作者：新航道武汉学校 北美教学考试中心 托福写作组 杜薇
University graduates are considered as fresh troop marching into the society, some of whom may become the main contributors to a better world. Apart from mastering theoretical knowledge and practical skills, university students also need to better comprehend other country’s culture as some universities ague. Now, as to their consideration of rendering course about the culture of other country compulsory, I honestly believe that there is no need to impose such requirement on all students.
True, due to lack of foreign culture, a vast majority of university students often find themselves helpless in the realm of global village. In effect, the world of today is a coherent whole with close connections between different countries. As the major force to construct the future world, university students are bearing inescapable responsibilities. A good command of and an open mind towards other country’s culture is the best way to assimilate essences of different cultures and intelligently utilize them whenever it is necessary. Moreover, with the arrival of the brand-new era of information, globalization has made everyone a village in small world. With this regard, trans-cultural communications pave the way for a promising future. To illustrate, in a Christmas party held by student government, talking about Brazil’s snacks, fashionable music genre, and renowned athletes are the fastest way for a Chinese student to get in touch with a Brazilian student.
As much as I have argued in favor of the significant role of learning foreign culture, not all students should take this course. Some students, especially those who have suffered a lot in their core modules, have no choice but to take this kind of course. It is generally recognized that learning culture includes reciting important events, momentous occasions, great leaders and essential breakthroughs. Art students may have gotten familiar with these contents, but for students who are more skilled in deducing and calculating, this course is quite difficult and time-consuming. Imaging that this situation happens in a student from a business school. In order to master marketing principles, the student has already spent a lot of time on memorizing the story of every brand and marketing strategies of different companies. Studying foreign culture becomes another huge burden for them; even worse, their GPA is lagged by their poor performance. To further support my point, obviously, applying for jobs and preparing for the impending interviews in the senior year would be better for a senior student.
As was discussed up front, the best way for universities to help their graduates be fully prepared is not to force their students to do what school authorities plan but to encourage students to do what authorities desire. What remains undoubted is while universities are taking whatever measures to assist their students, students themselves must have a clear perspective about their own future at the very beginning of their university life and try their utmost to master knowledge of different disciplines and hone various kinds of employable skills.
