Transcript of First Interview

Interviewer: Sneha Shrestha

EN 191 (21)

Interviewee: Tsenten Dekhany

Origin: China (Tibet)

Date: October 21^st, 2009

Transcript of first interview :

Interviewer: Hi, I am Sneha Shrestha. I am taking this English 191 class and I am supposed to talk an interview of an international student. So, first of all I would like to thank you for taking your time and agreeing for an interview. So, what is your name?

Interviewee: My name is Tsenten Dekhang.

Interviewer: Where are you from?

Interviewee: I am from Tibet, which would be technically called China, I guess.

Interviewer: Would you mind telling me something about your country?

Interviewee: I am from the southern part of Tibet, which it is a city that lies to the quiet south of Lhasa, which is a certain of the capital city. It is called Shigatse and me and my parents, we live there. Shigatse is pretty close to Nepal and India.

Interviewer: Can you tell me something about your family?

Interviewee: I am the second eldest son in my family. I live with my father, mother and I have an elder brother, younger sister and younger brother. So, that makes us six of us.

Interviewer: Oh! Are they all studying?

Interviewee: Yes, my parents they are currently back home. But, right now I would say, I am studying here and my elder brother he is in Texas. He is doing his graduation and PhD in biochemistry.

Interviewer: So, you guys value education like people value education in America?

Interviewee: Yes, I would say so. It might sound pretty cliche but as most Asians, I guess Asian parents expect their kids to excel in their studies rather than other field. It is expected the children to study. Rather than in America, where kids would study for individual achievement or accomplishment it’s more like culturally or socially obligated to study for your parents.

Interviewer: What kind of family structure you have in Tibet?

Interviewee: You know, in central China, they have the one child policy, but that policy is not enforced in Tibet. So, in Tibet you can actually have as many kids as you want. There is no restriction. So, they usually have joint families, like most Asian families. Kids would live with their parents, grandparents, uncles and others. But in my family, my grandparents live alone. They choose to do so. It is not something really common.

Interviewer: What kind of family structure do you prefer, like in own personal view?

Interviewee: My uncle, they have a joint family, very big joint family. My three uncles, they and their families and their grandparents they all live together; I have lived in a single or nuclear family. Been here and there, and spend some time with my uncle as well, I do not really prefer one over the other but you know the cohesive and the feeling you get when you have you whole family, you parents, grandparents living together that it is I will say pretty enamored and I like that feeling when you have more than just your parents, you have your cousins, other siblings, uncles, your grandparents together. I do not have any real preference over one or the other.

Interviewer: What was your main reason behind coming to America?

Interviewee: I would pretty much say, like in most rest of the world especially in Asia I guess, they have a big respect, or you are more respected, you have better chances of succeeding especially in work, if you have an American education. A diploma from an American university is considered something of a particular achievement in that part of the world especially now I would rather say, English being such an important part of international business and stuff. Getting the fact that your employers know that you have studied and you are from American university, you have a much better chance of landing the opportunities compared to your peers who might be from a national or state university in the China.

Interviewer: Do you miss something about your country?

Interviewee: I would miss my family, I guess. More like most of the international students, I miss my family, the way of the life there. The first few months, here were pretty rough because of different taste, I guess the cuisine, the food. You tend to miss you ethnic cuisine, the food that you are used to back home and you come to new country and you have to adjust to the life over here. Then, there are different festivals you have; I particularly miss getting together with the family in the New Year festivals and stuffs, which happens to be in the second week of February over here in the US, they (Tibetans) don’t celebrate it here unless you are with the group, in Minnesota, in Saint Cloud, I will say there is no big Tibetan community.

Interviewer: Would you want to talk something about your culture, like the culture in your country?

Interviewee: Tibet would be more of a Buddhist country. Buddhism as a religion that plays an important role in Tibetan culture.

Interviewer: What would be the difference in culture you found?

