Some new ideas for conducting a successful interview...

• Try not to venture too far away from the task at hand. While some off topic conversation is good for creating a friendlier atmosphere for the interview, don't wander too far as you still want the interview to be about the interviewees culture and his/her experiences in his/her native country as well as in the USA.
  
• Be sure to learn some detailed facts about and recent events in the interviewees country before doing the interview, so that you can already have some background knowledge on where s/he is from and use that knowledge in the interview. This can also help you connect with the interviewee better as you can go more in depth on topics the interviewee may talk about and show that you are understanding what the interviewee may be trying to tell you about his/her culture and/or native country.
• Also, study the interviewees culture a bit before hand so that you can avoid accidentally offending him/her.
• Try joking around during the interview a bit to create a more comfortable atmosphere for the interview.
• Avoid pressuring the interviewee to answer questions that s/he may be uncomfortable about answering. If you notice that the interviewee is having a hard time answering a question, try moving on and maybe ask if s/he would like to try continuing on that subject later on in the interview.
• Avoid interrupting the interviewee while s/he is talking. If you have something to elaborate on, wait until there is an appropriate chance to do so.
  
• Avoid confronting the interviewee on his/her opinions, even if you may disagree with them. If you are curious about some of his/her opinions, try asking him/her why s/he has that opinion in a friendly manner.