Country Report
Sri Lanka is a small island to the south of India. It is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and has a coast line of only 1340 kilometers. The total population of 21513990 is made up of around 70% Buddhist, 8% Moslems, 7% Hindu, 6% Christian and 10% other. The official language of Sri Lanka is Sinhala. English is only known by about 10% of the population and is commonly used in government.
As to the climate it is a tropical monsoon. Temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C all year around. Due to this tropical climate there are monsoon rainfalls in May, the hottest month of the year.
The terrain is mostly flat with mountains in the south central part of the island.
The terrain is mostly flat with mountains in the south central part of the island.
(to be in more detail by the next interview)
Sources
Sources
Preparation and Description of Interview 1
While preparing myself for my three interviews with international students I first focused on a certain culture I would like to get to know more about. Ever since working with a man from Sri Lanka I have been really interested to see what the Sri Lankan culture and attitude was like. I came up with three main objectives which included: understanding their behavior, their reasoning for coming to the U.S., the cultural differences. I also want to learn about their plans for their future and their fears and hopes for their future. Since I am an international student myself I find it really interesting to compare their views and opinions to my own.
After deciding on our core questions in class I had to decide on only a few questions that I would be able to ask in my interview that I came up with myself. I decided to focus on their experience in the U.S. and mainly on how they keep in contact with friends and families from home.
It wasn’t hard for me to find people to interview since I work with a man from Sri Lanka he gave me contact information of his friends and they were more than willing to help me out. After a date and time was set I went to ask one of my roommates if I could borrow her recorder and went over to the Caribou Coffee shop in Atwood to start my first interview. To break the ice I offered Chamira, the guy I was interviewing, coffee or anything else from caribou but he had just eaten. He had told me beforehand that he was really busy with projects and homework so I kept the small talk to a minimum but he seemed pretty comfortable talking to me right away since he had seen me working in Caribou before.
When the interview was over I went straight to the library to transcribe my interview as my roommate needed her recorder back.
After deciding on our core questions in class I had to decide on only a few questions that I would be able to ask in my interview that I came up with myself. I decided to focus on their experience in the U.S. and mainly on how they keep in contact with friends and families from home.
It wasn’t hard for me to find people to interview since I work with a man from Sri Lanka he gave me contact information of his friends and they were more than willing to help me out. After a date and time was set I went to ask one of my roommates if I could borrow her recorder and went over to the Caribou Coffee shop in Atwood to start my first interview. To break the ice I offered Chamira, the guy I was interviewing, coffee or anything else from caribou but he had just eaten. He had told me beforehand that he was really busy with projects and homework so I kept the small talk to a minimum but he seemed pretty comfortable talking to me right away since he had seen me working in Caribou before.
When the interview was over I went straight to the library to transcribe my interview as my roommate needed her recorder back.
Chamira is originally from Sri Lanka and is one of my co workers friends who was willing to do my first interview with me. The first thing I asked him was whether he is fine with me recording the interview or not. He said it was no problem so we started the interview. I choose Caribou Coffee for our interview because he recognized me from there and at 8PM at night it is usually pretty quit in there. As he had told me prior to our interview he only had 30 minutes for me because he had a major project to finish the next day so I was grateful for him taking time out of his busy schedule.
Next I offered him coffee but he didn’t want anything because he had just eaten so we started our interview.
During the interview I was surprised how openly he answered my questions and how he was really interested in it. He paid a lot of attention to me and really focused on me. I have always known that people from Asia have a different work ethic and are really accurate about the things they do but it always seems to amaze me all over again.
Next I offered him coffee but he didn’t want anything because he had just eaten so we started our interview.
During the interview I was surprised how openly he answered my questions and how he was really interested in it. He paid a lot of attention to me and really focused on me. I have always known that people from Asia have a different work ethic and are really accurate about the things they do but it always seems to amaze me all over again.
Interview
Kim: Hey, thank you for meeting me here!
Chamira: Yeah no problem, Kim right?
K: Yup it’s really nice to meet you! I have to ask you right away, can I record this interview? It will just be easier for me to transcribe it later!
C: Yeah that’s completely fine!
K: Thank you, I appreciate it! How has your day been?
C: Pretty busy, all the homework. I can’t wait for spring break.
K: Me neither! Are you going anywhere?
