Second Interview

Interview Preparations

I approached Mengzhen Shi after class and asked for her email  so we could set up a time for the interview. We agreed to meet at the library on Friday at 4:00 P.M.

Interview Description

The interview went well, it was a lot more smooth than the first interview, probably because we both knew what to expect and were more prepared in both the questions and the answers.

Interview Transcription

(M=Mengzhen Shi, V=Victoria Peterson)

V: How are you liking the weather in St. Cloud? It's changed a lot in the past few weeks.
M: I don't like it, it is so cold! Winter in my country has snow, but not too much. I never saw snow so much in my country.
V: Hopefully it warms up again soon! What do you like to do for leisure?
M: I like to study English language, read books, and watch movies.
V: Reading books and watching movies are also some of my favorite things to do. Could you please tell me more about yourself?
M: My name is Mengzhen Shi. I came from China, and I graduated from JiNan Senior High School. Now I study at St. Cloud State University, my major is accounting.  But I miss my country, it is very beautiful.
V: How often do you talk with your family and friends back in China?
M: Twice a week.
V: And what is the biggest holiday in China? How do you celebrate it?
M: The Spring Festival. Spring Festival is the most important and popular festival in China. Before the Spring Festival, people will clean and decorate their houses and go to Flower Fairs to buy flowers.  During the Spring Festival, the adults will give lucky money to children. People often get together and have a big meal.
V: What kind of food do you usually eat?
M: We have a lot of dumplings for dinner.
V: Do you find it difficult at all to practice religion in the United States?
M: I do not have a religion, so I am happy in America.
V: Could you tell me some important things from your culture?
M: Chinese food and American food is very different. Food is China is a more harmonious mixture of color, taste, and shape.
V: I really enjoy Asian Cuisine! What do you think the biggest difference between American and Chinese culture is?
M: I have been in America for one year, I think they way they teach is very different. There is more freedom.  In China, student's graduation is more important than the social practice.  Students just learn from the textbook. In America, students get more room to develop.
V: Could you tell me about your goals for the future? Like what you want to do after you graduate?
M: If I have a good G.P.A., I will go to graduate school.  If not, I will go back to China and find a job.
V: Do you have any questions for me?
M: No I do not.
V: Thank you for interviewing with me!
M: Thank you