英文版演講內容
MRS. OBAMA: (Applause.) Thank you. Well, ni-hao. (Laughter.) It is such a pleasure and an honor to be here with all of you at this great university, so thank you so much for having me.
Now, before I get started today, on behalf of myself and my husband, I just want to say a few very brief words about Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. As my husband has said, the United States is offering as many resources as possible to assist in the search. And please know that we are keeping all of the families and loved ones of those on this flight in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.
Now with that, I want to start by recognizing our new Ambassador to China, Ambassador Baucus; President Wang; Chairman Zhu; Vice President Li; Director Cueller; Professor Oi, and the Stanford Center; President Sexton from New York University, which is an excellent study abroad program in Shanghai; and John Thornton, Director of the Global Leadership Program at Tsinghua University. Thank you all for joining us.
But most of all, I want to thank all of the students who are here today. And I particularly want to thank Eric Schaefer and Zhu Xuanhao for that extraordinary English and Chinese introduction. That was a powerful symbol of everything that I want to talk with you about today.
See, by learning each other’s languages, and by showing such curiosity and respect for each other’s cultures, Mr. Schafer and Ms. Zhu and all of you are building bridges of understanding that will lead to so much more. And I’m here today because I know that our future depends on connections like these among young people like you across the globe.
That’s why when my husband and I travel abroad, we don’t just visit palaces and parliaments and meet with heads of state. We also come to schools like this one to meet with students like you, because we believe that relationships between nations aren’t just about relationships between governments or leaders -- they’re about relationships between people, particularly young people. So we view study abroad programs not just as an educational opportunity for students, but also as a vital part ofAmerica’s foreign policy.
Through the wonders of modern technology, our world is more connected than ever before. Ideas can cross oceans with the click of a button. Companies can do business and compete with companies across the globe. And we can text, email, Skype with people on every continent.
So studying abroad isn’t just a fun way to spend a semester; it is quickly becoming the key to success in our global economy. Because getting ahead in today’s workplaces isn’t just about getting good grades or test scores in school, which are important. It’s also about having real experience with the world beyond your borders –- experience with languages, cultures and societies very different from your own. Or, as the Chinese saying goes: “It is better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books.”
But let’s be clear, studying abroad is about so much more than improving your own future. It’s also about shaping the future of your countries and of the world we all share. Because when it comes to the defining challenges of our time -– whether it’s climate change or economic opportunity or the spread of nuclear weapons -- these are shared challenges. And no one country can confront them alone. The only way forward is together.
That’s why it is so important for young people like you to live and study in each other’s countries, because that’s how you develop that habit of cooperation. You do it by immersing yourself in one another’s culture, by learning each other’s stories, by getting past the stereotypes and misconceptions that too often divide us.
That’s how you come to understand how much we all share. That’s how you realize that we all have a stake in each other’s success -- that cures discovered here in Beijing could save lives in America, that clean energy technologies from Silicon Valley in California could improve the environment here in China, that the architecture of an ancient temple in Xi’an could inspire the design of new buildings in Dallas or Detroit.
And that’s when the connections you make as classmates or labmates can blossom into something more. That’s what happened when Abigail Coplin became an American Fulbright Scholar here at Peking University. She and her colleagues published papers together in top science journals, and they built research partnerships that lasted long after they returned to their home countries. And Professor Niu Ke from Peking University was a Fulbright Scholarship -- Scholar in theU.S.last year, and he reported -- and this is a quote from him -- he said, “The most memorable experiences were with my American friends.”
These lasting bonds represent the true value of studying abroad. And I am thrilled that more and more students are getting this opportunity. As you’ve heard,Chinais currently the fifth most popular destination for Americans studying abroad, and today, the highest number of exchange students in theU.S.are fromChina.
But still, too many students never have this chance, and some that do are hesitant to take it. They may feel like studying abroad is only for wealthy students or students from certain kinds of universities. Or they may think to themselves, well, that sounds fun but how will it be useful in my life? And believe me, I understand where these young people are coming from because I felt the same way back when I was in college.
