Huang Long, 22, enjoyed his stay at Heidelberg University in Germany. “I studied the most up-to-date technology and theories in the field,” says the physics major from Nankai University.
22岁的黄龙（音译）十分享受在德国海德堡大学的学习经历。就读于南开大学物理学专业的他说：“在那里我学到了这个领域最前沿的技术和理论。”
With more and more international exchange programs sending students from Chinese universities abroad to get a taste of foreign culture, many of them enjoy a memorable experience that pushes them out of their comfort zone. At the same time, China is also benefiting from the increased exchange of ideas, knowledge and culture.
越来越多国际交流项目使得国内大学生有机会去体验异国文化，尽管许多学生不得不离开各自的“舒适区”，但这种经历却十分令人难忘。与此同时，中国也从日益频繁的思想、知识和文化交流中获益匪浅。
According to Zong Wa, deputy secretary-general of the China Education Association for International Exchange under the Ministry of Education, it is inevitable to have more programs that send students abroad to engage in cultural and educational exchanges.
教育部中国教育国际交流协会副秘书长宗瓦表示，启动更多的大学生文化学术国际交流项目，这是大势所趋。
“This is a part of China’s internationalization,” he says. “With the increasingly integrated global economy, it’s sensible for university students to acquire a global view.”
他说：“这是中国国际化的一部分，随着全球经济一体化的发展，大学生需要意识到具备全球化视角的重要性。”
Zong says that most state universities in the US now require at least half of their undergraduate students to go on exchange.
宗瓦说，现在美国大部分州立大学每年至少选派一半的本科生参加交换生项目。
There are similar plans for their Chinese counterparts. Chen Jining, president of Tsinghua University, says the university “hopes to send 40 percent of its undergraduate students on an international exchange by 2015”.
中国的各大高校也纷纷开展相似的交流项目。清华大学校长陈吉宁说：“清华希望到2015年，能选派40%的本科生参加国际交流。”
Liu Lei, an official at China Scholarship Council, cited the government’s Outline of China’s National Plan for Medium and Long-term Education Reform and Development (2010-2020) that mentions “enhancing international exchange and cooperation” six times.
来自国家留学基金管理委员会的刘磊（音译）表示，《国家中长期教育改革和发展规划纲要（2010-2020）》中曾前后六次提到“要加强国际交流与合作”。
“The basic sentiment behind encouraging more exchange programs is the central government’s determination to nurture international talents,” Liu says.
刘磊说：“大力推进交流项目的基本意见背后，是我国政府‘培养国际人才’的决心”。
For Huang, life will never be the same again. “I never considered furthering my study abroad before,” he says. “Now, I’m thinking about pursuing a master’s degree in Germany or the Netherlands. It’s not only been an eye-opener, but a life-changer.”
对于黄龙而言，他的人生从此不同。他说：“我从未想过出国深造，但现在我正在考虑去德国或者荷兰读研。这次经历不仅让我开阔了眼界，更是改变了我的命运。
Want to exchange?
申请交换生须知
For students interested in applying for an exchange program, there are several things to remember:
对交换生项目感兴趣的同学，需谨记以下事项：
1. Exchange programs are mostly available for junior and sophomore students.
交换生课程主要针对大二和大三的学生。
2. The duration is usually one semester, but for joint degree programs it may be a year or two.
交换期通常是一个学期，但是双学位课程可能需要一至两年的时间。
3. Regularly check your school’s international office to see if there is any information regarding programs that are related to your major or personal interests.
定期查询学校国际办公室发布的信息，查看是否有与本专业或个人兴趣有关的交流项目。
4. Once you’ve identified a suitable exchange program, thoroughly research the country, the city, the school and the courses you are expected to take.
一旦你确认了合适的交流项目，你需要对前往的国家、城市、学校以及就读课程做一番细致的研究。
5. The application procedure is free of charge but once enrolled into the program, students have to take care of accomendation and all the daily expenses of living abroad.
尽管申请流程是免费的。但是一旦被录取，在国外的住宿以及所有的日常开销都由学生个人承担。
6. The target schools will look at all applications and pick the ideal candidates to go overseas, so try to tailor your resume and extracurricular activities to the requirements and style of the program.
合作院校将查看所有人的申请资料，并从中择优录取，所以尽量按照项目的要求和类型来制作相应的个人简历以及课外活动经历。