Interviewee: the difference in culture would be, I would particularly point out how Tibet like many other Asian countries, puts particular importance on family structure. While in US, it is more of an individual sense, individuality plays an importance in individual. You can see that every day on campus. You see many of Asian students hanging together as they feel as they are part of American culture as they want to be. It is hard for them to really emerge themselves in the new culture that they encounter like I did. Even after being here for few years, it is still very difficult for many students to integrate themselves in American culture because of the cultural differences.

Interviewer: When we talk about international students, it is very common to talk about cultural shock. So, did you face one?

Interviewee: Cultural shock, yes, I did. Before at the ambassy, there was a big talk about how you will face cultural shock when you land in US. You think you are prepared for it, but cultural shock, a big part of it is that I faced was how different it was just as soon as you land in US soil. You are over whelmed by the masses of people you see and you are used to seeing people, who look like you, talk like you when you are in your country and in foreign country you see all these people who are very different from you. You don’t know, how you are going to approach them, you feel lost in the crowd. Particularly, Americans are very helpful, but they do not understand how Asian cultural actually works. In Asia, we except to offer the help where as in the US you are suppose to ask the help if you are going to need it. You are supposed to take control of yourself. There are many different aspect of the cultural shock that you speak of. The foods that I told you before and also there is a thing about how you are treated differently, because you know that you do not feel as comfortable, when you land in different country. It is pretty difficult actually.

Interviewer: How long did it take for you to adjust with everything?

Interviewee: Pretty long time I must say may be about six, seven months. With the whole thing of adjusting to life here in America, it was more of a gradual process. I did have some family here. I won’t say I was all alone here in America, I did have a help of my aunt here. She lives in Boston that is where I landed first. I stayed there for about three four weeks, before I came to Saint Cloud. I went around the city that was pretty good learning experience to embrace American culture. In Saint Cloud I did made lot of friends. It was not as difficult for me as many people. Also, I have heard from some new students, they stay in the residential hall where they are partnered with American students. That is supposed to be a pretty decent way to learn American culture and adjusting in life here. Whereas, I from very start lived outside in an apartment and yes, I did have a roommate it was another international student, a Polish student. Living with him was very interesting. He had been here in American for two or three years. With him I learn a lot about adjusting with American culture and also learn to cook for yourself, doing the laundry and all the things that you took for granted back in your home.

Interviewer: Did that experience made you different or mature?

Interviewee: The experience was pretty interesting. Good way of learn to live by yourself. Living in apartment with your roommate, paying bills, cook for yourself that would be first step for most of the international students for adjustment in American life. You are responsible for yourself. You experience firsthand concept of individuality, and defending yourself.

Interviewer: What were your expectations from America?

Interviewee: I would say expectation wise America was pretty much was like I had in mind. Pretty much everyone is fascinated by American culture. I say almost ninety percent of world grow up with little bit of exposure to Americans. They know how things are with satellite televisions, internet. American culture is found in eighty percent of the world. You find hamburgers, McDonnell’s, Cola, Hollywood. For most of the international students especially for me, it was not that difficult to except what the America would be. Thou, there is a thing about how rest of the seventy, eighty percent of the America live. American that you see would be big city, skyscrapers and New York, LA. But, here in Saint Cloud I did experience how rural America lives I guess quiet, reserved, very friendly people not at all like in New York. I did had some weird experience that did not really affect my judgment about Americans particular but it did gave me an insight about American vast landscape that there are different people, their values and their stuffs. I would like to share, there was this time when I was with my cousins, and I was walking down the Time Square and there was a guy who was asking for a change. He came over me and asked me for dollar or two. I think I gave him fifty cent wait no, I gave him a dollar and he said thanks but no thanks I am not a beggar, keep you dollar to yourself. That was weird, and also with the race as well, there is a particular shock when you see people in New York, people from all over the country taking the subway, taking the buses. You see white people, black people, you see Asian, Hispanic American but when I came to Saint Cloud over ninety percent of the population would be white people. But, I think the people are friendly I will say, more friendly then in the cities, must have something to do with the economy as well. But here in the Saint Cloud and Minnesota, in first day of the school, people would say sorry or excuse me if I bump on them or rather I pass by them. I was surprised at that because a few months before I was in New York, people were nudging each other out of their way. There was lack for manners in big city. I will say Minnesota has been very good experience, thou life is pretty slow.

