燕山大学 刘立军 编写
TRANSCRIPT
Foreign students are looking at other countries to pursue their education because of the extremely high costs for attending American universities, according to studies.
“It is no secret that, compared to other nations, the cost of higher education in the U.S. is significantly higher.”
But high tuition is not the only factor. A study by the Institute for International Education points to perceived crime in the US and divisive political rhetoric aimed at immigrants.
“Actually this has become a prime concern, and my background is an Indonesian, an Asian, and a Muslim, also my appearance is different, so people can tell that I’m from outside America. It will be a challenging situation for me to adapt in the States even though at first I thought it wasn’t a problem as I felt that America was open-minded.”
Other countries, such as Canada, are seen by some is more welcoming. It has looked to attract students from China, India, Philippines, Vietnam and Pakistan by granting visas. They take only three weeks to process.
“We have found that based on our statistics that these are the countries that are most interested in sending students to Canada.”
And while having fewer international students than the U.S., those in Canada find their immigration pathways are paying off.
“After my college degree, I’ve got a three-year open work permit, which is also for the post-grad work permit and I applied for jobs. I got recruited by an accounting firm and there I worked one-year full time, and which made me eligible to apply for permanent residence.”
New Zealand with 130,000 international students is also beefing up its recruitment strategy.
The vast majority about 50 percent come from China and from India, but we also have obviously a big interest in finding students, the right students from South America, North America and Europe as well as the Middle East, Southeast Asia.
Despite this competition, some experts believe the U.S. can once again become the top choice for international students.
“One of the fantastic things about the global higher education landscape is that any country which can become a leading destination depending on the right factors. Saying, the United States, for example, could become a leading destination once again and dominate for quite a while.”
She adds that measures by universities, such as making international students feel more welcomed through English language classes, networking and student organizations would help attract more foreign students.
For Sahar Majid, Jim Bertel, VOA news.
Adapted from http://www.kekenet.com/broadcast/201909/593688.shtml
VOCABULARY
1. rhetoric n. (formal, often disapproving) speech or writing that is intended to influence people, but that is not completely honest or sincere 华而不实的言语；花言巧语。例如：the rhetoric of political slogans政治口号的虚华辞藻
2. pathway=path n. 成功的途径
3. paying off: (informal) (of a plan or an action, especially one that involves risk 尤指冒险的计划或行动) to be successful and bring good results 成功；奏效；达到目的。例如：The gamble paid off. 赌博赢了。
4. eligible adj. eligible (for sth.) | eligible (to do sth.) a person who is eligible for sth. or to do sth., is able to have or do it because they have the right qualifications, are the right age, etc. 有资格的；合格的；具备条件的。例如：
Only those over 70 are eligible for the special payment. 只有70岁以上的人才有资格领取这项专款。
When are you eligible to vote in your country? 在你们国家多大才有资格投票选举呢？
5. beef up: (informal) to make sth. bigger, better, more interesting, etc. 使更大（或更好、更有意思等）
6. recruit v. to find new people to join a company, an organization, the armed forces, etc. 吸收（新成员）；征募（新兵）
QUESTIONS
Listen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.
(Q1) Why don’t foreign students choose America to pursue their education?
(A) High tuition.
(B) Perceived crime.
(C) High tuition, perceived crime in the US and divisive political rhetoric aimed at immigrants.
(D) Divisive political rhetoric aimed at immigrants.
(Q2) Which countries are most interested in sending students to Canada?
(A) China, India, Philippines, Vietnam and France.
(B) China, India, Philippines, Vietnam and Egypt.
(C) China, India, Philippines, Vietnam and Russia.
(D) China, India, Philippines, Vietnam and Pakistan.
(Q3) Which country will become the top choice for international students later?
(A) Canada.
(B) The U.S.
(C) New Zealand.
(D) The U.K.
KEY
(Q1) C。细节题。命题出处：Foreign students are looking at other countries to pursue their education because of the extremely high costs for attending American universities, according to studies. “It is no secret that, compared to other nations, the cost of higher education in the U.S. is significantly higher.” But high tuition is not the only factor. A study by the Institute for International Education points to perceived crime in the US and divisive political rhetoric aimed at immigrants.
(Q2) D。推断题。命题出处：Other countries, such as Canada, are seen by some is more welcoming. It has looked to attract students from China, India, Philippines, Vietnam and Pakistan by granting visas. They take only three weeks to process. “We have found that based on our statistics that these are the countries that are most interested in sending students to Canada.”
(Q3) B。细节题。命题出处：Despite this competition, some experts believe the U.S. can once again become the top choice for international students.