C: Maybe I will go to Chicago for a few days but not sure yet. I have to finish all my projects before I can go anywhere.
K: I know how you feel. I have a lot to get done too but I am thinking about going home to Germany for a couple of weeks so I will have to get everything done ahead of time.
C: Oh you’re from Germany? I didn’t know that.
K: Yes I moved here two years ago for school.
C: That’s cool!
K: Yes it’s been a great experience so far! Do you want me to get you some coffee since were sitting at Caribou?
C: No I am fine thanks, I just had dinner at home.
K: Alright, well should we get started?
C: Sure!
K: Ok first question: Do you think it will be easy to find a job after college?
C: No I don’t think so.
K: And why is that?
C: Because no one is willing to hire international students right now.
K: Yes I have experienced that myself, why do you think that is?
C: I think it is because the American economy is down right now and president Obama wants companies to give jobs to American residents to get the economy going again.
K: It’s frustrating isn’t it?
C: Yeah especially because we’re qualified people. It doesn’t make one feel too good.
K: Yeah I know how that goes. Do you think it will be easier for you in your home country then?
C: Yes I think it will be a lot easier especially with the education I got over here.
K: Nice! So what was the hardest thing about transitioning to the U.S. for you?
C: There is a lot of racism in this country. It was hard to get used to that at first.
K: Really? Did you personally encounter racism?
C: No I wasn’t hurt or anything but they just call people black, white or brown here and the main question they ask you is “When are you going back?”
K: That’s interesting! I guess I am one of these people but not to hurt anyone. I like to joke about it.
C: There’s good people to but people just resist to change here and they talk a lot behind your back.
K: I definitely know what you are talking about. Sorry to hear that you have come across that.
C: Oh it’s not all that bad. It just took some getting used to.
K: I see what you mean. So why did you decide to come to SCSU instead of studying in your own country?
C: Where I am from I don’t get too choose my major and it is also really competitive so I don’t know whether I would have gotten in or not.
K: You don’t get to choose your major?
C: No the government chooses it for you. They decide what field you have to go into.
K: That is really interesting. I have never heard of anything like that. How do you like that?
C: I don’t like it at all! I want to do whatever I want to do and that is why I am here.
K: I like that attitude!
C: Haha.
K: So what is your opinion of the American diet?
C: Diet?
K: The American food.
C: Ohh I don’t like it at all. It doesn’t have any flavor. I usually eat home cooked food!
K: What do you usually cook then?
C: Hmm rice, curry and sandwiches.
K: Oh so only rice, curry and sandwiches? That sounds kind of iffy to say the least.
C: Well obviously not only that I make stir fry out of it and things like that.
K: Now that sounds better! So do you ever go out to eat here?
C: No I don’t’. It doesn’t taste good to me so I don’t want to waste my money.
K: That’s fair. So how does the climate in your country compare to the climate here?
C: It is warm and tropical at home but I like it here.
K: Do you really?
C: Yeah I enjoy the snow, not all the time but sometimes.
K: Brr it’s too cold for me. I am already cold when it gets down to 30*F.
C: You would like it in my country then it’s always around 30*C.
K: Yes I would like that a lot! Maybe you should take me sometime.
C: Haha sure!
K: So what are some cultural differences between your country and here?
C: There is no kissing in public in my country!
K: Hmm interesting I don’t know what to say.. . Is it socially not acceptable to kiss in public?
C: No, holding hands is fine but no kissing.
K: What else is there?
C: Women here are really loud and talk too much. Women in my country don’t talk that much. We see them as flowers and they get treated like that.
K: American boys could learn from that!
C: Haha yeah I know.
K: Are women allowed education over there then?
C: Yes they are! But it is mostly the men who take care of the finances.
K: Well that answers my next question. So is it your dad who takes care of the finances in your family?
C: Yes but for my family it’s different. My dad was a vet and my mom was a teacher but then they both gave up their jobs to open up their own business.
K: What kind of business?
C: First a car dealership and now they have a store for construction supplies.
K: Good for them! Alright let’s move on I know you said you didn’t have much time. Would you have been able to get the same education in your home country? I guess I already know the answer but assuming they would have put you in the major you would have wanted to go for would you have been able to?
C: Yes I think I would have. I just wouldn’t have gotten in because I am not really smart.
K: Don’t say that. You’re doing good over here right?
C: Yes I am doing good but it could be better.
