Interview 3

1.      Preparations:

 

      * When I just wake up on Monday morning at 10:30 AM, I went to the library and I was wondering if I will find someone to make an interview with. First I was looking at first floor but I couldn’t find international student and I did the same thing with the second floor. Then, I went to the third floor and I found Amna was waiting for her friend to study I asked her where she is from. She told me that she is from Pakistan and I asked her if I can make an interview with her and I explained for her about my project in this class. Next, I got study room which was 318 in third floor to be more comfortable for us. Finally, I recorded the interview by my IPhone and actually it was interesting to know about my new friend Amna.

 

 

 

2.      I just surprised with few things but I realized that what she said is the same what Sana said. They have so many holidays in their country, they almost have nine holidays in their country, but in my country we just have two holidays which are Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul Fitr. Also, when she said that women in their culture have to wear clothes to cover the whole body as we have in our culture, but in our culture they also have to wear some cloth called ‘’abaiah’’ and also that what Sana said. Also, the third thing that surprised me when she said that she has some problem practice her religion, but in my opinion I think there is no problem for me to practice my religion.

 

 

 

 

 

3.      Country report:

 

 

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is situated in South Asia and is bordered by Iran towards its west, Afghanistan towards its north, China towards its north-east and India towards its east. Towards its south lies the Arabian Sea. It has a land area of 796,095 sq. kilometers (UK Border Agency, 2013, p. 11). The capital of the country is Islamabad, which is located at 33° 43' N, 73° 3' E. As of 2012 its population is 179.2 million and its GDP is $231.2 billion (The World Bank Pakistan, 2013).

            The country derives its name from the word “pakstan”, which means “land of the pure” – the word was coined in 1933 by a prominent politician, Rahmat Ali (Malik, 2008, p. 336). It came into being in 1947 through a partitioning of the Indian subcontinent when the erstwhile British rulers transferred power to the governments of Pakistan and India. Since then it has been beset by internal and external conflicts, military coups and a restive tribal region towards its north-west (The World Factbook Pakistan, 2013).

            The country has a rich cultural history. It was home to the Indus Valley Civilization (approximately 5000-3500 B.C.), with its two principal settlements, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, being located in the Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan. Later it came under the influence of the Aryans, who brought Hinduism and Buddhism to the land. From the late 10^th century, however, it was dominated by the influence of Islam. From 1500 onwards it came under Mughal rule, and later came under British colonial influence from 1800 to 1947 (Blij and Muller, 2010, p. 413). Islam has been its official religion post-independence.

            The Pakistani society is hierarchical and deeply influenced by Islamic beliefs and values. Its main festivals are the Eid ul-Fitr and Ramadan. Both men and women wear the shalwar-kameez, a form of flowing robe and trouser. It has a vibrant arts and cultural scene, influenced by elements of Sufism (Green, 2012, p. 126). Its music is a mix of folk, traditional styles such as Qawwali and Ghazal as well as Western fusion. There are also many well-known writers of prose and poetry, who write both in English and local languages such as Urdu, Punjabi, Baluch and Pashtu (Burki, 2013).

 

 

 

 

 

References

Blij, H. J. de and Peter O. Muller. (2010). Geography: Realms Regions and Concepts. 14^th ed. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Burki, S. J. (2013). Pakistan, the arts. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/438805/Pakistan/276109/The-arts

Green, N. (2012). Sufism: A Global History. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Malik, J. (2008). Islam in South Asia: A Short History. Leiden, The Netherlands: Koninklijke Brill, NV.

The World Bank, Pakistan. (2013). Data. Retrieved from http://data.worldbank.org/country/pakistan

The World Factbook Pakistan. (2013). Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html

UK Border Agency. (2013). Pakistan Country of Origin Information Report. Retrieved from http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/coi/pakistan/report-09082013.pdf?view=Binary

 

4.      Interview:

 

 

 

1.      What is your name?

My name is Amna.                             

2.      Where are you from?

I am from Pakistan.

3.      How long have been studying at SCSU?

I am studying here in SCSU since three years.

4.      What is your major?

My major is Finance.

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

Yes, I like the weather in St. Cloud because the atmosphere and environment of the University is very nice and disciplined in which the studies and other learning opportunities which can be availed from this University.

6.      What do you do for leisure?

I use to study about history books and some poetry book for leisure. Sometimes I also use to go out with my friends for the purpose of recreation.

7.      Could you please tell me about yourself?

I belong from Pakistan. I just want to become a good Finance person because my basic studies are concerned with Finance and I take much interest in doing job in companies. I just want to work hard to be successful in my life.

8.      How often do you communicate with your family back at home?

I communicate three times or more than three times. In fact when I miss my family, I communicate with them.

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

The biggest holiday in our country is Independence Day on the 14th of August. labour day on 1st May, Muhammad Day on the 21st of September, Iqbal Day on 9th November, who is a national poet, birthday of Muhammad Ali Jinnah who is the founder of Pakistan celebrated on 25th December and some days like Eid ul-Adha, Eid ul Fitr, Eid e Milad.

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

It is much difficult to practice our religion in the U.S because we don’t have accurate sources to pray and there is everything happens here in the U.S which is against our Islamic religion so it very difficult for us to show patience by viewing everything which you didn’t ever practice.

11.  Tell me some important things from your culture?

Some important things from our culture are the cultural clothes which are according to Islamic values. There are complete teachings given about the teachings of Islam for living a life and for adoption of culture according to which Muslims live their life. There are also some occasions which are Eid ul-Adha, Eid ul Fitr, Eid e Milad, which we celebrate.

12.  What is the biggest difference between the American culture and your culture?

Food and clothing are the biggest differences between American and our culture. The biggest difference is clothing between the American culture and my culture. There are so many foods which are prohibited in our religion and American use to eat it. The clothes in our culture is much long which covers the whole body whereas in American culture the clothes are much short because of which almost body parts can be seen clearly.

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

      I want to become a good Finance  person and it’s my wish that I might be a manger of the Finance department in which I will do job. I want to achieve a bright future in Finance field.

14.  What are your favorite sports?

Badminton is my favorite sports.  

15.  Do you have any questions for me? I have asked so many of you!

     No thanks.