Interviewer: Let’s talk about the education system now; what kind of education system do you have in your country?

Interviewee: Back home, we have more of a big state university and pretty much more like America in most cases. You have your state university where tuition is subsidies for students and are much cheaper and much more affordable for majority of the population. Whereas, we have a private universities, but there is standardizes national curriculum, I guess. Most of the universities are located in big cities; most students tend to move to central China for their higher studies like Beijing and other places, where there are better chances of getting good degree and there are chances of getting better job than in back home.

Interviewer: How is the education system different in America than in your home country like classes and majors?

Interviewee: It is pretty much the same, American credit system has adopted 4 years university system. Thou, in America discipline is an issue here. In classes, tardiness is not appreciated; they have a strict regulation in respect to class attendance, tardiness, homework and stuffs. In America, they allow students to explore their topics and issues whereas, back home you are suppose to give correct answers and not challenge what your professor tell you. There professor are suppose to be the know all, they cannot go wrong. But here if you can question the logic and reasoning behind what professor tell you, that would be the big difference in my opinion.

Interviewer: So you like studying here, is it easy studying here or hard?

Interviewee: For international students, it might be tough adjusting, but studying here in America, you will learn how to schedule your time, stick to particular schedule, balance work and study. In America, student are here to study for their own preference, because they want to not they are forced to. So, if students are not dedicated and motivated then it will be difficult for them. For me particular, I would say it has been a good experience with the education system. First two semesters where particularly tough trying to adjust, meeting the advisors, getting the classes you want. Then you are responsible for the classes you want and talking to the professor. Being in control as no one is there checking on you. Experience from the first two semesters was pretty nice.

Interviewer: Would you want to talk about the political situation about the Tibet?

Interviewee: It is a sensitive topic. The situation has been a tough time I will say in back home, not where I live but in the central Tibet. Tibetans are ethnic minority, that would be a correct word, I guess. We have the problem with ethnic Tibetans to compete economically with the hunk Chinese, who emigrate from central China. Political situation now is very delicate with lots of restriction in travelers. The police and militaries have strict rule in the cities and they have a lot of serves in tourists as well. According to the news that we get it is tough time for many people thou things are getting better I would say.

Interviewer: Does it affect everyday life of people?

Interviewee: I do not think so, not really. Everyday life in particular, just goes on as usual. Religion plays an important role in Tibetans life and religion is their culture. Things go on as usual. When a state tries to impose and sanction on how people live, their personal growth, social well being, it has been like that and I do not think it is going to change much.

Interviewer: Do you have any plans to return back to you country? When are you going to return back?

Interviewee: At the moment, I have a plan to graduate in 2010, I still have not thought about it much but I would say I am looking to may be go on to study forward and get a doctorate degree. At this moment, I would not say I have any particular plans to go back. I do plan to go back after I graduate for a month or so, during the break to visit my family, and get together.

Interviewer: Do you have any expectations for going back?

Interviewee: I expect lots of things to be changed. It has been three and half years away from my home and family so, I expect a lot of things. Things has changed, I missed a lot of family birthdays, celebration and new years, and other festivals. I want to get back and make up for all those missed birthdays and new years, try to make up for that in few months that I will be staying there. The three years or little more than three years has changed me for the better I would say. I will say my expectations are positive, and I hope to catch up on the missed times. I would want to make my parents proud as others say. It has been a year that my brother has come here; I am hoping that, if it happens, the two of us we could go back together. I have changed and I think they have changed as well. I expect to see all of my relatives.

Interviewer: At the end, I would like to ask what did you liked about America.

Interviewee: I liked the people, American idea of freedom, the respect for individual and from the time I have stayed here, I have seen the very best of America that it can give to the people over here, even to the foreign nation, who are emerged in American culture. I would say the core values of the family, the respect to individual, justice, burgers and pizzas. I guess America has lots of good things, I hope it is same for other international students as well.

Interviewer: Thank you. It was nice talking to you.

