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1 Each year, thousands of U. S. students choose to spend a semester abroad in all sorts of places, from England to Spain to Australia to India. After spending a semester at a university in Beijing, The Globalist's Lauren Konopacz explores the myriad benefits of studying abroad—particularly in China.
2 In the 2005-2006 academic year, the most recent period for which data are available, 223,534 U. S. students studied abroad. That number equals only 1% of enrolled U. S. students. Of that 1%, only 9.3% chose to study abroad in Asia. That means that just 20,788 U. S. students went abroad to the Asian region.
3 In other words, the number of U. S. students who spent time in Asia during that academic year couldn't even sell out a Red Sox game. 1 Fenway Park—one of the smallest ballparks in the United States—has a capacity of 36,108. Taking that point further, only about 6,000 students chose to study in China.
4 They could not even sell out a Portland Sea Dogs 2 game—the Red Sox' minor league team. Of all my friends, only the ones who I know through Chinese classes went to China, and the eight of us couldn't even fill a dugout.
5 There are a number of reasons to study abroad. In fact, according to the American Council on Education, 79% of the U. S. population agrees that students ought to study abroad, in contrast to the fact that only 1% go.
6 Many students who go abroad have the goal of learning a language. There is no better way to improve language skills than by being immersed in a language other than your own. Studying abroad also offers students an opportunity to travel, to expand one's worldview, to enhance the value of a college degree—and to make international connections.
7 Studying abroad can have excellent benefits for future employment opportunities by providing students with international skills and experiences. Connections made while abroad could easily lead to future opportunities. 3
8 Even the U. S. Senate recognizes the importance of a study abroad experience to future employment. Senate Resolution 308, passed on November 11, 2005, lists several reasons why such an experience is important for both the student and for the United States as a whole.
9 Several of these points address the fact that "federal agencies, educational institutions and corporations in the United States are suffering from a shortage of professionals with international knowledge and foreign skills."
10 Perhaps most importantly, study abroad offers a chance to understand another culture, and to better understand your own culture. Resolution 308 agrees that study abroad programs "empower students to better understand themselves and others through a comparison of cultural values and ways of life."
11 Much of what people consider to be "self" is simply a set of beliefs and assumptions about life that are the products of factors such as social group, economic class, family background and national culture. Foreign experience allows students to recognize these assumptions in both their host culture and their own.
12 Aside from a foreign cultural experience, students are able to re-examine the assumptions of their own lives and the assumptions of the societies they belong to.
13 Asia has played a huge role in shaping U. S. history and foreign policy. Korea, Vietnam, the World Wars — even the Spanish-American war was concerned with U. S. presence in Asia. 5 The U. S. Open Door policy was officially introduced as far back as 1899 6 , and unofficially introduced with Commodore Perry's visits to Japan in 1853. 7
14 Despite extensive U.S. -Asian involvement, the educational system in the United States is heavily U.S. -European focused. 8 Throughout my education prior to college, I took several courses on U. S. and European history, but only one course on Asia—and that was a high school elective.
15 Asia continues to affect the United States. Three of the six world regions listed as trade partners on the United States Trade Representative's website are in Asia (North, South and South East Asia). Two of the top five import and export partners of the United States are located in Asia.
16 China receives 5.3% of U. S. exports and contributes 15.9% of its total imports, placing it in the top five in both categories (the other Asian nation in that top five is Japan). Twenty-one percent of China's exports go to the United States, making it China's top export partner. The nation has a relatively steady average yearly GDP growth of 10-11%. Thus, there are clear economic reasons to understand China.
17 Though 69% of U. S. students are able to find China on a map, only 18% are aware that Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world (74% think it is English), and 50% think that the Chinese population is only twice that of the United States (when it is really four times that).
18 So while the average American student is aware of China's geographical presence, they are not quite as aware of its cultural presence. 9 This is grossly unfair. China has a population of 1.3 billion and 5,000 years of uninterrupted history. Both of these numbers dwarf their U. S. counterparts. There is a clear need to raise cultural awareness of China in the United States.