K: What is your major though?
C: It’s engineering.
K: See that is a tough one wherever you go! I think you’re doing alright or else you wouldn’t be here!
C: Thank you.
K: Not for that! Do you currently have a job over here?
C: Yes I am working as a tutor in the engineering building! It pays for my food.
K: That’s good! And what do you enjoy most about the U.S.?
C: Being away from home.
K: Do you really? I am not good at it at all. But then I guess I am a girl too so I miss my family.
C: Yeah for me it’s just nice to be on my own not under their control because I couldn’t drink in my country.
K: Is that only for you or for everyone in your country?
C: No it’s allowed to drink at social gatherings but for my family even that is not allowed so I like to be here.
K: Why is it that your family doesn’t allow it?
C: I don’t really know they just don’t want it.
K: Well I guess that’s only healthy!
C: Haha yes but it’s fun to drink sometimes!
K: Yeah if you don’t have too much… Anything else but drinking?
C: I like the discipline people have here while driving.
K: Explain that!
C: At home people don’t follow tracks. People are everywhere on the roads because it’s so narrow. It’s so nice and big here.
K: Yeah that’s true. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like without roads like this.
C: You have the autobahn in Germany right?
K: Yes we do! That’s why I couldn’t imagine!
C: I would love to drive on the autobahn sometimes!
K: Well feel free to visit me sometime!
C: Haha!
K: Ok this is personal favorite because I know what a hassle it is to get all the documents together to come to the U.S. What did you hav eto go trough to get all your immigration documents together?
C: We had to show them all our bank accounts. My parents and my own bank accounts. You basically have to show that you are wealthy.
K: Did you also have to personally go to the embassy to get your paperwork done?
C: Yes we had to drive there to make a date for the interview and then we had to go back there for the interview.
K: So you had to go twice?
C: Yes.
K: How many embassies are there in your country?
C: There is only one!
K: How far away is it from your place?
C: It’s about four hours from our place, so about 100km!
K: What?! Four hours for 100km??
C: Yeah remember I told you how bad the roads are over there. It takes forever. And then there is not a lot of roads so they are always full and it is just really annoying to drive over there.
K: That would be really frustrating.
C: Yeah but usually we don’t have to take long trips because everything we need is around us.
K: I suppose that makes sense. How often do you get home to see your family then?
C: Maybe next summer.
K: When was the last time you were home though?
C: Oh I haven’t been home since I came here.
K: And when was that?
C: In January 2009.
K: That is more than two years ago!!!
C: Yeah I know but it is too expensive to go home.
K: Really? How much is it for you to go home?
C: It’s around $2000.
K: Yeah that really is a lot, I only pay around $800 when I go home.
C: Lucky!
K: Yes but I suppose you stay in touch with your family then?
C: I talk to them about once a week. I used to talk to them three or four times a week but now I don’t have time for that. My girlfriend talks to her parents every day.
K: Where is she from?
C: She is from Sri Lanka as well.
K: That’s cool! How long have you guys been together?
C: A little more than one year!
K: Nice, that’s exciting!
C: It is nice to have someone here.
K: Yeah I know what you mean. Are the two of you going back to your country after college together then?
C: We don’t know yet. What about you?
K: I don’t know yet either. I could see myself living in the U.S. just not in Minnesota it’s too cold for me here!
C: But it’s nice with the snow!
K: It’s alright! Too cold though! I am always cold especially at night when I lay down.
C: Haha.
K: Well I guess I don’t have any more questions for you. It was really interesting to find out about everything you have to say though!
C: Yeah no problem.
K: I always love to hear about other international students experiences!
C: Yeah everyone has so many different things to say.
K: Yes it’s true! But I think we got lucky with SCSU because they have such great programs for international students. Last spring I went to a Twins game with them it was a lot of fun!
C: Yeah I hear they do a lot. I am so busy I have never been able to check it out.
K: Well you should! It is really cheap too!
C: Maybe I will.
K: Good, well I don’t have anything else and I know you are busy with your school work. Thank you for letting me do this with you!
C: Yeah it was fun!
K: Have a good night! I will see you around!
C: Yeah see ya!
Chamira: Yeah no problem, Kim right?
K: Yup it’s really nice to meet you! I have to ask you right away, can I record this interview? It will just be easier for me to transcribe it later!
C: Yeah that’s completely fine!
