Are you interested in higher education in the United States? The following advice might help you.

●College, University or Institute

    College and universities offer undergraduate degrees in arts and sciences. And both can help prepare young people to earn a living. But many colleges don't offer graduate studies. Universities are generally bigger, offer more programs and do more research. An institute of technology can offer a wide choice of programs and activities. Seventy-five percent of freshmen go there with a strong interest and involvement in the arts.

●The Application Process

    International admissions officers advise students to apply to at least three schools. You may be able to apply online and pay the application charge with a credit card, or by mail. You should study the websites of schools to find information about how and when to apply, how much it will cost and whether any financial aid is available.

●Get a Student Card

    If you requesting a visa for the first time, you will have to go to an American embassy or consulate（领事馆）. You will need to bring a government form sent to you by your American school that shows you have been accepted. A consular official will also take your picture and your fingerprints. You will also need banking and tax records that show you have enough money to pay for your education.

●Financial Aid

    American schools provide aid, like scholarships, fellowships, to almost half of foreign graduate students, but only ten percent of undergraduates. But grants, which, unlike a loan, does not have to be paid.

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    With more than 100,000 people aged 100 or over, Spain is the country with the greatest life expectancy after Japan. How do you live to 100? Here 4 of the country's centenarians (百岁老人) give their advice on staying youthful.

Francisco Nunez, 112

    He is from Bienvenida, Badajoz, southern Spain. Nunez lives with his daughter. He says he doesn't like the pensioners' (领养老金的人) daycare center because it's full of old people, whose negative attitude towards life affects him deeply sometimes. Despite his old age. he has always maintained (保持) a youthful outlook, and that is what has kept him going on.  Pedro Rodriguez, 106

    He lives in Cangas de Onis, Asturias, northern Spain. Rodriguez plays the piano every day in the living room of the flat where he lives with his wife who is nearly 20 years younger than him. Their daughters visit them often. His hobby is something that he feels has kept him young. "The nuns (修女) taught me how to play the piano as a child," he says.

    Maximino San Miguel, 102

    He lives in Leon, northern Spain. San Miguel discovered his passion (酷爱) for amateur dramatics at the age of 80 and has participated in many local productions. He didn't go to school as a child because he was sent to work as a shepherd (牧羊人). He prefers reading books about drawing and traveling. Now this hobby, he said, has kept him full of energy.  Pilar Fernandez, 101

    She lives with her daughter Pili, granddaughters Flori and Ana in Ambas, Asturias, northern Spain. Fernandez suffered hunger and hardship during the war years alongside her nine brothers and sisters. To avoid history repeating itself, she limited herself to just one child. "From pure fear, I didn't have anymore," says Fernandez. One of the best things for her health, she says, is tending livestock (家畜) and a vegetable garden.

    Philadelphia offers a ton of attractions that are suitable for people of every age and here are some family—friendly attractions.

    Spruce Street Harbor Park

    Spruce Street Harbor Park, one of the best urban beaches in America, is an outdoor heaven on the Delaware River waterfront. Visitors can relax in a hammock, play on the playgrounds, and play games like table tennis and giant chess. Don't miss out on the park at night, when colorful LED lights hanging from treetops make the entire area bright.

    Blue Cross River Rink

    Offering ice skating in the winter and roller skating in the summer, Blue Cross River Rink creates a fun, outdoor experience for the whole family. Visitors can play on the nine-hole mini-golf course during the summer, and enjoy eats and drinks from the on-site(现场的)bar and restaurant all year round.

    Sesame Place

    Big Bird, Elmo and the other stars of Sesame Street come out and play at Sesame Place, the only theme park in the nation starring the popular TV show's most lovable characters. A water park, interactive activities, parades, fireworks and shows add to the fun.

    Once Upon a Nation Storytelling Benches

    On summer days, uniformed and professional storytellers at 13 storytelling benches throughout Philadelphia's Historic District entertain visitors with true, free, three-to-five minute tales about the colonial(殖民的)era as part of Once Upon a Nation. Children can pick up a Story Flag at any storytelling bench, and then collect a star from every storyteller on their journeys. Flags with all the stars can get free rides on the Parx Liberty Carousel at Franklin Square.

