My Interview With Derek
My interview with Derek was very brief. Derek was born and raised in Trinidad. He came to the United States to go to school after taking two gap years following secondary school. He did very well in college and medical school, being very close to the top of his class in both. He is very accomplished: he became a cardiologist and now has his own private practice where he lives.
My questions will be bolded and his responses will be in regular print. |
So how old were you when you came to the United States?
I was 20 going on 21. And why did you come? To go to school. Was that a decision you made on your own or was that influenced by friends and family? Ummm, was it influenced by friends or family? *pauses* It was a combination. I was feeling like he was being a bit dry towards me. I sensed maybe he was a little uncomfortable or questioning of this whole interview. Elaborate for me, please! Simply put, there was and exam called the GCE Advanced Levels and I didn't do as well as I should have so I didn't get in to the right program there so I came to America to give it a shot, you know? Yes, okay. What did you see for yourself like when you decided you were going to come to the US? What did you envision yourself doing? Well I came with the intent of trying to do medicine. Okay you did that. We know you did that so, let's see... Did you have a lot of support from home while you were in school? Yeah! Yes. Do you feel like you were successful? In whatever your own personal definition of success is? Do you think that you reached that? Here he paused and I was expecting him to give a long answer.... Yes. And does your level of education have to do a lot with what you think makes somebody successful? Yeah. Because in my culture it is education, education, education. It takes precedence over everything. Okay, true. Do you think that if you grew up in the United States you would have valued education as much as you do now? NO. |
So you think that Americans are lacking in their education?
Yes, the American education system is biased toward the affluent. And it doesn't push kids to their full potential. How was school different here versus in Trinidad? Well I told you about common entrance right? No... Well... The primary schools were our choice, and there was an exam we took when we were like 11. And based on how well we did on the exam determined what school we went to. And so the brighter kids went to the better schools. So you were always in a system where you were with people of equal intelligence. So you were continually being pushed. You weren't being held up by the ones like in this country because they live in the same area. Mmmhmm, oh! At this moment I took a pause because I never thought of the American public school system in this way. His point was a valid one, but I do realize why that could not always work here like it could on a small island like Trinidad. Yeah that makes sense... that makes sense. So were you considered one of the brighter students once you got here? In college, yeah. Did you notice that you discipline and habits for school were different or the same as other kids? No! I was way more disciplined than the other kids. So you didn't go out and party like the other kids? Not in that sense. And do you take a lot of pride in your degrees and accomplishments? Being able to say that you are a doctor when you talk to people from home? I asked this question because I realize now in American culture, having a degree is now almost "required" to get a good job. Not everyone takes as much pride in their degree because they are so common. Well they kinda knew why I came here. So yeah, I don't like rub it in their faces if thats what you mean. No. You're just proud of yourself right? Well yeah. I am proud of myself. |