VOA慢速英語(yǔ):Experts Suggest Ways to Help International Students Make Friends with American Students

[ti:Experts Suggest Ways to Help International Students Make Friends with American Students] [ar:Steve Ember] [al:Education Report] [00:00.00]This is the VOA Special English Education Report. [00:09.38]Last week, we told how some international students [00:12.99]have few friends in their host country [00:15.29]when they study overseas. [00:19.33]One study in the United States found that [00:23.13]thirty-eight percent of foreign students said [00:26.30]they had no close American friends. [00:30.53]Communications specialist Elisabeth Gareis [00:34.95]studied more than four hundred fifty foreign students. [00:39.74]VOA Student Union blogger Jessica Stahl [00:41.91]also investigated the issue. [00:44.28]Her survey showed that [00:48.01]seventy-five percent of foreign students said [00:51.62]they have more than two American friends. [00:56.86]But ten percent reported having no American friends. [00:59.91]Elisabeth Gareis teaches in [01:04.05]the Department of Communication Studies [01:06.66]at Baruch College in New York. [01:11.83]She says efforts on how to improve relationships [01:14.38]between the two groups of students [01:17.12]have yet to be studied in detail. [01:20.97]But she says these efforts should begin [01:23.71]with the college or university, [01:28.19]and that these institutions have been working harder. [01:29.68]ELISABETH GARIES: "Institutions should build [01:31.80]an infrastructure that promotes contact. [01:33.66]And they can do that by, [01:36.09]for example, bonding activities [01:38.27]at the beginning of the academic year." [01:40.57]She suggests taking walks, [01:44.43]going on bicycle, field or camping trips, [01:47.54]and attending parties, sporting events [01:49.28]or film festivals. [01:54.00]She says such activities should be held repeatedly [01:58.05]to bring students together throughout the school term. [02:02.40]Ms. Gareis also suggests that foreign students [02:05.51]share housing with American students. [02:10.24]Michigan State University is known for its programs [02:12.17]for international students. [02:16.84]Last year, about five thousand nine hundred students [02:19.63]from one hundred thirty three countries [02:22.00]attended Michigan State. [02:24.74]They made up perhaps twelve percent [02:27.53]of the total university population. [02:30.46]Peter Briggs directs the Office [02:32.26]for International Students [02:35.19]and Scholars at Michigan State. [02:38.23]He says more foreign students [02:41.53]are expected to register this week. [02:45.51]Many students and community members [02:49.87]are trained and prepared to help foreign students. [02:53.47]The volunteers assist new students [02:56.71]as they complete government requirements [02:59.76]and find their academic advisors. [03:02.87]Mr. Briggs says the volunteers [03:06.72]also help answer the traditional questions [03:08.71]of new people anywhere. [03:10.27]PETER BRIGGS: "Where do I get an ID (identification card)? [03:12.70]Which is the best bank...What is my cell phone plan? [03:15.12]How do I get a Social Security number [03:16.49]or driver's license? [03:19.66]That kind of information is shared both formally [03:24.27]and informally as students advise other students. [03:27.88]We're really supporting that network." [03:31.17]He says that if the new students make friends [03:34.47]as they begin school, they will come to feel [03:38.51]part of the life and traditions of the university. [03:44.11]And that's the VOA Special English Education Report, [03:46.48]written by Jerilyn Watson. [03:49.83]To read and listen to more stories [03:55.75]for people learning English, go to voa.com. [03:57.50]I'm Steve Ember.

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