Essay - Foreign Interview: Ellen, Age 27 Question Please Describe the Expectations...

Foreign Interview: Ellen, age 27

Question

Please describe the expectations you had of the U.S. before you left your country. Specifically, what did you expect to find here in terms of the people, the culture, and the lifestyle of the United States?

A grew up watching American movies, and loving American music and television programs. I always ***** an idea that America was much more fast-paced than Scotland, where ***** spent most of my childhood, and even more fast-paced than London, where I got my degree and had my first paying job. At times, people have told me that I'm very strong-willed and I always wondered if I was 'really' American deep down inside and if someone with my personality would get along better in ***** States. Things seemed very glamorous in America, like the l*****e of Sarah Jessica Parker in "Sex and the City."

*****

What were some of the things that ***** most looking forward to prior ***** coming to the U.S.? (E.g. seeing or experiencing something).

***** York City of course! This will sound silly but I also always fancied myself ***** Audrey Hepburn, having breakfast at Tiffany's, ***** very posh and put **********her after a night on the town. I was quite disappointed on arriving to find out th***** Tiffany's was just a jewelry s*****re and there was no place at ***** where one could actually eat. The idea of being on the cutting edge of American culture in general ***** exciting—seeing the ***** *****, wearing the fashions. ***** also thought the weather would be better than in England, which it's not—not horrib*****, but not perfect either. Nothing is ever ***** as perfect as you dream it to be, of *****, in general. Remember that I was dream*****g all of these ***** when I was still in my (late) teens—***** moved to America when I was 23.

Question

Were you anxious or nervous ab***** anything at all ***** you came to the U.S.? Wh*****?

Being able to aff*****d things—although, ironically ***** United States is ***** cheaper than London in some respects (flats cost a fortune there, highest rents in the world I think). Not th*****t New York *****n't still quite pricy. The crime, and ***** idea that guns ***** available to people very easily ***** a bit frightening, *****lthough ***** so for ***** family back at home. Even recently, my mum called me after the news ***** the sniper ***** Virginia Tech to see if ***** was alright. It's not like where I live is ********** shooting distance of the school, exactly. Still, I do worry about being mugged or ***** a victim, when ***** walking around in big American cities, ***** fancying ********** might be armed if *****'m in a bad area.

*****

*****at aspect of ***** U.S. culture most surprised you?

I think the fact that *****yone was so friendly in ***** Y*****k, where I got ***** first job. I expected ***** to be harsh and sarcastic at *****. But everyone ***** very helpful,