K: Thank you, I appreciate it! How has your day been?
C: Pretty busy, all the homework. I can’t wait for spring break.
K: Me neither! Are you going anywhere?
C: Maybe I will go to Chicago for a few days but not sure yet. I have to finish all my projects before I can go anywhere.
K: I know how you feel. I have a lot to get done too but I am thinking about going home to Germany for a couple of weeks so I will have to get everything done ahead of time.
C: Oh you’re from Germany? I didn’t know that.
K: Yes I moved here two years ago for school.
C: That’s cool!
K: Yes it’s been a great experience so far! Do you want me to get you some coffee since were sitting at Caribou?
C: No I am fine thanks, I just had dinner at home.
K: Alright, well should we get started?
C: Sure!
K: Ok first question: Do you think it will be easy to find a job after college?
C: No I don’t think so.
K: And why is that?
C: Because no one is willing to hire international students right now.
K: Yes I have experienced that myself, why do you think that is?
C: I think it is because the American economy is down right now and president Obama wants companies to give jobs to American residents to get the economy going again.
K: It’s frustrating isn’t it?
C: Yeah especially because we’re qualified people. It doesn’t make one feel too good.
K: Yeah I know how that goes. Do you think it will be easier for you in your home country then?
C: Yes I think it will be a lot easier especially with the education I got over here.
K: Nice! So what was the hardest thing about transitioning to the U.S. for you?
C: There is a lot of racism in this country. It was hard to get used to that at first.
K: Really? Did you personally encounter racism?
C: No I wasn’t hurt or anything but they just call people black, white or brown here and the main question they ask you is “When are you going back?”
K: That’s interesting! I guess I am one of these people but not to hurt anyone. I like to joke about it.
C: There’s good people to but people just resist to change here and they talk a lot behind your back.
K: I definitely know what you are talking about. Sorry to hear that you have come across that.
C: Oh it’s not all that bad. It just took some getting used to.
K: I see what you mean. So why did you decide to come to SCSU instead of studying in your own country?
C: Where I am from I don’t get too choose my major and it is also really competitive so I don’t know whether I would have gotten in or not.
K: You don’t get to choose your major?
C: No the government chooses it for you. They decide what field you have to go into.
K: That is really interesting. I have never heard of anything like that. How do you like that?
C: I don’t like it at all! I want to do whatever I want to do and that is why I am here.
K: I like that attitude!
C: Haha.
K: So what is your opinion of the American diet?
C: Diet?
K: The American food.
C: Ohh I don’t like it at all. It doesn’t have any flavor. I usually eat home cooked food!
K: What do you usually cook then?
C: Hmm rice, curry and sandwiches.
K: Oh so only rice, curry and sandwiches? That sounds kind of iffy to say the least.
C: Well obviously not only that I make stir fry out of it and things like that.
K: Now that sounds better! So do you ever go out to eat here?
C: No I don’t’. It doesn’t taste good to me so I don’t want to waste my money.
K: That’s fair. So how does the climate in your country compare to the climate here?
C: It is warm and tropical at home but I like it here.
K: Do you really?
C: Yeah I enjoy the snow, not all the time but sometimes.
K: Brr it’s too cold for me. I am already cold when it gets down to 30*F.
C: You would like it in my country then it’s always around 30*C.
K: Yes I would like that a lot! Maybe you should take me sometime.
C: Haha sure!
K: So what are some cultural differences between your country and here?
C: There is no kissing in public in my country!
K: Hmm interesting I don’t know what to say.. . Is it socially not acceptable to kiss in public?
C: No, holding hands is fine but no kissing.
K: What else is there?
C: Women here are really loud and talk too much. Women in my country don’t talk that much. We see them as flowers and they get treated like that.
K: American boys could learn from that!
C: Haha yeah I know.
K: Are women allowed education over there then?
C: Yes they are! But it is mostly the men who take care of the finances.
K: Well that answers my next question. So is it your dad who takes care of the finances in your family?
C: Yes but for my family it’s different. My dad was a vet and my mom was a teacher but then they both gave up their jobs to open up their own business.
K: What kind of business?
C: First a car dealership and now they have a store for construction supplies.
K: Good for them! Alright let’s move on I know you said you didn’t have much time. Would you have been able to get the same education in your home country? I guess I already know the answer but assuming they would have put you in the major you would have wanted to go for would you have been able to?
