You might think that Western students are less shy when it comes to mingling with the opposite sex, but the truth is that pupils in the UK can feel just as awkward. Britons are actually quite reserved and being at university can make them feel out of their comfort zone. Everyone finds it difficult to talk to the other gender on campus.
你可能认为西方国家的学生在面对异性时会更放得开，但事实上在英国，学生们对此也是一样手足无措。英国人实际上很保守，而大学生活也令他们脱离了自己的“自在区”。所有人都会觉得在校园中与异性交谈是件难事。
However, there is a way of dealing with this shyness in Britain, and it is called “Freshers Week”. Freshers Week is designed to help people socialize and lose their inhibitions. It is a one-week long party for first year students to welcome them before lectures and coursework begin.
而在英国，人们找到了克服这种害羞心理的方法，那就是“新生周”。开办“新生周”的目的是为了帮助人们进行社交活动，摆脱情感阻力。对于大一学生而言，这是在正式上课之前举行的一场迎新派对，为期一周。
I remember my first week at university - it was terrifying. I looked at the schedule for Freshers Week and was amazed at how much was planned. Every hall of residence organizes its own events to help students become friends with the people they live with. My hall was called “Goldney Hall” and the week ahead included a talent show, a comedy night, and themed parties, including one for which we had to dress up as golfers.
我对自己第一周的大学生活记忆犹新，那真是次恐怖的经历。我盯着迎新周的日程表，惊讶于怎么会有如此多的活动。每一栋学生公寓都各自组织的活动，来帮助那些同住一个屋檐下的学生们打成一片。我住在“古丹尼学生公寓”，接下来一周的活动包括一场达人秀、一场喜剧之夜演出，以及多场主题派对，其中的一场我们必须装扮成高尔夫球员。
The first event I went to was a school kids party at which everyone dressed up as if they were in school. This party encouraged me to talk to all the people on my floor. One boy, who lived opposite my room, was very handsome and I felt nervous speaking to him at first. But when we met at the party dressed in silly school outfits, I remember feeling a lot more relaxed speaking to him.
我参加的第一场活动是个校园童趣派对，每个人都要打扮成上学的样子。这场派对也让我鼓起勇气和同住一层楼的人交谈。有个住在我对面寝室的男孩很帅，起初跟他说话让我很紧张。但当我们身着傻傻的校服在派对上碰面时，我记得那时的聊天要轻松多了。
It sounds strange, but drinking and dressing up seems to be how Britons overcome their shyness at university. My Freshers Week was hectic, but I managed to forget how scared I was.
这听起来可能有点怪，但饮酒以及化装舞会似乎成为英国大学生克服害羞心理的法宝。尽管新生周让我忙得不可开交，但却让我将那些担惊受怕抛到了脑后。
One thing’s for sure: nothing helps you lose your inhibitions quite like dressing up as a golfer – complete with a golf club, checked hat and tweed jacket!
有一点可以肯定，那就是：当你变身高尔夫球手“武装”上高尔夫球棍、格子帽和花呢夹克时，没有什么比这样更能让你抛却羞怯感了！