Third Interview

1: Interview Preparations

I approached Faisal after class and asked what country he chose to interview people from. He replied saying he chose to interview people from America. I then proceeded to ask if he was in need of another interviewee and when he said he was we exchanged phone numbers. We chose to meet at 2 pm in the Miller center on November 6th. Upon arrival we reserved a study room to conduct the interview so no one in the library would be disturbed. I used my Galaxy S4 to record the interview.

2: Interview Report

The interview lasted a little over twenty minutes and went smoothly. Most of the questions that was asked were answered with a complete response and typically led to other conversations. During the interview both of us seemed comfortable with the setting and were not nervous to ask questions on what confused one another. One thing that surprised me was when Faisal informed me of how alcohol is considered taboo in Saudi Arabia. I gained a better understanding of the rules Muslim women in Saudi Arabia must follow in regards to dressing appropriately

3: Country Report

In doing a country report on Saudi Arabia I learned that the country has an oil-based economy. The countries main source of income is through the exporting of oil. The main religion that is practiced in Saudi Arabia is Muslim and has a population of around 27 million. (Central Intelligence Agency: the World Factbook). In Ancient times Saudi Arabia was the crossroads for trade. Some items that were often traded were almonds, dates, aromatics, and spices. The deserts of Saudi Arabia provided a natural barrier from ancient powers. The birth of Islam was in the 7th century by the prophet Muhammad. The religion of Islam soon migrated to large portions of the Middle East. King Abdulaziz Al-Saud established the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 (The History of Saudi Arabia). Education is a requirement for every muslim including both males and females. In the early years of the newly established Saudi Arabia the king presented much interest in establishing a strong education system and increased the amount of schools and universities greatly (Education). During the twenties and thirties marks the discovery of oil in Saudi Arabia created the large oil-based economy (A Brief History of Saudi Arabia)

Work Cited page for Country Report

"Central Intelligence Agency." The World Factbook. N.p., 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 16 Oct. 2013.

"The History of Saudi Arabia." The History of Saudi Arabia. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2013. <http://www.saudiembassy.net/about/country-information/history.aspx>.

"Education." Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2013. <http://www.saudiembassy.net/about/country-information/education/>.

Wynbrandt, James. A Brief Histroy of Saudi Arabia. New York: New York: Facts on File, 2004. Print.



4: Interview Transcribed

B: Brandon
F: Faisal

B: Hi Fashel. My teacher in my english 191 class has asked us to conduct an interview with someone from another culture and I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions? The inerview will take 20-30 minutes to complete. Do you have time and are willing to answer a few questions?

F: Yes I am okay with answering questions
B: Your are from Saudi Arabia Correct?
F: Yes
B: Which city are you from?
F: I am from the East part of Saudi Arabia in a small town called Dammam
B: How do you like the weather here in St. Cloud?
F: Well the weather back home is very hot so when I arrived here in January 2012 and was amazed by the sight of snow. I too was surprised that the temperature reached twenty below.
B: That is quite a big difference form the climate of Saudi Arabia
F: Yeah I also became ill most of the first winter here and eventually became used to the cold
B: What do you do with your leaisure time?
F: I hangout with friends, talk with my family back home, and sometimes go to the movie theater
B: Have you been to the movies resently?
F: Yeah I recently have went to see Captain Phillips, Gravity, and I will actually be going to see Bad Grandpa tonight (11-6-13)
B: Cool you will have to tell me how that is because I have been wanting to go see that film. Who are you going with?
F: I am going with a few friends and also my two brothers
B: Okay. Well now that you said you have some family here in St. Cloud how often do you communicate back home?
F: In my family I have five brother and seven sisters so we are a very big family. I communicate with them about once a week with skype and sometimes I text or message them.
B: How many of your siblings are going to school in America?
F: Just my two brothers and I
B: Where do you fall age wise in your family?
F: I am the second sibling
B: What is the biggest holiday in your country?
F: There are three big holidays. Two of them are Eid and another is the national day. The national holiday is celebrated in the city and most things get colored green and white for the celebration. The first Eid is a feast with family to celebrate after Ramadan, and the second Eid is a fasting day. During this day just like Ramadan we fast during the day.
B: Do you find it difficult to practice your religion here in St. Cloud?
F: No not really. Back at home we pray at the mosque, but here I typically pray at home
B: Do you have any important things about your culture that you find is different when comparing to American culture?
F: The one difference is women can't drive and they must cover their face when out in public.
B: So they are allowed to wear whatever when at home?
F: They are unless a family friend or someone not in the immediate family is coming over. There also are no bars in Saudi Arabia because Alcohol is considered taboo.
B: How did you choose St. Cloud State University?
F: My father worked with someone who's son goes here and decided this would be good because I at least know someone.
B: Do your family like the fact of you going to school?
F: My mom sometimes does not like me being so far away but they know that the education will be beneficial
B: What is your major?
F: I am studying Electrical Engineering
B: How did you choose that field?
F: In high school I always enjoyed math and physics and my dad said that the company he works for is in need of Electrical Engineers
B: What are your plans for after graduation?
F: I plan on working for some big company back home
B: So how many years do you have left?
F: The first few months here were spent taking IEC classed and last year was my first year of actual classes. I should graduate in two years after the 2013-2014 school year
B: I've asked you so many questions. Do you have any questions for me?
F: No
B: Thank you very much for allowing me to ask a few questions and have fun at the movie later
F: You are welcome