How to Become an Activist （活动家）

    Activists are people who see the need for change and devote their time to doing something about it.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}If you are interested in it you can do so.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}This could be anything from a student club to a national organization （like the American Civil Liberties Union or the National Organizers Alliance）. Most activist organizations offer different levels of involvement, so you can do whatever you feel most comfortable with, whether that means attending meetings and demonstrations or just donating a little money when you can.

    Volunteer your time. One of the best ways to make a difference is to volunteer your time. Reach out to organizations in your community that do work for your cause, and ask how you can help.

    Donate money or supplies.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}If you can't afford to donate money to an organization that supports your cause, you may be able to donate other things they need, like clothing or canned food.

    Reach out to family and friends. Tell your family and friends about your cause, and invite them to get involved. If they are interested, share literature about your cause or just talk to them about what you have learned.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Promote your cause on social media. You can use social media to help keep your friends and followers informed about the causes you support.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Also, you can invite your friends to attend events or donate to fundraisers for your cause.

A. Take classes on issues related to your cause.

B. Join an organization that supports your cause.

C. They are driven by passion and a vision for a better future.

D. If you do volunteer work, invite them to volunteer with you.

E. Most activists or charitable organizations need resources to do their work.

F. Post useful articles and write about what you are doing to stay involved.

G. If you can't reach out to them in person, then try connecting to people online.

    A student's life is never easy.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}A lot of preparations are needed so you can be sure to go back home with a diploma and a bright future waiting for you. The following are some basic things you need to do before seizing your passport and boarding the plane.

    Knowing the country.

    You shouldn't bother researching the country's hottest tourist spots or historical places. You won't go there as a tourist, but as a student. It'll be helpful to read the most important points in their history and to read up on their culture.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}You surely don't want to face legal problems, especially if you're away from home.

    Studying their language.

    Don't expect that you can graduate abroad without knowing even the basics of the language. Before leaving your home country, take online lessons to at least master some of their words and sentences.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Doing this will also prepare you in communicating with those who can't speak English.

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    Check the conversion（兑换）of your money to their local currency, set up your bank account so you can use it there, get an insurance, and find an apartment. The Internet or your intended school will be very helpful in finding an apartment and helping you understand local currency.

    Remember, you're not only carrying your own reputation but your country's reputation as well. If you act foolishly, people there might think that all of your country men are foolish as well.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}．

A. Packing your clothes.

B. Preparing for other needs.

C. Most importantly, read about their laws.

D. This will be useful in living and studying there.

E. That would surely be a very bad start for your study abroad program.

F. Going with their trends will keep it from being too obvious that you're a foreigner.

G. And it is even more difficult if you have to complete your study in a foreign land.

    How to make friends at a new school

    Starting with a new school can be difficult. Everything seems to be different, and you don't even know where to go for your own classes. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} However, if you use these skills, you can quickly turn some of those strangers into friends.

Be yourself.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If some people don't accept you, they're not the kind of friends you need. People often stay together because they have similar interests. For example, someone who does a lot of sport may make friends with those who also run or swim a lot.

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    Remember to be nice to the people you meet at your new school. If you think that you will say something that may make them feel sad, do not say anything and just nod your head if they talk to you. Also, remember to be as helpful as possible!

    Believe in yourself.

    A smile goes a long way. When you walk in the halls, don't keep your eyes on the floor. Raise your head and make eye contact(目光接触) with other people. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Introduce yourself. Tell them your name and where you're from.

    Remember people's names.

    You like it when people use your name, and so do other people. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Besides, ask them in a kind way if they have a nickname(昵称). You'd be surprised how often this might come in handy.

