The ideal and reality of studying abroad

Before going abroad, many people may be imagining how wonderful life will be after studying abroad: freedom, no pressure, and enjoying life seriously... Wait, wake up, the opening here is wrong. This is the rhythm of going on vacation. Let’s talk about the ideals and realities of studying abroad.

Ideal: You can study abroad without the college entrance examination and have no pressure

Reality: catch up on papers and deadlines, say good night at dawn, and have breakfast at midnight

Many people embark on the long road to study abroad with the idea of ??not taking the college entrance examination or postgraduate entrance examination. However, within the first week of classes, they are overwhelmed by the intensity of English that they have never experienced before. They write homework with red eyes and are overwhelmed by various dead lines. Chase and chase. Then I encountered the midterm exam and continued to struggle in the library. In sharp contrast to the strict admission and lenient policies of domestic universities, the pressure for foreign students to graduate is no joke. Some classes that are notoriously easy to fail are like roadblocks that cannot be bypassed. The pressure becomes even greater when the end comes. "Say good night at dawn and have breakfast at midnight" is definitely a portrayal of international students who stay up late to review. For this reason, many university libraries will distribute chocolates and sandwiches to students late at night during finals week. On the one hand, they are worried that students will be hungry, but in fact, they are also cleverly reminding students to arrange their time reasonably.

Ideal: parties every day, entertainment every night

Reality: Work hard, play harder.

Many international students have watched the famous American drama "Gossip Girl" "After that, I always felt that American high school and college students seemed to do nothing but drink and party. I once asked my foreign classmates this, and their answer was: "Haha." It's all about having fun, how can you graduate without studying? Societies and clubs are endlessly attractive, with lively singing, dancing and colorful activities, making students' lives so rich and colorful. The lively scenes of these parties are not fake, but they are definitely not everything about studying abroad. Foreign students actually have a very correct attitude towards learning: they have to study hard when studying, actively participate in class discussions, complete their respective parts during group assignments, and go to the library with dark circles under their eyes at the end of the semester. As the saying goes, study hard and have fun, and the pressure of academic work is released in parties.

Ideal: Green mountains, green waters and infinite prosperity

Reality: Good mountains, good waters, so lonely

In foreign countries, many universities are located in "empty mountains with no people, but no people". A remote area where people can hear voices. Oh, I was exaggerating a bit. But it's not uncommon for institutions to be located in small towns or rural areas, and it usually takes several hours to drive to the city. Green mountains and green waters, blue sky and blue sea, and fresh air are true. There are scenic spots everywhere when you step out. But there is not much prosperity. The countryside is right outside the campus. Even if it is a city, as long as it is not a big city like New York or San Francisco, you will always feel: "This is also a city? It is just a prefecture-level county in China." The population density of both the United States and Canada is smaller than that of China, and many international students have just At that time, it will feel very deserted with few people on the streets, so every city is nicknamed "a certain village" or "a certain township" by international students.

Ideal: Eating steaks and drinking Coca-Cola, living a colorful life

Reality: Every international student has become a good cook and misses authentic Chinese food to tears

Every 9 Before leaving, someone asked, "I'm going abroad soon. Is there anything else I must prepare?" I would solemnly say, "I must practice my cooking skills, and then eat the specialties of my hometown from beginning to end." Someone said Smiling easily, thinking I was joking. I could only shake my head and say: "You will understand when you go abroad." The hamburgers and sandwiches were fresh for one day, but they were tired of them on the third day. Foreign Chinese food has been modified to suit local tastes. It is sweet and sour but not delicious. After eating it once, you will never forget it and never want to try it again. So I missed authentic Chinese food, and it became an incurable disease that made me drool every time I checked the WeChat Moments and saw pictures of delicious food posted by domestic friends - pancakes, grilled skewers, steamed dumplings, and maocai fried belly spicy hotpot. These can only live in memories. The key is that we are short of money and eating out all the time is not an option. Many international students rent houses and cook their own meals, and when they return home they are very good at cooking.

Of course, there are a few kitchen scum who have not made any progress after practicing for many years, so they need a roommate with excellent cooking skills. It is also a good idea to go to someone else's place with a rice bowl in hand every meal time.

Ideal: Make friends with foreigners

Reality: Enter the small circle of Chinese international students

When in a foreign country, whether in class or in life Of course you will meet a lot of local people. However, many international students find that no matter how good they are at socializing and knowing a lot of locals, it is not easy to make friends with foreigners due to cultural differences and habits. On the contrary, I feel more comfortable among the Chinese international students. This is not to criticize anything. After all, the cultural gap is a deep gap. However, respecting the culture of other countries and learning more about other people's habits and customs are also one of the gains of studying abroad. Try to expand your social circle. Regardless of nationality and skin color, there is always no harm in getting to know more friends.

Ideal: English is getting better and better

Reality: The level of purchasing agents is getting higher and higher

Before going abroad, I gritted my teeth and took the TOEFL and IELTS, thinking that I would be able to speak English better after going abroad. Your abilities will improve by leaps and bounds, but everything is an illusion. Many friends still feel uncomfortable with the language environment after going abroad. Many people do not like learning and prefer purchasing on behalf of others. Once skin care products or local specialties from various countries appear in Wechat merchants in the circle of friends, this person must have gone abroad to study. In fact, the purchasing behavior of international students itself is in the gray area of ??supervision between the countries where they study and China. There are news reports that Chinese students studying in Australia face deportation because they purchase milk powder on behalf of them. It is really not worth the gain. It is understandable that international students are financially strapped, but the main purpose of studying abroad is to learn. No matter what you do, never forget your original intention.

Ideal: Become a free agent after going abroad

Reality: Miss your parents and hometown

After going abroad, across the ocean and across time zones, it is difficult for parents Then use the life-threatening call to restrain the words and deeds of your children. This kind of freedom is the happiness that some prospective international students have longed for. However, after experiencing loneliness and frustration after going abroad, more people deeply miss the carefree haven provided by their parents. They are worried about their parents' health but cannot return to accompany them at any time. Sometimes emergencies occur at home but they cannot make the trip immediately due to studies and distance. . It is recommended that prospective international students spend more time with their parents before going abroad, because the flight that takes you away may take a year or more to take you back, and their eager expectations and endless worries Missing me never stops.