打破出国留学的7个误区

关于出国留学，不少人都怀有遐想，但往往是雾里看花。走出误区，少犯错误，方能成就更完美的留学梦。

Myth #1: Study abroad costs too much.

误区1：留学花费太高

Fact: The cost varies depending on the type and location of the program, the length of the stay, and whether the program is administered through a university or an outside organization. A program can be significantly less expensive, more or about the same. Study abroad can be affordable. Some study abroad programs - especially those in developing countries - can actually be less expensive than tuition and fees for the equivalent amount of time on a home campus. Financial aid should be transferable as long as the home college accepts the transferred credits.

事实：留学的花费取决于项目的类型和地点、逗留的时间以及该项目是大学所管还是外部机构所管。一个项目可以比国内便宜很多，也可以更贵或者费用相当。留学可以成为能负担得起的事。有些留学项目——特别是发展中国家的项目——实际上可能比相同时间内国内的学杂费还便宜。只要国内的学校接受转入学分，助学金也可以转移。

Enrolling directly in an international university can often save students a great deal of money, but the risks are greater (students are doing all the work themselves without a structure or proven process in place) as is the amount of time spent on managing the process.

直接考进一所国际大学通常可以节省一大笔钱，不过风险也更高，学生们要全靠自己完成所有的任务，没有现成的框架或已证明的过程可供参考，因此花在管理留学过程上的时间也更长。

Myth #2: Studying abroad is all about partying and having fun.

误区2：留学就是去玩乐的

Fact: It's about studying, learning and building valuable skills. There is no doubt that some students view studying abroad as a vacation, going just to party, drink and hook up with other students. But study abroad is so much more than that. It expands personal horizons while opening up a world of personal and professional opportunities. Although it should be fun, it's also a serious undertaking that will challenge students on a personal level and have an impact on their academic career.

事实：留学是去研究、学习和培养宝贵技能的。毫无疑问，确实有一些学生把留学当作度假，过去就是参加派对、喝酒、和其他学生混在一起。但是留学的意义远不止这些。留学可以拓展个人的视野，为自己创造更多机会，为职业创造更多机遇。虽然留学生活也有很多乐趣，但它也承担了一个严肃的任务，这个任务将在个人层面对学生进行挑战，并且影响他们的学业。

Studying abroad includes taking classes, preferably taught by local professors on locally-relevant subjects - and in the local language if possible. Students will learn about different education systems and ways of teaching. They will find themselves challenging their own ideas and beliefs once they've had a chance to experience an alternate perspective. Students will learn how to appreciate different cultures and solve problems while operating in an environment different from what they're used to.

留学包括上课，最好是由当地教授讲授的与当地有关的科目——有可能的话以当地语言授课。学生们将了解不同的教育系统和教学方法。一旦有机会体验另一种视角，他们会发现自己开始挑战原有的想法和信条。学生们还将学习如何欣赏不同的文化、以及在不同于自己所习惯的环境中如何解决问题。

Myth #3: Study abroad is only for language and international relations majors.

误区3：只有语言和国际关系专业的学生适合留学

Fact: All subjects can be taught through a global lens. Study abroad is for all majors, and students in every field will benefit from a global experience. Many universities offer hundreds of opportunities in dozens of countries for students of all academic majors - including business, education, fine arts, sciences, social sciences, humanities, foreign languages and engineering.

事实：所有专业都可以以全球化视角教授，因此所有专业都适合留学，而且每个领域的学生都将从国际经历中获益。很多学校都在几十个国家提供数百个留学机会，面向所有专业的学生——包括商科、教育、艺术、自然科学、社会科学、人文、外语和工程等专业。

Traditionally, Chinese students embrace business and engineering majors for overseas study. But students choosing these majors have been decreasing in recent years, while at the same time, humanities and fine arts are becoming more and more popular. In 2012, 23.38% of overseas Chinese students chose business majors, 18.71% chose engineering and nearly 40% chose humanities and fine arts.