19 Why did I become one of the 6,000 students who go to China?
20 Like most of those 6,000 students, I made my decision based on any combination of the reasons listed above. One of my majors is Asian Studies. I chose to pursue a degree in that field because it is so incredibly underrepresented, but still so important. 10 In high school, I had the opportunity to take a history course on Asia. The fact that I knew so little about it both appalled and intrigued me. It was so refreshing to go beyond the boundaries of U. S. and European history.
21 When I arrived at college, I was told that the Asian Studies degree required—quite rightly—study of an Asian language. I chose Chinese—hard though it may be—because of the economic and cultural factors I previously mentioned. Given China's growing economic importance and global predominance, learning Mandarin was simply practical. Plus, my interest in the region made it appealing.
22 As a university student, I knew I would go abroad, and as a student of the Chinese language, I knew I would go to China.
23 I am definitely part of the 79% of the U. S. population who feels emphatically that the study abroad experience is unequaled. Globalization has rendered today's world absolutely in need of people with cultural experience other than their own. 11
24 I also had a desire to travel and a great curiosity about new places, and, like most students, new ideas. As a Chinese student, China was an easy choice. I was thrilled about the chance to apply the skills I had spent so much time and energy cultivating. 12
25 I also knew that immersing myself in Chinese could only improve my language level. Finally, being in a foreign country whose language I could speak, gave me so many opportunities to learn about the culture directly from the people who lived there.
26 My study abroad experience really served to bring my classroom experience to life. Everything that I had learned and read about was right there for me to physically experience.
27 Just as an art history student must forgo their textbook to go to the museum in order to best experience a work of art, a student of culture or language must forgo their textbook to go abroad in order to best experience that culture or language.
28 For me, China both reinforced things I had already learned and taught me new things, while at the same time it inspired new interests and curiosities. I am confident that any student willing to push his or her boundaries and go somewhere new will have a similar experience. (From Time, April 4, 2008)
New Words
academic /ˌækəˈdemik/ adj. relating to education, esp. at college or university level 学院的，学术的
address /əˈdres/ v. to try to solve a problem
appall /əˈpɔːl/ v. to cause sb to have strong feeling of shock or of disapproval使惊骇
ballpark /ˈbɔːlpɑːk/ n. a field for playing baseball with seats for watching the game 棒球场
counterpart /ˈkauntəpɑːt/n. sb or sth that has the same job or purpose as sb or sth else in a different place 对等的人或物，对手，同行
cultivate /ˈkʌltiveit/ v. to work hard to develop a particular skill, attitude, or quality 培养
dugout /ˈdʌɡˌaut/ n. a low shelter at the side of a sports field, where players and team officials sit 棒球场边供球员休息的地方
dwarf /dwɔːf/ v. to be so big that other things are made to seem very small 使变矮小
elective /iˈlektiv/ n. a course that students can choose to take, but they do not have to take it in order to graduate 选修课程
empower /imˈpauə/ v. to give sb more control over their own life or situation; to give a person or organization the legal right to do sth 使能够；授权于
enroll /inˈrəul/ v. to officially arrange to join a school, university, or course 入学（或入会等）；登记；成为成员
forgo /fɔːˈɡəu/ v. to give up; not do or have sth pleasant or enjoyable 作罢，放弃
globalist /ˈɡləubəlist/ n. a person who supports the idea of globalization 支持全球主义者
immerse /iˈməːs/ v. to put sb or sth deep into a liquid so that they are completely covered; become completely involved in an activity 沉浸，使陷入
intrigue /inˈtriːɡ/ v. to interest sb a lot, esp. by being strange, unusual or mysterious 激起兴趣
Mandarin /ˈmændərin/ n. the official language of China 汉语普通话
myriad /ˈmiriəd/ n. & adj. a very large number of things; very many 无数（的），种种（的）
prior /ˈpraiə/ adj. existing or arranged before sth else or before the present situation; before 优先的，在先的
reinforce /ˌriːinˈfɔːs/ v. to give support to an opinion, idea, or feeling, and make it stronger 加强，加固
render /ˈrendə/ v. to cause sb or sth to be in a particular condition 致使
resolution /ˌrezəˈluːʃən/ n. a formal decision or statement agreed on by a group of people, esp. after a vote; strong belief and determination 决议；决心
semester /siˈmestə/ n. a term, esp. at universities 学期
underrepresented /ˌʌndərepriˈzentid/ adj. being not fully represented, shown or described 未被充分代表的；没有充分表现的
worldview /ˈwəːldˌvjuː/ n. someone's opinions and attitudes relating to the world and things in general 世界观
Notes
1．In other words... a Red Sox game.—That is to say, there are fewer U. S. students who are willing to study in Asia for a year than the tickets sold out for a Red Sox（红袜队）match. The Red Sox, or the Boston Red Sox, is the name of a popular baseball team in America. Baseball is known as America's national pastime. But the International Olympic Committee announced last year that it was dropping baseball from its list of sports after the 2008 Summer Games.
