Commented [P1]:

Observation One Sunday January 26, 2014 Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm Location of Observation: A three bedroom apartment at Walden Station was the site for a dinner being hosted by Turk and John, exchange students from Saudi Arabia. The apartment has a small entranceway that holds residents and guests shoes and coats that opens up into a large common area. As guests enter the apartment, you can smell the unfamiliar, exotic smell of spices and food. These are unlike anything the average American is used to. The common area has two large couches and a generously sized TV. Next to the common area is the kitchen which has a large wrap around bar area separating it from the entranceway and living room. Three rooms for the residents are strategically placed on three sides of the apartment. The size of the apartment is comfortable for accommodating many guest with the living room area, bar and rooms spread throughout the apartment. Turk and John are the only tenants at the current time and one of the three rooms sits quietly empty. Welcoming American music can be heard at an appropriate volume throughout the apartment. Familiar images of American video games are also being played on the TV with many guests watching with interest. A mix of random conversations are taking place in all of the areas of the apartment. Half of them are understandable and being spoken in English. The other half are foreign and cant be understood at all except for reading the looks of the participants facing to see if it is a story, funny, sad, serious, or happy. Everyone in attendance is from different regions of the Middle East. Figured World: Figured Worlds are a specific location at a certain time where there is a group of people. Typically these people share a common interest and/or goal being in this location. This Figured World commonly has certain distinguishing characteristics, items/artifacts, discourse communities and accepted behaviors that make it unique. There are many unspoken rules and conventions of the Figured World of all the exchange students in attendance from UNC Charlotte. It is driven by many of the participants upbringings but also by their respect for one another. Being aware that they are part of a small discourse community within the larger UNC Charlotte student body makes them have a closer connection with one another. Religion is a very important tradition for them. It shows in how they act, eat, speak or treat others. Directly for this Figured World, not being able to have any pork or certain other meals is forbidden by religion. There is a great deal of a sense of team or family even amongst everyone. If someone can help and someone needs help, a person would immediately help the other out. This was the case with even something as small as coming up the stairs with something in their hands. It was a relaxed environment where everyone was connected to each other and to their original home. When it was time to eat, instead of many conversations happening at once, there was only one person who would speak. No one else would interrupt. Everyone would respect what one would have to say at the dinner portion. Outside of dinner, conversation carried on between Arabic and English like it would in any social setting with multiple conversations going on at the same time. Even though, only two people were actually related, everyone had a sense of family to one another.
Commented [P2]: Really great description of location of observation.

Commented [P3]: Make into either sentences or use definition style to define. Commented [P4]: Definitions very thorough.

Actors: Specific people that play a significant role in developing a Figured World. They play a critical role in setting the environment for different discourse communities and are stand-out people within this world. These actors have responsibility and role expectations from the discourse communities within the Figured World. Turk: A good friend who is from a northern tribe in Saudi Arabia. He is attending UNC Charlotte on scholarship from his country to study overseas. He has been in the United States exactly one year now. Since arriving he has been in the English learning program offered at UNCC. This will be his last semester in this program and will begin his education in art after this semester. Turk lives at the apartment and is hosting a dinner for the other exchange students. For this observation, he is helping John cook and make sure his guests are comfortable and entertained. John: An exchange student from outside of the city Hail, Saudi Arabia. John has been in the United States about a year longer and has already begun to take classes for his degree at UNC Charlotte. He is currently working on his engineering degree. He hopes to finish on time and move back to the Middle East to get a good job and start a family. He also lives at the apartment and is the primary chef cooking the meal for everyone this evening. He is cooking a traditional Arabic meal meant for a large group of people. Rambo: The brother of John. He does not live in the apartment but lives across the hall from this apartment. He is helping with everyone as well. Rambo is very friendly and spends much of his time socializing with everyone. He has not been in the United States very long and has only been working in the English program at UNCC for about five months now. His English is slightly broken and is eager to learn it as fast as he can.

Commented [P5]: Make into either sentences or use definition style to define.

