I felt like I had clicked my heels three times and come to a country away from home every morning as I walked through the doors at the Embassy of Australia in Washington. Musical Aussie accents, and Aboriginal art exhibits made me wonder if I had entered without a visa. In fact I was a temporary employee, a public affairs unpaid intern(实习) for three months during the summer in order to engage myself in the culture of the country where I planned to study the next spring.
During the summer I read the Australian news every day. Working at the embassy allowed me to escape the U.S. for six hours per day and learn about what was going on across the planet. After reading the daily Australian and U.S. news I usually helped prepare a PowerPoint presentation for school kids who visited the embassy as part of a school activity. Depending on whether an embassy event was going on, I would attend weekly meetings to listen in on planning and see what I could do to help. Usually there were smaller tasks to be done such as creating visitors' guides.
The most fantastic event in which I participated was the visit of the Australian prime minister. As the only American among countless Australian media and staff, I felt comfortable and was kept busy taking pictures and recording door-stop interviews at famous sites such as the Capitol. But as an intern, you will not be inside, exposed to top-secret information, when it comes to special events.
Government work is a useful addition to one's experience. As an embassy employee you will gain invaluable knowledge while spending your summer in a culturally diverse workplace.
8. What is the author talking about?
A. Her embassy internship. B. Her trouble in finding a job.
C. Her foreign culture experience. D. Her preparation for future employment.
9. Why was the author in the Embassy of Australia for three months?
A. To apply for a visa. B. To prepare to study in Australia.
C. To record musical Aussie accents. D. To appreciate Aboriginal art exhibits.
10. What was the author forbidden to do when the Australian prime minister visited America?
A. Record door-stop interviews. B. Know top-secret information.
C. Take pictures of special events. D. Stand among the Australian staff.
11. What can we infer about her daily routine at the Embassy?
A. It is tiring. B. It is boring.
C. It is exciting. D. It is relaxing.