2．Portland Sea Dogs—From the context, we can infer that the Portland Sea Dogs（海狗队）is also the name of a sports team, which is junior to the Red Sox in size, reputation or achievement. Here the writer uses an analogy to explain the fact that only a small fraction of U. S. students go to China to study.
3．Connections made while abroad could easily lead to future opportunities.—Relationships that the students have developed while they are studying abroad could easily lead to future employment opportunities or success.
4．Uncle Sam wants YOU to go abroad—This sentence is an imitation of the very famous army recruiting poster: "I Want You for U. S. Army." Uncle Sam is a national personification of the United States, often portrayed as a tall, white-haired man with a goatee. He is often dressed in red, white, and blue, and wears a top hat.
5．Korea, Vietnam... U. S. presence in Asia.—朝鲜战争、越南战争、两次世界大战、甚至美西战争都与美国在亚洲的势力范围有关。（此处的Korea和Vietnam分别指the Korean War和the Vietnam War，是报刊常见的借代用法。另外，说Spanish-American War与亚洲有关，是因为这场战争是1898年美国为夺取西班牙属地古巴、波多黎各和菲律宾而发动的战争。美西战争是列强重新瓜分殖民地的第一次帝国主义战争。）
6．The U. S. Open Door policy was officially introduced as far back as 1899—By the late 19th century, Japan and the European powers had carved much of China into separate spheres of influence, inside of which each held economic dominance. The U. S., coming late to imperialism, held no sphere of influence in China. In 1899 U. S. Secretary of State John Hay proposed an "Open Door" policy（门户开放政策）in China in which all nations would have equal trading and development rights throughout all of China. It reflects American political and economic self-interest.
7．Commodore Perry's visits to Japan in 1853—In 1853, Commodore Matthew C. Perry sailed a small American steam-powered naval squadron （中队）into Yedo (later Tokyo) Bay. The mission entrusted（委托/任）to him by the President was to persuade Japan to open ports for trade and to cease cruel treatment of ship-wrecked American seamen.
8．Despite extensive U. S. -Asian involvement, the educational system in the United States is heavily U. S. -European focused.—Though the U. S. and Asia have a close connection or relation, for business or political purposes, the educational system in the United States is mainly focused on European history and the correlation between U. S. and Europe because the early settlers in the country were from Europe.
9．So while the average American student is aware of China's geographical presence, they are not quite as aware of its cultural presence.—理解此句子中的抽象名词presence要看第17段和此段以下的段落（见“语言解说”）。
10．I chose to pursue a degree in that field because it is so incredibly underrepresented, but still so important.—I decided to get a degree in Asian studies for this is a very important field, yet the number of students enrolling in this field is surprisingly inadequate.
11．I am definitely part of the 79% of the U. S. population... people with cultural experience other than their own.—Surely I am among those 79% of the population who strongly agrees that the experience of studying abroad is better than any other ways of studying. Globalization has made the world of today definitely in need of people with different cultural experiences apart from their own.