    Bangkok Destination Guide

    Travel in Bangkok is often described as a whirlwind—it's hot, chaotic, crowded, and full of exotic energy. This popular tourism destination is a city of extremes with majestic temples, floating markets, romantic rooftop restaurants, and a wide range of accommodations to suit every budget. Read through our brief guide to learn about this exciting city and begin planning your journey.

    Must-See Attractions

    Bangkok is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the East” because of its network of canals, so take a boat tour to see sights like the Khmer wats (僧院) and the riverside houses. While exploring the city, you'll definitely want to sample some of the street food options—often fresher and more unique than in the surrounding restaurants! To get a dose of Thai culture, visit the Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, Wat Parkeaw, and Wat Pho.

    Transportation

    There are two airport that serve Bankok, Suvamabhmi Airport and Don Muang Airport, and both are located about 30 kilometers from city centre. Most travelers who fly into Suvarnabhumi take the airport rail link to get downtown. The most important train station is the Hua Lamphong Station, and railway lines extend in all directions. It's not a good idea to travel around Bankok by car since traffic is very congested.

    Recommended Restaurants

    Food is a big deal in Thailand, and there are plenty of cheap eats, high-end restaurants, and street food delights to keep your taste buds satisfied every meal.

    William Butler Yeats, a most famous Irish writer, was born in Dublin on June 13, 1865. His childhood lacked the harmony that was typical of a happy family. Later, Yeats shocked his family by saying that he remembered "little of childhood but its pain". In fact, he inherited (继承) excellent taste in art from his family — both his father and his brother were painters. But he finally settled on literature, particularly drama and poetry.

    Yeats had strong faith in the coming of new artistic movements. He set himself the fresh task in founding an Irish national theatre in the late 1890s. His early theatrical experiments, however, were not received favorably at the beginning. He didn't lose heart, and finally enjoyed success in his poetical drama.

    Compared with his dramatic works, Yeats's poems attract much admiring notice. The subject matter includes love, nature, history, time and aging. Though Yeats generally relied on very traditional forms, he brought modern sensibility to them. As his literary life progressed, his poetry grew finer and richer, which led him to worldwide recognition.

    He had not enjoyed a major public life since winning the Nobel Prize in 1923. Yet, he continued writing almost to the end of his life. Had Yeats stopped writing at age 40, he would probably now be valued as a minor poet, for there is no other example in literary history of a poet who produces his greatest works between the ages of 50 and 75. After Yeats's Death in 1939, W. H. Auden wrote, among others, the following lines:

    Earth, receive an honoured guest:

    William Yeats is laid to rest.

    Let the Irish vessel (船) lie

    Emptied of its poetry.

I remember that it was a fall morning when the orchestra (管弦乐队) teachers came into Miss Newell's third-grade classroom. "You have hands for the viola(中提琴)," Miss Ciano told me. I was excited because my hands were finally good for something. I told my parents I wanted to play, and naturally, they agreed.

Since I first touched the viola, I haven't been able to put it down. Ignoring the difficulty, I am pulled closer to it each day.

Classical music is truly my best friend. It is the trusted friend of every man, woman and child. Various feelings are expressed in classical music. I discovered that when I was eleven and played a cello concerto (大提琴协奏曲) of Bach in a competition, the first movement was joyful, but the second movement was mysterious and full of pain. From the piece, I learned that music expresses not only feelings, but also sudden mood changes. By listening to classical music, I know that someone else shares these feelings. Since I am lucky enough to be able to play classical music, I am comforted by it when I am upset. It gives me a way to escape from my problems for a short period. Classical music can express my joy, sadness and anger.

Now look back at that fall day in the third grade and think how gullible I was for believing that anyone, even music teachers, could tell whether hands were perfect for a certain instrument. I'm certain they told me I had " viola hands" not because they were fortune-tellers(算命师), but because there was a lack of violists in our district. Classical music is one of the best things that ever happened to mankind. If you get introduced to it in the right way, it will become your friend for life.