A student attending a community college in his home town explained how as a student he came to know a student from a Third World country-a country he had not even heard of before. The international student, who expected to be appointed to an important governmental position when he returned home, had a brother who taught law at the major university of his country. The American student and the international student became close friends and spent many hours sharing their thoughts and dreams. The American student observed, "Because of our friendship, I have come to understand people of Third World countries in a way I never realized possible. I can no longer read the newspaper or watch a television newscast without seeing the people from other countries in a different light. They are now real people who have dreams, hopes, and struggles, just as I do." Because of the opportunities he had while attending college, this young man, like many other students, experienced a new understanding of the world and of himself.
一位正在自己家乡的一所社区大学就读的学生讲述了他作为一名学生是如何了解一位来自第三世界国家的同学的——这个国家他从未听说过。这位外国学生希望归国后能谋到一个政府要职，他有一个兄弟在本国的一所名牌大学教授法律。这位美国学生和那位留学生成为了好朋友，经常与彼此分享各自的想法和梦想。美国学生说因为我们的友谊，我已经开始以一种不曾想象过的方式了解第三世界国家的人民。在我读报或者看电视新闻时，我已经不得不用不同的眼光去看待那些其他国家的人民了。他们也是真实的人，他们也有梦想、希望并且正奋斗着，就像我一样。”因为这些上大学时遇到的机会，这位年轻人像许多其他学生一样，经历了一个对世界和对自己的全新的理解过程。
College is designed to be a time of personal growth and expansion. At times it can be threatening. For certain, it is an experience that contributes to young adults' growth and maturity. Not only are they being introduced to new people and new knowledge, but they are also acquiring new ways of assembling and processing information. Just as proudly, they are growing in their understanding of themselves, others, and the world in which they live.
大学阶段应该是个人成长和发展的时期。有时，它可能是令人恐惧的。但它确实是一段有助于年轻人成长和成熟的经历。他们不仅结识新朋友并学到新知识，而且还将习得收集和加工信息的新方法。他们将这样在了解自我、了解他人并了解他们所生存的世界的过程中自豪地成长起来。