Unit 4

Section A

Pre-reading Activities

First Listening
Please listen to a short passage carefully and prepare to answer some questions.

Second Listening
Listen to the tape again. Then answer the following questions with your own experiences.
1) How many foreign high school students travel to study in America each year?
2) What are their reasons for studying in America?
3) What are the problems the foreign students must cope with when they study in America?

Studying Abroad

Flight 830. Departure 10:45 p.m.
At first glance, this is just another routine flight to Los Angeles, California. Yet for 38 young passengers between fifteen and eighteen years of age, it is the start of a new experience: they will spend 10 months of their lives studying abroad, far from their families.
Every year the United States is host to an average of 78,000 foreign high school level students, of which 3,000 are Brazilian. All of them go for the same reasons — to become fluent in English, complete high school, and understand everything they can about the American way of life. At the end of each semester, as long as the students pass final exams, American authorities grant a certificate, which is recognized in Brazil.
For the majority, the decision to study abroad is taken only after a period of at least six months of careful planning. "For me," says seventeen - year - old Gloria Marcato, "it's more important to learn to speak English and to live through this experience than it is to receive a certificate from the American government." Others dream of continuing on to college. "I want to be a conductor, and I've already chosen the best American music school," specifies Sandro Rodrigo de Barros.
Things, as they say, are not always so easy. Even young students who plan on staying in the United States just long enough to finish two semesters of high school have difficulty finding a host family. Very few arrive in the country with all the details worked out. Gloria Marcato is one of the lucky ones. Before leaving, she had received two letters and some photos of her new "parents." "I think it all depends," says Gloria, "on how you answer the survey sent by the overseas study company here in Brazil. For example, I didn't economize on words. I even wrote about my four dogs, and said I went to church every Sunday." She hit the target. Americans are quite religious (the majority being Christian) and have a special place in their hearts for pets. American families, which host foreign students, are not paid, though they are allowed a small income tax deduction.
Each teenager is expected to cover his or her own expenses for articles for personal use, entertainment, long-distance telephone calls and clothing. Towards this, they should budget between $200 to $300 a month. In the event of illness, each student has a medical assistance card. Health insurance does not cover AIDS, abortion and suicide, nor dental and eyesight bills.
Basically, most students leave knowing they will have to do without their accustomed parental protection and learn to take care of themselves. However, no one packs his or her bags alone. Parents always give suggestions, or even take on the task themselves. The youngsters frequently show their lack of practice at such things. They take along unnecessary items. One student from the Brazilian South succeeded in stuffing two enormous suitcases to their capacity, and had to cope with her cabin luggage as well. As a result, she couldn't pull them around by herself.
For many, the departure at the airport is the worst time. Even though friends and family support the idea of going, it is difficult to say good-bye at this moment. "It's not easy to leave behind the people you love, especially a boyfriend. I cried at the departure and I cried on the plane too," says Patricia Caglian.
Another moment of tension descends while students await the domestic flight that will take them to their temporary home in America. From then on it's everyone for himself. No one really knows how she/he will adapt to such new customs. Though most foreign students remain in California, some are sent to Texas, Arizona, Idaho, Oklahoma or Virginia.
After a few days, the general complaint is about the food. "Even though I adapted easily, I really miss rice and beans. The food here doesn't look too nourishing," pines Fernando Andrade. Another big problem encountered by most youngsters is how sick they feel about being away from home.
One important regulation of the foreign study program has to do with the time, established by the host "parents", by which the teenagers must arrive home on weekend nights. "They're really tough," says Juliana Martini, who just finished her first semester. "You have to be in by 10:30 p.m., and if you do not obey, you get punished."
A few teenagers arrive in the United States with little command of English. In such cases the sole solution is private language study. This in turn pushes up the program cost, estimated at about $3,800, including air fare.
Words: 776

NEW WORDS

departure
n. 1. [U, C] going away 离开，离去，出发
2. [C, U] (from) action different from (what is usual or expected) 背离

routine
a. usual; regular 日常的，常规的，例行的
n. [C, U] fixed or regular way of doing things 例行公事（手续），常规

eighteen
num. 十八，十八个

abroad
ad. 1. in or to a foreign country or countries; away from one's own country 在国外，到国外，出国
2. being spread widely 广为传播

host
n. 1. [C] a person who receives or entertains one or more other people as guests; a place or organization that provides the space and other necessary things for a special event 主人，东道主
2. [C] a person who introduces guests and programs, esp. on television or radio 主持人
3. (of) great number 大量, 许多
vt. act as host of 做……的东道主（或主持人）

fluent
a. (in) (of a person) speaking, writing, etc. in an easy smooth manner（说话、写作等）熟练的，流畅的

authority
n. 1. (usu. pl.) person or group having the power to give orders or take action 掌权的人, 掌权的一班人, 当局
2. [C] a person with special knowledge 具有专业知识的人, 权威
3. [U] power to give orders and make others obey 权力，权威，权势