Interviewee: You’re welcome. I hope you professor is happy with it.

i

Interviewer: Sneha Shrestha

EN 191 (21)

Interviewee: Tsenten Dekhany

Origin: China (Tibet)

Date: October 21^st, 2009

Transcript of first interview :

Interviewer: Hi, I am Sneha Shrestha. I am taking this English 191 class and I am supposed to talk an interview of an international student. So, first of all I would like to thank you for taking your time and agreeing for an interview. So, what is your name?

Interviewee: My name is Tsenten Dekhang.

Interviewer: Where are you from?

Interviewee: I am from Tibet, which would be technically called China, I guess.

Interviewer: Would you mind telling me something about your country?

Interviewee: I am from the southern part of Tibet, which it is a city that lies to the quiet south of Lhasa, which is a certain of the capital city. It is called Shigatse and me and my parents, we live there. Shigatse is pretty close to Nepal and India.

Interviewer: Can you tell me something about your family?

Interviewee: I am the second eldest son in my family. I live with my father, mother and I have an elder brother, younger sister and younger brother. So, that makes us six of us.

Interviewer: Oh! Are they all studying?

Interviewee: Yes, my parents they are currently back home. But, right now I would say, I am studying here and my elder brother he is in Texas. He is doing his graduation and PhD in biochemistry.

Interviewer: So, you guys value education like people value education in America?

Interviewee: Yes, I would say so. It might sound pretty cliche but as most Asians, I guess Asian parents expect their kids to excel in their studies rather than other field. It is expected the children to study. Rather than in America, where kids would study for individual achievement or accomplishment it’s more like culturally or socially obligated to study for your parents.

Interviewer: What kind of family structure you have in Tibet?

Interviewee: You know, in central China, they have the one child policy, but that policy is not enforced in Tibet. So, in Tibet you can actually have as many kids as you want. There is no restriction. So, they usually have joint families, like most Asian families. Kids would live with their parents, grandparents, uncles and others. But in my family, my grandparents live alone. They choose to do so. It is not something really common.

Interviewer: What kind of family structure do you prefer, like in own personal view?

Interviewee: My uncle, they have a joint family, very big joint family. My three uncles, they and their families and their grandparents they all live together; I have lived in a single or nuclear family. Been here and there, and spend some time with my uncle as well, I do not really prefer one over the other but you know the cohesive and the feeling you get when you have you whole family, you parents, grandparents living together that it is I will say pretty enamored and I like that feeling when you have more than just your parents, you have your cousins, other siblings, uncles, your grandparents together. I do not have any real preference over one or the other.

Interviewer: What was your main reason behind coming to America?

Interviewee: I would pretty much say, like in most rest of the world especially in Asia I guess, they have a big respect, or you are more respected, you have better chances of succeeding especially in work, if you have an American education. A diploma from an American university is considered something of a particular achievement in that part of the world especially now I would rather say, English being such an important part of international business and stuff. Getting the fact that your employers know that you have studied and you are from American university, you have a much better chance of landing the opportunities compared to your peers who might be from a national or state university in the China.

Interviewer: Do you miss something about your country?

Interviewee: I would miss my family, I guess. More like most of the international students, I miss my family, the way of the life there. The first few months, here were pretty rough because of different taste, I guess the cuisine, the food. You tend to miss you ethnic cuisine, the food that you are used to back home and you come to new country and you have to adjust to the life over here. Then, there are different festivals you have; I particularly miss getting together with the family in the New Year festivals and stuffs, which happens to be in the second week of February over here in the US, they (Tibetans) don’t celebrate it here unless you are with the group, in Minnesota, in Saint Cloud, I will say there is no big Tibetan community.

Interviewer: Would you want to talk something about your culture, like the culture in your country?

Interviewee: Tibet would be more of a Buddhist country. Buddhism as a religion that plays an important role in Tibetan culture.

Interviewer: What would be the difference in culture you found?

