My Second Interview

My Second Interview 

Interview Preparations:

Abdul, from class and my first interview actually suggested that I interview Mooda. He explained to me that they were neighbors in the same apartment building. I didn't realize at first that Mooda was actually from our class as well. At first I felt hesitant when Abdul said this because I knew I should expand my personal comfort zone and find someone myself, but I also thought it would be a good opportunity to get to know more people from our class. I got Mooda's phone number from Abdul and we texted and discussed a good time and place to meet. We decided on a study room in the library and he drove to campus to meet me. I thought this was very kind, especially when I was the one who wanted to have the meeting in the first place. Abdul was also in the library and the three of us sat together for a while and small talked. 

I also had Mooda write down a few basic things about himself for me which are as listed:
     Full Name: Mahmoud Ahmed AboAl Jadaiel
     Nicknames: Mooda
     City From: Jeddah
     Brothers/Sisters: 12
     Age: 25

Interview Report:

I asked him a few questions off the record about how dating works in their country and also asked the two of them to translate a few words into Arabic for me. I was surprised by how comfortable the conversation between Mooda and myself was, for two people who had little prior communication. With both interviews now I can say I am truly intrigued by this experience. Whether it is just these two Saudi Arabians I have had the pleasure of getting to know or if its how most international students are in general, the cultural differences seem to fade away when small talk ensues. We talked about things that I would talk about with any 20 something American I just met. I found myself laughing and smiling more than I had all day. These interviews have been enlightening and refreshingly educational for me. We talked about everything from social life to politics. I learned that their country is actually a kingdom ruled by an actual King, something that didn't even occur to me when doing my research on Saudi Arabia, even after knowing that it's technical name is "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". 
I was surprised by the the comfort of conversation and the ease in which we acknowledged our cultural and even physical differences. When it came to the interview there were things that surprised me as well, like the fact that he just began learning English two years ago and can already speak and write it fluently. I am impressed by the work ethic I have seen among almost all international students that I have met for this reason and others and Mooda was no exception. Overall the interview was short but sweet, and had I known we would have conversations like we did, I would have left the recorder on from the beginning. 

Country Report:

See my first interview for my country report.

Interview Transcription:

How do you communicate with each other in your country?

Back home usually we talk face to face.

What is the clothing style for men and women in your country?

For men we got something we call it Thawb. That's our like traditional like dress so we dress it like every day, its like a piece of fabric, whole piece,  its white. Sometimes especially  in winter we dress in black and different colors but the typical one is the white one. For women like here, they dress like shirt and jeans but they cover up with some they call abaya. When they get out they must wear the abaya. 

How are men and women treated differently?

Well that's... that's like a real hard question for us because we come from very different cultures. Women now days are working back home, they make money. 

How has this experience helped you respect other cultures?

As we came from different cultures to here to United States to study we gotta respect other cultures and we gotta learn from other cultures. So that's a good experience for us. 

Do you enjoy speaking with other cultures?

Yes, yes I do, especially here in the United States because since I came with no English completely, that was like two years ago.. So i started talking little by little so now I'm getting better and better. 

Have you seen other parts of the US?

Yeah.. since I came I was in New York and then New Jersey and then Washington DC and then Chicago and finally I'm here. I'm planning to go Christmas to Los Angeles and Vegas. 

What’s the major religion?

Muslim.

What made you come to the US? 

Actually, this is like, back home we have a big program called King Abdullah program for Study Abroad. That's helped me to come here but since I was in High School I was planning to come here and complete my higher education. So the government help pay for the school, health insurance.. 

             SCSU?

                  Because before I came here I got couple of my friends here. So I talk to them about the SCSU                     and they told me it's nice. And I like it so I came because a couple of my friends.

Do you miss your family? Do you talk to them?

 Yes! Of course, of course. Um like almost every day. Skype or What's Up. Usually I talk to my mom and some of my siblings.

What is your favorite food? What is traditional?

Everything (laughs) Everything, especially seafood. We have fish back home, I've never seen it here. Like fish, the big fish. Dinner I would say Kapsa maybe. 

               Breakfast? 

              It depends. For some families they eat like eggs or milk, some families eat white cheese or tea, we                 don't really have like traditional breakfast.

Do you plan to stay here?

 Like after when I graduate? No, not at all. Because here, the life's super hard, like I can't even imagine to stay here.

             What do you mean it's hard?

              I mean the life is hard like you always got to work and make money, work and make money.

             And its not like that there? 

             Yep. You got a time for your family, you got time for your friends. For everything. 

What is your major?

 Right now I'm doing electrical engineering but I'm trying to switch. Because it's super hard. Yeah, I'm trying to switch, 

           What would you switch to? 

            IS, Information Systems. 

When did you decide to come here?

 High School.

Any questions for me?

No that's it, nice meeting.