主播：Selah (美国) + 梅莉 (法国) 

音乐：Hiding In the Blue

In recent years, more and more people have started learning Chinese, and the language has become increasingly popular. Both Maelle and Selah grew up in China and speak fluent (流利的) Chinese. 

今天让我们来了解一下，当主播Maelle和Selah在外生活或旅行时，会说中文给他们带来了什么好处呢？

01. Professional Perks 职业福利

Job Opportunities (工作机会)

Maelle once got an internship (实习) because she spoke Chinese on top of (超过) English and French. Companies don’t expect foreigners to speak fluent Chinese—so when Maelle does, it stands out (脱颖而出).

Teaching Edge (教学优势)

Selah在大学时常用中文认识国际生，因为她们校园里有很多中国学生。Selah also uses Chinese to help Chinese students adjust in (适应) English-speaking classrooms, making them feel more comfortable and supported.

Academic Benefits (学术好处)

Selah skipped (跳过) two years of coursework (学业课程) and got a Chinese minor (中文辅修课程) after testing out of the classes. Speaking Chinese saved time and boosted her credentials (提升了她的学历).

test out of the classes 通过考试而免修课程

02. Social & Travel Benefits 社交和旅行妙用

Selah’s family once traveled to Italy, they got lost and could not find the way to their destination (目的地). They used Chinese to ask for directions (方向) at a Chinese-owned barbershop (理发店). It was incredible (不可思议)!

When Maelle was living in Spain, she went to get her nails done (做指甲) in a place. The boss and workers were all Chinese. They spoke Spanish with their clients (客户) but she couldn’t help (情不自禁) but speak Chinese to them. 

They were very shocked (特别惊讶), and they ended up (结果是) remembering Maelle every time she went back. Maelle chatted (聊天) with them in Chinese and made many new friends.

Speaking Chinese makes it easier to make friends in many parts of Europe and the Americas, since there are large Chinese communities (华人社区) there. It’s like having a secret superpower (隐藏技能) sometimes!

03. Instant Friendships 迅速建立友谊

Maelle once made a close Chinese friend while in France, all thanks to her language skills. They didn’t know each other at first, but a mutual (共同的) friend mentioned to him that there was a French girl who spoke really good Chinese. 

He was a bit skeptical (怀疑的) at first. Later, they met at a party, and Maelle immediately (迅速) started speaking Chinese to him.

He was surprised and impressed. When he told her he was from Shandong, she even switched (转换) to the Qingdao dialect (方言) and joked: “下次来青岛玩儿，我们一起哈啤酒吃蛤蜊(ga la)”.

He was completely shocked—and told everyone at the party about the French girl who could speak Qingdao dialect. It was hilarious (搞笑的), and that moment sparked (点燃) a great friendship. For Maelle, being able to speak the local dialect created an instant (立刻的) connection.

Selah often found opportunities (机会) to use her Chinese when she saw lost-looking (看上去迷路了的) Chinese students on campus. She would walk up to (走上前去) them and say, “你是中国人吗？你需要帮助找地方吗？”—and they were always surprised.

The same thing happened at Chinese markets or restaurants, where she would order in Chinese and consistently (持续不断地) shock people with her language skills.

In conclusion, being able to speak Chinese has definitely given them great  advantages—professionally (专业地), socially, and even just for fun. 对于她们来说，会说中文就是秘密武器（secret weapon）！

Hopefully our listeners will feel inspired (受鼓舞的) to keep improving both their Chinese and English. The more languages you speak, the more doors open.

如果你也有因为会说中文而在国外经历的趣事，欢迎在评论区分享给我们！We would love to read them!