Interviewee: the difference in culture would be, I would particularly point out how Tibet like many other Asian countries, puts particular importance on family structure. While in US, it is more of an individual sense, individuality plays an importance in individual. You can see that every day on campus. You see many of Asian students hanging together as they feel as they are part of American culture as they want to be. It is hard for them to really emerge themselves in the new culture that they encounter like I did. Even after being here for few years, it is still very difficult for many students to integrate themselves in American culture because of the cultural differences.

Interviewer: When we talk about international students, it is very common to talk about cultural shock. So, did you face one?

Interviewee: Cultural shock, yes, I did. Before at the ambassy, there was a big talk about how you will face cultural shock when you land in US. You think you are prepared for it, but cultural shock, a big part of it is that I faced was how different it was just as soon as you land in US soil. You are over whelmed by the masses of people you see and you are used to seeing people, who look like you, talk like you when you are in your country and in foreign country you see all these people who are very different from you. You don’t know, how you are going to approach them, you feel lost in the crowd. Particularly, Americans are very helpful, but they do not understand how Asian cultural actually works. In Asia, we except to offer the help where as in the US you are suppose to ask the help if you are going to need it. You are supposed to take control of yourself. There are many different aspect of the cultural shock that you speak of. The foods that I told you before and also there is a thing about how you are treated differently, because you know that you do not feel as comfortable, when you land in different country. It is pretty difficult actually.

Interviewer: How long did it take for you to adjust with everything?

Interviewee: Pretty long time I must say may be about six, seven months. With the whole thing of adjusting to life here in America, it was more of a gradual process. I did have some family here. I won’t say I was all alone here in America, I did have a help of my aunt here. She lives in Boston that is where I landed first. I stayed there for about three four weeks, before I came to Saint Cloud. I went around the city that was pretty good learning experience to embrace American culture. In Saint Cloud I did made lot of friends. It was not as difficult for me as many people. Also, I have heard from some new students, they stay in the residential hall where they are partnered with American students. That is supposed to be a pretty decent way to learn American culture and adjusting in life here. Whereas, I from very start lived outside in an apartment and yes, I did have a roommate it was another international student, a Polish student. Living with him was very interesting. He had been here in American for two or three years. With him I learn a lot about adjusting with American culture and also learn to cook for yourself, doing the laundry and all the things that you took for granted back in your home.

Interviewer: Did that experience made you different or mature?

Interviewee: The experience was pretty interesting. Good way of learn to live by yourself. Living in apartment with your roommate, paying bills, cook for yourself that would be first step for most of the international students for adjustment in American life. You are responsible for yourself. You experience firsthand concept of individuality, and defending yourself.

Interviewer: What were your expectations from America?

Interviewee: I would say expectation wise America was pretty much was like I had in mind. Pretty much everyone is fascinated by American culture. I say almost ninety percent of world grow up with little bit of exposure to Americans. They know how things are with satellite televisions, internet. American culture is found in eighty percent of the world. You find hamburgers, McDonnell’s, Cola, Hollywood. For most of the international students especially for me, it was not that difficult to except what the America would be. Thou, there is a thing about how rest of the seventy, eighty percent of the America live. American that you see would be big city, skyscrapers and New York, LA. But, here in Saint Cloud I did experience how rural America lives I guess quiet, reserved, very friendly people not at all like in New York. I did had some weird experience that did not really affect my judgment about Americans particular but it did gave me an insight about American vast landscape that there are different people, their values and their stuffs. I would like to share, there was this time when I was with my cousins, and I was walking down the Time Square and there was a guy who was asking for a change. He came over me and asked me for dollar or two. I think I gave him fifty cent wait no, I gave him a dollar and he said thanks but no thanks I am not a beggar, keep you dollar to yourself. That was weird, and also with the race as well, there is a particular shock when you see people in New York, people from all over the country taking the subway, taking the buses. You see white people, black people, you see Asian, Hispanic American but when I came to Saint Cloud over ninety percent of the population would be white people. But, I think the people are friendly I will say, more friendly then in the cities, must have something to do with the economy as well. But here in the Saint Cloud and Minnesota, in first day of the school, people would say sorry or excuse me if I bump on them or rather I pass by them. I was surprised at that because a few months before I was in New York, people were nudging each other out of their way. There was lack for manners in big city. I will say Minnesota has been very good experience, thou life is pretty slow.

