa by area after Sudan and Algeria and the 12th largest in the world. The Democratic Republic of the Congo – with its population of nearly 71 million,– is the eighteenth most populous nation in the world, and the fourth most populous nation in Africa, as well as the most populous officially Francophone country.
In order to distinguish it from the neighboring Republic of the Congo to the west, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is often referred to as DR Congo, DROC, DRC, or RDC (from its French abbreviation), or is called Congo-Kinshasa after the capital of Kinshasa (in contrast to Congo-Brazzaville for its neighbor). It also borders the Central African Republic and Sudan to the north; Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi in the east; Zambia and Angola to the south; the Atlantic Ocean to the west; and is separated from Tanzania by Lake Tanganyika in the east. The country enjoys access to the ocean through a 40-kilometre (25 mi) stretch of Atlantic coastline at Muanda and the roughly nine-kilometer-wide mouth of the Congo River which opens into the Gulf of Guinea.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo was formerly, in chronological order, the Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo-Léopoldville, Congo-Kinshasa, and Zaire (Zaïre in French). Though it is located in the Central African UN subregion, the nation is economically and regionally affiliated with Southern Africa as a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The Second Congo War, beginning in 1998, devastated the country, involved seven foreign armies and is sometimes referred to as the "African World War". Despite the signing of peace accords in 2003, fighting continues in the east of the country. In eastern Congo, the prevalence of rape and other sexual violence is described as the worst in the world. The war is the world's deadliest conflict since World War II, killing 5.4 million people.
Citizens of the DRC are currently among the poorest in the world, having the second lowest nominal GDP per capita. The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently the second poorest country in the world, ahead of Zimbabwe.
Khalid: Hello sir, who are you doing?
Gaylord: I am good. What about you?
Khalid: I am fine thanks.
Khalid: Could you tell me a little bit about yourself and your home?
Gaylord: I am Gaylord Mubwa and I am Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. I am 23 year old, I have 4 siblings. I grew up in Kinshasa, my capital city, and my language is French. Besides French I speak 3 more native languages.
Khalid: What is your academic background? And what is your major?
Gaylord: I have a bachelor degree in civil engineering got back home and I am doing another degree in Electrical engineering here in the United States of America at the University of Saint Thomas.
Khalid: Why did not you study for this degree in your home country?
Gaylord: As we know, the world is working now with computers and machines. Therefore, for keeping in touch with this fact, I chose to do a major related to technology. The United States of America has ever been the best place to complete a degree, because they have the best universities in the world.
Khalid: Ok, Could you tell me some difference between American education and your home education?
Gaylord: We have a difference system of education back home which is a Belgium system, the way of grading and teaching are very different. American education is based on attendance and participation but back home is based on what you reproduce on your paper exam.
Khalid: What kind of good things do you know about America?
Gaylord: I like the freedom we get in the United States of America, I like the education and I like their political system which is federalism. So each state has its policy and try to develop itself.
Khalid: How do you know about University of Saint Thomas? Why this university and not other universities?
Gaylord: I knew about University of Saint Thomas from my brother, who came here first, and he told me about it and I was really interested. Since I studied my high school in a catholic school and I was happy to hear that St. Thomas is a catholic university. So this fact pushed me to apply there.
Khalid: Could you tell me a little bit about University of Saint Thomas?
Gaylord: University of St Thomas is a private catholic university located in St Paul and Minneapolis and it has many departments and majors. The major field is the liberal art; they gave a general education to everyone. Therefore, every student is required to take some classes of philosophy, theology and arts. It is one more year for requirement classes.
Gaylord: University of St Thomas is a private catholic university located in St Paul and Minneapolis and it has many departments and majors. The major field is the liberal art; they gave a general education to everyone. Therefore, every student is required to take some classes of philosophy, theology and arts. It is one more year for requirement classes.
Khalid: How long will you study in the United States of America?
Gaylord: Hopefully, I want to complete all my degrees both bachelor and master. That’s could at least take 7 years of school in The United States of America.
Khalid: Do you have any relatives here or in the United States of America?
Gaylord: Yes. I am here with my brother.
Khalid: What are your resources to pay your university charges?
Gaylord: I am a partial scholarship, so I paid for some little stuff by myself by working and my parents.
Khalid: What will you do after you go back to your home country?
Gaylord: I want to be helpful to my country by bringing all knowledge I got in the United States of America. By creating a small company for reducing the number of jobless, which is a big issue back home.
Khalid: Do will you go home during Christmas holiday? Why?
Gaylord: For this upcoming Christmas, no maybe later. Because I have to be involved in this American society, since I am here for 2 years.
Khalid: What are your career goals?
Gaylord: For my career goals, I want to be an engineer and be helpful in any society in this world.
Khalid: Where do you see yourself fifteen years later?
Gaylord: This question remains to God, in who I trust!
Khalid: Do you have any achievements? What is it?
Gaylord: Oh, yah, as I said I have one degree in civil engineering and that is for me a great achievement.
Khalid: Before we finish this interview do you have any word or advice for international students?
Gaylord: For all international students, I will just say to them to keep up with the hard work because our reason here is for studying. Therefore, never give up. Just let‘s push the train head.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo Oct, 25th, 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment