Brexit- or the ”British Exit from the European Union" | 何为‘脱欧’？留学生们来到英国后可能第一次听到这个词，不过他们之后很有可能会听厌倦
Author: Scarlett Rushby-Smith / Translator: Han Zhuo
Languages: English, Chinese
“What is Brexit?” This small word will be something a lot of overseas students may be hearing for the first time since their move to the UK, and one they will probably tire of hearing in due course.
Has been one of the most discussed topics in British politics for the past two years. The British Prime Minister Theresa may has been leading talks in Brussels with the European union since the initial vote was cast to leave in 2016.
The current talks are based around negotiations for a ‘fair Brexit’ – one that will impact both sides of the deal as little as possible. However, in the two years since the vote was had, much has changed in terms of agreements and regulations. But to what extent will this decision affect those students who choose to study in England?
Firstly, the ability to study abroad, within the EU or further, will be significantly affected. The EU’s freedom of movement law has been an enabler for Students to study abroad with ease. The current student population of European students in the UK stands at over 125,000 (roughly 5%), which in turn is estimated to have contributed £2.7bn to the British economy, as well as 19,000 extra jobs.
Secondly, fees will be impacted if Britain completely severs from the EU. Many students in the EU can study in Britain on ‘home fees’ which typically save European Students between £18-20 thousand pounds over the course of their university degree.
The teaching staff, and operational functions within Universities themselves will also be affected. Stricter Immigration laws will make it difficult to travel for work and study in the future.
The agreed date for Britain to leave the EU will be March 29th 2019. This will be a decision that not only affects Britain, but also the generations to come Worldwide.
Moving from British to American politics, the most coverage this week follows Christine Blasey Ford’s testament In Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s abuse allegation trial.
Brett Kavanaugh had been nominated for the role of Justice within the supreme court, as recommended by President Trump. However, Christine Blasely ford has has testified against him, giving details of the alleged sexual assault he committed at a high school party in the 1980’s. The abuse was said to have taken place when Kavanaugh was heavily under the influence of alcohol.
Deborah Ramirez, another victim, also testified against Kavanaugh, explaining that she too experienced sexual harassment from him, during an instance at college. If Republican Kavanaugh is found guilty of these allegations, then this could lead to heavy penalties, and the possibility of impeachment.
Sexual harassment and assault is unfortunately is still a current issue, as a recent report on BBC Sunday Politics North East Reveals.
Recent Newcastle University graduate Sara Sparrow covered this sensitive topic during a report on last Sunday’s program. The report showed that sexual harassment in university culture is a common occurrence.
This is due to the large numbers of students, as well as factors such as alcohol. The report featured some University students, explaining that sexual assaults have become ‘part and parcel’ of uni experience for some students, and most victims would not feel brave enough to report it, often blaming themselves. Local charity Streetwise, a young people’s charity in Newcastle is ‘aiming to change the culture of sexual violence on and off campus’. They have launched a campaign in the North East called ‘it’s not ok’, which aims to create awareness of sexual assault, whilst providing support and advice for those affected. The University also has a society called ‘it happens here’ which is an awareness and support group for sexual abuse on campus at Newcastle University.
Streetwise confidential email: youthwork@streetwisenorth.org.uk
Newcastle it happens here: ithappensherenewcastle@gmail.com
过去两年，脱欧是英国政治中被讨论最多的话题。
自从2016年公投结果出来后，英国首相特蕾莎·梅一直与欧盟领导人谈判，
目前谈判的焦点是‘公平脱欧’——致力于将双方影响降至最低。但是过去两年，许多协议与规定已经变了。这个决定将在何种程度上影响留英学生？
首当其冲的是留英可行性大幅下降。
欧盟人员自由流动法律使欧盟学生能更轻易地去其他欧盟国家学习。
目前留英的欧盟学生数量超12万5千（约5%），这为英国经济贡献了约27亿英镑，以及1万9千个工作岗位。
其次，学费会受影响。欧盟学生在英国留学可以享受‘本地学生价格’，整个课程读完可以节约两万英镑左右。
教职人员以及学校本身的运作也会受到影响。愈加严厉的移民法将使出差、留学更加困难。
约定好的脱欧日期为明年3月29日。这不仅影响英国，还影响全世界。
说完了英国的政治，我们来谈谈美国的。
本周报道最多的是Brett Kavanaugh性侵受审一案。
Brett Kavanaugh 是被特拉普推荐提名的最高法院候选人。
Christine Blasely Ford控诉他曾在80年代在高中派对上性情了她。据称是因Kavanaugh受酒精的影响。
另一个受害人Deborah Ramirez也控诉了Kavanaugh，声称她大学时也曾遭受Kavanaugh的性侵。
如果这些控诉被证实，那么共和党人Kavanaugh将面临天价罚款，且极有可能被弹劾。
据最近BBC的报道，性侵仍是目前一大社会议题。
最近纽卡斯尔大学的学生Sara Sparrow在上周日的节目中报告了这一敏感问题。据她的报告，大学中的性侵现象非常普遍。
这主要是因为学生人数多，以及酒精等因素的影响。该报道聚焦了一些大学里的学生，他们表示性侵已成为大学经历的重要组成部分了。而且大部分的受害者没有足够的勇气去报案，通常只会自责。
由当地年轻人组织的慈善机构Streetwise，‘致力于改变校园性暴力文化’。
他们最近发起了一项叫做‘这不好’的运动，意在唤起大家对性侵的意识，同时为受害者提供支持与建议。
纽卡斯尔大学还有一个叫‘它在这里发生’的社团，是一个为性侵受害者提供支持的团队。
