Week seven
Previous week I informed you on the sudden change of plans. This week I can add another one to that collection; Not only the scheduling of the interviews is changed, also the interview set-up themselves are. Initially I had a structured questionnaire with neatly formulated questions. The plan was to make a brief introduction of my research and strategic planning to the interviewee, after that to start with asking the questions.
Once again, the complete plan could go into the bin. There is no point of introducing the whole strategic planning and research when there is little time, on top of that is the fact that this matter is actually quiet complicated and not sufficiently explainable in half an hour. Besides that, the stakeholders are not involved with all matters, so it is impossible to gain expertise from them on every aspect. The last and probably most legitimate argument is the fact that it is considered impolite to work this way. A young, unqualified student is not in the position to pull the strings in a conversation with a high status, elder person. Or at least not to pull the strings in a direct way, haha!
Everybody wants to tell something and the average person with a high position likes to talk, so also my interviewees. I started every interview sessions by letting them just talk about whatever was on their mind. This way I showed interest in them and gripped them to the interview. The next step was to shift the conversation from their topics to mine. By linking these topics in a subtle way I was able to give directions on the conversations and get my requested information after all. This tactic does require some creativity but definitely pays off.
The change in planning and approaching interviews also turned out to be very fruitful. Last week I had loads of appointments and even more ahead. At a certain point I even had to cancel some appointments due to a chuck-full agenda. I have managed to change the odds, with a big, satisfied smile on my face!
This week there was not only research, but also the start of the Ramadan. Remaining in a country with the largest population of Muslims during this event does not really enable you to avoid the celebration. Of course I did not mind that, I regarded it as another opportunity to explore the culture. My knowledge on the Ramadan stretched to the fact that it is the Islamic sacred month, in which Muslims do not eat during nor drink from dawn until sunset. The internal motives and ways of celebrating, however, were still unknown to me.
By fasting, the participating Muslims are seeking for forgiveness of past sins and thereby hope to start with a clean slate afterwards. They try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. This process is noticeable everywhere; people spent more time with their families, venues close down earlier and even the absence of hawkers... But this is during the Ramadan, afterwards it is different. The fasting is ended by celebrating Eid ul-Fitr, a muslim holiday. Since I will not experience this in celebration in Indonesia I will dedicate some words to one I did experience; the announcing of Ramadan.
The announcement of the Ramadan was done by the mayor of Semarang and followed by a gigantic parade. This parade consisted out of beautiful, traditional dressed people, numerous floats and high ranked people being transported in astonishing carriages. This parade was admired thousands of people, giving the city one happy face.
In the meanwhile, my research is at full speed and next week is once again packed with appointments. Another activity I’m looking forward to is the next week’s meeting with professors of several Semarang’s universities. Let see what they can contribute!
Wim
