You will interview an individual 21 years
old and above The interviewee should be someone who has
overcome challenges in his/her life and experienced personal growth in its aftermath.
Interviewee criteria: A life challenge refers to a
circumstance or event that required the individual to adequately manage and overcome so that they
can lead a flourishing life. Examples include academic stress, work stress, difficulties balancing work and
personal life, financial difficulties, relational challenges, or the breakup of a romantic relationship. These
are all circumstances or events that we are all likely to encounter in daily life, and it would be
informative for us to learn how others have overcome these obstacles.
However, to safeguard the wellbeing of the interviewee and your
classmates, exclude challenges that could lead to the resurfacing of difficult emotions during the
interview process, or challenges that resulted in a traumatic experience for the interviewee. For
example, please exclude challenges that involve diagnosis of mental health concerns (in the past or at
the present), experiences with major criminal offences (either as a victim or an offender), or being
subjected to harassment/abuse.
In this assignment, your team is required to conduct an in-depth qualitative interview. This specific interview is a strength-focused
interview, in which the interviewer explores the unique characteristics, traits, values, abilities or life
principles of the interviewee that enabled the interviewee to overcome difficulties. Thus, the
challenges that the interviewee faced provides the context in which these strengths were important,
but these challenges are only a small part of the narrative that your team needs to draw from the
interviewee.
After the interview, the team will present to the class the challenges and adversities that the
interviewee has faced, and life lessons that can be imparted as a result of these experiences.
Please answer at least one question from each of the 5 themes provided.
1. Theme 1 Questions: The challenges and adversities faced in life that the interviewee had to
overcome
(Note: It is perfectly fine for your team to continue asking about the experience that the interviewee
described, even if your team may not view the experience as challenging. Remember that
challenges here refers to what interviewee feel is difficult. It is his/her perceptions of difficulty that
ultimately shaped the lessons he/she learned from it.)
Suggested intro paragraph: We are hoping to learn more from you about how individuals are able
to triumph over challenges and adversities in life. So for a start
..
a. Could you tell us about an experience in your life that you found to be quite challenging?
b. Could you share with us a time that you had to overcome obstacles to attain an important
goal?
c. If you were to think back on your experiences thus far, was there a particular situation in
which you felt that you faced adversity?
d. In your life, was there any time that you had to manage unfavourable circumstances in
everyday life?
e. I understand that you have had a (insert respondents challenging/adverse circumstance
here) experience in life. Could you share more with us about what happened then?
2. Theme 2 Questions: The coping styles interviewee engaged in, and the support systems the
interviewee had in place in for facing such challenges
Suggested intro paragraph: Earlier on, you have shared with us about a situation in which you had
to overcome obstacles and adversities. That sounds really challenging indeed. We are particularly
interested in learning how you were able to manage these experiences.
a. When you faced the challenges that you described, what were some strategies that you
used to help you keep going?
b. In the face of the adversities you described, what are some things you did (or some things
that you said to yourself) to motivate you to not give up?
c. Whenever life got difficult, what did you do in response?
d. Was there anybody in your circle who was able to offer you support during those challenging
times to tide you through? Can you share more with us about how this person/these people
helped you get through the tough times?
e. Who do you usually turn to whenever you needed support during challenging times? Can
you share more with us about this person/these people helped you?
3. Theme 3 Questions: The values, strengths, and resilience the interviewee had that helped
him/her rise above such challenges
Suggested intro paragraph: It takes particular characteristics for individuals to overcome adversities
and challenges. We would like to learn more about which aspects about yourself that you think
enabled you to triumph over your circumstances.
a. What are the characteristics or strengths that you have which helped you rise above your
circumstances?
b. What about yourself helped foster resilience when you experienced difficulties? When we
talk about resilience, we are referring to the ability to bounce back in the face of difficulties
rather than giving up.
c. What led you to persevere when you faced adversity?
d. Were there any thoughts, values, believes and/or life principles that helped you stay focused
in overcoming challenges?
e. Was there any piece of advice that has been passed onto you that helped you remain
steadfast in the face of adversity?
4. Theme 4 Questions: The rewards and wisdom the interviewee gained from the life challenge(s)
Suggested intro paragraph: In general, we learned in our lectures that after overcoming challenging
circumstances or adversities, people can look back on those times and think about what they have
gained from the experience. Perhaps the experience taught us to appreciate our loved ones more, or
it taught us to see the world a little differently, or it taught us to see ourselves a little differently.
a. As you look back on the experience of overcoming adversity now, what do you think were
some positives that came from the experience?
b. Do you believe that your ability to overcome those challenges changed the way you saw the
world or yourself for the better?
c. Was there anything positive that you learned after successfully navigating those difficulties
that you want to share with youngsters?
d. After going those tough times, do you have any new pieces of wisdom that you think would
help others who are facing similar circumstances?
e. What were some of the positive outcomes and/or lessons learnt that emerged from
overcoming those challenges?
5. Theme 5 Questions: The interviewees future outlooks, dreams, and aspirations.
Suggested intro paragraph: We really appreciated the time you took to reflect on your past
experiences, and the wisdom that you can now impart on us as the result of your experience. We
wanted to conclude the interview by looking into the future.
a. What are some hopes that you have for the future?
b. What are you looking forward to achieving in the future?
c. What are some of your dreams for the future?
d. In your heart, what is something that you want in the future?
e. What is one thing that you are looking forward to the most?
Using the initial set of questions as a guide, your team can pick up interesting aspects of the
interviewees response and ask follow-up questions. Requesting for elaboration allows the
development of depth in the narrative. Depth is important for your analysis because it
provides you with the much-needed details and nuances that help crystalize both the
experiences of the interviewee and the lessons learned.
