1. The British Council (an organization that connects people worldwide with learning opportunities and creative ideas from the UK) has named the universities that are most welcoming to overseas students. As you would expect, English-speaking countries such as Australia, the UK and the US have made the top 10, but the number one may be a surprise: Germany. Two Far Eastern countries, i.e. China and Malaysia, made it to the top 5, ranking higher than the US, Japan, Russia, Nigeria and Brazil.

2. Russell Howe, a Scot who is currently studying for a Business degree at Stellinga International College in the Netherlands, previously also studied in India (which came 11th on the list). 'People often ask me why I needed to travel, because British universities have a good reputation elsewhere in the world. But this is not something I needed to do, but something I really wanted to do. I have learnt different ways of looking at things, but I also found out how much we all have in common, wherever we are from. All of this will be useful in my future career.'

Russell is not the only international student in his department. Business and administrative courses are the most popular with international students, followed by engineering and technology, social studies, creative arts and design, medicine­ related topics and law. Manal, a student at the Faculty of Art and Design at Stellinga, says she has similar reasons to Russell, but there is more: 'I wanted to broaden my understanding of the world. I have enhanced my language skills: I am more fluent in English and have also taken a level 1 Dutch evening class. One of my modules is about European art, and I believe that I am benefiting more from studying this in Europe than anywhere else. I have managed to visit other countries in my holidays, and really feel that this whole experience is developing my global perspective. I also hope that I have made lasting friendships and contacts.'

3. What is it that makes these countries student-friendly? Well, all of them make it easy for international students to apply and provide ongoing support once they are there. They also offer good quality degrees, which are valued highly in other countries too. The fact that Germany came out as winner is probably due to the country's efforts towards internationalization. One aspect of this is that the country welcomes foreign students by charging them the same fees as home students, meaning that in some universities overseas students study for free. Many classes are conducted in English, and most leaflets are in English too, making it easier for international students to keep informed and take part in student life.

Apart from the financial reasons already mentioned, this type of educational internationalization can help with the quality of research in these universities, e.g. through networking, team work and the sharing of skills. For students, it is a valuable addition to their skills and experience at a time when jobs are not easy to find.

2. Определите, являются следующие утверждения истинными ( True ) или ложными ( False ). Исправьте ложные утверждения, запишите и переведите их.

1. The British Council is an organization that connects people worldwide with job opportunities.

2. The most welcoming to overseas students university is in Germany.

3. Russell is currently studying a Philosophy degree at Stellinga International College in the Netherlands.

4. British universities have a bad reputation elsewhere in the world.

5. Business and administrative courses are the most popular with international students.

6. Studying abroad is of no use for Manal’s language skills.

7. Germany welcomes foreign students by charging them the same fees as home students.

8. It is not difficult for international students to keep informed and take part in student life, because many classes are conducted in English, and most leaflets are in English too.

9. Educational internationalization can help with the quality of research in these universities and for students it is a valuable addition to their skills and experience.

10. The text is about student-friendly places and the benefits of studying abroad.