协和古北毕业生访谈集（二）

I will definitely miss these afternoons where I’m sitting on a bench beneath the tree, accompanied by a good book. The sunlight is broken into pieces by the leaves and there are distant laughters coming from the playground. That moment is perfect, it’s almost like painting, almost like a dream.

我一定会怀念校园里那些悠然的午后时光：阳光被树叶打成碎片、远处操场上传来笑声，树荫下的长凳再加上一本好书。那一刻如此完美，就像身处画中，如坠梦里。

My favorite subject is Geography. I love the interdisciplinary nature of this subject. Physical geography is associated with chemistry and physics, while human geography is associated with history, economics, etc. I am a tourist as I study leisure, tourism and sport, I am a politician as I study global risks and resilience, I am a health officer as I study food and health. I simply love the possibilities this subject offers me.

我最喜欢的科目是地理，因为这门学科具有跨学科性质。自然地理学与化学、物理学有关，而人文地理学则与历史、经济学等息息相关。从游客视角出发，我可以探究休闲旅游类和体育活动；从政治家角度出发，我可以钻研全球风险和复原力；如果我是一名健康官员，我会从食品和健康入手。我太着迷这门学科所赋予的无限可能性了。

I am proud of the fact that I grew into an independent, confident person, contrary to what I was like when I entered in grade 6. Back when I was in grade 6, I was quite ostracized for my accent, my grades, my appearance, my personality, etc. And at first, I was afraid to be different, I eagerly wanted to be part of a group, even if I don’t belong there, because I was afraid to have lunch alone. However, after thinking about this thoroughly, I decided to break free. What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger. After adapting to loneliness and battling other hardships, I finally grew into the person I want to be.

我为自己成长为一个独立自信的人而感到骄傲。六年级刚进学校那会时可不是这样。那时候我的英语口音、学习成绩、腼腆的性格甚至穿着打扮都显得不够合群。起初，我很恐惧自己显得“与众不同”，特别渴望成为某个团体的一员，即使并非出于真正的志趣相投，而仅仅是因为我不想独自吃午饭。但随后我思考了下，意识到我必须要从这种情绪中挣脱出来。克服这些障碍让我变得更坚强。适应某种程度的孤独和其他困难之后，我最终成为了我想成为的人。

I believe there are some “hard requirements” one must fulfill when applying, such as relatively good school grades and standardized test results. However, once you are beyond that stage, the soft skills you are equipped with become more important. For example, I was the president of school NSHSS’s chapter, captain of the school touch rugby team, captain of the dance team, 3rd on NSDA (debate) China’s leaderboard for cumulative points, school charity prefect, member of WSC, and participant of a variety of summer schools, etc. However, it is not necessarily the titles or the achievements, but the experiences, the insights you gained during these processes, the width and depth of your thinking, the friends you made, that will make all the difference.

申请中有一些必须满足的“硬性要求”，比如出色的平时成绩和考试成绩。然而一旦你满足了学术成绩要求，你所具备的软技能就变得尤为重要。譬如我担任NSHSS（诺学菁英学会）协和古北分会主席同时也是学校橄榄球队队长、舞蹈队队长、慈善活动干事，参与世界学者杯并位列全美演讲与辩论联盟中国选手累计积分积分榜第三。假期期间我总是前往各大院校参与活动。“软技能”不单纯意味着你拥有怎样的头衔取得什么奖项，关键在于经历与体验。你在这些活动中所拓宽的眼界、你思考问题的广度与深度、你结交的朋友，将决定你是否能脱颖而出。

I relied a lot on my hunch and feelings when making the decision. I wasn’t interested in any particular schools until my counselor first suggested Dartmouth（Ivy League）to me in September, two months before the deadline for application. I browsed Dartmouth’s official website, social media etc and it just felt right. I totally love Dartmouth’s collaborative atmosphere, its rural setting, and Dartmouth also happens to be looking for a free spirit like me. Everything just fits together so well.

我在做决定时很大程度依赖于自己的直觉。在大学申请日期截止前两个月我都没什么特定目标。直到9月份我的升学指导推荐了达特茅斯学院(藤校)。我浏览了达特茅斯的官方网站和社交媒体等等，感觉这就是我向往的学校。我由衷喜欢达特茅斯的协作氛围，它的乡村环境，而达特茅斯所中意的也是像我一样拥有自由精神的学生。我和学校彼此投契，一切水到渠成。

I believe the alumni interview did. I did a lot of school research prior to the interview: I browsed Dartmouth’s school website and other social media. I knew almost every detail about Dartmouth and it made a difference as I demonstrated my deep love for this college. Further, I shared a lot of my philosophical insights with the alumnus and he seemed to be very interested in my ideas. This helped with presenting the holistic me, above my grades, standardized tests, activities and personal statements.

我觉得是校友面试让我最终脱颖而出。在面试前我做了许多学校相关的调查: 我浏览了达特茅斯学的官网和各个社交媒体。我对达特茅斯学院的每一个细节都了如指掌。正因为我展现出了对这所大学深切且真诚的热爱，让我的申请变得更有说服力。此外，我也与面试我的校友分享了不少自己的哲学见解，对方听起来对我的想法很感兴趣。这有助于在标化成绩、纸面文书、参与活动外更为立体得展示我的整体风采。

I most look forward to meeting my Dartmouth peers, not only the 24s, but also others. I came to know that Dartmouth students bolster one another instead of compete against one another. I love such atmosphere and wish to be part of it, learn from others and at the same time make my contributions.

我特别期待与达特茅斯的新同学们见面，不仅是同龄人，而是所有人！我了解到达特茅斯学院的学生们不是一种竞争厮杀的关系而是互相支持。我非常喜欢这样的氛围，并期待成为其中的一部分，我将乐于学习也勇于奉献。

I wish to say while you will be very busy with homework, standardized tests, etc, do not ever forget to enjoy life. Every moment is unique so cherish every experience, every person in your life. You never know whether you will be seeing someone, talking to someone, hugging someone for the last time in your entire life, so while he/she is still there, hold on to him/her. No matter it’s an experience of laughters, or of tears, it still is a precious memory, something you will want to revisit when you are old. It will only be by the blink of an eye that all of it will be gone, so live in the moment!

我想说的是，尽管作业和标准化考试等会占据你大量时间精力，但仍不要忘记享受生活。每一刻都是独一无二的，珍惜每一次经历，珍惜生命中的每一个人。某人、某事都可能是一期一会。所以当他 / 她出现在你面前的时候，记得抓住当下这一刻。无论悲喜，那都是一段珍贵的记忆，是你老了以后仍无法忘怀的回忆。活在当下吧！