Unit 2 Bridging Cultures 衡水体书写字帖-2025-2026学年高中英语人教版选择性必修第二册

WELCOME XIE LEI BUSINESS STUDENT BUILDING BRIDGES Six months ago,19-year-old Xie Lei said goodbye to her famity and friends and boarded a plane for London.It was the first time that she had teft China."I was very excited but also quite nervous.I didn't know what to expect,Xie Lei recalled. Xie Lei is studying for a business qualification at a university in China and has come to our university on a year-long exchange programme."I chose the exchange programme because l wanted to learn about global business and improve my English.My ambition is to set up a business in China after graduation,she explained. At first,Xie Lei had to adapt to life in a different country."You have to get used to a whote new tife,she said."I had to tearn how to use public transport and how to ask for things I didn't know the English names for. When 1 got lost,t had to ask passers-by for help,but people here speak fast and use words I'm not familiar with.t ask them to repeat themselves a lot!" Although some foreign students live in campus accommodation,Xie Lei chose to tive with a host famity,who can hetp with her adaptation to the new culture."When t miss home,1 feet comforted to have a second family,Xie Lei said."When there's something don't know or understand. I can ask them.They are atso keen to tearn about China.Laura,the daughter of my host family,wants to study in China in the future.We take turns to cook each evening.They really love my stir-fried tomatoes 2 and egas!Laura saus she alwaus feels hungry when she smetts it,sot taught her how to cook it,too." Another challenge for Xie Lei is the academic requirements.The first time that she had to write an essay,her tutor explained that she must acknowledge what other people had said if she cited their ideas,but that he mainly wanted to know what she thought!Xie Lei was confused because she thought she knew less than other people.Her tutor advised her to read lots of information in order to form a wise opinion of her own. Xie Lei atso found many courses included students'participation in class as part of the finat result.Students need to generate ideas,offer examptes,appty concepts,and raise questions,as well as give presentations.At first,Xie Lei had no idea what she should say,but what 3 surprised her was that she found herself speaking up in class after just a few weeks."My presentation on traditionat Chinese art was a great success,which boosted my confidence,"she said."I'lt use these skitts back home for presentations.They'll help me build a strong business in the future: Now hatfway through her exchange year,Xie Lei feels much more at home in the UK.What seemed strange before now appears quite normal to her."Engaging in British cutture has helped,"she said."As wetl as studying hard,I've been involved in social activities.British people are fascinated by our culture and eager to learn more about it,so I'm keen to share my culture with them.While I'm tearning about business,I'm atso 4 acting as a cuttural messenger buitding a bridge between us." We will follow Xie Lei's progress in later editions,but for now,we wish her alt the best. STUDYING ABROAD:IS IT A GOOD ORA BAD IDEA? Dear Editor, In the past few decades,there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people studying abroad.Although studying abroad can bring great benefits,1 think the disadvantages for young people are greater. To beqin with,many students who study abroad face great economic pressure.That means studying abroad is just not possibte for everyone. Tuition fees and tiving expenses are much more expensive than at home 5 and could end up costing most famities an arm and a teg.Studying in China is much more convenient and can help save money. Another important factor to consider is the tremendous pressure that comes with studying abroad.Students must tearn how to tive in an unfamiliar environment with timited language skitls.Some may struggle and suffer from culture shock when tearning how to behave in new surroundings.Other students are not mature enough to handte the chattenges by themselves and may become depressed.Some students might even encounter probtems with personat safetu.In addition. different approaches to teaching and tearning may come as a shock to many students 6 A final point to consider is that while studying abroad does have potentiat benefits,young peopte who study in China atso have a great future to took forward to!As China has boomed,the educationat environment has improved significantly,with many great universities now available.They have great facilities and outstanding professors, helping to educate young peopte who wilt contribute to the economy and further strengthen our country. To sum up,one cannot deny the fact that studying abroad has its disadvantages,so when you think about studying abroad,you should consider these many factors. Kind regards, Wang ti (mother of twin girts) Dear Editor. ts studying abroad a good idea or not?There are certainly disadvantages, but in my opinion,the advantages are much greater.As l always tett my son,there are no great difficulties for a person who is brave,optimistic, and witling to work hard! The first advantage of studying abroad is personat growth.The education you gain and the experiences you have will change you for the better.For exampte,you wilt certainly become more independent because you will have to deal with att kinds of difficulties by yourself.Studying abroad atso helps you to gain a globat perspective and improve your general competence. 8 Another advantage is the increased chance for cultural exchange.Chinese students can be seen as cuttural envoys promoting friendship between nations.International students in Ching atso bring their colourfut cuttures here.Cooperating with people from diverse cultural backgrounds hetps us view the world from different angtes and thus gives us more insight into our own culture. Finally,studying abroad provides a great opportunity to contribute to the development of our motherland.China's globat outlook,with projects such as the Bett and Road Initiative,has helped us make connections across the world.Therefore,China needs more talented young peopte with a global perspective who are highly competent with tanguages,have leadership and organisationat skilts,and have strong culturat awareness. 9 Students who study abroad wilt devetop such skitts and abilities,and these in turn will provide them with better career opportunities. Alt in alt studying abroad hetps to build character and increase people's understanding of cuttural diversity while strengthening China and buitding a shared future for att I think this tife-changing experience is certainly worthwhile,and t hope my child will study abroad in the future: Sincerety yours, Zhang Yi (father of one boul 10