Page 4 - Book V Unit 2

Xie Lei also found many courses included feels much more at home in the UK. What seemed
students’ participation in class as part of the final strange before now appears quite normal to her.
result. Students need to generate ideas, offer “Engaging in British culture has helped,” she said.
examples, apply concepts, and raise questions, “As well as studying hard, I’ve been involved
as well as give presentations. At first, Xie Lei had in social activities. British people are fascinated
no idea what she should say, but what surprised by our culture and eager to learn more about it,
her was that she found herself speaking up in so I’m keen to share my culture with them. While
class after just a few weeks. “My presentation I’m learning about business, I’m also acting as a
on traditional Chinese art was a great success, cultural messenger building a bridge between us.”
which boosted my confidence,” she said. “I’ll use
We will follow Xie Lei’s progress in later editions,
these skills back home for presentations. They’ll
but for now, we wish her all the best.
help me build a strong business in the future.”

Now halfway through her exchange year, Xie Lei

3 Why did Xie Lei have the following feelings during her year studying abroad?
Make sentences using “Xie Lei felt/feels … because …” according to the
article.

excited nervous comforted confused surprised confident feel at home

4 Take notes on what you read in the article by filling in the table.

Challenges What Xie Lei did

learnt to ;
adaptation to a whole new life learnt to ;
Daily life asked for

loneliness lived with

got help from ;
writing an essay a lot to prepare
Academic
requirements
participating in gave presentation on
and giving

5 Discuss the following questions in groups.

1 Why did Xie Lei choose the exchange programme?
2 Why has Xie Lei got involved in social activities?
3 How has Xie Lei helped to build bridges between China and the UK?
4 What other challenges do you think students studying abroad might face? How can
students prepare to handle these challenges before going abroad?

UNIT 2 BRIDGING CULTURES 15