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Student: Good afternoon. I’m considering applying to your university and would like to ask you some questions.
Woman: Of course. Take a seat. Which course were you thinking of applying for?
Student: South-east Asian Studies.
Woman: I see. Do you have a copy of the university prospectus?
Student: Yes. I do. I downloaded it.
Woman: So, you know that it’s a four-year course, including one year living and working in the region.
Student: Yes. The A-level entrance requirement is BCC, right?
Woman: Yes, but on average our students have 3 Bs.
Student: Are there any restrictions on the subjects that I take at A-level?
Woman: No, but we find that students studying politics, economics, history, geography or languages tend to find their first year easier. A background in at least two or three of those subjects is advantageous.
Student: I see. I’m not studying politics or languages, but I am taking the other three at A-level. Are languages an important part of the course? You see, I’m not very good at them.
Woman: Languages are not a compulsory part of the course--they are optional each year. However, because students spend a year abroad, we strongly recommend that students take one for at least a year beforehand. However. there is a language lab that students are free to use during the day regardless of the subjects they are taking.
Student: Which languages are offered?
Woman: We have five on offer--Vietnamese, Burmese, Thai, Indonesian and Tagalog. They can be taken in the first, second and fourth years. During the third year, students are expected to learn the basics of the language spoken wherever they are spending their year abroad.
Student: I see. Can I spend my year abroad in any country in the region I choose?
Woman: Yes, as long as you can satisfy your tutors that it will benefit your studies. This year most students have gone to Vietnam, Thailand, or the Philippines. Fewer have gone to Indonesia, Burma, Malaysia, Laos or Cambodia. None went to Singapore or Brunei.
Student: What do students generally do during their year abroad?
Woman: The vast majority help on aid projects, especially helping with water supply and sanitation in rural areas. Others get involved in teaching English or in business--particularly the logistics side of things. A small minority get jobs translating or checking translations. That’s quite well paid. but your languages skills have to be up to scratch.
Student: Good. I was attracted by the idea of teaching English or doing aid work.
Woman: Very often, it’s possible to do both. That way you can also develop a wider range of skills.
Student: Thank you for your help. Can I just check the optional courses for year one?
Woman: The only choice in year one is a language or a project where the student creates a portfolio of background information on the countries of the region. Actually, many students do both, since they find the project contributes to their general understanding of the region and the languages are obviously useful preparation for going abroad. However, students are only assessed on either the language or the project and are free to choose which one.
Student: Got it. And could you tell me about the scholarships that are available from the department? It says in the prospectus that there are some in addition to the ones offered by the university.
Woman: Sure. Actually, I’ve printed out a list.... Here you are. Nothing is available for first year students, but thereafter scholarships are awarded for high overall grades and also for linguistic skills. There is a smaller discretionary award for non-academic contributions.
Student: Well, thank you very much for your help.