"We Are Ready!": Simon Fraser University
"时刻准备着!"：记西蒙佛斯大学
The University, named after explorer Simon Fraser opened in September 1965. In less than 40 years SFU has gained an international reputation for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as for its innovative interdisciplinary1 and professional programs. It has been rated as Canada's best comprehensive university five times (1993, '96, '97, '98, and2000) in the annual rankings of Maclean's magazine.
Campus
Designed by a world famous Canadian architect, Arthur Erickson the campus is situated on the top of a mountain overlooking the nearby cities and the Pacific Ocean.
I remember the beautiful setting was often an excuse for professors and graduate students to take their classes outside. There we could listen to a lecture on environmental responsibility and appreciate the stunning beauty of the mountaintop and the power of the Pacific Ocean.The far away horizons helped take our minds to far away places to better appreciate the big world, although sometimes we were just distracted by the rabbits and the deer that would come by to see what was happening.
Educational Features
Simon Fraser was the first in Canada to offer the tri-mester system. Year round schooling for those in a hurry! It was also the first to offer the tutorial system. Students attended one or two hours of lectures by professors and one or two hours of tutorials (small groups of 10 to 20 students) with graduate students. Fierce debate and enlightening discussion were the result, almost every time.
SFU also offers the Chinese Culture and Communication Program with courses in Mandarin and Cantonese, as well as Chinese diet, Feng Shui and Yi Jing.
My university was the first to offer full athletic scholarships in Canada. Students who excelled in certain sports could have their education paid for in return for participation in the athletic programs of the university. It continues to support and develop world-class athletes with some holding Olympic medals in their sport. It is also home to a world champion bagpipe band.
A Great Place for Me to Study
One reason I chose SFU was the small population and small class sizes. My university gave me the chance to sit and talk with professors and graduate students.
Professors invited us to their houses for seminars4 and discussions. I remember the awkward situation where, after visiting a professor's home, I became attracted to his daughter and she to me. Awkward indeed! We decided we would wait until after the semester to see each other. Still, I remember I got an A!
There was one Pub where professors were always willing to engage in discussion and debate. There was one professor who became quite argumentative after a couple of beers and we had to learn to pick the time and judge the condition of the professor before engaging him in debate. As a matter of fact, an award was given each year to the professor the students thought was the best teacher.
I am proud to be a graduate of Simon Fraser University. Whenever SFU grads meet personally we all remember:“Nous Sommes Prets”! You can be “ready ” too.
这所大学取自探险家西蒙佛斯之名，成立于1965年9月。在不到40年的时间里，西蒙佛斯大学因其在文理科方面的优势、学科之间的革新，以及专业科目而蜚声国际。在《麦克林》杂志（加拿大权威时事杂志）年度排行榜中，西蒙佛斯大学曾五次被评为加拿大最佳综合大学（1993年，96年，97年，98年及2000年）。
校园
西蒙佛斯大学是由国际知名的加拿大建筑师阿瑟·埃里克森设计的，它坐落在山巅，附近的城市及太平洋一览无遗。
我记得这些美景常成为教授和研究生们到户外上课的“借口”。我们在那里聆听关于环境责任的讲演，欣赏山顶迷人的美景和太平洋的雄威。远处的地平线令我们遐想联翩，更好地欣赏这广袤的世界，尽管有时候我们会被那些跑过来看个究竟的野兔及鹿搅得分神。
教育特色
西蒙佛斯大学是加拿大第一个实行三学期制的大学。那些时间紧迫的学子一年到头都能入学！它也是第一个实行导师制的，学生先听教授讲一两个小时的课，而研究生们会再为学生们进行一两个小时的指导（10到20名学生为一小组）。结果就有了激烈的争辩，也有了启发性的讨论，几乎毫无例外。
西蒙佛斯大学的科目中还有中国文化及交流。具体课程有普通话、粤语、中国饮食、风水和易经。
我的母校是加拿大第一个提供运动员全额奖学金的大学。在某些运动领域表现优异的学生如果参加学校的体育项目，就可以返还学费给他们。此外，学校一直支助和发展世界级运动员，有些还获得了奥林匹克奖牌呢。获得世界冠军的一个风笛乐队就在此诞生。
学习胜地
我选择西蒙佛斯大学的原因之一，就是这所大学人不多，班级规模也较小。我的母校使我能有机会与教授及研究生座谈。
教授们邀请我们到他们家里开研讨会。我记得有次挺尴尬的：到教授家拜访完后，我和他女儿互相瞄上了！实在是不好意思！我们决定等那个学期结束后再互相见面，我还记得我拿了个A呢！
（校园里）有个酒吧，教授们总愿到那里进行讨论和辩论。有个教授几杯啤酒下肚就格外喜欢争辩，所以与他辩论前可得学会选好时机，看准情况。事实上，对于学生们公认的最佳教授，校方都会予以奖励。
我为自己毕业于西蒙佛斯大学而自豪，我们西蒙佛斯的校友一见面，都会记起那句校训“时刻准备着”（Nous Sommes Prets）！你也可以“时刻准备着”！
do you know
①Simon Fraser: 知名的苏格兰探险家，他是第一位通过陆路到达太平洋第49纬线的欧洲人。西蒙佛斯大学是加拿大最好的大学之一，它注重教学的实用性，课堂教学与课外实践紧密结合，帮助学生在专业相关领域参加带薪实习以扩大知识面，为将来适应社会做好准备。比如，管理与运动学专业的学生可以到澳大利亚管理娱乐设施，社会学专业的学生可以到加拿大知名机构从事调查研究，工程与计算机专业的学生可以到世界最大的视频游戏制造公司进行设计工作。
②英国皇家建筑学会荣誉会员Arthur Erickson设计了世界各地诸多著名建筑，包括温哥华的Robson广场、西蒙佛斯大学、圣地亚哥会议中心、以及华盛顿特区的加拿大使馆。其专长，包括内部设计在内，涵盖了从城市规划和院校规划到政府、文化、商业、住宅及医用建筑等广泛领域。
③这里的三个学期不仅指一年分三个学期，还分三次开学。这样的话，那些时间上有限制的人就可以选择适合自己的时间入学。
④对中国学子而言，如果想到西蒙佛斯大学深造，可以登陆以下网站www.sfu.ca/international/ 了解详细信息。加拿大籍学生两学期的费用是25,000元人民币，而其他国家学生两学期的费用约为75,000元人民币。
⑤中国学生以及其他学生可以举办春节晚会，还有中国学生以及西蒙佛斯学生会联合举办的中秋节和国庆节演出。 |
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