A. People may become angry if you just begin by saying “Hey” each time.

B. Be friendly to others.

C. Join after­school activities you like.

D. Making new friends can be hard, too.

E. Don't sit at the back of the classroom where other people don't notice you!

F. If you see someone you know, smile or say “Hi”.

G. Never change who you are to try and fit in.

Top Tips to Be Safe While Travelling Alone

    You can be safe while traveling alone if you follow the tips below:

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Traveling is quite distracting and thus you are likely to leave behind one or two items on the café table or in the restaurant. Losing your credit cards or even your jackets can create trouble for you.

    Separate all sources of money. Are you in the habit of carrying all sources of money together? Never do that while traveling.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It is better not to carry them all in person. If you lose your cards on the way, it is difficult to get replacement.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Conduct research on the destination before you pack your bags and start traveling. Use online information to find how safe the place is. Find whether there will be any festival during that time. No doubt these events are great, but you need to remember that if you do not book hotels in advance, you many fall into trouble in festive seasons.

    Avoid cultural mistakes. Every destination has its own specific set of traditions and customs. Traveling is one of the best ways to learn more about tradition and culture, but take steps not to make cultural mistakes.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Note all local emergency numbers.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Save the number of your embassy if you are traveling abroad, the local police, fire stations and the nearest medical facilities.

A.   Choose destination with care.

B.    Never carry your wallet in your back pocket.

C.   Keep at least one of them in a different place.

D.   Make a habit of looking back as often as you can.

E.    You need to have some contact numbers stored in your phone.

F.    Being without money is certainly not fun when traveling alone.

G.   Even if a gesture appears normal to you, it may not seem so to the locals.

    The UN has recognized the contributions of volunteers on Dec. 5, International Volunteer Day. Here, the four things are offered to consider before taking the leap into overseas volunteering.

    Choose your organization carefully

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}volunteering may be a fundraising mechanism(筹资机制) for a development project. For others, volunteering is fundamental to their programs, and those serving take on professional roles in longer-term development.

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    Volunteers want to help and make a difference, but most know this isn't a purely selfless act. You will learn new skills, broaden your horizons and come to better understand yourself and the world. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Reflect on your motivations. You want to help reduce global poverty or protect the natural world, but what else? Have you always wanted to travel, but not as a tourist? Work with kids? When you understand your motivations, you'll be in a better position to choose the option that is right for you.

    Work alongside the local community

    Often times, travelers volunteer in isolation(隔离) from the local community in which they are working in. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} This enables you to ensure you are committing to a project that promotes long term and sustainable change.

    A volunteer trip is just the beginning

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Further ignite(点燃) the global change maker in you by taking your experience one step further when you return home. Spread the message of your transformative experience to others, helping to spark the change within them.

A. And that's all OK.

B. Know why you're going.

C. Don't assume you know it all.

D. Communities always welcome volunteers.

E. Volunteer travel is a life-changing experience.

F. Some organizations require you to pay your own way, and often include a fee.

G. Make sure to travel with organizations that have strong partnerships with local communities.

Is Fresh Air Really Good for You?

We all grew up hearing people tell us to "go out and get some fresh air". {#blank#}1{#/blank#}According to recent studies, the answer is a big YES, if the air quality in your camping area is good. 

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}If the air you're breathing is clean—which it would be if you're away from the smog of cities—then the air is filled with life-giving, energising oxygen. If you exercise out of doors, your body will learn to breathe more deeply, allowing even more oxygen to get to your muscles (肌肉) and your brain. 

Recently, people have begun studying the connection between the natural world and healing (治愈). {#blank#}3{#/blank#}In these places, patients can go to be near nature during their recovery. It turns out that just looking at green, growing things can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and put people into a better mood (情绪). Greenery is good for us. Hospital patients who see tree branches out their window are likely to recover at a faster rate than patients who see buildings or sky instead. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}It gives us a great feeling of peace. 

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}While the sun's rays can age and harm our skin, they also help us make up beneficial vitamin D. To make sure you get enough vitamin D—but still protect your skin—put on sunscreen right as you head outside. It takes sunscreen about fifteen minutes to start working, and that's plenty of time for your skin to absorb a day's worth of vitamin D.