Artifacts: Artifacts are tangible or non-tangible items that make-up the Figured World. They give the world its uniqueness and help communicate ideas, feelings, traditions, beliefs or meanings. They can be a physical object as simple as a chair or picture on the wall. They can also be non-physical such as conversations, feelings or ideas shared. Traditional Arabic Food for Dinner: Many Arabic Families prepare large meals for the great number of immediate family members they typically have. For example, John has nine brothers and sisters. It is common tradition to have such large families in Saudi Arabia. The meals that are prepared rarely have the capacity to only feed two or three people. Since pork is not allowed religiously, chicken is a frequent meal. Also, rice is prepared very often. This provides a relatively cheap but filling food to supplement the chicken. These meals are cooked with a great deal of spices that are never seen in the United States. Any combination of up to twenty different spices could be used on one part of the meal. The smell is delightful. There is a great deal of attention to detail put into these meals and require a great deal of knowledge to negotiate the complex ingredients. Traditional Arabic Music: This music was played to help with ambience for the apartment. This helped the exchange students feel more connected to home which was half a world away. There are very few instruments played in the music. The songs consist of mostly men singing.

Commented [P6]: Make into either sentences or use definition style to define. Commented [P7]: Good definition. Included everything thats important and significant. Commented [P8]: How Arabic food differs from US. How does the Arabic family compare to US?

Commented [P9]: Good to bring up religious restrictions.

American Music/Games: When hosting a dinner or get-together, it is always important to provide entertainment. All of the exchange students have open minds and are interested in learning about Americans. Taking part in the culture of American music and video games help them learn more about our country. They can do this by doing similar things as other young Americans. Listening to music and playing video games also help them with applying their English skills. It could be assumed that most of the American entertainment is also just plain fun to them as well. Arabic Language: Commonly spoken amongst Middle Eastern countries. Everyone in attendance originally spoke Arabic. It is similar to the traditional music played and food. It is something that everyone shares. It helps with comfort. While everyone is away from this place they do not get to use their language as much as they would like to. Being surrounded by others who share this language can help with feeling accepted in a foreign land.

Discourse Communities: Discourse Communities are a group of people that share a common goal and have similar unique characteristics to them alone. They can be any amount of people. Discourse Communities have a membership to be accepted in them. A person has to be familiar with their goals and practices to be allowed access in to their circle. Experienced Exchange Students (over one year): Some of the students have been in the United States longer than others. These students are significantly better at speaking English. They use English frequently in their conversations. The experienced students have been in school much longer together and have stronger relationships to one another than most of the other students. These students have a sort of maturity in America as well. New Exchange Students (under one year): These students stand out when speaking English. They have a very hard time speaking and understanding English. Many of the American traditions, ideas and entertainment are new to them. These seem exciting to the newer students. They are classed together at UNCC. They have created their own sub/new discourse community as they move forward together in the English program. Students from Similar Areas in the Middle East: Some of the students share closer bonds and conversations. They are from tribes that were located closely in the Middle East. Here, they one anothers family and friends not even knowing each other. Conversations of back home and family are constantly discussed. These students tend to take to one another the most in this Figured World.

Literacy Practices: Literacy Practices are the way in which the people involved with the Figured World conduct themselves and interact with others within the Figured World. They help bond the people involved and set expectations. Eating Dinner Together on the Floor: All guests eat on the floor like they would traditionally in their country. There are no chairs. Everyone sits in a huge circle and eats from the middle. They sit Indian style while eating with their hands. No plates are used while everyone eats. The food is served on large trays. These trays get passed around or everyone reaches in to eat from. This is traditional to them. If someone were to break

this practice, it may be frowned upon. Some of the students would most likely think it was odd too. Sharing Everything: Everything that everyone owns is shared with everyone else in the figured world. They constantly are borrowing things from one another. The students seem to pull together and trust one another very much so. Even something like shoes may be shared if someone were stepping outside for a moment. This shows how close everyone is to one another. Moving in Groups: The small discourse communities within this figured world seem to stay close together. When a member of the smaller discourse community moves, the rest of the members tend to go with each other. This may be while changing rooms or stepping outside. These groups of people all interact with each other. They dont stay apart for very long though.