See, I came from a working-class family, and it never occurred to me to study abroad -- never. My parents didn’t get a chance to attend college, so I was focused on getting into a university, earning my degree so that I could get a good job to support myself and help my family. And I know for a lot of young people like me who are struggling to afford a regular semester of school, paying for plane tickets or living expenses halfway around the world just isn’t possible. And that’s not acceptable, because study abroad shouldn’t just be for students from certain backgrounds.
Our hope is to build connections between people of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds, because it is that diversity that truly will change the face of our relationships. So we believe that diversity makes our country vibrant and strong. And our study abroad programs should reflect the true spirit ofAmericato the world.
And that’s why when my husband visitedChinaback in 2009, he announced the 100,000 Strong initiative to increase the number and diversity of American students studying inChina. And this year, as we mark the 35th anniversary of the normalization of relationships between our two countries, theU.S.government actually supports more American students inChinathan in any other country in the world.
We are sending high school, college and graduate students here to study Chinese. We’re inviting teachers fromChinato teach Mandarin in American schools. We’re providing free online advising for students inChinawho want to study in theU.S.And the U.S.-China Fulbright program is still going strong with more than 3,000 alumni.
And the private sector is stepping up as well. For example, Steve Schwarzman, who is the head of an American company called Blackstone, is funding a new program at Tsinghua University modeled on the Rhodes Scholarship. And today, students from all kinds of backgrounds are studying here inChina.
Take the example of Royale Nicholson, who’s from Cleveland, Ohio. She attends New York University’s program in Shanghai. Now, like me, Royale is a first-generation college student. And her mother worked two full-time jobs while her father worked nights to support their family. And of her experience in Shanghai, Royale said -- and this is her quote -- she said, “This city oozes persistence and inspires me to accomplish all that I can.” And happy birthday, Royale. It was her birthday yesterday. (Laughter.)
And then there’s Philmon Haile from the University of Washington, whose family came to theU.S.as refugees fromEritreawhen he was a child. And of his experience studying inChina, he said, “Study abroad is a powerful vehicle for people-to-people exchange as we move into a new era of citizen diplomacy.”
“A new era of citizen diplomacy.” I could not have said it better myself, because that’s really what I’m talking about. I am talking about ordinary citizens reaching out to the world. And as I always tell young people back inAmerica, you don’t need to get on a plane to be a citizen diplomat. I tell them that if you have an Internet connection in your home, school, or library, within seconds you can be transported anywhere in the world and meet people on every continent.
And that’s why I’m posting a daily travel blog with videos and photos of my experiences here inChina, because I want young people inAmericato be part of this visit. And that’s really the power of technology –- how it can open up the entire world and expose us to ideas and innovations we never could have imagined.
And that’s why it’s so important for information and ideas to flow freely over the Internet and through the media, because that’s how we discover the truth. That’s how we learn what’s really happening in our communities and our country and our world. And that’s how we decide which values and ideas we think are best –- by questioning and debating them vigorously, by listening to all sides of an argument, and by judging for ourselves.
And believe me, I know how this can be a messy and frustrating process. My husband and I are on the receiving end of plenty of questioning and criticism from our media and our fellow citizens. And it’s not always easy, but we wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Because time and again, we have seen that countries are stronger and more prosperous when the voices of and opinions of all their citizens can be heard.
And as my husband has said, we respect the uniqueness of other cultures and societies, but when it comes to expressing yourself freely and worshipping as you choose and having open access to information, we believe those universal rights -- they are universal rights that are the birthright of every person on this planet. We believe that all people deserve the opportunity to fulfill their highest potential as I was able to do in theUnited States.
And as you learn about new cultures and form new friendships during your time here inChinaand in theUnited States, all of you are the living, breathing embodiment of those values. So I guarantee you that in studying abroad, you’re not just changing your own life, you are changing the lives of everyone you meet.
And as the great American President John F. Kennedy once said about foreign students studying in theU.S., he said “I think they teach more than they learn.” And that is just as true of young Americans who study abroad. All of you areAmerica’s best face, andChina’s best face, to the world -- you truly are.
Every day, you show the world your countries’ energy and creativity and optimism and unwavering belief in the future. And every day, you remind us -- and me in particular -- of just how much we can achieve if we reach across borders, and learn to see ourselves in each other, and confront our shared challenges with shared resolve.
So I hope you all will keep seeking these kinds of experiences. And I hope you’ll keep teaching each other, and learning from each other, and building bonds of friendship that will enrich your lives and enrich our world for decades to come.
