Focus: Education and Work- International Perspectives

There are many and varied education opportunities abroad. Norwegian students often attend higher education in another country. They are also facing with a new culture both when it comes to a new collage system and the country itself.

Advantages of studying abroad

There are many advantages of studying abroad, such as, improving your cultural understanding.
You can learn about a different culture from the inside, but also look at your culture from the outside. Studying abroad, you will meet people from many cultures. Moreover,  the quality of studies abroad are very high. Diplomas from such as studies will give you a leg up on many other job applicants. Finally, studying abroad is the first major step in learning to stand on their own feet.

The other side of the coin

The two main problems of studying abroad is that the culture may shock someone and the homesickness. The next problem is that most of the university studies abroad are quite expensive. Another issue is accommodation. You can to stay in campus where you will spend most of the time with the students or rent a studio if you really want to taste the life of the foreign country.

Joining the global business experience

Business is changing with globalization and by this companies are becoming more powerful. By the Norway´s well-educated workforce, Norwegians professionals and experts in such fields as oil exploration, mining, logging or telecommunications are popular with recruiters and headhunting companies. The main reason for choosing to work abroad are much the same as for choosing to study abroad. You will find many positive things by working abroad. It may be job opportunities that are not available in Norway or gain experience in your field in a different environment .

Migrant problems

Working abroad may have also dark sides like worse conditions at work that native workers would not accept and by law cannot accept. They may work for less pay and may become part of the "black economy". Another problem is that migration can put pressure on welfare systems. 

Positive effects of migrant workers 

On the positive side, immigrants and migrant workers can supplement a country´s labour force at a time when a large proportion of the population is reaching pension age. Moreover, foreign workers can raise the skills of certain trades.

Are you certainly sure to undertake such a huge challenge in your life?

Source:
- Access to International English, pages 213-220

Tasks 2a&b and 3a, page 211&212

Page 211 

1)

 2) 

2a.

- More Norwegian women study abroad than men.

- The number of students studying abroad has decreased in 2009/10 (especially in English-speaking countries) but the number of students studying in non English-speaking countries has increased. One of the reason is that some of the countries from the table has became an UE and Schengen Area members so it is easier to get the studies there. Also because of limited medical studies in Norway. 

2b.

- The first table shows that the number of Norwegian students abroad has increased about 42,000 students.

- The second table shows that the number of students studying in Australia, Slovakia and Czech Republic has increased from zero.

- The second table shows that number of Norwegian students studying in USA has decreased since 1992/93. 

3a.

1)  This text is an objective because of the neutral style. You will recognize it by sentences like, "Education has compounded the role of English" or "English is the linguistic means to the education and career end".

2) This text is expressive because it is personal. You will recognize it by sentences like, "I really dig studying in English" or  "Teaching is one of the best ways of learning!"

Page 212

2. Details: Who?

a) Fredrik
b) Ann Kristin
The reason is that lectures now are given in English. 
c) Helen
d) Trine
e) Fredrik
f) Ann Kristin
The main problem is the text that is not specialist vocabulary. 
g) Fredrik 
h) Trine
i) Helen 

Sources:
- Access to International English, pages 209-212
- http://accessinternationalvg2.cappelendamm.no/c951209/sammendrag/vis.html?tid=951217

Spot Check page 122- Multicultural America

Spot Check:

a) Stereotypes given by American through the years:
- Irish (ignorant and alcoholic)
- Italians (criminals)
- Germans (immoral and drunk)
- Poles (stupid)
- Jews (greedy)
- Norwegians (simple-minded)

b) The attention has been focused recently on the American Muslims and the Mexican Americans.

c) The Mexican American community is over 32 million people.

d) Islamophobia is fear of Islam.

e) Things recognized to be typical American are:
- music, for example: country, jazz, blues, rock ´n´roll and rap.
- food, for example: pizza, sushi or tacos. 


Source:
- Access to International English, pages 117-122