Observation: 7:00PM: Arrive at the apartment. The smell of the food is very distinct and can be smelled before even entering the apartment. It smells very good. I did not know what to expect though for food. Everyone takes their shoes off at the door. There are a little more than ten people there when I arrive. A few are together at the bar of the kitchen. A few are in the living room sitting around the TV playing video games. There is American music playing and John is in the kitchen cooking with about five pots of something and many spices all around covering the kitchen counters. There are many conversations going on. Some in English, which I can understand. Many conversations are in Arabic though. 7:10PM: I have been introduced to everyone. They are all attending UNC Charlotte. Not everyone is in the English program there. Some have finished and are now working on their degrees at UNCC. Most wish to pursue some type of engineering degree. Everyone speaks Arabic but surprisingly enough, most can speak English well enough to not have too much trouble talking. I try to be polite to annunciate my words for them to understand. 7:15PM: There are three main areas everyone is. In the bedroom listening to music, in the living room playing video games or at the bar area talking. There are many different people here but all from the Middle East. Some have been here longer than others. There is a large gap in ability to speak English. Arabic is frequently used. 7:30PM: John finished cooking and served the food to everyone. Before he set the food out, all of the living room furniture was moved away from the center and the food was placed in the middle of a large carpet. Turk played traditional Arabic music from a small stereo while the food was placed out. The tone of the apartment changed. It wasnt quite as social. More formal now that dinner was about to be served it seemed. 7:35PM: All the people in attendance sat around the middle, indian style. No one had plates. Everyone reached in to take the food they were eating. It was like a buffet without plates or silverware. The food was very good. There were many flavors from all of the spices used to make the dishes. There was mainly rice and chicken. Even though there was rice served, no utensils were used. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the meal very much. I thought it was a

great meal as well. You could see everyone was happy to be having a cooked meal like they were used to. 7:50PM: Everyone had finished eating. We all sat around and had random conversations about everything from school to our own countries. The United States is a very different country from what they are used to. All stayed at the eating area until a few were ready to depart. 7:55PM: All the people that were there helped clean everything after eating. The eating area was cleaned by some. The kitchen had about four people in it cleaning up the dishes and counter areas. You could tell that they all cared for one another and respected each other very much by this. 8:05PM: Everyone had finished cleaning and almost immediately after started to leave. I assume that since they see each other so frequently that everyone was in a hurry to get to their homes after eating as much food as we did. I had a small conversation with a few stragglers and decided it was time I left as well.

Observation Two Monday February 3, 2014 Time: 10:30am-11:00am Location of Observation: The International Student Services office located in the CHHS building of UNC Charlotte. It is located on the second floor on the side of the building nearest the Student Union. Here there are many offices and classes for the international students that attend school at UNCC. There are several common areas located on the second floor and first floor that host many students gathering for class purposes and social reasons. Standing in the common area of the second floor, every door within sight is a different office for different types of services. Down the halls past these offices are the classrooms that host different English program classes. There is a constant buzz of students and faculty walking around. Figured World: Figured Worlds are a specific location at a certain time where there is a group of people. Typically these people share a common interest and/or goal being in this location. This Figured World commonly has certain distinguishing characteristics, items/artifacts, discourse communities and accepted behaviors that make it unique. There are many unspoken rules and conventions of the Figured World of all the exchange students in attendance from UNC Charlotte. It is driven by many of the participants upbringings but also by their respect for one another. Being aware that they are part of a small discourse community within the larger UNC Charlotte student body makes them have a closer connection with one another. Religion is a very important tradition for them. It shows in how they act, eat, speak or treat others. Directly for this Figured World, not being able to have any pork or certain other meals is forbidden by religion. There is a great deal of a sense of team or family even amongst everyone. If someone can help and someone needs help, a person would immediately help the other out. I observed that when a person spoke, no one would interrupt. Everyone would respect what one would have to say during any conversation. Many conversations carried on would bounce between Arabic and English like it would in any social setting with multiple conversations going on at the same time. Everyone had a sense of family to one another. These students had a strong sense of comfort around one another within the vicinity of each other. They would go from being what seemed like an introvert immediately to extrovert as soon as they entered this figured world. All of the international students seemed to be very excited to be in the United States. This was a grand opportunity that not many people get to have. Actors: Specific people that play a significant role in developing a Figured World. They play a critical role in setting the environment for different discourse communities and are stand-out people within this world. These actors have responsibility and role expectations from the discourse communities within the Figured World. Diane: The office manager for most of the international students. Her office is located down the hall of the office of admissions for international students. Her job is to act as a manager of most students and counselor. She is very personable and knows every student that walks through the halls of the international student community.

