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Lesson 18 A Change of Pace
改变步调
Joining the Peace Corps is an auspicious start to a career in the Foreign Service.
加入（美国）和平队可谓外事生涯吉利的开端。
Peace Corps volunteers perform charitable function in developing countries under the auspices of the U.S. Government.
在美国政府的支持下，和平队志愿者前往广大发展中国家执行慈善任务，
They primarily serve as auxiliary advisers or teachers.
主要是作为助理顾问或教师。
Most volunteers are average citizens just looking for a change of peace.
大多数志愿者都是想改变人生步调的寻常百姓。
Every volunteer receives a uniform.
每位志愿者都会拿到一套制服。
It's clean but far from avant-garde.
制服很干净，但远谈不上前卫。
You also receive a handbook.
你还会拿到一本手册，
It's an authoritative manual for survival in your host country.
这是一本教你在东道国如何生存的权威指南。
The handbook contains some useful tips for staying out of trouble in a foreign country:
手册中包含一些关于如何在国外避免麻烦的好建议：
1. Always respect the authorities in your host country.
1. 始终不渝地尊重所在国的政府当局。
2. Don't authorize anyone to use your identification card.
2. 不要授权任何人使用你的身份证。
3. When crossing a mountain pass in the winter, beware of avalanche conditions.
3. 冬天过关隘时，小心雪崩状况。
4. Be alert for possible attacks by terrorists trying to avenge a loss.
4. 警惕恐怖分子为所受损失而可能采取的报复性攻击。
5. Make certain that anything valuable you buy is authentic.
5. 确保所购买的贵重物品真实可靠。
6. Always authenticate large bills before accepting them.
6. 在接受任何大额票据时，一定要证明其真实性。
Some assignments are dangerous.
有些任务很危险。
You might be sent to a country with an autocrat for a ruler.
你可能会被派到一个由独裁者统治的国家。
You may need to work near an area where rebels are fighting to obtain autonomy.
你的工作地点附近可能会有反叛者为获得自治权而奋起抗争。
Some regions are already autonomous but are fighting to retain control.
有些地区虽已取得自治权，但为掌握控制权仍在战斗。
Most assignments are not dangerous.
大多数任务并不危险。
In my first assignment, I was sent to a small Latin American country to help build an automated water supply system.
我的第一个任务就是被派到一个拉美小国，帮助当地人修建自动供水系统。
The only difficult I had in that country was cooking for myself.
我在该国遇到的唯一困难就是得自己做饭。
It's too bad they haven't invented an automaton that can make breakfast in the morning.
真可惜，他们没有发明能做饭的机器人。
If you're available for at least a full year of service, you can apply to join the Peace Corp.
如果你愿意干上至少一整年，就可以申请加入和平队。但申请并不意味着自动被录用。
Acceptance is not automatic. Perhaps at the end of your service, you will be able to write an autobiography of your adventures abroad.
也许到你职业生涯的最后，你就可以写一本自传，描述你在国外的冒险经历了。