grant
vt. agree to give or allow (what is asked for) 准许，允许，答应给予
n. [C] a thing given for a special reason, esp. money from the government 授予之物（尤指政府拨款、补助金、助学金）

certificate
n. official written or printed statement that may be used as proof of certain facts 证明，证书，执照

seventeen
num. 十七，十七个

conductor
n. 1. [C] （乐队、合唱）指挥
2. [C] a person who sell tickets on a bus; the person in charge of a train 公共汽车售票员；列车员

specify
vt. state or name clearly (details, materials, etc.) 明确说明，具体指定

overseas
a. (at, to, from, etc. places or countries) across the sea; foreign （在、到、来自）海外的；外国的
ad. across the sea; abroad 在海外；在国外

Christian
a. of or believing in Jesus Christ 基督教（徒）的
n. [C] a person who believes in and follows Jesus Christ 基督教徒

▲deduct
vt. take away (an amount or part) 扣除，减去

deduction
n. [U, C] deducting 扣除

insurance
n. 1. [U], (usu. sing.)(agreement made by a company or society or by the state, to provide) protection against loss, damage, illness, death, etc. in return for a regular fee 保险
2. [U] money paid by or to such a company, etc. 保险费，保险金额

▲abortion
n. [C, U] the intentional ending of a birth, usually by a medical operation 流产，堕胎

suicide
n. 1. [U] killing oneself intentionally 自杀
2. [U] any action that may have serious result for oneself 自取灭亡

dental
a. of or for the teeth 牙齿的，牙科的

eyesight
n. [U] power of seeing; ability to see 视力，目力

accustomed
a. 1. usual 惯常的
2. (～ to sth.) used to (sth.) 习惯于

suggestion
n. 1. [C] an idea, plan, advice etc. or person that is put forward （所提出或建议的）主意，计划，人选
2. [C] a sign 细微的迹象

item
n. 1. [C] a single article or unit in a list, etc.目录的条款，项目
2. [C] a single piece of news （新闻的）一条

luggage
n. [U] bags, suitcases, etc. containing sb.'s things and taken on a journey 行李

descend
v. come, fall, or sink from a higher to a lower level; go down 下来，下降

await
vt. 1. (of a person) wait for (sb./sth.) （指人）等候
2. be ready or waiting for (sb./sth.) 备妥以待，等待

domestic
a. 1. of or inside a particular country, not foreign or international 国内的，本国的
2. of the home, house or family 家的，家庭的，家务的

adapt
vi. become accustomed to new conditions, etc. 使适应（新情况）
vt. 1. make sth. suitable for a new use, situation, etc. 使适应（新用途，新情况）
2. change (sth.) for other uses 改写，改编, 改装

bean
n. [C] a smooth seed, used as a vegetable 豆

▲nourish
vt. 1. keep (a person, an animal or a plant) alive and well with food 滋养，给予营养，养育
2. have or increase (a feeling, etc.) 持有或怀有（情绪）；增进（情感）

pine
vi. 1. be very unhappy 不快活，悲伤
2. (for) long for or miss sb. 渴望，思念
n. [C, U] 松树, 松木

regulation
n. 1. [C] a rule made by an authority 规章，规则，条例
2. [U] controlling or being controlled 管理，节制，调节，控制

command
n. 1. [U] (usu. sing.) ability to use or control sth. 掌握，控制
2. [C] an order 命令
v. 1. be able to use (sth.) 能够支配，可以使用
2. (of sb. in authority) tell (sb.) that he must do sth.; order （指上级、当局）命令，指挥

fare
n. [C] money charged for a journey by bus, ship, taxi, etc. 车费，船费，乘客购票所付的费用
vi. progress; get on 进展

PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS

at first glance
when seen or examined for the first time 乍一看；最初看到时

as long as
on condition that; provided that 只要

live through
experience 经历，经受住

dream of
imagine, have hopes for 想像，梦想，向往

plan on
aim for; prepare 为……做准备

work out
devise; plan 设计；计划

depend on
vary according to, be influenced or decided by 视……而定

hit the target
succeed; manage 达到目的；中肯

in the event of
if sth. happens 如果……发生

take on
decide to do (sth.); accept (sth.) 决定做；承担工作

lack of
little or not enough of sth. that is needed 缺乏，缺少，不足

take along
carry; take away 带着（某人或某物）, 带走（某人或某物）

to (one's) capacity
completely full 满座的，满载的

leave behind
go away with (sb. or sth.) remaining behind 留下（某物或某人）

from then on
since that time 从那以后

in turn
one after another 依次，逐个地

PROPER NAMES
Brazilian
巴西人

Los Angeles
洛杉矶（美国加利福尼亚西南部港市）

California
加利福尼亚（美国州名）

Gloria Marcato
格洛里亚·马卡托（人名）

Sandro Rodrigo de Barros
桑德罗·罗德里戈·德·巴罗斯（人名）

Juliana Martini
朱丽安娜·马蒂尼（人名）

Texas
得克萨斯（美国州名）

Idaho
爱达荷州（美国州名）

Oklahoma
俄克拉何马州（美国州名）

Virginia
弗吉尼亚州（美国州名）

Fernando Andrade
费尔南多·安德雷德（人名）

Patricia Caglian
帕特丽夏·卡格利恩（人名）

    到国外求学

    选择去美国完成中学学业的巴西青年所面临的挑战。
    830号班机。起飞时间：晚上十时四十五分。
    乍一看，这不过是又一架飞往加州洛杉矶市的普通班机。 然而对于飞机上的38个年龄在15到18岁之间的年轻乘客来说，这是一次全新经历的开始： 他们将远离家人去国外留学，度过他们生命中的10个月。
    美国平均每年要接待78，000名中学学历程度的外国学生，其中3，000个来自巴西。 他们都是因为同样的原因赴美的-- 学会流利的英语、完成中学学业以及尽可能了解有关美国生活方式的方方面面。 在每个学期结束时，只要这些学生能通过期末考试，美国当局就会向他们颁发证书，巴西是承认这种证书的。
    对大多数学生来说，至少要经过6个月的精心筹划才能作出到国外学习的决定。 "对我来说，" 17岁的格洛里亚·马卡托说: "学会讲英语及体验这种经历比从美国政府那里拿到一张证书更为重要。" 其他人则向往能继续上大学。 桑德罗·罗德里戈·德·巴洛斯明确表示: "我想做一名音乐指挥家，而且我已经选择好了美国最好的音乐学院。"
    正如他们所说的那样，事情并不总是那么顺利。 甚至那些计划在美国完成两个学期中学课程的年轻学生也很难找到接待家庭。 很少有学生在到达这个国家时，就把一切细节都安排妥贴了的。 格洛里亚·马卡托是其中的一个幸运者。 在出国前，她收到了2封信及几张她的新"父母"的照片。 格洛里亚说: "我认为一切都取决于你怎样回答巴西这边的海外留学公司寄给你的问卷调查。 举个例子说吧, 我是不惜纸墨的。我甚至描写了我的四条狗，还说我每个星期天都去做礼拜。" 她达到了目的。美国人笃信宗教（绝大多数美国人都是基督教徒), 而且宠物在他们心里占有特殊的地位。 虽然可以减免一小部分所得税, 接待海外留学生的美国家庭是不向学生收钱的。
    每个孩子的个人用品、娱乐、长途电话及衣服都得自己掏钱。 每个月的这些费用加起来就要 200 到 300 美元。 怕万一生病，每个学生都得办一张医疗帮助卡。 健康保险不包括艾滋病、人工流产和自杀后的治疗，也不支付治疗牙齿和配眼镜的费用。
    事实上，大多数学生在离家时，都知道他们将在没有原来所习惯了的父母照顾的情况下自己生活, 学会自己照料自己。 然而，他们没有人会独自整理行装。 父母们一直在给他们出主意，甚至帮他们装箱打包。 这些小青年在做这类事的时候常常显得缺乏实践经验。他们带了许多不必要的东西。 一个来自巴西南部的学生把2个大箱子塞得满满的，此外，还得考虑她随身携带的行李。 结果她无法一个人带着这么多东西踏上旅途。
    对许多学生来说，在机场与亲友告别是他们最难受的时候。 即使朋友们及家人支持他们出国留学, 但在此时此刻说声再见却是很困难的。 帕特里夏·卡格利恩说: "抛下你所爱的人，特别是男朋友, 是很不容易的。我在飞机起飞的时候哭了，到了飞机上还在哭。"
    学生们在等待美国国内班机把他们带到在美国的临时家庭时又紧张了一阵。 从那以后，每个人都得自己照料自己了。 没有人真正知道自己该如何去适应这新的环境。 虽然大多数外国学生将留在加利福尼亚州，但也有人要被送往德克萨斯、亚利桑那、爱达荷、俄克拉荷马及弗吉尼亚等州去。
    几天以后，普遍的抱怨就是食物了。 "虽然我的适应能力很强，可我真的很想念米饭和豆类菜肴。 这里的食物看上去不太有营养。" 费尔南多·安德雷德哀怨地说。 大多数年轻人遇到的另一个大问题，就是他们远在他乡、倍思亲人。
    留学计划中有一条与时间有关的重要规定，这是由接待家庭的 "父母" 制定的。根据这条规定, 这些十几岁的孩子们在周末晚上必须回家。 "他们真的很严格吶," 刚学完第一学期的朱莉安娜·马蒂尼说。 "你必须在晚上十点半以前到家。如果做不到,就会受罚。"
    刚到美国时, 有些孩子对英语几乎一窍不通。 在这种情况下，唯一的解决方法就是请私人语言教师。 这样就增加了留学的费用，加上飞机票，估计费用大约为3,800 美元。