Commented [P10]: Dont have to repeat definitions for each observation.

Jessica: Assistant for the admissions office. She is very similar to Diane and works closely with her to help mentor and ensure the students succeed at UNCC. She also acts less of just an assistant and more of a counselor. She has many duties and many students to keep up with while trying to maintain an orderly office with the great deal of traffic that walks in and out.

Artifacts: Artifacts are tangible or non-tangible items that make-up the Figured World. They give the world its uniqueness and help communicate ideas, feelings, traditions, beliefs or meanings. They can be a physical object as simple as a chair or picture on the wall. They can also be non-physical such as conversations, feelings or ideas shared. Common Area for the Students: Many of the students take time from their day to spend here. Whether they be between classes, on lunch, studying for a test, or just looking for a place to sit around, the common areas are a high traffic, high interest area. The primary area is located on the second floor near the international services office. There is a second area located directly below on the first floor. When the primary lobby here fills up, many students will spill over into the second located on the first floor. Many meetings or lone students spend time here. Classrooms: These classrooms seems slightly different than most. There are many different classes taking place at the same time. They are their own independent operation from one another though. Not all of the students are in the same English level. Each one of these classes represent different groups of students at different levels. The classes dont operate on the same schedules either. This causes a constant flow of students at all times throughout most of the day. Literature to help with American Culture and English: Located in the common areas and in all of the offices are magazines and books aimed to help international students become more familiar with American culture and the English language. Books and magazines that most Americans pay no mind towards are a critical source for understanding more about us as a country and culture. Comfort: The campus of UNC Charlotte can be a very intimidating environment. When the international students come here, they feel comfortable. They are surrounded by more of their friends and people who are from similar cultures. Even if the other students are not from a similar place, they can all confide in the fact that they share the feeling of being in a new and strange culture. It is a place that students can go to be comfortable and where Americans are not going to gaze at them strangely for being different.

Discourse Communities: Discourse Communities are a group of people that share a common goal and have similar unique characteristics to them alone. They can be any amount of people. Discourse Communities have a membership to be accepted in them. A person has to be familiar with their goals and practices to be allowed access in to their circle. Counselors: The counselors have an interesting role for this figured world. They are responsible for ensuring the students stay engaged in school. A sub role they play is that

they help the students as mentors in their lives as well. They give advice on where to live, what to do, how to handle their finances or anything else the students may be concerned about. The students trust the counselors as leaders and liaisons to America. Teachers: Teachers are the intellectual influence for all the students. Their involvement with the students is crucial to the students success. Being able to effectively teach English to the students opens the doors to be able to function in the United States. Also, by effectively teaching the students English, they are enabling the students to go on to study their undergraduate program at UNCC. Students: The students are very similar to other students at UNC Charlotte. They socialize and attend classes like everyone else. The only difference is that they are studying English for now and not a specific degree program. They are a close community of young people. Although they may not all be from the same areas around the world, they share many similarities.

Literacy Practices: Literacy Practices are the way in which the people involved with the Figured World conduct themselves and interact with others within the Figured World. They help bond the people involved and set expectations. Socializing Together: While transiting to classes or elsewhere, the students often stop and spend time together in the common areas and halls. It almost seemed impossible for some students to leave the building between seeing the counselors and friends. Speaking English as much as possible: The students are constantly testing each other on their level of English. They will sit down and have random conversations about anything. They could discuss the weather, their night last night, or what they are planning to do after school. These conversations are not to explain to one another about what the actual weather is but rather to ensure they are speaking correctly. After one person speaks, many of their peers would review their conversation and critique their performance.

Commented [P11]: Social cues/ different roles people play and how they interact.

Observation: 10:30AM: The counselors are all sitting in their offices. A few students, about 5 are sitting out in the common areas working on what would seem to be some type of school work. All of the classes are filled with different students. There arent many students walking around. The offices have windows that open up to a receptionist area. Secretaries fill all of these areas and seem to be steadily working on secretary duties. It is very quiet. 10:38AM: A few more students walk down the hall and sit down in the common area. One of them walks into the Services office to speak with Diane. The rest sit down and are talking in another language laughing. They quickly switched to English and are talking about finding a place to live. It seems they do not like their current apartment.

