Interview #1

How did I approach to make an interview ?

I have visited Nicaragua couple times with one of my good friends so, I decided to ask her about if she had free time for an interview. We agreed to meet at the library to complete the interview.

Who did I interview ?

Aleyda is a student at St. Cloud State University in her fist year of Biomedical Science. She lives in the dorms with one roommate. Aleyda is very active, she likes to spend her free time at the gym some of the sports she plays are soccer, basketball and tennis.

interview report:

The Interview went pretty well I learned things about her country that I didn't expect. However Aleyda did not let me record the interview because she felt uneasy to have her voice recorded.

Country report :

Republic of Nicaragua has a  population of 5.8 million which was last update in 2011.
The capital of Nicaragua is Managua and the main language spoken there is Spanish.
The sandinistas  began redistributing property and made huge progress in health and education. The sandinistas won the election in 1984. The US-sponsored counter- revolution which was when Washington arm and finances improved the trade sanctions and mined Nicaraguan  harbours.
Peace brought economic growth, lower inflation and lower employment. The hurricane Mitch in 1998 killed thousands and left 20% of Nicaragua's population homeless and caused billions of dollars worth of damage. Daniel Ortega won the elections in 2011 again after leading Nicaragua through revolution and civil war. Ortega has made wealth programs which also triggered hostility for the US administration.

Interview:

Ah: Hi Aleyda, How are you doing today?

Al: I am doing very good, How are you?

Ah: I am doing great thanks. Do you have time for a thirty to forty minutes interview ?

Al: Absolutely.

Ah: I would like to start by do you like the weather in St.Cloud? Please explain.

Al: The weather in St. Cloud is just ok to me because I really dislike the cold winters in Minnesota.

Ah: What do you do for leisure?

Al: During the week I like to stay in the library and during the weekend I go visit my parents in the cities.

Ah: Oh that's interesting! is all of your family in the cities?

Al: No, sadly my mother still lives in Nicaragua and most of my family. My father and my three brothers are the only ones that live in the cities.

Ah: I am sorry to hear that. Could you please tell me about yourself?

Al: There isn't much to say about myself but my life took a phenomenal change recently when I became a Muslim. I've had the great opportunity to meet amazing people at St. Cloud State from all over the world. The thing that I love the most about our University is its diversity.

Ah: I can relate to what your saying because when I first came from Saudi Arabia I was engaged with many different cultures which made me it easier for me to adapt to the country.

Al: Being away from your home country is never easy but when you have people from all over the world everyone has something in common.

Ah: How often do you communicate with your family back at home?

Al: I try to call my mother at least once a week but it usually doesn't happen how I plan it to.

Ah: Understandable I'm sure you have many other things that you have to do as well.

Al: yes I do, including my work, school and visiting my family in the cities but one advice I want to put out there is that you should never forget about your people back home.

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

Al: Independents days is the biggest holiday celebrated in Nicaragua. People travel a lot and a lot of the families get together to cook nacatamales which is one of the traditional food there. People spend day and night away celebrating dancing and spending their money on fireworks. Most of the kids spend their time outside and some don't even come home to sleep which makes the mothers worry to much during this time.

Ah: wow that seems like it would be very fun and dangerous at the same time

Al: Believe me its not dangerous at all if you stay within your neighborhood because everyone knows each other so its like being around your family all the time.

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

Al: Racism is hard to face in the US because the media makes Islam seem bad and the ignorant people believe it without having finding the truth for themselves.

Ah: Tell me some important things from your culture ?

Al: We were brought up in a very family oriented culture. Our family are very important to us and religion as well. Even though I grew up here in the US my father made sure I kept my root culture.

Ah: Whats the biggest difference between the American culture and your culture?

Al: There is a big difference between American culture and mine.The fact that I'm a girl means that my brother had to take care of me and I had to ask my dad for permission to do anything that I wanted to do. plus we don't have the disrespect children have in the US with their parents and others in particular. We are taught to respect our elders always if not we get punished.

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

Al: I hope to move to a different country were the weather is not so cold. I hope to marry the man of My life and travel to a different country every year. Saudi Arabia is at the top of my list.

Ah:Do you have any questions for me? I have asked so many of you!

Al: I don't right now but if I think of any I will for sure let you know.

Ah:What is the important of family in your culture ?

Al: As I mentioned before family is very important to us. we like to spend a lot of time together and even some people don't move out of their parents home until they are way older

Ah:What are some similarities between life in the U.S and in you country ?

Al: Nothing that I can think of right now.

Ah:What is the favorite food in your country ?

Al: Nacatamales. They are moved from masa ( made from corn) with vegetables like potatoes green pepeer , onions, rice and meat inside the masa.

Ah:Do you prefer to live in here or in there ?

Al: I have adapted to this life style but it doesn't necessarily mean I prefer to live here. I would prefer to be back home with all my family and since not all of my family is there either. I don't have a preference.