How to integrate foreign students' tips into foreign life

Some students will soon embark on the journey of studying abroad. How do they adapt to the pace of study and life abroad and make good friends in a completely strange environment? In response to the confusion of some students and their parents, Nanfang Daily reporter interviewed Huang Anqi, a student from Cambridge University in the UK who graduated from Shenzhen University's School of International Exchange, and Li Yimi, a student from the University of Virginia in the United States, and asked these two students who had just studied in world-renowned universities for one year to introduce how they quickly adapted to the study and life of British and American universities. Cambridge University student Huang Anqi

We should have a comprehensive background understanding of the places where we study abroad.

In Huang Anqi's view, if you want to study abroad and integrate into local life as soon as possible, you can do some background knowledge about the study destination before you go, and learn about the local diet, culture, climate, traditional customs and so on. Before going to England, Angie watched a lot of English dramas to find out what the local people thought was interesting, so as to communicate with them conveniently. I will also look up information or read books online to find out what kind of unique culture there is in the local area. There is a book called "Hidden Rules of English Words and Actions", which talks about things that British people are concerned about, such as meeting and chatting, attaching great importance to football, and gathering in bars to watch games. ? In terms of diet, Anji's school has an online canteen blog, which will introduce daily dishes. In order to know what dishes are often cooked in the canteen and the names and materials used, Angie specially studied the names of dishes on the canteen blog in advance before going to school.

Make good preparations for English before going abroad and try to improve your English. Angie said that all her professional courses in Shenzhen Guotong are taught in English, and academic English is basically fine, but the communication in daily life will still be more or less uncomfortable. For example, there are 20 kinds of cheese in the freezer, and each word is different. You should learn English now. ?

When studying abroad, some students will inevitably feel lonely at first. ? At first, I will get used to staying with people from China, because I will feel more comfortable. If there were fewer people from China at school, I might feel lonely. It's good to be with China people, but I think we still need to integrate into foreign cultures. If there are few people in domestic schools, it is normal to feel uncomfortable at first. To overcome this situation gradually, don't stay indoors all day surfing the Internet or something. ? Angie said that in order to make freshmen familiar as soon as possible, the school will organize various activities to facilitate freshmen to know and communicate with each other.

? I think it's good to meet all kinds of people naturally, but if you deliberately want to meet some new friends, you can participate in club activities. ? Angie thinks it's good to let nature take its course and make new friends, because she thinks that if she spends a lot of energy making friends, she may fall behind in other aspects such as study.

Preview the course in advance and grasp the rhythm of the class.

Unlike American universities, some British universities, such as Cambridge, are attended by hundreds of people at the same time? Big class? Besides, there will be close communication between teachers and students? Small class? . ? In Cambridge, my subject class is that one teacher is in charge of three students. In the big class, the teacher talked from beginning to end and had no chance to ask questions. In small classes, you can ask questions on your own initiative. If you want more, you have to think more and ask more questions. If you spend the whole class listening to questions that others want to ask, it will be a waste of opportunity for yourself. ?

And face? Big class? Angie suggested previewing the class content in advance. According to its introduction, in Cambridge, students will get the scope and materials of the professor's lectures before class. They should try to read these contents before class to see what they don't understand, and then concentrate on learning this part in class. ? It is unrealistic for everyone to concentrate on one hour, and the professor has a lot of information, so you have to grasp the rhythm of the class. ?

Autonomous learning ability is also very important. Angela introduced that in Cambridge University, there is a lot of free time besides the prescribed class time. Preparing homework and doing background reading of papers can only be squeezed out in your own time. If you rely on your teacher to take care of you and teach you what to do every day, it is definitely not good. ? In Angie's view, it is very important to plan and arrange the time in advance if you want to finish something efficiently.

Regarding the relationship between study and socializing, Angie said that she usually gives priority to socializing without affecting homework submission. Because making different friends is also a good thing.

Angie said that her stress mainly comes from exams. She thinks it is a good way to talk to others when she is stressed. If you hide in the room, you may always feel that others are strong, but when you go out to communicate with others, you will understand that everyone is under pressure. When you know that everyone's situation is similar to yours, the so-called difficulty may not be so difficult. ?

Li Yimi, a student at the University of Virginia, USA

Not too much? House?

In Li Yimi's view, the most important thing in studying in the United States is how to quickly adapt to local life and how to get along with Americans in a completely unfamiliar environment. He said that when they first started school, some students used to stay in the circle of China people and seldom made foreign friends. ? Just arrived in a strange environment, there are many things to do. I don't have much impulse to make friends, and I may feel that there is nothing to talk about. ? Li Yimi said that after about two months, this situation gradually changed. I think the lives of some foreigners are also quite interesting. ? The school will also organize various activities for international students to promote their exchanges and understanding. These activities are quite valuable. ?

What Li Yimi participated in the most was a man named "What?" This is related to his major and is organized by students. Global marketing campaign organization? Simulated business activities. He made many friends through this activity. As long as you are willing, there are many opportunities to make foreign friends. Li Yimi said that their school has a Chinese corner every Thursday, which is convenient for foreigners learning Chinese to communicate with foreigners interested in Chinese. By chance, he met a black American there, and later they became good friends. They shared many hobbies, such as watching NBA together and talking about American entertainment.

For Li Yimi, who is cheerful and lively, she quickly adapted to the strange environment, but some students did not adapt. ? Some students come out after class and go back to the dormitory directly after class, which is very hidden and rarely takes part in activities. ? Li Yimi suggested actively and boldly communicating with different students. For example, inviting foreign deskmate friends to the library to do homework after class is also a way to make friends in depth.

Li Yimi believes that making different friends will enrich him. An Ethiopian friend I know knows American native culture very well, and knows the customs of other countries better than I do. ?

Ask questions boldly and intelligently in class.

In American universities, students are required to choose their own courses. And if you choose a difficult course in one semester, it means a lot of academic pressure. ? We have to read a lot of materials in every class. Just abroad, our language level has not reached the reading speed of foreigners, but the school will not treat it differently, and will assign many reading tasks according to the reading speed of Americans. Besides reading, I have to write a paper. Some students may feel great pressure, and some even hide in the dormitory and cry. ? Li Yimi said.

As for the course selection, Li Yimi's suggestion is that it is difficult to match, not the full text, and not the whole science. If you choose a difficult course, try not to choose another course with the same difficulty. In addition, you can consult your seniors before choosing a course to see if your course matching is reasonable. ? You can also do research in advance, so that you can know not only the course content, but also the professor's scores, teaching level and so on. Because some courses sound simple, but when you go to class, you will find some professors who teach graduate students to teach undergraduate courses. They will talk about some very complicated theories. If you don't understand them, you will collapse. ?

Li Yimi also believes that self-study ability is very important to study abroad. ? Teachers don't have much time to take care of you. Basically, I left after class, and I can only discuss with them twice a week. Really, many problems have to be solved by themselves. ?

He suggested that students with strong learning ability can study together at ordinary times and help each other if they don't understand. In addition, when you encounter questions you don't understand, you should be smart and bold in asking questions in class. Before, I thought I could ask questions after class, and sometimes I was worried that asking questions in class would interrupt the teacher's progress, but in fact, these were all my own ideas. Speaking in class in America is quite free, and professors will be happy to answer some questions. The questions asked are very valuable and will lead to many interesting questions. Ask more questions in class, and professors will have an impression on you, or they may create some opportunities invisibly. For example, in junior and senior years, some prestigious professors will recommend students to practice in the company. ?