10:45AM: The students that were sitting down get up and walk down to a class. Shortly after they walk down there the class lets out. A few of the students walking out stop and talk with the original students. After their conversation, the first group walk into the class room and you can over hear greetings from the professor and the students. Two more classes let out at this time. The hall ways have about 30 or so students leaving. 10:50AM: Not all of the class rooms let class out a few minutes ago. Some of the students have stuck around and are sitting in the common area. One sits on the arm rest of a chair while a few others are around him. He begins to explain to the others what he did this weekend. He is explaining it in an odd way in English though. The others seem to be listening to what he is saying and he is annunciating the words very harshly. He seems to be practicing like for a speaking test. 10:55AM: Diane walks out of her office and over to a few of the students that are sitting around and begins to speak with them about how school is going. She knows all of the students by name and they seem very friendly with her. She is very personable with them and seems sincerely interested in how they are doing. 11:00AM: The students that were what seemed to be going over speaking test critiques are still in the common area practicing. A few other straggler students are sitting around occupying the remaining chairs working with books open and paper out. Jessica seems to be walking back and forth through Dianes office. Two more classes have just let out and about twenty or so students are making a shuffle through the hallways in all directions seemly repeating.

Commented [P12]: Need more notes for observations if possible.

Observation Three Monday February 03, 2014 Time: 3:30pm-4:00pm Location of Observation: The Student Union located on campus at UNC Charlotte. The Student Union or Union as it is known for also, is a center for student activity. It hosts a number of shops and food locations. One of the dominating attractions of the Union are the countless amounts of entertainment areas. These areas are made up of movie theaters, art galleries, pool hall, and countless other group activity areas. A visitor that is not familiar to the Union could easily get lost without the huge main hall area that stretches four stories up. On the upper floors, several student service offices are located. Students gather in every open area around the Union. The center floor on the first floor is filled with chairs and tables for the students to sit down and either socialize or put headphones in to work on school work. It is a small sanctuary to break the monotony of the constant learning buzz around campus. Its appeal to the eyes can also give a welcome escape from the mute colors of the library that seems to absorb students into the walls and shelves. A little time spent here can be just what any student needs to get a recharge to take on the campus again. Figured World: Figured Worlds are a specific location at a certain time where there is a group of people. Typically these people share a common interest and/or goal being in this location. This Figured World commonly has certain distinguishing characteristics, items/artifacts, discourse communities and accepted behaviors that make it unique. There are many unspoken rules and conventions in the Figured World of all the exchange students in attendance from UNC Charlotte. It is driven by many of the participants upbringings but also by their respect for one another. Being aware that they are part of a small discourse community within the larger UNC Charlotte student body makes them have a closer connection with one another. Religion is a very important tradition for them. It shows in how they act, eat, speak or treat others. Directly for this Figured World, not being able to have any pork or certain other meals is forbidden by religion. There is a great deal of a sense of team or family even amongst everyone. If someone can help and someone needs help, a person would immediately help the other out. I observed that when a person spoke, no one would interrupt. Everyone would respect what one would have to say during any conversation. Many conversations carried on would bounce between Arabic and English like it would in any social setting with multiple conversations going on at the same time. Everyone had a sense of family to one another. These students had a strong sense of comfort around one another within the vicinity of each other. They would go from being what seemed like an introvert immediately to extrovert as soon as they entered this figured world. All of the international students seemed to be very excited to be in the United States. This was a grand opportunity that not many people get to have. Actors: Specific people that play a significant role in developing a Figured World. They play a critical role in setting the environment for different discourse communities and are stand-out people within this world. These actors have responsibility and role expectations from the discourse communities within the Figured World.

