VOA标准英语2013--年轻的学生来美国真是终身难忘的经历

 

Young Students Come to US for Experience of a Lifetime 年轻的学生来美国真是终身难忘的经历

A U.S.-funded student exchange program is giving young people from around the world the chance of a lifetime - to study and live in America.  The state department’s Youth Exchange and Study program - known as YES - targets students mostly from countries with large Muslim populations.  The students compete to be selected, and if chosen, are brought to the U.S. to study for a full academic year and live with an American family.

The U.S. state department's "YES" program is bringing together families and students who may seem to live worlds apart - physically¹ and culturally.

The young people travel from distant homes to see what it is like to live in the U.S. - with an American family.

The state department's education and cultural affairs bureau began the program after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.  The goal was to create a better understanding about the United States in the Muslim world.

Rick Ruth, a senior advisor² for the bureau, says the program has tremendous benefits.

"We know from decades of experience that bringing Americans together with people from all around the world of all ages and all backgrounds is one of the most effective means we have to create a world of mutual³ understanding, where violence and extremism are simply not welcome," said Ruth.

Soda⁴ Ndiaye is a “YES” student from Senegal.

“My dream was to come to America, learn about America, go to school here because I want to improve my English and also to know about American people," said Ndiaye.

Nada Omar, a student from Egypt, is staying with the same host family.

“Having experience to be independent and knowing how to manage your own things alone, YES program seems great for such things.  And it will actually help you later in your work or your career," said Omar.

Families do not receive financial compensation⁵ for hosting the students.  Randall Fiertz and his wife Carol say that doesn’t matter, because the program’s mission is so important.

“We have seen a lot of conflict in our world.  And why did that conflict start?  Mainly it’s because we don’t understand each other.  Anything that promotes understanding between the cultures is a good thing," said Carol Fiertz.

“Having lived overseas before and enjoyed interactions with Muslims, it was a great opportunity for us to show two kids what it is like in the United States.  It is easy for all of us to see when we have person to person relationship that we really are just the same," said Randall Fiertz.

Anti-American sentiment⁶ is high in many of the YES program students' home countries.  Rick Ruth denies claims that the State Department is trying to influence the students’ views.

“Participants see what they see, hear what they hear and ask what they ask.  There is no message being peddled⁷ to them," he said.

Students like Nada Omar say they learn not just about Americans, but about people from around the world.

“Our classmates are actually from everywhere, not just America and they are very friendly," she said.

About 900 students are brought to the U.S. to study under the YES program each year.  Program organizers say when they return home, they are better prepared to serve their own countries.

1 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

2 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。

3 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

4 soda   

n.苏打水；汽水

参考例句：

• She doesn't enjoy drinking chocolate soda.她不喜欢喝巧克力汽水。
• I will freshen your drink with more soda and ice cubes.我给你的饮料重加一些苏打水和冰块。

5 compensation   

n.补偿（或赔偿）的款物，补偿，赔偿

参考例句：

• Workers who have been unfairly dismissed may claim compensation.被无理开除的工人可以要求补偿。
• Equal compensation should be given to men and women for equal work.男女同工应同酬。

6 sentiment   

n.感情，情趣，意见，观点，多愁善感

参考例句：

• He has illustrated this sentiment thoroughly in a drama.他在一出戏剧里充分地表现了这种感情。
• Should sentiment be controlled by reason?感情应受理智的控制吗？

7 peddled   

（沿街）叫卖( peddle的过去式和过去分词 )； 兜售； 宣传； 散播

参考例句：

• He has peddled the myth that he is supporting the local population. 他散布说他支持当地群众。
• The farmer peddled his fruit from house to house. 那个农民挨家挨户兜售他的水果。