You all have so much to offer, and I cannot wait to see all that you achieve together in the years ahead.
Thank you so much. Xie-Xie. (Applause.)
END
中文版
我今天來到這裡，是因為我知道，我們的未來，取決於全世界像你們這樣的年輕人之間的聯繫。
這也是為什麼我們夫婦在國外訪問時，不只參觀宮殿和會晤國家元首。我們也來到學校，與像你們一樣的學生見面。
因為我們相信，國與國之間的關係不只是政府或領導人之間的關係，它們是人民間―特別是年輕人之間的關係。
因此，我們認為海外留學項目不只是為學生提供的教育機會，還是美國外交政策至關重要的組成部分。
“讀萬卷書，不如行萬里路”
你們看，通過現代技術奇蹟，我們的世界比以往任何時候都更多地聯繫在一起。
思想可以通過點擊按鈕跨越海洋。全球各地的公司可以進行業務往來和相互競爭。我們可以與各大洲的人們通過簡訊、電子郵件和Skype進行溝通。
因此，出國留學不只是以開心的方式度過一個學期―它正迅速成為全球化經濟中取得成功的關鍵。
因為要走在當今職場的前沿，只在學校里取得好成績是不夠的，還應擁有國境外的真實體驗：對完全不同的語言、文化和社會的體驗。
正如中國的一句古話所說：讀萬卷書，不如行萬里路。
我想要說的是，出國留學絕不僅是改善你們自己的未來，它也關乎塑造你們的國家、關乎我們共有的世界的未來。
因為我們這個時代的決定性挑戰一一無論是氣侯變化、經濟機遇，還是核武器擴散一一這些都是我們共同的挑戰。
沒有任何一個國家能夠單獨應對它們……唯一的出路就是共同攜手。
“共同攜手”
這就是為什麼年輕人到彼此國家學習和生活是如此重要。因為這是你們培養合作習慣的途徑一一你們通過融入不同的文化，通過了解彼此的故事，通過跨越常常隔膜我們的成見和誤解，來做到這一點。
這是你們了解到我們共享多少東西的途徑。這是你們認識到我們的成功惠及彼此的途徑。在北京發現的治序方法可以挽救在美國的生命，來自加州矽谷的清潔能源技術可以改善中國的環境，西安一座古老寺廟的架構可激發達拉斯或者底特律新建築設計的靈感。
這是你們與同學、實驗夥伴建立起的聯繫能帶來更多收穫的時候。阿比蓋爾·柯普林成為北京大學美國富布賴特學者的時候，她與同事們在首屈一指的科學雜誌上共同發表論文，建立研究夥伴關係，這段關係在他們各自回國後還長久持續著。
來自北京大學的牛可教授是去年的美國富布賴特學者。我引述下他的話，“最難忘的經歷是和我的美國朋友們在一起。”
這些長久的紐帶代表留學的真正價值，我很興奮，越來越多的學生正得到這樣的機會。
米歇爾現身說法談留學
中國目前是美國人留學的第五大熱門目的地。今天的美國，來自中國的交換生數量最多。
儘管如此，太多的學生從來沒有這樣的機會，而一些有機會的學生則猶豫是否要抓住它。
他們可能覺得留學只是有錢的學生或來自某類大學的學生的事。或者，他們可能心裡想，“嗯，這聽起來很有趣，但它在我的生活中真正有多大用處？”
我理解這些年輕人，因為我在上大學時也有同樣的感受。你們知道，我來自一個工薪階層家庭，我甚至從來沒想過留學。我的父母沒有上過大學，我將精力集中在進入大學並獲得學位，這樣我就可以得到一份工作並養活自己。
對於很多像我一樣靠奮鬥才能讀得起一個常規學期的年輕人來說，支付世界另一邊的機票或生活費實在是不可能的。這是不可接受的，因為留學不應僅屬於有一些背景的學生。
我們希望在所有種族和社會經濟背景的人之間建立聯繫，因為正是這樣的多樣性讓我們的國家如此充滿活力和強大……我們的海外留學項目應向世界反映美國的真正精神。
