择校导航

Studying in America

By Changsu Dong

英语原文/董昌素 中文译文/张倩

In 2011 I came to Tampa in the American state of Florida to continue my education after completing my Higher National Diploma (H.N.D.) at Beijing Normal University. I am about to finish my first year in the United States and I have a lot to reflect on. Coming to America has opened new opportunities for me, helped improve my English, and forced me to become more flexible in adapting to the American educational style.

2011年，在北师大HND毕业后，我来到了美国佛罗里达州的坦帕市，继续我的求学生涯。留美第一年，我收获很多。这是一个全新的机会，我的英语水平有了提高，自己也更加灵活的适应了美式教育。

The university in Tampa has many opportunities for foreign students. On several occasions I have helped out doing translations from English to Chinese for a local company and even was put in a video. I also joined my fellow Chinese students in volunteering at a booth about China at my school’s international festival.

在坦帕市，对于外国学生来说，有很多的机会。有几次，我为一家本地公司作英译中的翻译，并且放进了宣传视频短片里面。同时，在国际节中，我是中国展位的志愿者。

Since arriving at Los Angeles international airport and going through immigration I have had to read, write, speak, and listen to English constantly. I remember my first day of class I was still shy to speak in an all English environment with all the American classmates; however, I knew I had to practice to get better so I forced myself to raise my hand to answer questions every day.

I would say that my English ability overall has doubled. My professors now say I am one of the best students.

从抵达洛杉矶国际机场开始，我就必须不断的听说读写英语。记得第一节课，面对美国同学们，我还很羞于说英语。但是，我知道自己必须多加练习。所以，我强迫自己举手回答问题。现在，我的英语水平提高了一倍，教授说现在我是最好的学生之一。

The American education system is a little different than China’s. There is a lot more freedom of expression and students are trusted to do certain things on their own. For example, professors do not take roll each class to make sure all the students are in attendance. Rather, students are expected to attend each class without anyone calling them if they are absent. So being a student in America takes more responsibility.

美国教育体系和中国有些不同。在这边，学生有很多表达的自由，并且依靠自己独立完成课业。比如，教授上课不点名，即便有同学缺席，也不要期望有人打电话通知。所以，作为一名美国学生，需要有更多的责任。

Overall, America can be a challenging place, but if you are flexible and strong it is a good place to learn and grow. There are a lot more opportunities here as well for studying and working. My goal is to pursue a Masters degree and then work for a major company. I hope I can meet some other future H.N.D. students in sunny Tampa, Florida.

总之，美国是一个富有挑战性的地方。只要你够灵活、够强大，那么，这里将是一个很好的学习和成长的平台。 这边也有很多学习和工作的机会。我的目标是继续攻读硕士，然后就职于一家大公司。我也希望，在充满阳光的佛罗里达坦帕市，见到更多的北师大HND的学生。