12．I was thrilled about the chance to apply the skills I had spent so much time and energy cultivating.—I was extremely excited and happy that I had a chance to communicate in Chinese. The skills are developed at the cost of much of my time and energy.
Questions
1．According to the American Council on Education, why is it necessary for students to study abroad?
2．As to the importance of studying abroad, what were listed by Senate Resolution 308?
3．Why is China the worthy place for U. S. students?
4．What benefits has the author gained from studying in China?
presence的词义有时难以捉摸，只有先弄懂上下文，再作判断。在现代英语中，presence并非只有“存在”一义，而是在不同的场合具有种种不同的含义。它是现代报刊用语中一个典型的舍具体求抽象的实例，这与西方人擅抽象思维和国人长于形象思维有关。本文第18段在一个句子里有两个“presence”，均为“存在”之义，意为“……地理上有中国这个国家，但对其文化知之甚少”，第二个presence结合下句也可理解为“历史”即“中国的文化历史或文明史”。但在本文第13段的“...even the Spanish-American war was concerned with U. S. presence in Asia”可理解为“势力”或“影响”。下面见该词用于外交作“显示（军事）实力”（show the flag）讲引申出的种种意义的例句：
1．影响；实力，势力
a. Grassroots leaders are trying to step into the vacuum. Last fall former city councilman Ron Leeper founded Save the Seed, an organization that provides adult male mentors to African-American children. Fighting Back, a fledgling drug-and-alcohol-counseling group funded by a private grant, hopes to expand its presence in troubled west Charlotte. (Newsweek)
b. His price for a coalition arrangement would have been political autonomy for Scotland and Wales, with which Labour agreed, as well as electoral reform to make proportional representation the basis for future elections, which would give the Liberal Democrats a larger presence in Parliament. (Time)
2．外交使团或机构
Britain is committed to maintaining a worldwide diplomatic presence. Diplomatic or consular relations are maintained with 183 countries and there are missions at nine international organisations or conferences. (Britain)
3．联合国“维和部队”
Indonesians opposed to the UN presence in East Timor protesting Friday outside UN offices in Jakarta. The UN said 20 more people died at the hands of militias in West Timor, but Indonesia denied the claim. (International Herald Tribune)
4．驻扎，留驻
a. The Pentagon confirmed the presence of American troops in northern Afghanistan for the first time Tuesday and credited them with improving the effectiveness of U. S. bombing raids. (AP)
b. Despite the problems with civilian reconstruction and pressures from European governments to consider leaving a force behind after IFOR leaves, the White House—with an eye on the presidential election campaign—will not even discuss for now any possibility of an American troop presence in Bosnia past President Clinton's December deadline. (U. S. News & World Report)
5．（外来的）军事力量；军队；警察
The key decisions must still be made by and with Israel. The problem is how to give the Palestinians a homeland that would not pose a threat to Israeli security. Mr. Begin seems to think that this can be achieved only if Israel retains responsibility for security in the West Bank. This is not necessarily the case. An Israeli presence might exacerbate tension and provoke insecurity, whereas the Palestinians living on the spot, who have as great an interest in peace as the Israelis, might be able to police themselves more effectively. (The Times)
presence作为抽象意义的词可用来代表具体意义。这种虚实的转化，会产生词义艰涩、含糊的新义，所以有时词义难以确定。还有的出于政治上的策略，如前联合国秘书长哈马舍尔德（Dag Hammarskjöld, 1905—1961）就喜欢此词的含糊其辞。他曾说：“There is a UN presence wherever the UN is present.”此处“a UN presence”指什么？“维和部队”、“外交官”、“外交使团”或“军事观察团”？此语妙在便于灵活掌握，使对手或政敌抓不住话柄。
以上可见，“a presence”可指“出访的外交官”、在海外的“航空母舰”、“永久性军事基地”、“军队”或“警察”等。（详见《导读》二版）