這就是為什麼在2009年我的丈夫訪問中國時，宣布了我們的100，000項倡議，該倡議旨在增加留學中國的美國學生的數量和多樣性。而今年，在我們紀念中美兩國關係正常化三十五周年之際……美國政府實際上支持更多的美國學生在中國學習。
我們正將高中生、大學生和研究生送到這裡來學習中文，我們正邀請中國老師到美國的嘗較教授國語，我們為希望留學美國的中國學生提供免費的線上諮詢。美中富布賴特項目仍在加強，現有3000多名學友。
私人部門也在加緊工作。例如，美國黑石公司的主管斯蒂夫·施瓦茨曼正在資助清華大學模仿羅德獎學全（Rhode、Scholarship）的一個新項目。
“你不需要登上飛機才能成為公民外交官”
今天，來自不同背景的學生正在中國學習。以來自俄亥俄州克利夫蘭的羅亞爾為例，她參加了紐約大學在上海的項目。像我一樣，羅亞爾是家裡的第一代大學生。她母親做兩份全職工作，而她父親晚上工作以維持他們的家庭。談到她在上海的經歷時，她說：“這座城市充滿韌性，它激勵我完成所有我能做的事。”
還有來自華盛頓大學的腓力門·海爾，他還是孩子的時候，他的家人作為厄利垂亞難民來到了美國。談到他在中國學習的經歷時，他說：“在我們進入公民外交的新時代之際，留學是人民間交流的一種強大工具。”
“一個公民外交的新時代”一一我想不出比這更好的說法了，因為這正是我正在談的，那就是普通公民走向世界。
正如我經常對美國年輕認說的那樣，你不需要登上飛機才能成為公民外交官。
我告訴他們，如果你在家裡、學校或者圖書館能上網，只要幾秒鐘，你就可以被帶到世界任何地方，遇見來自每個大陸的人。
這就是為什麼我每天都要發一篇旅行博文，裡面有我這次中國之行的視頻和照片―因為我希望美國的年輕人能成為這次訪問的一部分。
這確實是技術的力量―它打開整個世界，讓我們接觸到以前根本難以想像的思想和創新。這也是為什麼信息和思想在網際網路上、並通過媒體自由流動是如此重要。
因為那是我們發現真理的途徑，那使我們得以了解我們的社群、我們的國家和我們的世界到底在發生著什麼。
那也是我們何以決定哪些價值觀和思想是最好的―通過有力地對它們提出疑問，進行辯論，傾聽各方觀點，並做出自己的判斷。
相信我，我知道這是一個令人困惑而沮喪的過程。有大量來自我們媒體和公民的質疑和批評，而我丈夫和我位於接收端。這並非易事，但我們認為它的重要無可取代。
因為我們一次又一次地看到，當所有公民的聲音和觀點都能得到傾聽之時，國家會變得更加強大和繁榮。
正像我的丈夫曾說過的，我們尊重其他文化和社會的獨特性。然而，就自由的表達自我、選擇自己所崇拜的東西，以及享有信息公開而言―我們相信那是地球上每個人與生俱來的權利。
“美國面孔”，“中國面孔”
我們相信，所有人都應享有實現自己最大潛能的機會，正如我在美國所能做到的那樣。同時，當你在中國這裡以及在美國了解新的文化、結交新的朋友之時，你整個人就是那些價值觀的鮮活代表。
所以我保證，通過出國留學，你們不僅在改變自己的人生，也在改變你所遇到的每個人的人生。
正像偉大的美國總統約翰·甘迺迪談到留學美國的外國學生時說的那樣，“我想他們所教的比他們學到的還要多。”而對出國學習的年徑美國人來說也是一樣的。
對世界而言，你們所有人都是最好的美國面孔，和最好的中國面孔。每一天，你們都在向世界展示你們國家的能量、創造力、樂觀，以及對未來堅定不移的信念。每一天，你們都在提醒我們，通過跨越國界，學會在彼此身上看到我們自己，和用共同的決心應對我們共同的挑戰。
所以，我希望你們都會不斷尋求這樣的經歷。我希望你們能繼續受益於彼此，互相學習，同時建立起友誼的紐帶，而這些紐帶能在未來數十年豐富你們的生活，也豐富我們的世界。
你們大家都有這么多可以給予世界，我熱切期待著你們未 來的成就。
