A long and lonely journey of making friends abroad 孤独而漫长的国外交友之旅

王晶

很多留学党都在抱怨，感觉虽然在国外大学里认识的人比国内多，但是基本上都是处于泛泛之交，算不上真正的朋友。似乎出国以后，朋友就少了很多，自己也变得越来越不会交朋友了。

[听力扫障]

Journal of International and Intercultural Communication 《國际跨文化交流期刊》

[扫码听测]

Ⅰ.听力理解

1.How many international students were surveyed in the study？

A.545.          B.454.           C.455.

2.How many of the international students had no close friends in the United States？

A.68% of them.

B.48% of them.

C.38% of them.

3.Who blamed themselves for their limited friendships with Americans？

A.Students from East Asia.

B.Students from English⁃speaking countries.

C.Students from northern and central Europe.

4.How many factors are there in preventing making friends according to Elisabeth Gareis？

A.2.         B.3.              C.4.

5.What is Elisabeth Gareis attitude towards making friends with host nationals？

A.Approving.

B.Doubtful.

C.Neutral.

[文本解说]

文化冲突是指两种或者两种以上的文化相互接触所产生的竞争和对抗状态，而在国外求学时产生的“交友焦虑症”正是这一现象的表现之一。其背后有着深刻的文化背景、语言障碍及交际技巧等原因。

The Journal of International and Intercultural Communication recently published a study done in the United States.

Elisabeth Gareis of Baruch College in New York surveyed four hundred and fifty⁃four international students. They were attending four⁃year colleges and graduate schools in the American South and Northeast. Students from English⁃speaking countries and from northern and central Europe were more likely to be happy with their friendships. But thirty⁃eight percent of the international students said they had no close friends in the United States. And half of the students from East Asia said they were unhappy with the number of American friends they had.

Professor Gareis says thirty percent said they wished their friendships could be deeper and more meaningful.

Elisabeth Gareis： “Students from East Asia have cultures that are different on many levels from the culture in the United States. But then there are also language problems， and maybe some social skills， such as small talk that are possibly not as important in their native countries， where its not as important to initiate friendships with small talk.” She says many East Asian students blamed themselves for their limited friendships with Americans.

Elisabeth Gareis： “The vast majority blame themselves， actually for not speaking the language well enough， and not knowing the culture well enough. There were also some comments about the college environment， like many of them were in the natural sciences or worked in labs where they were surrounded by other East Asians.”

VOAs Student Union blogger Jessica Stahl did her own survey to find out how American students and foreign students relate to each other. More than one hundred students， about half of them American， answered her online questions. Half of the international students and sixty percent of the Americans said they related as well or better to the other group than to their own group.

Professor Gareis says students who make friends from their host country return home happier with their experience. Elisabeth Gareis： “International students who make friends with host nationals are， overall， more satisfied with their stay in the host country.”