Turk: An exchange student from Saudi Arabia. He has been attending school here for about a year now and is looking forward to finishing his English studies. He has enjoyed being here at UNCC so far. He attends classes in the CHHS building on campus and after a few hours spend in the class room likes to meet a few of his peers at the Union. John: An exchange student from Saudi Arabia. John has finished the English program and is currently taking classes working on his engineering degree. He is working on his second semester taking regular academics. He has been attending school the longest out of most of the exchange students here. Rambo: The youngest out of the students. He is an exchange student from Saudi Arabia. He has only been taking English classes at UNCC for a short period of time. Jokes around very often with his peers. He mostly speaks in Arabic but his English is getting better by the day. He seems to be enjoying his time here in the United States.

Artifacts: Artifacts are tangible or non-tangible items that make-up the Figured World. They give the world its uniqueness and help communicate ideas, feelings, traditions, beliefs or meanings. They can be a physical object as simple as a chair or picture on the wall. They can also be non-physical such as conversations, feelings or ideas shared. Chairs set around each other: Each of the exchange students bring in a chair provided at the Union around one another. Everyone sits around and seems to be relaxing using these chairs. They provide a place for them to sit and if there are not any available then they can be shared by someone sitting on the armrest. Book bags: All of the exchange students for the most part have book bags to carry their belongings. These bags hold computers, books, work or other entertainment devices. Without these the exchange students would not be able to carry as much and probably wouldnt be as entertained or be able to do extra work they have.

Pool tables: These seem to be a large entertainment source for many of the males of the figured world. At all times, there are about 6-7 members at one of the pool tables enjoying themselves playing pool. Being able to spend time with their peers is important but these bring another level of entertainment while doing so. Arabic Language: Most conversations are spoken in Arabic. Here at the Union, more than any other area is Arabic spoken predominantly. This may be because it is a public place with many American students and the exchange students do not wish their conversations to be understood for some reason. Almost everything is spoken in Arabic.

Discourse Communities: Discourse Communities are a group of people that share a common goal and have similar unique characteristics to them alone. They can be any amount of people.

Discourse Communities have a membership to be accepted in them. A person has to be familiar with their goals and practices to be allowed access in to their circle. Exchange Students chairs: These students are primarily sitting around having casual conversations. They are socializing within their designated area that creates a sort of bubble in the middle of the Union. They do not get up often and have multiple conversations going on at one time. They are a mix of all the levels of the English program and degree programs. Exchange Students playing pool: This is in relative close proximity of the rest of the students but still in a separate room. All of the students playing pool are male and very close friends. They seem to have known each other for a long time and all have classes together. They are not competitively playing but rather playing to occupy their hands while they spend time together. Male and Female Exchange Students: Within all of the groups of people, they are primarily segregated into males and female peer groups. Everyone still interacts with one another but there is a distinct separation between the amount of conversing between male/male and female/female. Those of the same sex tend to have more conversation together rather than across gender lines.
Commented [P13]: Social cues/ different roles people play and how they interact.

Literacy Practices: Literacy Practices are the way in which the people involved with the Figured World conduct themselves and interact with others within the Figured World. They help bond the people involved and set expectations. Being social when sitting together: All the students seem to be in a social mood when grouped together here. If there is a person not involved in the conversation, it does not take long for them to find input to involve themselves it seems. Everyone sitting around has something to talk about all the time. It seems like a fun and social environment. Waiting Turns in pool: Exchange students seem to have adopted the American way of playing pool. Although, they are not attempting to be competitive or win, they let everyone get involved and dont ever seem to mind the score. Everyone is there to relax: It is the end of the school day for most. Everyone is looking for some downtime after class. With everyone just leaving class, this is the perfect time for them to get together and enjoy each others company. No one has homework out. No one is excessively talking on the phone. They are all there to hang out.

Observation: 3:30PM: A few exchange students and I arrive through the front of the Union. There are several other exchange students there at the Union. A few are seated in the middle area and a few are playing pool.