Interviewer: Let’s talk about the education system now; what kind of education system do you have in your country?

Interviewee: Back home, we have more of a big state university and pretty much more like America in most cases. You have your state university where tuition is subsidies for students and are much cheaper and much more affordable for majority of the population. Whereas, we have a private universities, but there is standardizes national curriculum, I guess. Most of the universities are located in big cities; most students tend to move to central China for their higher studies like Beijing and other places, where there are better chances of getting good degree and there are chances of getting better job than in back home.

Interviewer: How is the education system different in America than in your home country like classes and majors?

Interviewee: It is pretty much the same, American credit system has adopted 4 years university system. Thou, in America discipline is an issue here. In classes, tardiness is not appreciated; they have a strict regulation in respect to class attendance, tardiness, homework and stuffs. In America, they allow students to explore their topics and issues whereas, back home you are suppose to give correct answers and not challenge what your professor tell you. There professor are suppose to be the know all, they cannot go wrong. But here if you can question the logic and reasoning behind what professor tell you, that would be the big difference in my opinion.

Interviewer: So you like studying here, is it easy studying here or hard?

Interviewee: For international students, it might be tough adjusting, but studying here in America, you will learn how to schedule your time, stick to particular schedule, balance work and study. In America, student are here to study for their own preference, because they want to not they are forced to. So, if students are not dedicated and motivated then it will be difficult for them. For me particular, I would say it has been a good experience with the education system. First two semesters where particularly tough trying to adjust, meeting the advisors, getting the classes you want. Then you are responsible for the classes you want and talking to the professor. Being in control as no one is there checking on you. Experience from the first two semesters was pretty nice.

Interviewer: Would you want to talk about the political situation about the Tibet?

Interviewee: It is a sensitive topic. The situation has been a tough time I will say in back home, not where I live but in the central Tibet. Tibetans are ethnic minority, that would be a correct word, I guess. We have the problem with ethnic Tibetans to compete economically with the hunk Chinese, who emigrate from central China. Political situation now is very delicate with lots of restriction in travelers. The police and militaries have strict rule in the cities and they have a lot of serves in tourists as well. According to the news that we get it is tough time for many people thou things are getting better I would say.

Interviewer: Does it affect everyday life of people?

Interviewee: I do not think so, not really. Everyday life in particular, just goes on as usual. Religion plays an important role in Tibetans life and religion is their culture. Things go on as usual. When a state tries to impose and sanction on how people live, their personal growth, social well being, it has been like that and I do not think it is going to change much.

Interviewer: Do you have any plans to return back to you country? When are you going to return back?

Interviewee: At the moment, I have a plan to graduate in 2010, I still have not thought about it much but I would say I am looking to may be go on to study forward and get a doctorate degree. At this moment, I would not say I have any particular plans to go back. I do plan to go back after I graduate for a month or so, during the break to visit my family, and get together.

Interviewer: Do you have any expectations for going back?

Interviewee: I expect lots of things to be changed. It has been three and half years away from my home and family so, I expect a lot of things. Things has changed, I missed a lot of family birthdays, celebration and new years, and other festivals. I want to get back and make up for all those missed birthdays and new years, try to make up for that in few months that I will be staying there. The three years or little more than three years has changed me for the better I would say. I will say my expectations are positive, and I hope to catch up on the missed times. I would want to make my parents proud as others say. It has been a year that my brother has come here; I am hoping that, if it happens, the two of us we could go back together. I have changed and I think they have changed as well. I expect to see all of my relatives.

Interviewer: At the end, I would like to ask what did you liked about America.

Interviewee: I liked the people, American idea of freedom, the respect for individual and from the time I have stayed here, I have seen the very best of America that it can give to the people over here, even to the foreign nation, who are emerged in American culture. I would say the core values of the family, the respect to individual, justice, burgers and pizzas. I guess America has lots of good things, I hope it is same for other international students as well.

Interviewer: Thank you. It was nice talking to you.

Interviewee: You’re welcome. I hope you professor is happy with it.

i