★☆☆Experts Suggest Ways to Help International Students Make Friends with American Students

Read and understand the article. If you may have any difficult words to pronounce and words you cannot understand, always ask your teacher.

*Teachers will divide the article into 2-3 paragraphs to help you understand and check the pronunciation of the difficult words.

Vocabulary

*Read the words carefully.

1. investigate /inˈvestiˌgāt/ (vb.) to try to find out the facts about (something, such as a crime or an accident) in order to learn how it happened, who did it, etc.
2. institution /ˌinstiˈt(y)o͞oSHən/ (n.) a society or organization founded for a religious, educational, social, or similar purpose
3. infrastructure /ˈinfrəˌstrəkCHər/ (n.) the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, and power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
4. promote /prəˈmōt/ (vb.) to help (something) happen, develop, or increase; to make (something) more popular, well-known, etc.
5. bond /bänd/ (vb.) establish a relationship with someone based on shared feelings, interests, or experiences

Article

Experts Suggest Ways to Help International Students Make Friends with American Students

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(1) Last week, we told how some international students have few friends in their host country when they study overseas. One study in the United States found that thirty-eight percent of foreign students said they had no close American friends. Communications specialist Elisabeth Gareis studied more than four hundred fifty foreign students.

(2) VOA Student Union blogger Jessica Stahl also investigated the issue. Her survey showed that seventy-five percent of foreign students said they have more than two American friends. But ten percent reported having no American friends.

(3) Elisabeth Gareis teaches in the Department of Communication Studies at Baruch College in New York. She says efforts on how to improve relationships between the two groups of students have yet to be studied in detail. But she says these efforts should begin with the college or university, and that these institutions have been working harder.

(4) ELISABETH GARIES: “Institutions should build an infrastructure that promotes contact. And they can do that by, for example, bonding activities at the beginning of the academic year.”

(5) She suggests taking walks, going on bicycle, field or camping trips, and attending parties, sporting events or film festivals. She says such activities should be held repeatedly to bring students together throughout the school term. Ms. Gareis also suggests that foreign students share housing with American students.

(6) Michigan State University is known for its programs for international students. Last year, about five thousand nine hundred students from one hundred thirty three countries attended Michigan State. They made up perhaps twelve percent of the total university population. Peter Briggs directs the Office for International Students and Scholars at Michigan State. He says more foreign students are expected to register this week.

(7) Many students and community members are trained and prepared to help foreign students. The volunteers assist new students as they complete government requirements and find their academic advisors. Mr. Briggs says the volunteers also help answer the traditional questions of new people anywhere.

(8) PETER BRIGGS: “Where do I get an ID (identification card)? Which is the best bank…What is my cell phone plan? How do I get a Social Security number or driver’s license? That kind of information is shared both formally and informally as students advise other students. We’re really supporting that network.”

(9) He says that if the new students make friends as they begin school, they will come to feel part of the life and traditions of the university.

Discussion

*Let’s talk about the article base on the questions below

1. Why do we need friends? Do you have foreign friends?
2. Do you have best friends? Why do you consider them your best friends?
3. What qualities do you look for in a friend? How about qualities for a boyfriend or girlfriend?

 

English Compositions

*Let’s make English compositions using the expressions from the article.

(1) He says more (adjective) (noun) are expected to register this week.

EX) He says more foreign students are expected to register this week.

(2) Many (noun) and (noun) are trained and prepared to (verb) foreign students.

EX) Many students and community members are trained and prepared to help foreign students.