Reading for our next class

 Study programmes abroad, an agent´s view

I´ve spent the last few months earning my living by arranging study programmes for students who want to spend time living with a family in another country. For many teenagers, a study programme is their first opportunity to go abroad on their own - they want to see what life is like not only with a different family, but also in a completely different school system.

There´s no doubt that most young people enjoy travelling, but not everyone has the confidence to leave family home. However, it was the value experience of my own children spending a school term abroad that first attracted me to being an educational agent.

Most students realize that they may have problems fitting into a new lifestyle, but the major issue is being able to communicate in a foreign language. On holiday, it´s all part of the fun when you´re only deciding what flavour of ice cream to order or whether to spend the whole day in an adventure park. But what about when you´ve got homework to do?

I´ve already realized that there´s a definite pattern to a study programme. The preparation, emails and phone calls to the "new" family all add to the adventure. On arrival, the new house or apartment looks fantastic, and during the first couple of days at school, everybody takes an interest in the new class member. And then gradually the excitement begins to wear off - there´s a sense of loneliness and phone calls may increase. But negative feelings don´t last and life slowly become easier - parents are no longer missed, friendship develop and suddenly the term has ended!

QUESTIONS:

21.What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A.Describe how he sets up a study programme.

B.Warn how hard is it to find study programmes.

C.Suggest ways that people can apply to study abroad.

D.Explain the issues which are involved in studying abroad.

22.Why did the writer take up his present job?

A.He enjoyed travelling when he was young.

B.His children once studied abroad.

C.His family encouraged him.

D.He met an educational agent.

23.What is the most important thing to consider before studying abroad?

A.What the food will be like.

B.Whether the lifestyle will be a problem.

C.How difficult the language will be.

D.Whether there will be time for fun activities.

24.During their stay abroad, most students:

A.Do not speak to their families at home.

B.Remain an object of interest to others.

C.Experience the same kind of emotions.

D.Feel unhappy all the time.

25.What might the writer say about his job?

A.I haven´t been doing this job for very long but I´m finding it really interesting.

B.This job means that I rarely get much free time with my own family as I´m so busy.

C.It´s part of my job to visit young people when they attend a new school in another country.

D.It´s a difficult job as parents worry that their children will not be able to manage.