Cross-Cultural Interview Summary/Reflective Essay

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There are (2) two components to this assignment:
1. An interview
2. A written summary/reflective essay of the interview

 

 

 

Interview someone from a culture DIFFERENT than your own. It can be anyone you know (neighbor, friend, co-worker, in-law, another NU student). HOWEVER, IT CANNOT BE SOMEONE IN THIS CLASS. In your interview, please address the following questions:
1. Demographics of the individual being interviewed (age, gender, level of education, what they do for a living, and how you know them).
2. How do you identify yourself culturally? How did you come to this identification?
3. What are the main differences you see/feel/experience between your culture and the dominant culture of the United States.
4. Under what conditions did you and your family enter the United States (immigrant, political refugee, slave, etc.)? What was that like?
5. Has your cultural group experienced oppression historically? In your home culture on in the United States. How has this impacted you?
6. Have you experienced discrimination/racism/or other isms? In what ways? What happened as a result of this experience?
7. What were your expectations when you were little about what you would be when you grew up and what your life would be like?
8. Do you ever have the experience that your way of understanding things, thinking or or your emotional responses things were/are different from mainstream Americans. If that happens, how do you handle it?
9. Did you feel you had a lot of choice in selecting friends, dates? In selecting mates? In finding jobs? In finding housing? In obtaining credit? In obtaining medical care?
10. How were your hopes and expectations for your future met or not met?
11. Do you ever feel like you don’t belong in your cultural group? Why is that?
12. What are common misperceptions about your group that you would like to see changed or corrected?
13. What are the most important things for people outside your cultural group to learn and appreciate about your group?
14. What are the best things for you, personally, about belonging to your cultural group?
15. Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Sample Solution

Interview with Ms. Lee (Cultural Background: Korean)

  1. Demographics of the Interviewee
  • Age: 52
  • Gender: Female
  • Level of Education: Master’s Degree in Education
  • Occupation: Elementary School Teacher
  • Relationship to Interviewer: Neighbor
  1. Cultural Identification

Ms. Lee identifies as Korean American. She was born and raised in South Korea until her mid-20s when she immigrated to the United States.

  1. Cultural Differences

Ms. Lee highlighted a few key differences between Korean and American culture:

  • Emphasis on Respect: Korean culture places a high value on respecting elders, authority figures, and social hierarchy. This is reflected in language and interactions.
  • Collectivism vs. Individualism: Korean culture leans more towards collectivism, prioritizing the needs of the group over individual desires.
  • Communication Style: Koreans tend to be more indirect in communication, avoiding confrontation and valuing social harmony.
  1. Immigration Experience

Ms. Lee immigrated to the United States with her husband for better educational opportunities for their future children. While excited about the new possibilities, she also acknowledged the challenges of leaving behind family and familiar surroundings.

  1. Historical Oppression

Ms. Lee wasn’t aware of her cultural group facing significant historical oppression within Korea. However, she did discuss the ongoing tensions between North and South Korea, impacting her sense of national identity.

  1. Discrimination

Ms. Lee has experienced occasional microaggressions related to her accent or cultural background. She has learned to navigate these situations with humor and grace.

  1. Childhood Aspirations

Ms. Lee dreamt of becoming a teacher since childhood. She admired her own teachers and felt a passion for education.

  1. Cultural Differences in Understanding

Ms. Lee sometimes feels her more reserved communication style might be misinterpreted as coldness or disinterest by Americans. She has learned to be more assertive while still maintaining her cultural politeness.

  1. Choices and Freedoms

Ms. Lee felt she had a fair amount of agency in choosing her career path and education. However, she acknowledged societal expectations around marriage and family planning in Korean culture.

  1. Hopes and Expectations

Ms. Lee’s dream of becoming a teacher was realized. While there were challenges adapting to a new country, she feels her life has unfolded largely as she had hoped.

  1. Feeling Like an Outsider

Ms. Lee doesn’t feel like an outsider within her Korean community, but there are moments when navigating American culture can feel isolating, especially early on in her immigration journey.

  1. Misconceptions

Ms. Lee would like to dispel the stereotype that all Koreans are good at math and science. She emphasizes the rich cultural heritage of Korea beyond technological advancements.

  1. Important Aspects to Appreciate

Ms. Lee hopes others will appreciate the strong sense of family and community within Korean culture, as well as the emphasis on education and respect for elders.

  1. Benefits of Cultural Belonging

Ms. Lee values the sense of shared identity and heritage she finds within the Korean community. It provides a strong support system and connection to her roots.

  1. Additional Thoughts

Ms. Lee encourages open communication and cultural exchange to bridge the gap between cultures.

 

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