After scores for the gaokao, China's university entrance exam, were released, many study abroad agencies began recruiting students who are interested in attending college abroad.
在高考成绩公布之后不久,许多留学中介机构就开始招收那些对海外留学感兴趣的考生。
Although many parents and students are tempted by the study abroad experience, some are worried by the frequent, disturbing news of Chinese students struggling to get used to life abroad.
尽管许多家长和孩子被国外留学经验所吸引,但其中一些人也对中国留学生在海外生活频繁的负面报道而忧心忡忡。
On June 6, Chinese student Robert Liu hanged himself in a dormitory of New York University; on June 11, a Chinese junior at the University of Pennsylvania killed herself by jumping in front of a train. Sadly, these tragedies are only the tip of the iceberg. With more and more Chinese students studying abroad at increasingly earlier ages, the students' psychological conditions must be given more attention.
6月6日,一名华裔学生罗伯特·刘被发现在纽约大学一间宿舍里上吊自杀;6月11日,一名美国宾夕法尼亚大学大三的华裔学生撞火车自杀。然而,这些仅是中国留学生极端事件的“冰山一角”。随着越来越多的低年龄中国学生出国留学,我们也应对他们的精神需求给予足够的重视。
According to Cui Hong, a psychological consultant specializing in the mental condition of Chinese students overseas, there are three gaps that parents and children need to bridge if they hope to have a successful study abroad experience: generational, cultural and time-space. These students often find it difficult to fit in while studying in foreign countries; at the same time, when they come back to China for vacations, they also find it hard to get along with their old classmates.
据专门从事中国留学生心理咨询工作的咨询师崔红表示,想要有一个成功的留学体验,需跨越三道壕沟:分别是“代沟”、“文化沟”和“时空沟”。这些学生在海外留学时通常会与当地学生格格不入,与此同时,在假期回到中国后,又发现很难与昔日的中国同学相处。
Cui suggests that parents pay more attention to their children's development from an early age. Parents can also learn to use social media to communicate with their children abroad. Instead of focusing solely on academic performance, Cui advises parents to learn more about their children's daily lives. It is helpful if parents learn about the culture in which their children are living, and even seek out recent news from the country in which their children are studying.
崔红建议,在孩子还小的时候,家长就要多关注孩子。家长也要学会使用新型社交工具,这样方便与国外的孩子联系。此外,家长也不要只关心孩子在外面的学习成绩,要多关注他们的日常生活。如果父母能够多了解孩子留学所在国家的文化,甚至可以关注那里的新闻,将会大有帮助。
Cui believes that children from harmonious, stable families are the best candidates to study abroad since they are most likely to feel a strong sense of security. In addition, children with independent characters who like to socialize and participate in many activities also tend to thrive in their lives abroad.
崔红认为,从家庭成员关系融洽的家庭出来的孩子最适合出国留学,因为他们更有安全感。此外,从小自立性强、参与过很多社会实践或课外活动的孩子也更容易在国外茁壮成长。