I interviewed an international student from Uzbekistan. He stays in the same apartment building where I stay. I knew him for long time but never had a chance to talk about the stuffs from the question list especially about his country. It was a great opportunity for me to know him better especially the cultural and religious aspects. His country is also a muslim country. So it was really interesting for me to know how muslims practice Islam in other countries. The interview was taken the same day I asked him. So my friend didn’t have any preparation for the interview but to the best of my knowledge it went really well. We both enjoyed the interview and I found a lot of similarity between our countries which was very interesting as well. The interview lasted little more than 30 minutes and we were really glad to complete the task as expected.
Country Report - Uzbekistan
Introduction
Uzbekistan is officially known as Republic of Uzbekistan. It is located in Central Asia. Russia conquered the territory of present-day Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after the Bolshevik Revolution was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic established in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry.
Independence
Uzbekistan got its Independence in 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. Current country have been developed from zero condition, and we are celebrating our 20th anniversary of independence now.
Cultural , traditional and language
Uzbeks celebrate whenever possible, and parties usually consist of a large meal ending with palov. The food is accompanied by copious amounts of various types of drinks. Elaborate toasts, given by guests in order of their status, precede each round of shots. After, glasses are diligently refilled by a man assigned the task. A special soup of milk and seven grains is eaten on Navruz. During the month of Ramadan, observant Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset.
Religion
Uzbeks are Sunni Muslims. The territory of Uzbekistan has been a center of Islam in the region for a thousand years, but under the Soviet Union the religion was heavily controlled: mosques were closed and Muslim education was banned. Beginning in 1988, Uzbeks have revived Islam, particularly in the Ferghana Valley, where mosques have been renovated. The call to prayer was everywhere heard five times a day before the government ordered the removal of the mosques' loudspeakers in 1998.Nine percent of the population is Russian Orthodox. Jews, Baptists, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Seventh-Day Adventists, evangelical and Pentecostal Christians, Buddhists, Baha'is, and Hare Krishnas also are present.
Government system
The president appoints the head, or khokim, of each of Uzbekistan's 12 regions, called viloyatlars, and of Karakalpakistan and Tashkent, who in turn appoint the khokims of the 216 regional and city governments.Parliament (Oliy Majlis) of the Republic of Uzbekistan consists of two Chambers: The Senate and The Legislative Chamber. Members of the Senate are elected in equal quantity - six persons from each territorial entity (Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and the City of Tashkent)
Sixteen members of the Senate are appointed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from the most respectable citizens with large practical experience and special merits in the sphere of science, art, literature, industry and other spheres of state and public activity.
The term of Senate’s office - 5 years. The Legislative Chamber consists of 120 Deputies elected by territorial constituencies on multiparty basis.
Report Source
- All photos are taken from wikipedia and cia.gov
- http://www.uzbekistan.org/uzbekistan/political/#government
- https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bm.html
Interview Transcript (Edited Form)
1. Do you think it will be easy to find a job after college?
I heard that it is not so hard and but not so easy. Everybody with whom I have talked with say that it will be depend on me: on my grade, resume and so on. Since I am an international student, I have to be better than Americans, to get a job, because the competition is very high.
2. What was the hardest thing about transitioning to the U.S.? (Culture shock)
Yeah, culture shock is definitely the most hardest thing I faced. Before coming here, I had different opinion about US, such as US is like that…. US is perfect for living and studying and so on. But everything changed after I came here. I don’t want to say that I changed my mind, but what I learnt is first, you have to struggle and then everything will be ok.
3. Why did you decide to come to SCSU instead of studying or working in your own country?
Actually, I wasn’t planning to come to US and study here. Everything happened in the last one month before I came. First, I just applied for a getting a visa, but I wasn’t really interested on that because only few people will get it. So, being one of the people who got a visa was an opportunity for me to come here and study.
4. What is your opinion of the American diet?
I think fast food such as McDonald or BurgerKing is an American culture. I just cannot imagine when American people sit at their home and cook by themselves.
5. How does the climate in your home country compare to here?
Since my home country is in Asia, it is very warm. Back home we have winter with snow, autumn with rain but still it is warm compare to here. The temperature never goes down as here.
6. What are some cultural differences between your country and here?
In my country people used to talk within close distance. But here if you get closer to American while you talk with them they might think differently. So I learnt that there should be some space between people.
7 Who takes care of the finances in your family
Mostly males take care of the finances, but depending on family needs females can also work.
8 At what age do men and women spend private time and at what age do they consider marriage?
Legally male can marry at the age of 18 and females can marry at 17. But most of male get married at the age between 23 and 25. What’s more is, especially parents want to their daughters to get married not longer than 21. There are some female who married after 21 but the approximate age is 20-21 for girls.
9. What are your personal experiences with racism since coming to the US?
I didn’t really notice racism after coming here. Most people don’t “choose” people, and they are friendly. I think this is the one of the good aspect of the American culture.
10. What were your preconceptions about the US before coming here and how have they changed?
As I said before, I used to see USA as an “ideal” country. Coming and studying here was the big wish in my life. I used to think that America consists of only big and tall buildings, which American movies used to show. However, but not everywhere. But again I don’t want to say that I changed my mind. I believe that studying abroad and seeing differences between culture and everywhere is one of the greatest experiences, which will definitely help me in my future life.
11. What are the main religious groups in your country?
The main religion in my country is Islam, which involves majority percentage of the population. After that religions such as Christian, Buddhism and so on.
12. What are the major festivals in your country?
One of the most popular festival in my country is called “Navruz”. It also considers as a New Year in Islamic world. It comes on march 21st, and currently people in my country are celebrating it. People join in to one place and have traditional dishes and organize traditional games.
13. What is your country’s climate?
It is a bid warm, and 54F during spring. In summer it will be even warmer.
14. What are the main sources of transportation in your country?
I think we have a good transportation system in my country, such as like buses and trains. They come in every 10 min, which is fine if you miss one.
No comments:
Post a Comment