美國馬里蘭大學校長牟德（C.D.Mote）指出，近年台灣的留學生愈來愈少，對國際競爭力及個人發展都不是好事，尤其在全球化的趨勢下，學生更應該了解國際趨勢，而不是只待在國內唸研究所。
牟德接受專訪時說，馬里蘭大學約有三分之一的學生來自亞洲，其中800名來自中國大陸，200名來自台灣。過去十年來，中國大陸的學生數急遽增加，台灣的學生卻愈來愈少，研判應與台灣的經濟景氣不好及大學素質提升有關。
牟德指出，也許是因為台灣的大學、研究所近年來素質提升，造成學生不願出國留學，只願意在國內深造。但與中國大陸學生在英文、國際交流經驗上的快速進步相 比，台灣國外留學生數的明顯下滑，對國際競爭力恐怕是個警訊。畢竟十多年前，是因為台灣的留學生到國外汲取豐富國際經驗及知識，回國後才能為國貢獻、創造 經濟奇蹟。
一年前國內某知名大學還曾邀牟德到校演講，講題是「為何擁有國際經驗很重要」，牟德對這樣的題目感到非常吃驚，也可看出國內大學生不願出國、不在乎國際經驗的現象。
Northwest
It's an area not belonged to east coast, mid-west or west coast. It's an area that belongs to it's own. Northwest has their own pride. Here we care about the news from Boeing, big M and Canada Vancouver, but mentally and physically we don't pay attention to Bay area, though these two regions suppose to be tie-in because the joined industrial power they have.
There are different kinds of people in Northwest. Compared to multiculture in Texas and CA, it's relatively diversified- a very well-mixed salad bowl. It doesn't taste like chinese chicken salad, nor like tex-mex salad (though I like them both), here in northwest we have our own unique flavor and I'm gonna find out shortly.
ps. I saw Bill Gates days ago. Very exciting. He is such a hero in the industry. You can tell people are very much loving him.
First of all, this is not about teaching you how to cook. (Although I am good at that, according to my husband :> ) This is not a recipe article, but some thoughts I had last week.
I had an interview last week. It is a 2nd-run interview, so the focus is not so much skill/experience related, more on the personnel. The first question they asked me is how did you experiece the cultural difference when first time came to States. I found this is a very interesting question when "foreigners" try to evaluate you. When you try to melt into their space, studying in the same program, working in the same environment, sharing the same benefit, and enjoying the same life, this must be something to encounter.
Long long time ago we called States is a melting pot, 民族大鎔爐. But these days we don’t hear that very often, instead "salad bowl" is the term to describe this country. The difference between these two is, the first one every element is melted into a new creation, but for the later one, Salad Bowl, is more like each individual keeps its own uniqueness.
In Salad bowl, grilled chicken tastes like grilled chicken, onion tastes like onions, lettuce tastes like lettuce. Each keeps its own originality. When you order a good salad you will have a great taste of the combination.
Living in this country, most of the time I carry my originality- from my accent, from the cooking style, from the home decoration, and from the networking preference (像是去中國城). I cannot guarantee I always see the welcome face when live a life here, but it is a fair country by following the rules.
People respect your originality and uniqueness if you respect their living style and rules.
So, I am fine with rushing across the crossroad in Shanghai, I will remember to open my sunblock umbrella before walk across the crossroad in Taipei, and I will smile to the drivers when walk across the road in Texas, just so thanks for the stop and yield. Can I say I am adoptable to the multiculture?
But, I am not any more eating spicy food to release the frustrations but drink beers for the relaxation when feel upset. This is one adoptable.
I still not like order salad for the appetizer; I like to order hot soup before the meal. This is one not adoptable.
Well, if you go into details on the questins" the impression of the multiculture," there is always some melting and no melting thing going on.
