讀萬卷書，行萬里路

Learning to Travel, Travelling to Learn

ByAmirah Ahmad ∷董翌佳 注

全球化縮小了國與國之間的距離，也讓出國留學成為一種無法阻擋的潮流。從熟悉的祖國來到陌生的他鄉，你最期待的會是什麼呢?是美不勝收的異國風光還是新鮮刺激的生活體驗?是可口誘人的異國美食還是聞所未聞的奇異習俗?異鄉求學不僅能帶給我們嶄新的社會文化和教育體系，更是廣闊的視野和人生的無限可能。

If I were to compile1a list of the 10 most utilized words in higher education, one of them would certainly be: globalization. I』m not sure whether people have just become cognizant of modern globalizationor I』ve simply happened to notice it more, but globalization is a recurring theme in many of my academic discussions between professors and peers.2Not surprisingly, then, studying abroad in foreign locations is highly encouraged among many higher education institutions. The pursuit of knowledge is not simply a local endeavor3; the pursuit must be an adventure. Learning and experiencing a different culture while simultaneously continuing studies is an extremely enriching experience that many Americans strive to accomplish through study abroad.4Popular destinations at my university include many European and Asian countries,namely China, Spain, France, and Germany. American students are scattered5all across the globe.

1.compile: 編寫，彙編。

2. cognizant: 了解的，察知的; recurring: 重現的，反覆發生的; peer: 同事，同齡人。

3. endeavor: 嘗試，努力。

4. simultaneously: 同時地;enriching: 使人充實的，增進價值的。

5. scattered: 分散的，散布的。

Many of my friends who have partaken in study abroad have cherished their experience, a majority of them always concluding their recollection of their experience with an enthusiastic, 「I want to go back!」6For example, one peer of mine spent a semester7 in Singapore. He stayed with other exchange students and travelled to surrounding Southeast Asian countries. One of his favorite destinations was Vietnam,where he stayed in an isolated hut in the mountains, miles away from civilization and free to introspectively dwell on whatever crossed his mind.8Another friend visited Ireland, and wishes to go back as soon as she graduates. But who says study abroad must always be on land? One of the more exciting study abroad programs that two of my friends experienced was on a ship. They, along with other students from schools across the country, took classes on the ship anddisembarked9in various locations around the world to apply their knowledge and learn the culture. Their destinations included Greece, South Africa, Morocco10, Germany, Japan,and more. They spent about a week in each country, for a total of about 16 weeks. They built everlasting friendships and accumulated a plethora of global experiences.11

6. partake in: 參加，參與; recollection: 回憶，往事。

7. semester: 學期。

8. 越南是他最喜歡的去處之一，在那裡，他住在山中一間僻靜的小屋，遠離塵囂，自由地自在地冥想。hut:(簡陋的)小屋，棚屋; introspectively: 好內省地，好反省地; dwell on: 細想。

9. disembark: 著陸，上岸。

10. Morocco: 摩洛哥，非洲西北部的一個沿海阿拉伯國家。

11. everlasting: 永存的; accumulate: 累積; plethora: 過多，過剩。

Though the success rate of study abroad is an extremely high number, there are also some instances of students not enjoying their study abroad experience. One peer particularly did not like studying abroad in Australia, claiming that the university』slocation and environment did not meet expectations.

I knew I wanted to study abroad as soon as I started thinking about where to go for college. A couple of weeks ago, I finally confirmed my study abroad plans. Next semester, I will be travelling to Amsterdam12for a total of six months to continue my studies. Although I am extremely excited, I am mostly relieved that the process of finalizing my destination has come to a close, as it was long and arduous.13

The process begins with determining whether study abroad is feasible14with your major. For me, I had enough credit to forego a semester taking credits for my majors.15Many students studying sciences like biology or chemistry, on the other hand, often opt out of study abroad during the semester simply because it is not compatible with their major.16If semester study abroad isn』t an option, however, some students choose to study abroad in the summer. The second step is to utilize a budget sheet17to determine if studying abroad is financially feasible. Study abroad programs almost always exceed $10,000.

12. Amsterdam: 阿姆斯特丹，荷蘭首都，因城裡河網密布，有「北方威尼斯」之稱。

13. relieve: 使放心; nalize: 最後決定，確定; arduous: 費力的，艱巨的。

14. feasible: (計劃、想法或者方法)可實行的，行得通的。

15. credit: 學分; forego: 放棄。

16. opt out of: 決定不參加......，決定(從......)退出; compatible:相容的，可共存的。

17. budget sheet: 預算表。

主編： 侯毅凌

《英語學習》雜誌創刊於1958年，由北京外國語大學主辦，是一本集知識、學習和趣味於一體的英語文化綜合性刊物，被評為「全國優秀外語教輔期刊」。《英語學習》一貫以「學習英語的終身益友，了解世界的精彩櫥窗」為宗旨，在突出人文旨趣、深入介紹西方社會文化、增進閱讀者的英語修養的理念指導下，堅持嚴謹而不失活潑、品位與趣味並重的辦刊風格，凸顯雜誌的高等教育氣質。