中国学生传统的热门留学科目为商科和工科，但近年来，这两种专业比例有所下降，2012年分别为23.38%和18.71%，同时人文和艺术类专业选择比例越来越高，选择人文、艺术类专业的人接近四成。

Myth #4: There aren't many scholarships available for studying abroad.

误区4：留学可申请的奖(助)学金不多

Fact: There are hundreds and hundreds of study abroad scholarships available based on merit, financial need and even specialty awards. Most colleges have a straightforward framework for applying for study abroad scholarships, one that lays out the potential amounts available, the process and deadlines for applying, and any restrictions that may exist for general scholarships. In addition, scholarships are also offered by many private organizations, the Chinese government and foreign governments.

事实：留学的奖(助)学金有成千上万种，包括奖励成绩优异者的奖学金、发给有经济需求者的助学金、甚至专业领域的奖励。很多学校有一套申请留学奖学金的简单明了的体系，其中列出了可申请的数目、申请过程、截止日期和一般奖学金可能存在的一切限制。此外，还有许多私人组织、中国政府和外国政府提供的奖(助)学金。

Myth #5: Traveling independently offers the same experience.

误区5：独自旅行的经历相当于留学

Fact: Studying abroad includes "studying," whereas traveling does not. Traveling and tourism are added perks to studying abroad, but they should not overshadow the actual purpose of studying abroad, which is studying and living in another culture. Taking classes with local students, and honing language skills by communicating and interacting with local friends or a host family, will offer much deeper insight into the local culture. Students should explore their host community and spend time getting to know the local neighborhood, not just seeing the big sights. Students will learn more about themselves and others.

事实：留学包含旅行没有的"学习"经历。留学的时候可以顺便旅行观光，但旅行决不是留学的真正目的，真正的目的是在另外一种文化中学习和生活。和当地学生一起上课、与当地朋友或寄宿家庭交流以磨练语言技能等等，这些将让留学生更深刻地理解当地文化。留学生应该去探访寄宿的社区，花时间了解当地街坊，而不是只看著名景点。这将使他们更加了解自己和他人。

Myth #6: Studying abroad will delay graduation.

误区6：出国留学会推迟毕业

Fact: If students plan ahead and make sure their credits transfer, there's no reason graduation will be delayed. In fact, research shows that four-year graduation rates for students who studied abroad are significantly higher than those who stayed at home. Study abroad students return with a reinvigorated interest in academic pursuits and a renewed passion for lifelong learning. Some students who study abroad for a year have actually graduated in less than four years because of the accelerated classes they took while abroad.

事实：如果事先计划好，并且确定学分可以转移，那么毕业没有理由会推迟。事实上，研究显示，就四年制学位而言，留过学的学生毕业率比没留过学的还高。留过学以后，学生往往对学术追求更有兴趣，对终生学习更有热情。有些在国外读了一年书的学生事实上不到四年就提前毕业了，因为他们在国外上了速成班。

Myth #7: Potential employers don't value study abroad.

误区7：未来的雇主并不看重留学经历

Fact: Employers increasingly want workers who can work cross-culturally and speak another language. Study abroad is one of the best ways (often the only way) for students to acquire marketable international qualifications, cross-cultural competency and proficiency in a second language. In addition to valuing the soft skills acquired while spending time abroad, employers want workers who can collaborate with others around the world.

事实：雇主越来越希望员工能够跨文化地工作，并掌握一门外语。留学对学生而言是获取拿得出手的国际资质和跨文化能力，精通一门外语的最佳途径之一(往往也是唯一的途径)。雇主们不但要评估留学期间掌握的软性技能，他们对员工的要求还包括能和世界各地的人进行合作。

But just listing study abroad on a resume or in a cover letter won't cut it. Students must package their study abroad experience in a way that showcases what they've learned. Organizations will want to know what an applicant did and learned while abroad - and how that experience can be brought to bear on the job.

不过仅仅在简历或求职信上列出留学经历是不起作用的，还必须加以包装，展示出学到的东西。公司想知道申请者在国外做过什么、学到了什么，以及这些经历将如何为工作带来影响。