Without doubt, studying international customs can help avoid {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (difficult) in today's world of cultural crossroads.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} I get to know more international friends, I learn more about cultural “body language”. Not all cultures greet each other the same way, nor {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (be )they comfortable in the same way with touching or distance between people. Spoken language can {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (take) full advantage of to communicate with others, they also express their feelings {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (use) unspoken “language” through physical distance, actions or posture, English people, for example, do not usually stand very close {#blank#}6{#/blank#} others or touch strangers as soon as they meet.

    However, people from places like Spain, Italy or South American countries approach others {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (close) and are more likely {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (touch) them. Most people around the world now greet each other by shaking hands, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} some cultures use other greetings as well, such as the Japanese, {#blank#}10{#/blank#} prefer to bow.

    The first person to arrive was Tony Garcia from Colombia, closely {#blank#}1{#/blank#} by Julia Smith from Britain. After I met them and then introduced them to each other, I was very surprised. Tony {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Julia, touched her shoulder and kissed her on {#blank#}3{#/blank#} cheek! She stepped back {#blank#}4{#/blank#}surprised and put up her hands, as if in 50．{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. I guessed that there was probably a {#blank#}6{#/blank#}misunderstanding. Then Akira Nagata from Japan came in smiling, together with George Cook from Canada. As they were introduced, George reached his hand out to the Japanese student. Just at that moment, however, Akira bowed {#blank#}7{#/blank#}his nose touched George's {#blank#}8{#/blank#} hand. They both apologized－ another  {#blank#}9{#/blank#} mistake!

    The theme park you are probably most familiar with is Disneyland. It can be found in several parts of the world. It will bring you into a {#blank#}10{#/blank#} world and make your dreams come true, {#blank#}11{#/blank#} you are travelling through space, visiting a pirate ship or meeting your favourite fairy tale or Disney cartoon character. As you wander around the {#blank#}12{#/blank#} amusement park, you may see Snow White or Mickey Mouse in a parade or on the street. Of course Disneyland also has many exciting rides, from giant {#blank#}13{#/blank#} ship to terrifying free-fall drops. With all these {#blank#}14{#/blank#}, no wonder tourism is increasing {#blank#}15{#/blank#}there is a Disneyland. If you want to have fun and more than fun, come to Disneyland!

    Research has become both simpler and more complex. It's simpler because,{#blank#}1{#/blank#} you have computer, you can find information you need by searching the Internet. For all you information, you don't have to go to {#blank#}2{#/blank#}library to find the relevant resource and take notes on it. Instead, you can find some sources from the Internet{#blank#}3{#/blank#}print the copies needed. Remember, however, that you should usually consult different types of sources. That is, you {#blank#}4{#/blank#}always rely just on the Internet for you research.

    While finding information is easier than ever, at the same time, researching has become {#blank#}5{#/blank#} complex. There is a lot more material available, which means you may be overwhelmed {#blank#}6{#/blank#}the amount of information. You need to learn {#blank#}7{#/blank#} to sort through and find the relevant information for your particular project. Also,{#blank#}8{#/blank#} need to check the accuracy of it.

    Change is much easier when you have many supporting partners and unlimited resources. But, since it is often the shock of a death, divorce or some other life tragedy that {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(push) us out of our comfort zone to take care of ourselves, it can mean{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(force) to start to be independent, which for many of us is the scariest part of all.

    Probably the most difficult thing about seeking significant change is doing it {#blank#}3{#/blank#}you don't have financial or emotional tools available to make the process go {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(smooth). But sometimes reaching our full potential means working without {#blank#}5{#/blank#}safety net. For those truly {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(devote) to their mission, having fewer resources can be a surprising blessing as it forces them to get {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(create)and explore new paths.

    I don't know if it's possible to leave this world{#blank#}8{#/blank#}zero regrets. Because of the natural life cycles and the fact that sometimes it's the tragedy that causes our awakenings, we often realize it too late to avoid certain painful {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(outcome).

    Please keep in mind that the choice belongs to each of us. We all have the power to change and give more intentional {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(direct) to the remainder of our lives.

    Did you grow up in one culture, your parents came from another, and you are now living in a {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (total) different country? If so, then you are a third-culture kid.

    The term “third—culture kid” {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (use) in the 1960s for the first time by Dr. Ruth. She first came across this phenomenon while {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (research) North American children living in India. In general, third-culture kids benefit from{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (they) intercultural experience and they often reach excellent academic results.

    Yet many {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (difficulty) may arise from this phenomenon. Third-culture kids may not be able to adapt themselves completely {#blank#}6{#/blank#} their new surroundings. Also, they often find it hard {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (develop) new friendship. Additionally, for a third-culture kid, it is often easier to move to a new country {#blank#}8{#/blank#} to return to his homeland. For example, after living in Australia for many years, Louis finally returned to the country {#blank#}9{#/blank#} she was born. She didn't know anything about current TV shows {#blank#}10{#/blank#} fashion trends. And she didn't share the same values as other teens of her age.

    Mobile payments have made our life {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(convenient) by freeing us from the trouble of having to take our wallets out with us. But a UK supermarket has gone one step {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(far), allowing customers to pay using just {#blank#}3{#/blank#} fingertip.

    Shoppers at the Costcutter store at Brunel University in London can pay for items {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(use) the special vein(静脉) pattern in their fingertips, {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(report) The Telegraph. It's the world's first store {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(make) use of such technology.

    This new method of payment {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(mean) that customers can pay for items in just three {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(second).

    Sthaler, the company behind the technology, explained that it uses infrared scanners(红外扫描仪) to read the pattern of veins in the finger. It links this to the customer's bank details, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} are kept safe by payment provider Worldpay. The firm is also responsible for millions of online shoppers' details around the globe.

    The company said dozens of Brunel students are already using the technology, and it hopes to have signed up 3,000 students out of 13,000 {#blank#}10{#/blank#} November.