3:35PM: Two of the students left to get something to eat together leaving only a small amount of students together in the common area. 3:40PM: Several more students arrive and I notice everyone is speaking Arabic and hasnt said any English at all. The same could be said for in the pool hall area. It is hard to tell what is going on exactly not being able to understand what anyone is cool. 3:45PM: Turk and Rambo are in the pool hall area. Rambo has from time to time bounced back and forth a few times. He doesnt seem interested in playing pool really while Turk is more focused as he plays and others wait around. John is over in the middle of the Union talking with a few of his friends I remember seeing him with before. One of his friends is talking and three other guys are around him listening intently. 3:50PM: Turk finished playing his game. Not the best outing Ive seen. They were having fun though. Turk replaced another guy on a couch near the table while two new players took their shot at it. Rambo volunteered Turks offer to play to another friend. Im hearing John and the middle area friends laughing loudly as if they were the only people in the Union. I cant tell if the story is really that funny. Ive noticed about 5 girls in the middle though. I havent seen any of them engage with any guys other than greeting. They are mostly together and have only been sitting next to each other talking with themselves. 3:55PM: Several more exchange students arrived and a few of the arriving students walked outside to smoke a cigarette with the students already there. Its obvious that this seemed almost routine to them. They have been coming here after class meeting for a while and enjoyed their time after class hanging out here. It was a fun and comfortable routine. Not many of the exchange students live on campus actually. Since they are spread out on the outskirts of campus, it makes sense for them to hang out after class while they are already together.

Commented [P14]: Whaaaaaaaa?

Interview Questions: Goals: -At least 5 questions -Open probes -Establish who, why, how in the figured world What is your name and where are you originally from? Turk, Saudi Arabia Why did you decide to come to the United States to attend college? I could not go to college in my country because of certain test scores while I was in high school. I did very well on the tests applying to foreign programs. I was accepted to go to the United Kingdom or United States. I did not like the English so I chose the United States. All of the English people I have met have seemed rude or better than. How long have you been enrolled in school at UNC Charlotte and why did you decide to come here? I enrolled at UNCC last March. Charlotte had a few of my friends here already. I like the city here though. The people I heard were nice, the school looked nice. I liked what I heard and saw about Charlotte and UNC Charlotte. The English program is good here too. What do you intend to do/ what are your goals while you are here? I want to finish with my English program and start to work on my degree. I am thinking about going to California for my degree. I want to do design. Why are these your goals? I like to draw. Not like paintings or something though. I want to draw like a building or something that you would see. I cant think of anything else I would like doing. How do you plan on achieving those goals? I have to finish school for English. I have to pass the ELIS test before taking regular classes. I have already applied to move to California in the summer hopefully. I have taken the ELIS 4 times and Im waiting on the results from the last one two weeks ago.

Commented [P15]: Make a note of the changes made to replies from interviewee. Since he did not speak English very well.

Commented [P16]: Great questions and good job to ask more questions.

Commented [P17]: Define ELIS.

Have your goals changed since coming here? Yes, I originally wanted to go to school here for engineering. I dont like engineering though. My dad is in the military and a general in Saudi Arabia. He wanted me to do something like that and I thought I would like it. I wouldnt though. I like the idea of making something like designing it. Thats why I want to go to school in San Francisco. From what have they changed? (Engineering to Art Design) Why have they changed? (if they have)

I think everyone in my country goes and does these things and its what everyone wants to do after high school. I dont want to be an engineer. Its not what I want to do in life. How does UNC Charlotte give you the chance to achieve these goals? It has taught me English. The school in San Francisco is one of the best in the country. I can go to school here but I want to go to school in California now. How do you feel since starting school at UNC Charlotte? I feel good. I like it here. I did not know I would be in the English program for this long. I dont like learning the same thing over and over again. It is very boring. I am ready to do something else that I would like more. Why do you think you feel that way? The test is hard. I have taken it 4 times. I do good everywhere except speaking and sometimes grammar. I dont like it. What do you like about school here? I like all my friends that I have hear. The school is nice too. What don't you like about school here? I dont like doing the same thing every day here. Its not fun. It gets cold too. What would you say is the most interesting thing about where you are from? I dont know. We have many americans living near where I live. Most do not live where we live. Many of them have compounds and big communities they live in. They are always doing fun stuff there. They like to have fun in these places. What is the biggest difference of living here and where you are from? I can do whatever I want here. Im on my own. I can go or do anything. I like that. What advice would you give to another exchange student coming into the program here? Pass the test fast. Its not fun. I am tired of taking the test over and over. Most take 6 tries. Im hoping I pass this time. What advice would you give to an American student interested in learning about your culture? We are just like the other students so we are like friends.