C: Yes I think I would have. I just wouldn’t have gotten in because I am not really smart.
K: Don’t say that. You’re doing good over here right?
C: Yes I am doing good but it could be better.
K: What is your major though?
C: It’s engineering.
K: See that is a tough one wherever you go! I think you’re doing alright or else you wouldn’t be here!
C: Thank you.
K: Not for that! Do you currently have a job over here?
C: Yes I am working as a tutor in the engineering building! It pays for my food.
K: That’s good! And what do you enjoy most about the U.S.?
C: Being away from home.
K: Do you really? I am not good at it at all. But then I guess I am a girl too so I miss my family.
C: Yeah for me it’s just nice to be on my own not under their control because I couldn’t drink in my country.
K: Is that only for you or for everyone in your country?
C: No it’s allowed to drink at social gatherings but for my family even that is not allowed so I like to be here.
K: Why is it that your family doesn’t allow it?
C: I don’t really know they just don’t want it.
K: Well I guess that’s only healthy!
C: Haha yes but it’s fun to drink sometimes!
K: Yeah if you don’t have too much… Anything else but drinking?
C: I like the discipline people have here while driving.
K: Explain that!
C: At home people don’t follow tracks. People are everywhere on the roads because it’s so narrow. It’s so nice and big here.
K: Yeah that’s true. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like without roads like this.
C: You have the autobahn in Germany right?
K: Yes we do! That’s why I couldn’t imagine!
C: I would love to drive on the autobahn sometimes!
K: Well feel free to visit me sometime!
C: Haha!
K: Ok this is personal favorite because I know what a hassle it is to get all the documents together to come to the U.S. What did you hav eto go trough to get all your immigration documents together?
C: We had to show them all our bank accounts. My parents and my own bank accounts. You basically have to show that you are wealthy.
K: Did you also have to personally go to the embassy to get your paperwork done?
C: Yes we had to drive there to make a date for the interview and then we had to go back there for the interview.
K: So you had to go twice?
C: Yes.
K: How many embassies are there in your country?
C: There is only one!
K: How far away is it from your place?
C: It’s about four hours from our place, so about 100km!
K: What?! Four hours for 100km??
C: Yeah remember I told you how bad the roads are over there. It takes forever. And then there is not a lot of roads so they are always full and it is just really annoying to drive over there.
K: That would be really frustrating.
C: Yeah but usually we don’t have to take long trips because everything we need is around us.
K: I suppose that makes sense. How often do you get home to see your family then?
C: Maybe next summer.
K: When was the last time you were home though?
C: Oh I haven’t been home since I came here.
K: And when was that?
C: In January 2009.
K: That is more than two years ago!!!
C: Yeah I know but it is too expensive to go home.
K: Really? How much is it for you to go home?
C: It’s around $2000.
K: Yeah that really is a lot, I only pay around $800 when I go home.
C: Lucky!
K: Yes but I suppose you stay in touch with your family then?
C: I talk to them about once a week. I used to talk to them three or four times a week but now I don’t have time for that. My girlfriend talks to her parents every day.
K: Where is she from?
C: She is from Sri Lanka as well.
K: That’s cool! How long have you guys been together?
C: A little more than one year!
K: Nice, that’s exciting!
C: It is nice to have someone here.
K: Yeah I know what you mean. Are the two of you going back to your country after college together then?
C: We don’t know yet. What about you?
K: I don’t know yet either. I could see myself living in the U.S. just not in Minnesota it’s too cold for me here!
C: But it’s nice with the snow!
K: It’s alright! Too cold though! I am always cold especially at night when I lay down.
C: Haha.
K: Well I guess I don’t have any more questions for you. It was really interesting to find out about everything you have to say though!
C: Yeah no problem.
K: I always love to hear about other international students experiences!
C: Yeah everyone has so many different things to say.
K: Yes it’s true! But I think we got lucky with SCSU because they have such great programs for international students. Last spring I went to a Twins game with them it was a lot of fun!
C: Yeah I hear they do a lot. I am so busy I have never been able to check it out.
K: Well you should! It is really cheap too!
C: Maybe I will.
K: Good, well I don’t have anything else and I know you are busy with your school work. Thank you for letting me do this with you!
C: Yeah it was fun!
K: Have a good night! I will see you around!
C: Yeah see ya!
